In a recent interview I was listening to between Mike Robertson and NFL Strength Coach Joe "House" Kenn, Joe was asked an interesting question. He was asked what he would like to see more of AND what he wishes he focused on in his younger years. His answer was...... MORE Bodyweight Training, More Playground Workouts and the ability to Move your Own Bodyweight. I've personally deadlifted over 500 lbs, squatted 455 for reps, benched over 300 lbs and at 220 lbs can perform 25 pull ups … [Read more...]
The TRUTH About Bodyweight Workouts
Franco Columbu was a BEAST when it came to pull ups. He cranked them from all angles AND added weight to them as well. High reps AND low reps. Reminds me of my OLD Bodybuilding training partner.... We almost always began our workouts with chins and progressed to weighted chins. He would build up to chin ups with THREE 45 lb plates strapped to a weight belt. His back was THICK! It freaked people out! Heavy Chins and HEAVY barbell rows were his ticket. Back to the legend of Franco … [Read more...]
Agile, Mobile and Hostile
Your Mission: Agile, Mobile & Hostile.... The REAL Men HAD it back in the day, The Golden Era & Old School times... Why were the Agile, Mobile & Hostile? How did they achieve the ultimate in performance AND appearance? Their approach was simple yet challenging.... They concentrated on a blend of strength, muscle building, raw power and athleticism. It wasn't enough to be able to squat, bench or deadlift heavy. NO, Sir, these men blended gymnastics, strongman training, feats of … [Read more...]
When Are You Strong Enough?
The question has been asked MANY times, and, I've posted similar to what I'm about to get into. Check this video as I answer the common question, "How do I Know when I am strong enough?" The REAL Answer: We can always become stronger or improve performance. Strength is skill / technique, so, adding weight or reps isn't the only way to demonstrate greater strength. Check the vid below and then drop a comment with your own thoughts. What about my Top 10 Bodyweight Exercises? I told … [Read more...]
Tales of an Unlikely BEAST
Above, Jesse, before The Underground and 2 months after. Below, a compilation of Jesse's progress through the months at The Underground Strength Gym. Tales of an unlikely BEAST..... Dude shows up at The Underground looking to prepare for his future.... classified shiz, NO joke. Former collegiate fencer, pissed off at his physical abilities, motivated like hell to become a BEAST. He changes hit nutrition, gets rid of the crappy carbs and chows down on loads of fruits, veggies, trail mix … [Read more...]
Bodyweight Workout for Strength AND Power
I primarily use bodyweight training for strength AND power. Here and there, conditioning circuits as well, using faster, more explosive bouts. I also like to perform bodyweight training for warm ups. High reps get the mind and body working together, the joints get lubricated and all around this keeps you young. In a nut shell, you just can't go wrong with bodyweight training. Nobody can stop you from doing the basics of squats, push ups, pull ups and sprints. I mentioned something in a … [Read more...]
Strength BEFORE the Internet
Before the internet, the world of strength and serious bodybuilding was in it's very own little world. A small culture of people who shocked the rest of the world for doing what they did: - Lifting HEAVY and straining the body - Eating like Gladiators - Transforming their body / Growing Muscles that stretched shirts - The ability to perform feats of strength Well, after this weekend's USC Cert, we had a few guys in attendance who were in their 20s and they had never seen the … [Read more...]
There Are NO Secrets
Some say they have secrets for packing on freakish amounts of ripped muscle and insane amounts of strength. The internet is famous for click bait, louring you into something that sounds profound, but in a nut shell is a gimmick. Continue reading if you want the truth. Be warned though, the truth comes hand in hand with WORK! Freak Strength, Brute Strength, Functional Strength & Rugged Muscle - if you want ALL of these traits, then you better Squat and Deadlift. You better fall in love … [Read more...]
How Bodyweight Training Opened My Eyes & Changed My LIFE
Bodyweight training has always been at the top of my list of critical components of being strong and athletic. But, I mostly used bodyweight training as a finisher in my workouts. After heavy upper body workouts my training partner and I did chins and dips for high reps as a superset. Or, when I was on vacation, I did bodyweight only workouts. It wasn't until I started waking up with serious joint aches and pains that I started taking bodyweight training much more seriously and turned … [Read more...]
Power Talk with Jonny Hinds of The Monkey Bar Gym
On my one hand, I can count those who have REALLY influenced me in training AND in life. Without hesitation, Jonny Hinds is one of those people. I connected with Jon maybe 2 or 3 years ago by phone, after Pat Miletich, the MMA Coach and former UFC Champion, sent me his way. I would spend over an hour on the phone talking about physical culture and nutrition every time we chatted. We would philosophize about life and exchange cool training and life stories and experiences, and, I'll admit, … [Read more...]