This is the beginning of an upper body workout with some crazy college athletes - the energy is high and the strength is pretty freaky as well. Note how we hype them up with a few quick sets of plyometrics and medicine ball throws. Check these bruddahs out... Before these college athletes ever touched a barbell we needed them to achieve some "benchmarks". No need for them to bench if they weren't demonstrating a foundation of strength to bench press. Push ups, dips, kettlebell pressing, … [Read more...]
How to Build Muscle for the Busy Man
Check out Part II of my interrogation with Vince DelMonte below.. Vince: What do you mean when you say stuff like, "I'll help you slap on rugged muscle..." Zach - Rugged muscles comes from the old school movements that so many people miss out on, especially in these fancy gyms. Look at the bodybuilders from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. They had that rugged, chiseled look that came from an intense focus on the basic lifts with heavy loads. Today’s bodybuilders are puffy and bloated. Vince:: If I … [Read more...]
REAL Man Muscle: Strength Training Hard & Heavy
Man, if there is 1 thing engrained into my DNA, it must be that I LOVE to train hard & heavy. But, lately, I've been straying away from the heavy barbell, rocking the dumbbells, kettlebells and bodyweight a lot more. I'm feeling healthier, and still strong as a mofo. It doesn't make me feel good when my back is so f**ked up that it hurts to change diapers. As I grow, I evolve. Does this mean I will never touch a barbell again? Hells NO! I still use them, but I am finding "other" … [Read more...]
Episode 55: Zach gets carried away while watching Bigger, Faster, Stronger
This movie brought back some serious memories, maybe what I talk about hits some old nerves inside of you as well? And by the way, that cheeseburger is from an awesome Nj Diner. If you ever visit NJ you gotta kill it at a diner! Post your comments about the memories you had as a kid that motivated you to get jacked and strong! I am psyched to hear what people say! Kill it! --Coach Z-- PS: Returned from the wrestling club today and we KILLED it with our bodyweight combative drills found … [Read more...]
Episode # 25 – Another Playground Assault
If you're not training and tearing it up at the local playground, you're missing out! Check this vid... Get outdoors, you need the fresh air! Then, tell us about your playground workout and post your exercises, sets, reps, etc - share with the world! Kill it! --Coach Z-- PS: There is about 34 hrs left on THIS. PPS: The Underground Strength Coach contest will be announced shortly. Watch your e mails! … [Read more...]
You’re kidding, right?
Since the explosion of the internet and the fancy shmancy gyms that have been popping up on every corner of every town, notice how everyone struggles with results? You shoulda seen the gym Lou Ferrigno trained in when he was in Brooklyn, preparing to compete against Arnold. Oh man, what a little dungeon that was, with barely any room to move..... Barbells and dumbbells and what else??? Come on, you know the deal.... sweat, blood, blistering effort, intensity..... This is what training is … [Read more...]
Lucky? I don’t think so!
My wife was watching FOX news a few hours ago and I caught a few minutes with her. I'm not a big news watcher, too much negativity for me. The interesting thing that caught my attention was the guest they had on the show who was the founder for the NAAO, National Action Against Obesity. The newscaster was trying to make her feel bad about the entire airplane seating debate for being obese and how some people are big bones, etc, etc. ALL the excuses were raining down and MeMe Roth stayed tough … [Read more...]
Time for change
Change can be a good thing. I am feeling a need for change. It starts from a point much deeper than my emotions, it's just a Gut feeling I have. I find myself running home rather than driving home. I begin removing favorites such as squats and deadlifts, and return to a lot of bodyweight training, kettlebell workouts, sandbags and sledge hammers. Sprinting becomes more common place, as does jumping, dragging sleds and running with the prowler. Removing breads, milk and dairy from … [Read more...]