In this episode of The Iron Roots Podcast, I get into the History behind the box squat. I also share how we use the box squat at The Underground Strength Gym along with proper application of the box squat. I see a LOT of mistakes with the use of the box squat, including when I see footage from D1 University weight rooms. That is NO good. My first exposure to the box squat was from watching Louie Simmons' Westside Barbell VHS tapes. Louie learned how to Box Squat from these original … [Read more...]
5 SQUAT Variations You Should Be Doing
I've been squatting since age 13. I'm 5'10" and according to the fallacy, I should be 5'1" since squats "stunt your growth." I've done 50 sets of Squats in a day and didn't get rhabdo or need to go to the hospital. I've squatted 315 for 22 reps on my 22nd birthday and squatted 225 for 50 reps. Squats are good for the body AND the soul. But, as we get older and accumulate mileage of iron on the body, it's important to switch up those Squats. Use variations of the squat to work … [Read more...]
Farmer Carries Are Great, But…..
Before I even owned my gym I met up with some guys who were competitive strongmen. I was training out of my garage mostly, here and there going to the local tire yard for some tire flips..... It was Saturday and it was their day of training events. I remember getting destroyed with their 220 lb farmer walks and some of their guys jogged with the weight. I was fired up and got chatting with these guys about their programming and made my adjustments. At the time, my lower body … [Read more...]
Jason Spray On Organizing Football Workouts, Speed Training & Building TOUGH Champions
If you're like me, you strive to get better every damn day! You KNOW to stray FAR away from those poor souls who say, "We always did it that way...." Those people FEAR excellence. Let them stay scared. NOT you..... In Episode 75 of The STRONG Life Podcast I have an awesome convo with D1 Football Strength & Conditioning Coach, Jason Spray, On Organizing Football Workouts, Speed Training & Building TOUGH Champions in Sports AND Life. Jason is the Head Football Strength & … [Read more...]
When Can A Man STOP Training?
The temp was 29 degrees, Winter had finally set in. I was up that morning at 6 AM, took care of the wife and kids and then drove to The Underground Strength Gym of Manasquan, NJ. I cranked the heat for 10 minutes, no longer. I don't wanna spoil myself with a cozy gym. F--K that. I got warmed up and got to work. Some smashing on the rumble roller. Some light band work for the upper body and lower body. I had been thinking of this workout since Sunday Morning, some 24 hrs prior. As I was … [Read more...]
USC Cert Highlight & Random Thoughts [March 2015]
![USC Cert Highlight & Random Thoughts [March 2015]](https://zacheven-esh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Oct2014-UndergroundStrengthCoach-300x300.jpg)
I've pumped up some east coast travels into overtime leading up to this summer with my seminar schedule. In addition, there are enough events happening at Underground Strength HQ in NJ for anyone who wants to be an aggressive learning machine. Let there be no mistake about it. If you want to succeed, you must DO THE WORK. AKA Hustle. Also of note, you must be strategic with every action you take. ALL upcoming events are listed HERE. Motivated and ego free Coaches should find a way to make … [Read more...]
How Hard To Train to Maximize Strength & Muscle Growth?
How hard is too hard when it comes to packing on size and strength? What is enough, what is too much and what is optimal? After decades of experience since 1989, I've seen some guys lean more towards one way over another. Other times, I've seen lifters change their intensity levels. Myself? I go completely by feel. More often than not, my intensity is high and aggressive. Why? It matches my personality. When I deny who I am and what I am, I do NOT feel good about what I'm doing. I LOVE hard … [Read more...]
Why Does Worrying Too Much Make You WEAK?
Should I squat with a box or with out? Should I use a double overhand grip, a hook grip or alternate grip? Should I pull sumo or conventional? Should I follow The Rock's Hercules program or 531 or 5 x 5 or ...... There are only a few details you need to concern yourself with. The details the majority of people worry about will NOT make the difference between you becoming a champion or not. Here are the details you need to concern yourself with: … [Read more...]
The BEST Way to Pack on Muscle & Strength
I've been under the bar since age 13, that 20 years of iron work baby! I have found some HIGHLY overlooked methods for packing on some serious muscle and gettin' strong as hell. Watch the video & see what I'm talkin' about. Drop a comment when you're done bruddah.... The rest of this workout is coming and it was bad ass! You don't have to KILL yourself on the BIG lifts I have found. What I am learning more and more is to do just enough to elicit a response. This is what keeps me … [Read more...]
Lost Secrets of Strength & Muscle Building with Joe DeFranco, Part II
Joe DeFranco & I just released our Limited Edition, Lost Secrets of Strength Seminar on DVD & CD (Over 7 hours of Information!!). Below, Joe talks about training young athletes, how to build relative strength, how to add muscle, how to progress them into the infamous 'Westside for Skinny Bastards', bodyweight training standards and much more. This interview is jam packed with awesome athletic training information, and we have 7 hours more for you HERE. Enjoy the interview and drop a … [Read more...]