Original Photo & Story HERE This was a QnA session BUT heavily prefaced by an explanation of "What It Takes", an expansion of the recent "What It Takes" Blog Post..... I suggest you read that blog post because until you understand "What It Takes" the knowledge you acquire means nothing & will amount to nothing. The BIG missing link that is always swept under the rug is the emphasis on hard work, smart work, dedication, consistency & intensity model of training. I love these … [Read more...]
Upper Body Blast, STRONGMAN Training, Warrior Advice & NEW Underground Tour
I this video I'm about to share with you, you are going to see training, biz and life advice wrapped into one. ALL from the HEART: - Upper Body Blast with Bodyweight - Unique Strongman Training - Updated Tour of The ORIGINAL Underground Strength Gym - Powerful Advice The Ultimate Warrior Told Me (I Will NEVER Forget) - What a Marine Did For The Underground Strength Gym that Bring Tears to my Eyes. This is a special Video, 16 minutes long Action packed with Power. … [Read more...]
How I Use QUICK Bodyweight Workouts for Added Strength AND Size
The power of bodyweight training has always been evident to me. I began doing push ups and pull ups on an almost daily basis when I was finishing 8th grade and was 13 1/2 years young. At age 14 I was doing 20 pull ups with ease and have been doing over 20 pull ups in a row even while weighing 220 lbs. When in doubt, I go with bodyweight exercises. They never hurt me or make me feel too old. They never make my joints feel like shit either. Thank you, Sir, may I have another! About 7 … [Read more...]
Is DAILY Bodyweight Training Effective & Safe For Muscle & Strength Gains?
This started all the way back in 1989. Every time I passed a pull up bar or anything I could grab on to over head, I banged out pull ups. This became a daily practice. Same for push ups. Push Ups for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guess what happened? … [Read more...]
Minimalist Training Tips for Full Body Strength
The more I utilize simple dumbbell & bodyweight workouts for myself, the more I realize less is more. Less variety and more focus = greater results in strength and size. I've been around too long and I want to challenge and question what REALLY works. I've seen the results of some of the most popular "programs" out there...... I wanted to see, do these athletes demonstrate greater strength? Greater speed? Greater physicality and more muscle? Well, the program looks impressive on … [Read more...]
The Power Behind Push Ups
I always tell my athletes, "Eat your push ups & pull ups for breakfast!" You MUST be GREAT at these 2 exercises, they are the foundation for upper body strength and power and work wonders for muscle building. I recently got a copy of The Convict Conditioning Push Up Series Course and the FIRST thing that struck me was all the coaching techniques, regressions and progressions. I am ALWAYS shocked when I have athletes at my gym who trained elsewhere and they are NOT performing the … [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...]
Bodyweight Workout For Size & Strength Using The “Ladder Technique”
I've spoken often about using the "ladder technique" with my Bodyweight Bodybuilding training course, but also with Kettlebell Workouts and sometimes with deadlifts as well and had great success. The ladder technique is a powerful way to increase your strength, pack on muscle and if used with an aggressive pace, you will also improve cardio and stimulate fat loss. Here's how I train when using ladders with bodyweight exercises: … [Read more...]
Hunting for a Playground Workout – The End?
I got LUCKY. I Found myself a killa little playground, still in need of finding pull up bars and dip bars that are up HIGH. I've seen these in videos outside of the states & in the suburbs of NYC, I fear there is a conspiracy to keep people weak by removing playgrounds We filmed a TON of footage at this playground for the new Bodyweight Training Course. Now, although I've been cranking LOTS of bodyweight workouts at the playground lately, you might be asking how I train the lower body.... … [Read more...]
The Power Behind Bodyweight Bodybuilding Playground Workouts
I am getting more and MORE hyped on Bodyweight Training. I feel GREAT attacking the calisthenics and with warmer weather especially, it is perfect for training outdoors to rejuvenate mind, body & spirit. The cold is not to be feared either, the Russian athletes often trained outdoors for a warm up and fresh air on a regular basis. You can see it in the Video below as well. I have been hunting for better playgrounds all around NJ since 2002. Sometimes I bring a kettlebell and mix the … [Read more...]