I was listening to a recent podcast with my friend, John Welbourn. In his podcast he discussed once a week training with his BJJ athletes doing "Density Training". Density Training is what Coach Ethan Reeve began doing in the 70s where he would perform exercises back to back for time. For example, his collegiate daily program was 10 rounds of Power Cleans with his bodyweight supersetted with chin ups / pull ups. All performed in 20 minutes or less. Underground Strength began over 20 years … [Read more...]
4 Tips on How to Build Strength Endurance aka “Performance Muscles”
Strength Endurance or as my friend, Marty Gallagher calls it, Sustained Strength. STRENGTH ENDURANCE - This is simply strength that keeps on keeping on. Strength that ENDURES. Not just physically, but also Mentally. This is a crucial "special strength" that is beneficial to many athletes and adults as well. Just a few sports & careers: - Lacrosse - Football - Wrestling - BJJ - MMA - Military - Law Enforcement - Hunting Tip # 1: To acquire Strength … [Read more...]
Top 11 Muscle Building Exercises
Here's a list of the Top 11 Muscle Building Exercises that you simply can't go wrong with (minus if you have any injuries, physical limitations, excuses, etc) if you wanna get jacked AND strong. Check em' out and decide how you can put them to use into your current training regime / workouts. My suggestion is to start with some hard work, mixed in with some heavy weight, sweat & consistency. You'll also a see unique video from one of my workouts this week at The Underground Strength … [Read more...]
3 Rules For Short, Effective Workouts
Workouts don't have to be long to be effective. Trust me, I KNOW. I used to spend 90 - 120 minutes in the gym each and every workout. Back in high school, it wasn't odd for me to be there longer than 2 hours every training session. That long and endless style of training doesn't work, especially when you actually have half a life. Here are 3 ways you can get more results from your workouts in at least Half the time Once again, these are simple tips, NOT easy tips. Results take WORK. … [Read more...]
Bottoms UP & The DEATH Grip
Having a powerful, bone crushing grip is one of the cornerstones of a legit, strong MAN. Heck, you might even say that being Man means you must have a bone crushing grip. You KNOW you remember the guy who always shook your hand when you were younger that had you walking away saying to yourself, "WOW, that Dude has got one helluva grip!" Do you think people say the same thing about you? If not, then I must say, "Houston, we've got a problem". If you're gonna use the Kettlebell drill in the … [Read more...]
YOU vs You
After spending time with Coach Reeve and Coach Istvan Javorek over the weekend while speaking at The NC State Strength Coaches Clinic we spent lots of time speaking about athletes who overcame adversity. Coach Reeve & Coach Javorek have so many stories and memories of athletes it is awe inspiring. I've seen my fair share but my experience pales in comparison compared to these two Gentlemen. Of course, we spoke of wrestlers and olympic weightlifters the most :) These stories of … [Read more...]
Density Training, Mental Toughness and BadAss Workouts
When I first heard about Density Workouts is when Coach Ethan Reeve was describing his very own workouts from when he was a college wrestler back in the 70s. He would crank intense workouts for 20 minutes, going for maximum rounds. The workouts would give an ass whoopin' to ALL of us. The Rutgers Wrestling Team is learning ALL about these Density Workouts as we crank many of our workouts based on time. It forces you to push the pace, minimize rest and in turn, mental toughness improves along … [Read more...]
Coach Ethan Reeve Interview
"All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work." ~ Thomas J. Watson Wow, look what I dug up! MANY Years ago, I had the opportunity to e mail Coach Ethan Reeve, one of my mentors, and he dished out some of the most powerful training information as exchanged emails. Here it is, once again, for your reading … [Read more...]