Above: The Dumbbells at Diamond Gym. To get to the heaviest weights, you must do all the work to get them from the bottom! In sports, you can be a Coach or even a fan watching practice or competition and there will be stand out athletes. If you don't know that athlete, then you have NO clue how that athlete achieved his or her skill. he may have worked his ass off for it or, he might be gifted and lazy. But in the weight room, ahhhhhh, that's a different story. You can stand against the wall … [Read more...]
Underground Strength Stories: Tom Platz Squats & Diamond Gym
It was the Winter of 1995 and I was driving to Diamond Gym with my training partners. Our typical 30 minute drive to Diamond was the 3 of us getting fired up to destroy the gym as we blasted music from my special Kenwood stereo. Back then, I had cassette tapes that were special mix tapes with our favorite music. But this one time, the guys were strangely silent. I was scared. Scared that our workout was going to be a wash. The entire 30 minute drive I could just feel their lack of … [Read more...]
Us vs “Them”
No need to talk to me, I am here to do WORK. Before you even hit the gym, you've already been preparing for that training session. 24 hours in advance..... The day before you made sure your eating was on point. Plenty of protein to fuel yourself, some carbs to make sure the energy is on point because you know you're going to BATTLE it out in the gym today. You got to sleep a bit earlier than normal to ensure when you wake up, you feel READY. You are "mentally warming up" 24 hrs … [Read more...]
RAW with Marty Gallagher: Strength Endurance, Minimalist Training & Fighting the Fads & Gimmicks of Strength & Conditioning
In this BONUS episode of The STRONG Life Podcast I join my friends of Iron Company on their podcast. We've got JP Brice, Marty Gallagher and Jim Steel. Marty's podcast is called RAW, and once you hear his unfiltered ways of conversing with me you'll understand exactly why! We discuss the following topics: - How my background in training began, from hardcore gyms to current days of The Underground Strength Gym - How some of the Powerlifters of the 60s, 70s and 80s trained for world … [Read more...]
Thoughts on Squats, Life & Lifting
I had recently come across a video that inspired me to share my thoughts on squats, life and lifting. I've been saying for countless years how the iron is the best therapy for me. Is it the same for you? I don't know, but I am quite confident that if you're in need of a boost, there isn't a whole lot that feels more invigorating and powerful than experiencing an awesome training session. With my hectic schedule, I am getting in a few 5:30 AM training sessions each week. This is much better … [Read more...]
Golden Era Strength & Muscle Building Lessons from Irvin “Zabo” Koszewski
Nothing fires me up more than looking through my old bodybuilding books and magazines. The magazines from the 50s through the 70s are my favorite. These magazines had information on powerlifting, weightlifting, bodybuilding, nutrition and lifestyle. The Golden Era of Bodybuilding was MORE than what we see in today's bodybuilding world. Irvin “Zabo” Koszewski was one of my favorite bodybuilders from the early days of The Golden Era so I wanted to make a video on how he inspired me, how he … [Read more...]
STRENGTH Lessons From 1957 & The 90s
Magazine above from 1957, I'd say that Dude is pretty STRONG. What do you think he did in training? I am sure he didn't have many options in the 50s. A barbell, maybe a few dumbbells? Calisthenics and running, swimming and overall hard training and healthy, strong eating. I did some research and "Tarzan" Jacobs was a Mr. Universe runner up and was also a pro wrestler in the 60s and 70s. They described Jacobs as "enormously strong". … [Read more...]
Strength Lessons from The Iron Gladiators of The 80s & 90s
The photo above is from the no longer open, Gladiator Gym. This gym was housed in "Alphabet City" in The East Village of NYC. Pro Bodybuilders used to train there. Hard charging weightlifters trained there. The unspoken rule was simple: Train Your Ass Off. Intensity Rules. This was the story in MANY local gyms back when I was a teen and in my early 20s. So when I was a teen and in my early 20s, the way I learned was by getting under the bar. I would sometimes have organized training partners, … [Read more...]
STRONG Life 39: I Ain’t Got Time To Be WEAK!
Who's got the time to be weak? Only those who don't care for LIFE. Waiting for tomorrow? Waiting for your gym membership to start? Waiting to get your next pay check? It's MUCH simpler than the "Gurus" want to admit. It CAN be done in a garage or basement using some old, beat up free weights. The journey to becoming STRONGER starts NOW. Pay attention and I will explain: … [Read more...]
Natural Athletes VS Steroid Users
It's important I get this concept of the "Warrior Mindset" for you. That's the BIGGER part of training I want you to come across. Can you become an ass kicker the natural way? Thoughts on steroids as a short cut vs using them to push your potential to a higher level while still working your ass off? … [Read more...]