At the time of this writing, my body is on the mend since my knee surgery and blood clot last March, 2021. My knee is not 100% and as we get older, if you have had an injury or a surgery in the past, I believe it is safer to DOUBLE the length of "recovery time" to ensure you don't rush through the full healing process. So if the Doc says 6 months, I do not believe that in 6 months you have the green light to go ALL out. Instead, take months 6 - 12 to rebuild to greater heights. Use … [Read more...]
9 Short on Time Workouts for When You’re Busy & Tired
If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, you have likely gone through some hectic times where you said to yourself, "I just don't have the time to train....." Maybe you were a first time parent, you said the same thing. Not a minute to breathe you thought to yourself.... Well, there IS always time. It's not gonna be easy. You're gonna wanna go home, eat and just sit down and get a minute to relax. But, let me tell you, that is NOT your best option. You NEED to move your body. You … [Read more...]
Kettlebell Workouts Anywhere, Anytime
It was the Winter of 2002, maybe 2003..... I remember it was a freezing cold night. I had connected with a Kettlebell instructor to finally purchase my first 2 pairs of Kettlebells. Back then, we would all chat on a Kettlebell forum, sharing training tips and more. I connected with a Coach from NJ and he was getting a 10% discount on the Kettlebells. Back then, they were pricey to say the least. I ordered a pair of 53s and a pair of 70s. Before that, I purchased a DVD and studied how … [Read more...]
Training Tips for When You’re Short on Time but NOT Short on Excuses
If you would have told me 20 years ago that in my 40s I'd be busier than ever, I'd say NO WAY! The fact of the matter is, I AM busier than ever and if you're an adult with a family, then you likely are in the same shoes. I run 2 gyms, train 100-200 athletes every day and most importantly, have 2 kids. I find a way to get my training in so it does not interfere with family time. I train early in the morning or right after taking kids to school. Sometimes, I have 20 minutes. It reminds me … [Read more...]
Rebuilding the Body, Fixing Old Injuries & Always Learning
I remember my left shoulder and right knee feeling the pain by the time I was 16 years old. At the time of this writing, I am 44. Time flies yet I have never stopped training, EVER. What am I to do? Sit home? On the couch? Do that and you literally become the couch. Training must go on. I must continue to learn and evolve. Not just for myself, but for all the athletes I train. Coaching others is a privilege. When an athletes tells me this or that hurts, I ALWAYS have an answer and a solution. … [Read more...]
Full Body Strength & Shoulder Health Tips
First off, the pic above of my thick handle dumbbells needs to be addressed. I feel bad mixing Sports Authority weights with York Dumbbells. I had those plates sitting in a milk crate for ages so I just had to put them to use. I should have picked up all York Plates and I hope the Iron Gods have mercy on me for this rare mistake I've made with weights. Now..... Onto our topic of the day and something I'll address in depth at our Maine Seminar. Shoulder Health. I started … [Read more...]
DESTROYING Your Sensitive Mindset & Choosing STRENGTH in Mind AND Body
There's lots of sensitivity floating around nowadays. Everyone gets offended by your words, not just from people but from words on the internet, from people they don't know and will likely never meet in person. People argue over politics, training programs, taxes, etc - then they waste hours on end posting their thoughts and feelings on websites or comment sections that will never create change in this world. The truth is, your Instagram or YouTube comment is NOT going to create … [Read more...]
5 X 5 Training + Bodyweight Bodybuilding Tips
Yesterday on my IG I shared the above cover and tips on how to use 5 X 5 along with Bodyweight Bodybuilding. Then yesterday afternoon I came across the news that Franco had passed away. It was heartbreaking for me. It hit home for me as Franco and Arnold were heroes to me as a kid. Seeing your hero passing away is crushing. You begin to realize that YOUR time on this earth is also limited. As a kid, I devoured Arnold's Encyclopedia and his Education of a Bodybuilder. Doing so made me … [Read more...]
The Benefits of High Rep Bodyweight Training
After going through my Bodyweight Bodybuilding course for some edits, reviews and updates, I changed up some programming for the athletes at The Underground Strength Gym. 1 of those updates was organizing their extra days with more volume of bodyweight squats. Yes, the simple bodyweight squat! I will post a photo below with that sample "extra day" along with some video footage. So make sure you read the entire article.... Now, almost 20 years ago I recall studying Indian Wrestling … [Read more...]
Getting Back to the Bells’ & Bodyweight Training + Donnie Thompson (SuperD) Inspiration
Here and there I catch myself getting away from training that is more Physical Culture based and end up chasing numbers. Now, there is NOTHING wrong with being Strong. But something was missing for me. I wanted to feel the toughness and challenge of working with circuits / complexes of Kettlebells, Fat Bell, Center Mass Bells. With my shoulder injury some years ago, I limit the overhead work but testing Donnie Thompson's Bow Tie made everything feel fine! … [Read more...]