Quite often I feel like a man all alone on a stranded island. Where the hell are all the dedicated, hard charging SOBs I ask myself? Still, I get e mails and messages on the daily asking me how I stay so motivated and hungry to succeed in all areas of my life. 1 of the BIG reasons is because I HATE Mediocrity. I HATE 2nd best or 2nd place. It wasn't always like that. I didn't start getting that inner drive of being pissed off for greatness until I was 19 or 20. … [Read more...]
5 Summer Football Workout Tips & Avoid These 2 Mistakes At All Costs
I've been stepping up and voicing my opinion on the overbearing, ego-maniac parents and coaches out there who are hurting their kids with shitty training programs and overall shitty decisions pertaining to training and ultimately, life. Why is it acceptable to let anyone and their Mom run the high school weight room? I thought this was about the kids? I understand sport coaches don't like this, so they threaten their players and disallow any of them to train at The Underground Strength … [Read more...]
Why Do High School Athletes Get SCREWED & How Can You Help Them?
“If you don't have time to do it right, When will you have time to do it over?" ~ Coach John Wooden ~ When I became a teacher, I did so because I CARED about kids and wanted to show them how amazing it is to be strong and healthy. I wanted to teach kids how to think for themselves, to gain confidence and learn about developing empowering habits. I left teaching after 11 years because I realized that the schools I worked for did NOT truly care about the kids. You can SAY something, but w … [Read more...]
Does The Bench Press REALLY Matter?
I train a high school Football Player / Wrestler who broke his hand / wrist in 8th grade. Now, he's a sophomore and strong as hell (naturally :). After his hand and wrist were fixed via surgery, it wasn't quite fixed. Ironic, right? Benching and holding horizontal weights in the hands is tough, the wrist deviates big time & causes pain no matter how strong we work the hands, wrist, grip, etc. Neutral grip barbells and dumbbells feel somewhat better and stronger. But, when it comes … [Read more...]
Another Convict Conditioning QnA
Hey coach- I'm a 16 year old sophomore out of Dallas, TX, a varsity football player and wrestler. . I've been a proud Undergrounder since the summer after my freshman year, and i can't begin to tell you what incredible results simple-ass, ground based barbell movements mixed with some light strongman work (sandbag stuff, mostly) made in my athletic career. The UTM taught me how to program my own strength and conditioning to my needs and not just follow a sheet of paper my coach gave m … [Read more...]
Gridiron Gladiators Trained Dirty Jerzee Style
Below is a lil' compilation of various Football / Gridiron Gladiator Workouts. From myself to my bruddah Joey DeFranco and Duane Carlisle. Duane Carlisle is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for The San Francisco 49ers. Years ago, Duane had several locations of his OWN in NJ, not too far from Edison. I would listen to countless audio interviews with Duane, especially his speed, agility and conditioning work as my expertise was in getting them Strong as Hell. Duane has given an … [Read more...]
CrossFit and Cross Training
Lots of people HATE CrossFit. Of course, it's f**ing HARD workouts. Period. For my athletes I follow a system. A system of training is required to consistently get them stronger, more explosive, adding more muscle and improving their skill at the lifts as well. CrossFit is implemented into our conditioning work. CrossFit in lifting / movement / training is similar in philosophy to why I always tell my athletes to Cross Train in other sports to make them MORE athletic in their sport of … [Read more...]
Mental Toughness Training, Football & Wrestling
A question was sent my way and I pulled it out of the Mail Bag :) It was an interesting question and I bet you can add your own answer(s). Check out the video below and drop a comment when you're done. … [Read more...]
How an Athlete Gained 60 lbs of Muscle
Travis began training at The Underground when it was just a garage gym. The workouts were furious, in fact, I still miss those days, as do ALL the original Undergrounders. Travis was 160 lbs, soaking wet and he looked like a little boy. But he trained with us 2 - 3 days a week and ate exactly as we outlined for him. He didn't complain when he had to trap bar deadlift with only 185 lbs for months on end because his back could not handle any more weight. Today, Travis deadlifts near … [Read more...]
Kettlebell Training & Jump Training for Size, Speed & Strength
Strength is of critical importance. Speed is the motor that takes strength to the next level. When I hear Coaches go on and on about strength and say nothing of speed I know they are missing the boat. Not everyone who is strong is fast. You MUST be athletic, which is the blend of strength, speed and power. Here is an inside look at how the Underground Strength Gym athletes tear it up using Kettlebells, Jump Training and Sandbags. Check this Video and drop your thoughts, comments and … [Read more...]