It was June of 1989 when I began lifting weights in my brother's room. For a year, perhaps even 2 years, I was already intrigued with getting strong and building my body. I would read the bodybuilding books and magazines my brother had before I even began training. Unfortunately, those books were bodybuilding based. There were NO performance based training books available at the book stores. Unless I completely ignored them and only read what captured my attention. When I began coaching at a … [Read more...]
“Different Training” for Strength, Size & Toughness
Yesterday I was so fired up from reading a newspaper article about Karate Legend, Gary Alexander training harder than most people half his age at age 81, so of course, I HAD to try it myself. Gary Alexander was a Karate instructor where I grew up in Edison, NJ in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Today, he is in his 80s, STILL training like a madman. Here's his current regime: With scuba fins on his feet, Alexander does 100 laps, mostly on his back, alternating with freestyle strokes. The … [Read more...]
140 | Training for LIFE w/ Zach & Jim Steel
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 140 with my man, Jim Steel. This episode is great, and really, any time I chat with Jim it's like we're just hanging out and talking life. You're gonna love this episode as we discuss the following: … [Read more...]
I Changed My Mind: REAL World Strength AND Bodybuilding
It must have been 6 years ago or so, I remember the moment quite clearly. We were outside The Underground Strength Gym, the athletes were hitting their finishers and training like farm boys. Back and forth they went pushing and pulling sleds, carrying the anvil, the atlas stone, dumbbells, kettlebells and sandbags. A BIG bodybuilder and his skinny friend began approaching. The bodybuilder was jacked. His friend looked like a typical high school kid weighing about 160 lbs or so. The … [Read more...]
Tire Flip Instruction – Strongman Training Technique
After our recent Lift STRONG fundraiser, benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation, I saw how countless athletes had NO clue how to properly flip the tire, especially the heavier, 600 lb tire. Even the guys who were built like brick shit houses were often found wrestling and failing to flip the 600 lb tire. Learning HOW to use your strength is critical if you want to be successful as an athlete. This is what we call "functional strength" - can your gym strength be used to apply OUTSIDE … [Read more...]
QnA: “MAN Strength” – How To Get It & Lessons from Chuck Sipes
Above, Golden Era Bodybuilder & BadAss, Chuck Sipes, Hiking During His Regular 4 Week Mountain Treks While Working For The California Youth Authority. I recently received an e mail regarding something that hits home to me, BIG time. This question embodies The STRONG Life; Developing Strength BEYOND the gym, Strength that builds the mind AND body. Strength that carries over to your LIFE. I answered via Video, so go ahead and check this out and listen carefully to my message..... … [Read more...]
Are Weak People Ruining This World?
While at Jason Ferruggia's bachelor party last week we spoke about his training on Muscle Beach, using bodyweight exercises only. Jason mentioned some dude who he sees training on the beach all the time, 2 hours every time, lean and mean, jacked and ripped.... … [Read more...]
Fighting Against the Norms of Being Strong, Slow & Weak
I gotta address something ASAP, this is becoming a BIGGER and BIGGER problem. I'm sure this will anger many and then we'll have a few that can argue against this but it's time to unleash some TRUTH. It's starting to piss me off because we have all these "strong" people who can't perform in the "Real World". I'm done with simply chasing a bigger bench, squat and deadlift and you need to end that route as well unless you're a powerlifter and willing to live with the pain that comes with … [Read more...]
REAL World Strength vs Pretty Boy Bodybuilding
It was the Fall of 2007...... Interesting story from today while training a crew of wrestlers and football players.... Two high school kids stopped by the gym while we were outside flipping tires, pulling and pushing sleds, carrying kegs, sandbags and Kettlebells. One of them looked to be 220 lbs of drugged up muscle. How do I know? Because this same kid attended a speed & strength camp that I ran 3 years prior when he was a freshman weighing 130 lbs. Three Years later, he's 220 and … [Read more...]