I was listening to an interview done with Lance Dreher, 1 of the Bodybuilders from the 80s and early 90s. They were asking Lance about his arm workout and here is where the lessons start hitting home. Lance asked Sergio Oliva what Sergio did for arms. Sergio said he did lots of Barbell Cheat Curls with 205+ lbs, and heavy Barbell Skull crushers with over 200 lbs. In a book I was reading, there were stories of Larry Scott, the first Mr. Olympia. Larry was training with The Iron Guru, Vince … [Read more...]
The Keto Diet Circa 1968
Recently I was gifted with yet another BIG box of old school magazines. Health & Strength, IronMan, Muscle Builder & Power..... These magazines are gold and it's amazing how I find information from 40-60 years ago that are sometimes brought forward today as if someone invented them. I honestly feel much of today's training is overly complex as is the nutrition. In turn, results are less even though information is more easily and readily available at the touch of a finger or via … [Read more...]
Dobermans, Running a Warehouse Gym & Strength Coach Purity
Vlog # 3 I get into a question on why I have a Doberman and then some deep thoughts on: Running a warehouse gym the way you REALLY want to. Being a Strength Coach AND keeping it Pure & true to your Heart. Thoughts on this "Fitness Industry". Going Dark & Simplifying Life AND Business Enjoy this episode, I appreciate you watching and reading! … [Read more...]
Iron Memories & Lessons Learned From Gyms & Weight Rooms
I've been going back to my favorite books and magazines a lot lately, the stuff I grew up on from the late 80s and early 90s (Arnold's Books) along with the stuff I missed out on (The Strength Magazines of the 70s and prior). Man, that information was and still is awe-inspiring, I am saving it all with hopes that my son takes to it as I did, the memories of staying up way past midnight to read the old books, the stories told, the black & white photos and magazines is something kids today … [Read more...]
Knee Pain, Weightlifting Belts & Back to Bodybuilding
I've been getting questions regarding injuries, knee pain, back pain and nutrition for a LONG time. After 3 knee surgeries, a shoulder surgery, a broken nose, aches and pains since my early teens with Wrestling and practically living in the gym, I've experienced a LOT of ups and downs. I blend an approach where I experiment and figure things out for myself as well as reaching out to a few friends who have more experience than I do. Here's the deal. I used to always wear a thin … [Read more...]
Why The Easy Life Breeds Weakness In AND Out of The Gym
After returning from a great vacation, I shared a story with my kids to remind them just how good and easy they have it. And, many times I wonder, is this "easy life" hurting my kids and humans in general? My Dad would take us on "vacations" that included canoeing or rafting. Another "vacation" was fossil hunting after my Dad saw an article in the newspaper about people finding old fossils, so off we went! The Canoe trip was more of a death defying stunt than a "vacation". First off, I … [Read more...]
28 Years of Lifting: Strength Training In Your 40s & Training As You Get Older
This is the article I dreaded ever having to write; "Training as you get older" or "Training in your 40s". Before I move forward, understand, these are my experiences. My experiences don't make anything universal or the end all, be all laws. Other guys my age might have a different training experience under their belt and in turn, they don't have the same mindset or physical experiences. Back up almost 30 years and I began training in June 1989, some 2 weeks before 8th grade ended. I was … [Read more...]
Will Anyone Ever Squat In Peace Again?
I feel bad for this generation of lifters. I'd say that 99.99999999% will NEVER know what it's like to JUST train for the sake of training and have NO phone around them. The kids I train nowadays always sneak a look at their phone when they grab a drink. Eventually ya gotta tell them to STOP taking a water break after EVERY SET. The beauty and purity of a training session where / when there were NO cell phones is beyond what my words can describe. When I was 17 years old, my buddy … [Read more...]
3 Simple Tips To Improve Olympic Weightlifting & Get STRONGER
Here's a cool question that came in the mail box and I wanna answer this question more in depth for you with some sample workouts: Zach, I've been following you for awhile and now that I'm not an active trainer at my local CF box, I have slowly pieced together a garage gym to call home. Which program from your Online Training would you recommend to A) build my strength and .... B) stay on top of Oly/CF type movements? I know I desperately need the strength build up, but … [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...]