It is always inspiring to me when I dig up my old muscle magazines from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Those photos of John Grimek, Steve Reeves, Reg Park, etc simply exude strength. These men had physiques that proved what could be done with a few hard training sessions each week, while eating a well balanced diet. Meat, Eggs, Fish, Veggies, Fruits and some carbs. Simple. Not easy. John Grimek, pictured above is in his late 40s. Look at his back. His body is a symbol of work. WORK; The very thing … [Read more...]
Chase Those “White Lights” or Get OUT
There is something very special at The Underground Strength Gym. I bring it with me anywhere I Coach. I look for the hardest worker in the room. I'm gonna tell you why in just a second..... You see, I feel so strongly about The Underground that I have kicked my own kids out of my gym when they are in there and NOT working. When I say Strength Discriminates Against No One, I mean it. It means YOU are not special and YOU will NOT get any special treatment here, EVER. The … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Squats Can Cure The All Too Common Complaining Syndrome
Does that person REALLY need to complain about ________? The answer? Probably not. What good does complaining REALLY do for anyone? Any time somebody complains to me about something that has NOTHING to do with them and matter of fact doesn't hurt them or anyone else, all I can think to myself is..... If this person would experience some struggles, like some 20 rep gut check squats, they would be minding own business! … [Read more...]
Do You Ever Feel Like You Don’t Fit In? GOOD!
I feel like I just don't fit into this world anymore. Do you ever feel like that? I recall that feeling many times as a kid and a teenager. MANY times. When I do feel normal, I am with the Wrestling Coaches at Rutgers or training the team. I am in the 90+ degree Underground Strength Gym drenched in sweat, training athletes who see the hard work, the intensity and the struggle as "normal". These people see the work as the gift! I feel normal when I am among Strength Coaches who talk … [Read more...]
The UPenn Crew: NOTHING Worth Having Is Comfortable
Episode 110 of The STRONG Life Podcast is with Jim Steel (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at UPenn) along with his assistants, Cristi Bartlett and Tracy Zimmer. Check out some of their training videos below (BIG Numbers + BIG Reps) as well as everything we spoke about from training to nutrition, mindset to dogs, injuries and more. Enjoy and help spread the word, invite 1 friend to listen to The STRONG Life Podcast! Thank you in advance! … [Read more...]
STRONG Life 109: Zach & Jim Steel Talk Iron Memories & LIVING The STRONG Life
What a blast I had in this conversation with Jim Steel who is becoming a regular on The STRONG Life Podcast. 12 Lessons from a Never Ending Podcast with Jim Steel & John Welbourn STRONG Life Ep 99 STRONG Life Ep 100 First off, Forgive a few tech hiccups in the beginning as I cut the Video and went pure audio, there is a few seconds of slow audio, but trust me, this episode is GOLD! Here's what's on tap. Jim and I discuss the following topics as well as answer some questions … [Read more...]
Don’t Play The Age Card & My 40th Birthday Workout
I was on the phone with my buddy, AJ Roberts, a former world record holder in Powerlifting while he was a member at Westside Barbell, aka The Strongest Gym in the World. We were talking training, life, business, the usual..... We got to the training talk and I mentioned something about how I feel and he said, "Oh man, you're already playing that age card!" He was right. I was 38 or 39 at the time and I made up some poor excuse about training, how I feel because of my age and then proceeded … [Read more...]
The DE Evolution of Man
The DE Evolution of Man is going in a bad direction, and that's putting things lightly. Worst of all, it's moving TOO fast in that downward slope. We gotta step up and change things and it starts with YOU. There are men today in their 20s and 30s with Testosterone levels of men in their 60s. The stress of life nowadays, the constant sitting in front of a computer, the lack of intensity and passion for exercise, too many carbs, not enough healthy fats and proteins... They are ALL … [Read more...]
Got Squats?
Here's a compilation of squat workouts and videos from The Underground. Throw some weight on your back or somewhere on your body, KIDS! Take a minute and drop your thoughts or comments below! In Strength, -Z- Recommended Resource: The Gladiator Experiment … [Read more...]
High Rep Squats to Man UP!
Above, Greg Leistner squats 500 lbs for reps as Dad, Dr. Ken spots Sometimes you feel the need to kick your own ass.... At least I feel that way. I hope I am the norm and NOT the exception. I gotta make sure I still have that mental edge and pushing yourself into new territories of pain through training, especially high rep squats, will push you over the edge, trust me :) High rep squats are like the 'Man UP Medicine" - something about squats that cures almost everything in a WEAK Man. … [Read more...]