Last Friday an athlete I train pulled 500 on the trap bar. He is a 15 yr old high school Football player & LAX player. He was fired up that day and he said he wanted to go for it. On days when someone is ready emotionally AND physically to go hard, you Go for it. As long as the timing is right and safe, you go for it. In this Video I explain some context behind why I program the way I do for MOST athletes. Again, it depends on many factors and I never paint a broad brush, because times … [Read more...]
5 x 5 Strength Training QnA
Where did the 5 x 5 program originate from? Well, it's been around for DECADES. To my knowledge, Reg Park started the 5 x 5 program. As 1 of the strongest bodybuilders ever, and, a man who could bench 500 lbs, I actually NEVER recall reading about 5 x 5 in my teen years. And I read EVERY bodybuilding magazine and a TON of bodybuilding books. I WISH I came across this program in my high school years. I was too busy doing pump up bull shyt. Although I DO recall a kid I used to lift with … [Read more...]
255 | Jim Wendler: Training High School Athletes, Thoughts on Social Media, Music & Best Business “Advices”
STRONG Life Podcast 255 with Jim Wendler. https://JimWendler.com This episode is a barn burner and loaded with passion, real life training talk, discussions on our own training as we "get older" plus everything in between. Of course, we get into our dislike of social media and our love for music. Chatting with Jim is always inspiring. Being around this guy reminds how he is one of the realest dudes out there just living his truth. The story of How / When did Zach & Jim meet … [Read more...]
208 | Paul Kolody on High School Strength & Conditioning
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 208 HERE WE GO! BOOM! This was a POWERFUL episode I did with my friend, Paul Kolody, a NJ Strength Coach at powerhouse Hunterdon Central High School. In this episode we REALLY dig deep into how to organize and run a high school weight room like a PRO! Paul sometimes has 90+ kids in his weight room with NO assistant coaches! Can you image 90+ athletes in your weight room? Enjoy the show and make sure you follow Paul at … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why High Schools Need Expert Strength & Conditioning Coaches
I've been fighting this fight for a LONG time. I always say, The Kids are #1. Yet, when it comes to what happens in the weight room, I do NOT see this. I see administrators turning a blind eye to what happens in high school weight rooms, even though we've seen / heard on the news SERIOUS injuries (even death) occur due to unsafe training methods. - Do high school kids NEED "Navy SEAL Training"? - Do high school kids NEED to test their 1RM in the squat, bench and power clean? Here are … [Read more...]
Why Our Youth (Middle & High School Athletes) NEED Great Strength & Conditioning
It's amazing to look back to my early days of training athletes from my garage compared to today. The BIG shocker is how much knowledge I've gained since 2002 when I REALLY began my journey as a Strength Coach. Back then, it was ALL about winning. How can I help this athlete get a D1 Football scholarship? How can I help this wrestler win a state title? Until I began paying closer attention to the deeper details such as..... … [Read more...]
171 | STRONG Life Podcast QnA: Gym / Strength Coach Business, Life Lessons & Abundance Mindset
STRONG Life Ep. 171: STRONG Life Podcast QnA: Gym / Strength Coach Business, Life Lessons & Abundance Mindset. Actually, the title of this blog post is kinda lame compared to all the awesome questions (and of course my answers :) that came through this QnA. It has also been a LONG time since I've held a QnA opportunity. This was refreshing and FUN! The questions were great. Here's just some of the topics / questions answered: From the gym business, strength coach "problems", lessons … [Read more...]
High School STRONG: Building Hammers Through A Safe & Effective Strength & Performance Program
The High School Athlete of today is MUCH different than the high school athlete of yester-year. When I started training HS athletes, they showed up capable and ready to go. They were able to perform the calisthenics quite well. They were tough. They had muscle on their frame and looked like they were capable of performing in athletics. That was around 2002. A few years later, the new breed of high school athlete began to show up. This athlete was lacking muscle, was struggling on … [Read more...]
Strength Coach Excellence | I’ve Got a Kitchen But That Doesn’t Make Me a 5 Star Chef!
I have a kitchen in my house but that doesn't make me a 5 star chef. You might be driving a sports car but that doesn't make you a Nascar driver. The success you achieve from training is greatly determined by the details of: … [Read more...]
Do NOT Conform, Be ALPHA
When you are in your 20s you don't see the slight differences among people. You're just living it up. You're moving forward. Then, you hit your 30s and you're charging forward in your own life, so you just put your head down and work. You assume everyone is on a similar path of pushing for growth, success and strength. Maybe you have a family now, maybe not. Maybe a career? Maybe not? Maybe just a "job" that "pays the bills". Then your mid and late 30s come and you see how people begin to … [Read more...]