I was in my early teens and training at my first "Hardcore Gym". This gym was 7,500 sq ft. NO AC, just a bunch of stand up industrial fans. ALL the plates were deep dish Ivanko plates and there was rumbling throughout the entire gym, blended with some old rock cassette tapes that blasted through the gym. Usually AC/DC or Metallica, sometimes Def Leppard. The back 1/3 of the gym was lined up with leg equipment. Plenty of squat racks, 2 leg presses, 2 hack squats, 2 leg extensions, 2 leg … [Read more...]
Do These 3 Bodyweight Only Exercises
There are 3 crucial bodyweight exercises that everyone should be able to do AND, that everyone should put a lot of energy into. 1) Push Ups - we learned these as kids and surprisingly, I don't see too many people doing basic push ups anymore. If you're shoulders are banged up from heavy benching and squats with a straight bar, then get busy on push ups and give the barbell a break. Focus on doing high reps and of course, perfect technique. Imagine your body is a 2 x 4 or a ruler, … [Read more...]
Are You Allergic to HARD WORK?
As I am doing some research for some up and coming episodes of The Iron Roots Podcast I came across some of my favorite articles. Articles from the 60s and early 70s, before I was born. What do these articles talk about? The BASICS. Getting STRONG. Eating. A LOT. Finding a Way vs Finding an Excuse. But today. Not enough can do the above. Why? Because they're allergic. … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 101: Work Ethic & The Mystery Of Coaching Athletes
STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 101 with Mike Guadango, Owner of Freak Strength. In this episode, I connect with a long time friend, Mike Guadango. Mike and I met back in the early days of The Underground Strength Gym when we would compete against DeFranco's Gym at his annual Strongman Challenge. Back then, Mike was a hard charging athlete with goals of become a Major League Baseball Player. Injuries have a funny way of changing our life path and that's exactly what happened with … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 99: 30 + Years Strength & Conditioning Advices w/ Jim Steel
STRONG Life Episode 99 with UPenn Head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Jim Steel! This episode is sponsored by Intek Strength. Check them out & get your hands on their functional trap bar. Jim brings 30+ years of strength & conditioning / training knowledge to the table as we talk his early years of training all the way to present day. This episode was inspired after we spent endless hours rambling over training and life with John Welbourn & Tex from Power … [Read more...]
QnA Football Strength & Conditioning
In a world where blaming others and lack of responsibility is running rampant, I want to turn the page for a moment. I am asked often about "sports specific training" and running 2 gyms and listening to parents and athletes get duped has me questioning when the bull shit will end. Parents talk to me about "football specific workouts" or "baseball specific workouts"..... Is squatting, deadlifting, throwing objects, jumping, sprinting, carrying and lunging NOT specific? The development of a … [Read more...]
Jerry Rice, Over Training, CNS Burn Out, Low T Levels, Excuses & Lying To Yourself
I've got 3 videos to share with you today. One, a rant from myself. Another, the work ethic & commitment of Jerry Rice, an NFL record holder & Mark Bell, one of the world's strongest powerlifters. WARNING: These videos contain Adult Language, Will LIKELY Be Offensive To Others and are NOT Work / Family Safe … [Read more...]
3 Strength AND Conditioning Tips
It's GREAT to be Strong. It's GREAT to be Conditioned..... But it's BEST when you have BOTH Strength AND Conditioning. If I can pit one example of this I'll use my friend, Jim Wendler, shown in videos below. He keeps everything simple. … [Read more...]
Get Comfortable Being UNcomfortable
I've spoken about this before and I'll say it again. Get Comfortable being UNcomfortable. This video comes straight after cranking hill sprints after breakfast with my family. Check it out.... [youtube width="640" height="390"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CNzS_SKmQE[/youtube] QOD (Question of the Day): Let me know your thoughts by dropping a comment below. Let me know ONE thing you're doing to get Comfortable Being UNcomfortable. Looking forward to your comments and feel free to share … [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...]