It's awesome to see how strength training has exploded, very much thanks to the internet. On the flip side, I still struggle with being the most fired up guy in the room. At age 43, I should NOT have more fire than the 15 year olds. Those younger years are like bottling up the energy of a rocket ship, you can't let them go to waste, not for 1 day. The things I've seen on social media and heard about in globo gyms downright scares me. So in this article, I want to address attitude and … [Read more...]
How to Kick Ass in Life AND a Warehouse Gym
There are those who "Get it" and those who simply don't "Get it". Some struggle with how to train athletes, having no system of their own, no time in the trenches and too much time on their ass sitting in front of a computer and in the books, NO Real World application. Some try opening their business and quickly crumble and fall out of "business". Some see adversity and cower away, while others stare it straight in the eyes and keep charging. Some have a laundry list of excuses and very few … [Read more...]
Evolution of Zach Even – Esh: From 110 lbs to 220 lbs
Since beginning training 21 years ago I have gone from somewhere around 110 lbs to 220 and at times I've hovered around 228 lbs. My best weight is somewhere in the 204-208 lb range. Back when I started, I was 13 years old, it was 2 weeks before 8th grade was over and I would train in my big bro's room which housed a spin lock barbell and some spin lock dumbbells. Most of our weights were sand filled and I still recall the days of dumbbell benching with sand dropping in my mouth and eyes. I … [Read more...]
Underground Strength Coach Cert Inspiration WINNERS!
Holy S**t! The Underground Strength Coach Inspiration Contest BLEW ME AWAY! And by reading ALL the comments, I can see YOU were also inspired! I am beyond amazed and inspired by the videos that were made. I compiled the votes that came through my e mail (which was A LOT!), the Blog comments and the 4 people I had judging and man it was a SERIOUS fight for 1st place between BIG Dan Gibson and Chris the BEAST. There was also some SERIOUS love for the Virginia Beach Beast, Matty … [Read more...]
The Art of Living
I receive countless e mails asking me how I get so much done without fail. How I balance my business with family life, lifting, answering e mails, vacations, and more? I'm also starting a NEW business (On the DL for now) and just bought a new house. I do my best to answer in the video below. If you have good stuff to add about YOUR 'Art of Living', feel free to drop a line! Peace --Z-- PS: This is perhaps the BIGGEST success that comes from attending The Underground Strength Coach … [Read more...]
Push & Pull, SON!
Yoooooo Dudes! OK, now that my blog post title sounds semi pornographic, it's time to get BUSY! Here is part II of me gettin' CRAZY and High Reppin' after going heavy on the overheads. I cranked 3 sets of the incline dumbell benching and recline rope rowing NON stop, making it 6 sets non stop. I was insanely pumped and the non stop action forces the upper body into a whole new territory of fatigue, lactic acid build up and mental toughness. If you wanna get crazier with it, you can try doing … [Read more...]
Freak Strength Friday
On some Fridays I send out an e mail to you guys and give you a "Freak Strength Friday" workout. Here and there I skip it and people cry...literally. So, here is a Freak Strength Friday workout for you to give a go and when you're done, drop a comment below and let me know how it worked for you. This is an Upper Body workout. The intensity is what YOU will decide to use. By intensity, I mean the % of effort you use with how heavy you train and how far you push each set. 1) Barbell … [Read more...]
My Favorite Full Body Workout
I am returning home from a week long business and vacation. Aside from push ups, my body (and mind) are starving for a full body workout. The workout I'm gonna crank ASAP upon my return to The Underground is a favorite of mine and doesn't take much time at all. Hopefully you'll give it a shot yourself: 1) Begin with the 1 arm dumbbell snatch. Hit 1 - 3 reps each side, then move up in weight. 2) Continue to repeat the 1 Arm DB Snatch until it becomes too heavy. Once the dumbbell is too … [Read more...]