These minimalist workouts bring back memories of my years of influence from men like Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates. When I was 18 and had just won the Young Mr. Israel Bodybuilding Contest (18 years & under) I came home to America and trained very low volume but high intensity. I trained every other day and took 2 days off after leg day. I was extremely inspired by seeing the rugged photos of Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates. Even though I was natural and still am, I felt that the high … [Read more...]
9 Short on Time Workouts for When You’re Busy & Tired
If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, you have likely gone through some hectic times where you said to yourself, "I just don't have the time to train....." Maybe you were a first time parent, you said the same thing. Not a minute to breathe you thought to yourself.... Well, there IS always time. It's not gonna be easy. You're gonna wanna go home, eat and just sit down and get a minute to relax. But, let me tell you, that is NOT your best option. You NEED to move your body. You … [Read more...]
Iron Roots – Ep. 11 – Mike Mentzer aka Mr. Heavy Duty
I was 12 years old, maybe 13 when I first came across the training of Mike Mentzer aka Mr. Heavy Duty. I remember thinking to myself, Holy s--t, this guy looks like he's been carved from stone! Mike had a different physique than the others and the photos of him in training were INTENSE. He looked like he was destroying the gym along with his training partners Casey Viator and Ray Mentzer (his brother). With The Iron Roots Podcast, it's important for me to bring back and share many of … [Read more...]
Strength Lessons From My Old School Muscle Magazine Collection
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...]
Top 5 Benefits Of Minimalist Style Workouts
"Simplicity Is The Key To Brilliance" - Bruce Lee I was driving up to Diamond Gym on a cold winter night. It was just past 5 PM and I was sitting in a boat load of traffic, literally, moving nowhere. I was stressed out of my mind, up to my ears in work for Grad School, teaching, coaching wrestling and trying to manage it all. It was the FIRST time in my life I was truly finding it difficult to find the time to train.... … [Read more...]
Muscle Building Experiments That Broke ALL the “Rules”
I've been test driving all types of training methods, exercises and systems of training on myself and others ever since I was a young kid.I amassed every bodybuilding book that every book store had. Every holiday, birthday or special occasion that brought gifts my way came in the form of a bodybuilding book. My brain had information overload and I wanted to use ALL the methods in some way, shape or form. I experimented on myself with every workout in every book. I had specialty books for … [Read more...]
Upper Body Workout and THE 5 Year Plan!?!?
The inspiration to live a STRONG Life drives me to face my fears, be it in the gym or in life. The pic above of Ken Waller about to smash some heavy dumbbell benching also inspired me. I explain my motivation for LIFE & LIFTING in the Video below. So, rather than searching for inspiration or motivation, just grab it and DO it. NO waiting, just DOing. … [Read more...]
stories of eatin’ clean and trainin’ mean
I think it's much easier than people make it when it comes to getting stronger, adding muscle and getting faster....and I mean getting these results FAST! Make no mistake regarding "easy" and "simple". Easy is walking in the park...simple is hitting one arm rows with 150's for 10 reps per hand without wrist straps. Even simpler is a set of squats for 15 - 20 reps....but damn are the results amazing! We have our athletes on a system of training that just keeps on dishing out results, and … [Read more...]