After going through my Bodyweight Bodybuilding course for some edits, reviews and updates, I changed up some programming for the athletes at The Underground Strength Gym. 1 of those updates was organizing their extra days with more volume of bodyweight squats. Yes, the simple bodyweight squat! I will post a photo below with that sample "extra day" along with some video footage. So make sure you read the entire article.... Now, almost 20 years ago I recall studying Indian Wrestling … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep 63: The Problems with Waiting for Perfect
In Episode 63 of The STRONG Life Podcast I dig into the problems with waiting for "that perfect opportunity" or "the perfect time". There is NO such thing as perfect. Everything we do is flawed in some shape or form. The longer you wait and procrastinate for perfection the more time you waste and the more opportunities will continue to pass you by. That brings me to a question I was recently asked: "Is the training that Rocky did during Rocky I - IV even good?" MANY people ask this … [Read more...]
Wearing A Weightlifting Belt, Changing My Training & Rocky
Remember the days of everyone wearing a weightlifting belt? Even those Valeo velcro belts in pink? No? Ahhhhh, you're too young. Anyway, regardless of your age or experience, wearing a weightlifting belt and learning proper breathing is something you need to know about. Why and when to wear a weightlifting belt? And, why every workout is better when Rocky tunes are pumping through the air. Check it out below. … [Read more...]
You Can See It In Their Eyes
The eyes say a lot about the person. You can get a vibe from someone by looking at their eyes. If you've seen Rocky III, you recall Apollo talking about "that look". The Eye of The Tiger is what Apollo called it. I pay attention to these details, especially when training athletes. Those who have that look are those who will rise above and fight through all the training. Those who don't have that look are those I will need to build and transform. And unfortunately, some will never … [Read more...]
Learning Some NEW Stuff
You're NEVER too old to learn new things. NEVER too old to become better. It's OK to change. Many people take pride in the fact that they will never change. Change means you're evolving. If you evolve, you are growing from within and that is of utmost importance. Without growth, You die. I'm going to challenge you to do some things that you may not be doing..... perhaps you've NEVER done these "things".... perhaps it's been a long time ago.... I'll ALWAYS be here to challenge you. I do … [Read more...]
Episode # 67: Coach Ethan Reeve Inspired Workout
Keeping the same theme: Killing it w/heavy basics... Here we go.... What did you think of those exercises and my insane commentary? Post comments below! Kill it! --Coach Z-- PS: The interview with Coach Ethan Reeve can be found at http://UndergroundStrengthManual.com - the best interrogation I ever had the pleasure of doing. You will LOVE it! PPS: Monday, 11/24, 7 AM, EST: The Gladiator Strength Seminar will be released right here, on the blog. The bonuses are killer! Just wait and see! … [Read more...]
As I watched the Gladiators
Yesterday was a hot and humid day in Joisey. We had a few crews of Gladiators training, 5 - 6 in each group. I watched them sprint, jump, rip through kettlebells, sandbags and perform countless pull ups and push ups. They ripped through heavy sleds, others were jumping rope and others practiced their handstand push ups. I was in a daze for a few minutes as I watched, and I was proud of what I saw, BIG time proud. For some reason it brought me back to the times of people telling me what I … [Read more...]
Apollo’s “TOUGH Gym”
Have you ever seen Rocky III where Apollo takes Rocky back to the old school gym he used to train at where everyone has the "Eye of the Tiger"? That gym look liked a shit sty, there's no two ways about that. But, regardless of the equipment, or the fact that this was a movie, I have seen how atmosphere can make all the difference in the world when it comes to results. Follow a crappy strength program in a high energy, eye of the tiger environment and watch results come faster than a speeding … [Read more...]
The Farm Boys I Met Years Ago…
Wow, today's workout was bad ass. It was a mix of indoor and outdoor training. The cold weather really hits the lungs and I miss that feeling which I experienced back in the day of my nightly winter runs during wrestling season. That was in the early 90's, and that was also when Rocky IV was already out, why didn't more of us learn from that movie? The way he trained with stones, chopped wood, pushed sleds, ran through snowy mountains and performed pull ups on the wooden beams was … [Read more...]