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...]
How to Prepare Yourself for The Police Academy
Recently I was at a commercial gym and about to head out after my training session until 1 of the guys introduced himself to me and asked me if I was a cop. He had seen me training as I went back and forth in superset style fashion. He thought I was in training for something but that fast paced training is common for me. It's funny because I used to get that question quite often back when I buzzed my head, people thought I was in the Military or Law Enforcement. Anyway, we got chatting when … [Read more...]
162 | STRONG Life QnA: Training Tips for Runners + Strength Coach Confidence & Business Tips
It's been a LONG time since crushing a QnA session. This episode (162) brings only 1 training question and MANY Business Questions. As Arnold said, "It's not that hard for me to give the wrong advices." Have NO fear, I give only the RIGHT advices. And in case you missed it, I've started something called "REAL Talk", we'll be adding these short, mini episodes every week and they will be 15 minutes max. I won't post them to the blog so only the dedicated listeners will catch them via … [Read more...]
Fitness Is So Simple It’s Complicated
The photo above is from 1938. That's a pretty impressive physique for about 80 years ago. I am sure his training was ultra basic, what else was there in 1938? I am sure this man's nutrition was basic as well. If I could guess, he did calisthenics, basic gymnastics, basic barbell and dumbbell work and maybe some running? He probably worked full time, did manual labor and worked hard. Of course, the food back then was likely much more different than today. Whole eggs and whole milk were … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep 88: SPARTAN FIT with Joe DeSena
In episode 88 of The STRONG Life Podcast, Joe DeSena & I discuss some AWESOME topics centering around: - Life & Business Lessons learned running Spartan Race Business as it keeps growing and evolving - The standard of Excellence & why we need to stop apologizing for having high expectations of others and ourselves - Having a Purpose In Life & how this will Drive you out of your darkest, toughest times! … [Read more...]
STRONGCast 18: The Spartan Experience w/Joe DeSena & Spartan Lifestyle
WOW. Wake up at 3:30 AM. Get your ass kicked before the sun rises starting at 5 AM. Eat some AWESOME, Natural food all day long. Work, Play, Work, Eat. What else happened during my 24 hrs up in Pittsfield, Vt with Joe DeSena, founder of The Spartan Race and The Barbell Shrugged Crew? Well, what happens in Pittsfield, VT..... … [Read more...]
A Lil’ Motivational Story
Here's a lil motivational story. One that really hits home for me, touches my heart. I will leave the name anonymous but I will say a few things before I share this story with you. When I was in high school, I would follow this wrestler's success through the newspaper. He was a very humble, quiet and unassuming wrestler. But, when he stepped on the mat he knew how to "flip the switch." … [Read more...]
Training & Life Updates, November 2012
"We aren't going to try to train you, we're going to try to kill you." - Soldier I, SAS Training has been full steam ahead, high volume and high frequency. Check out the video below for some updates on my training, how to attack goals the RIGHT way, the volume workout I did on Thanksgiving morning and how to stay healthy when training HARD. Check the video.... … [Read more...]
Volume Training & Science For Maximizing Your Strength & Muscle Gains
"Any fool can create a program that is so demanding that it would virtually kill the toughest Marine or hardiest of elite athletes, but not any fool can create a tough program that produces progress without unnecessary pain.” ~ Dr. Mel C. Siff ~ As much as I encourage the basics in training, of equal importance is understanding how to properly organize a training plan so you are able to break through plateaus and make consistent gains in size, strength, speed & performance. After a … [Read more...]
Vision Quest
Above, my high school wrestling coach, Coach Pagach, getting inducted into The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Yesterday was a very cool day. I attended The NJ Wrestling Hall of Fame to see my high school wrestling coach get inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. It was GREAT to see my Coach again. The last time I saw Coach Pagach I was 22 years old and was in my 3rd month of teaching, the start of my teaching career. At age 22, at that time, I had MANY mixed emotions with … [Read more...]