There's a lot of confusion out there regarding how high school athletes should be training and in this article I'm going to clear a lot of the BS up. For the highly motivated you can and should invest in your knowledge through my Encyclopedia of Underground Strength & Conditioning and through my 16 week online program, High School STRONG. You might be angry already saying, "WTF Zach, first thing you do is tell me to buy something!!!???" My answer: NO. The First thing I tell you to do is … [Read more...]
Bigger, Stronger & Faster In A Garage Gym
When schools or individuals are worried about turf instead of their grass field, a beautiful weight room instead of the old dungeon weight room and sophisticated X, Y, Z ........ They are worried about the WRONG things. The TRUTH is that fancy and pretty equipment don't mean a thing unless the training and technique is dialed in. GREAT Coaches & a GREAT Environment Builds GREAT athletes, it's NOT the equipment. This journey began for me in my early teenage years. I quickly learned … [Read more...]
Strength Coach Finances, BEST Exercise for Teens & Workout Variety
Another QnA episode of The STRONG Life is UP. This is Episode 73. The more you learn the more empowered you are to kick ass and take names in BOTH Life and Lifting. These questions were pulled from the private forum of Certified Underground Strength Coaches. Check out the Questions I cover in this episode, listed below: … [Read more...]
AJ Roberts On Breaking World Records In Powerlifting & LIFE!
Episode 71 of The STRONG Life Podcast is with a close friend of mine, World Record Holder in Powerifting, AJ Roberts. AJ's story and skills go FAR beyond being one of the strongest powerlifters to ever walk the face of this earth, as you'll learn in this episode. AJ set his world record while training under Louie Simmons at the Strongest Gym in the World, Westside Barbell. Here's some stats from AJ when he achieved his World Record All Time Total at 308 lbs in powerlifting: 1205 lbs … [Read more...]
Potential Is BS, Reality Is The TRUTH
I heard something recently and it has me changing my mind and changing the things I find myself telling others. It has to do with your potential and your actions. I used to view the training and coaching we do at The Underground Strength Gym as the ultimate way to help athletes achieve their TRUE potential. Until I heard a Coach say this..... "I hate that word potential. It's such bull shit. The reality of what you DO is all that really counts. What you DO with your potential is the ultimate … [Read more...]
4 Tips to Build Maximum Muscle With Minimal Equipment
Let's KILL some confusion here. If you love variety in your training, go for it and DO it. If you love just attacking the basics, go for it and DO it. Let me Explain ..... Your results in training come down to a select few things that must be executed VERY well. … [Read more...]
Learn to Make The Rep Or DIE
I don't recall where I read or heard about the story, but, I feel like it was from Marty Gallagher. The crew is getting psyched up, climbing higher and higher on their squats. 500 lbs. 600. 700. 800 + lbs. The lifter yells at the crew..... … [Read more...]
Bigger Biceps VS Being Dangerous (And FINALLY Squatting 400+ Lbs Again!)
Let me warn you that the language in this video is NOT WFS (Work / Family Safe). Those of you who "get it" understand that when you are doing something with intensity and passion, there are times you need to go to a "dark place" and do what must be done to face your demons. This holds true for the gym and for life. I always tell you, life and lifting, they are one and the same. I explain how things have changed and why I train the way I train at the age of 39. I explain why biceps and a … [Read more...]
How to Build Strong, Powerful, Jacked Athletes – Pt 1
I'm doing something different this month where I normally add our Underground Strength Workout of the Month as a private video or a PDF training course to The Underground Inner Circle. This month, I am sharing with you the inside look with full blown access to our November WOM (Workout of the Month). I break down the following in this powerful video: - how we train our athletes to develop the total package: strength, size, athleticism, power. - why we train them with a blend of … [Read more...]
STRONG Life 39: I Ain’t Got Time To Be WEAK!
Who's got the time to be weak? Only those who don't care for LIFE. Waiting for tomorrow? Waiting for your gym membership to start? Waiting to get your next pay check? It's MUCH simpler than the "Gurus" want to admit. It CAN be done in a garage or basement using some old, beat up free weights. The journey to becoming STRONGER starts NOW. Pay attention and I will explain: … [Read more...]