It's not even 2017 and you're being bombarded with special workout programs and top 17 things to do to achieve your goals in 2017...... bla bla bla Here's where it all starts: If you're waiting for the new year to make a change, you're already screwing up. As Tony Robbins always says, "How about NOW would be a great time to start." If you want to be successful in the gym and in your life, you don't need a long list of things to do. Those long lists are set up to frustrate you, sell you fads … [Read more...]
Iron Roots Podcast Ep. 1 | 5 X 5 Strength Training + The Power of Push Ups
Here's your Underground Strength Challenge for this month along with Iron Roots Podcast episode 1 where I dive into the History behind the 5 x 5 strength training program! It's ALL about the basics in this one, post your comments, weights used, etc in the comments section. I also added The Iron Roots Podcast episode on where The 5 x 5 Strength Training system originated with Reg Park as well as the way Bill Starr implemented 5 x 5 in his book, The Strongest Shall Survive! … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned From The STRONGEST Guy From The Old School YMCA (Circa 1990)
I still remember that guy, even though I met him when I was only 14 years old, a freshman in high school with dreams of being bigger and stronger than everyone else. Back then, the YMCA was ending the era of "old school". Believe it or not, The Metuchen Y was very much like the Y that Golden Era greats trained out of like Dave Draper did when he was a Jersey boy. The plates were all YORK barbell, the squat rack was the rarely seen today York Isometric Rack. No machines except the cable … [Read more...]
Return of The Golden Era Bodybuilding Workout
Golden Era bodybuilding is a far cry from many of the bodybuilding methods of today. Today we see circus tricks and pump up weights. The lack of strength focused work is why the bodybuilders of The Golden Era had that thick, dense, rugged physique. The bodybuilders of today rely on chemical warfare rather than building a physique that stays with you for a lifetime. The Golden & Silver Era bodybuilders focused on free weights, heavy lifting, hard work on the basics and no fads or … [Read more...]
There Are NO Secrets
Some say they have secrets for packing on freakish amounts of ripped muscle and insane amounts of strength. The internet is famous for click bait, louring you into something that sounds profound, but in a nut shell is a gimmick. Continue reading if you want the truth. Be warned though, the truth comes hand in hand with WORK! Freak Strength, Brute Strength, Functional Strength & Rugged Muscle - if you want ALL of these traits, then you better Squat and Deadlift. You better fall in love … [Read more...]
Stories of Vintage Bodybuilding & Strength Training, Part I
I had a GREAT time as always at Skiba's Barbell Club in Carteret, NJ. I was lucky to chat with Skiba's long time friend and vintage strength historian, Ray Anderson. This is part I of a 2 part interview so please stay tuned for part II. Feel free to leave your comments and questions below. ENJOY! ========= … [Read more...]
My Biggest Bodybuilding Mistakes
Flip flops or old school Chuck taylors, deep dish York barbell plates, wooden floors, kick ass training partners and a kick ass atmosphere. What else did they need!?!? We're ALL "Bodybuilders" - like it or hate it, that's the truth. We're building our body and whoever you are reading this, you are simply using your own methods to make it look and perform the way you want it to. I've been bodybuilding since age 13 and I have made a shit ton of mistakes. Many of which cost me today. I am … [Read more...]
Bodybuilding with Sandbags
I love training with Sandbags. They are simple and brutal. Overall, they are an all in one gym and you can mimic a lot of barbell lifts with the sandbag along with old fashioned farm boy work; carry, throw, loading on platforms, etc. Of course, thanks to the sensitivity of the internet, there are coaches who are crying over who started to train with sandbags first. Or, they think they invented this or that exercise. They can finally SHUT UP, that would be great. Before any of us were … [Read more...]
REAL Man Muscle: Strength Training Hard & Heavy
Man, if there is 1 thing engrained into my DNA, it must be that I LOVE to train hard & heavy. But, lately, I've been straying away from the heavy barbell, rocking the dumbbells, kettlebells and bodyweight a lot more. I'm feeling healthier, and still strong as a mofo. It doesn't make me feel good when my back is so f**ked up that it hurts to change diapers. As I grow, I evolve. Does this mean I will never touch a barbell again? Hells NO! I still use them, but I am finding "other" … [Read more...]
New Grip Strength Video & Article!
Check out the latest article on grip and hand strength training: ==> http://www.straighttothebar.com/2008/11/grip_strength_where_is_it.html Enjoy & Kill it! --Z-- PS: If you want to develop rugged full body strength and strong hands, check out http://GripExperts.com … [Read more...]