Do this, Do that. Rest this long, do x sets, x reps, bla bla bla. If you always have someone telling you what to do, how to do it, when to do...... You will never succeed in anything. You have to figure things out on your own. You must be willing to experiment, to make mistakes and most of all, to fight back and learn to do things better. Every morning of a holiday I like to hold Holiday morning training sessions at The Underground Strength Gym. You can see some OLD videos below and … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 126: Strength Training & Life Lessons From the 70s, 80s & 90s
STRONG Life Episode 126 with Jim Steel. In this episode, we kick things off with some throwback stories from the 70s, 80s and 90s and then dig into our current day training methods. Jim and I (as always) discuss all kinds of topics strength related, in no particular order, the following topics: … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Improve Your Tire Flip & Strongman Lifts
Training the strongman lifts, I always tell others, must be earned. If you're a Strength Coach, seriously, stop letting everyone and their Mom flip tires. It leads to injuries and leads to a lack of respect for what it takes to be strong. We shouldn't have tires every 50 lbs separated so everyone can flip a tire. That's like saying everyone wins, it's always a tie! We shouldn't have Sandbags every 10 lbs so everyone can comfortably increase poundages. Odd objects are supposed to be … [Read more...]
How To Use StrongMan Workouts For Mental Toughness, Strength & Power
When utilizing strongman training for athletic performance there are various ways to implement the exercises and methods for different results. Whether you need more muscle mass, more strength, more speed & power or perhaps greater mental toughness, you can tweak strongman workouts to achieve all of those goals. Here are 7 tips to incorporate in your own training when utilizing the strongman lifts. My Simple Suggestion: Test them, and like all things in training, absorb what is useful and … [Read more...]
Odd Object Lifting For “Functional Strength”
Through my own experiences as an athlete and training other athletes, I was taught a powerful lesson that was once (and perhaps still is seen as a fad): Training ONLY with free weights and bodyweight exercises is limiting your potential in developing strength above and beyond the "norm", especially if you're an athlete. The body quickly gets bored and adapts to training methods unless you implement variety. Variety can be the training tools, the speed of the exercises, the range of motion, the … [Read more...]
BRUTAL Bodyweight, Sandbags & Kettlebell Workout
I often find myself looking for a tough workout. Something to give me a good ol' gut check. My fear of becoming "normal" or "just like everybody else" worries me BIG time. On this particular day I got to my Underground Strength Gym nice and early to test my mind and body. … [Read more...]
Old School Sandbag Workout for BAD MoFos, Density Style
About one year ago you may remember me posting a video and article inspired by the Great Strongman, Hermann Goerner and I gave a little taste of his Kettlebell Chain. Well, now things are the same AND different..... Enter The Sandbag Chain..... NOT for the weak of mind or heart, check it out and get after it. … [Read more...]
Back to My Roots, Part II – Backyard Beginnings
Check out these next two videos of stone training. The stones weren't crazy heavy so I cranked away with a circuit for strength endurance and conditioning. This is a great way to condense your workouts while still building strength, muscle and stamina. If you're a family man / woman, you know ALL about being limited on time. Check it.... I'll be back to mixing the various odd objects in my workouts with powerlifting once again. I miss the barbell TOO much. Deadlifting and squatting make me … [Read more...]
Overhead Lifting Mayhem & Shoulder Health
I have a SERIOUS passion for all types of lifting, but, I especially LOVE throwing weights overhead, ALL types of weights. Remember, I'm a SOUL Lifter, rules need NOT apply. Discriminate against NOTHING that makes you stronger. In this Video I timed myself against an array of training tools to clean and press overhead. The variety keeps you from getting bored and each overhead press is slightly different than the next. Your mind must stay focused to handle the details of each … [Read more...]
NO Limits Workouts
Check out Part II of my last workout video, 5 Rounds of Hell, The Underground Strongman Circuit. I step it up a notch, NO limits, hitting 60 lbs on the chin ups. Round 3 starts getting tough, Round 4 was Brutal and Round 5 kicked my ass BIG time. After 3 Rounds this workout was purely mental. It woulda been easy to call it a day, but I was dead set on completing 5 rounds. Not all workouts look like what you see above. Yesterday's workout was: Squats: 7 x 3 Reps Deadlifts: 10 x 2 Reps Later … [Read more...]