At age 44, I am still learning and evolving with my training. 31 years into training and unlike many lifters and coaches, I am not moving forward with a closed mind. Listen, if you want to get better, you need an open mind. You need to have the hunger and desire to keep learning and keep improving. A closed mind helps no one. I've been adding a few new things for me but they are not new in the realm of training methods. Some of these training methods that I have started implementing with … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 229 | Dr. Doug Kechijian on Military Training + Training as We “Get Older”
Photo Cred: AirForeTimes.com STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 229 with my friend and trusted source for all things health & performance, Dr. Doug Kechijian. Dug and I met about 10 years ago (2010 I believe) at the Original Underground Strength Gym back when Brian Macknezie was running the CrossFit Endurance Seminar, which was awesome, by the way! In this episode, Doug and I discuss Military Training (both pre selection and post selection) & Training as We "Get Older". Doug had received a … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Insider Ep. 43 | Be TOUGHER Than Your Excuses
How many excuses can people come up with? Listen, I HATE my OWN excuses. But hearing everyone else with their excuses that never end makes me realize, holy sh-t, I am NOT on their level of weakness. Yes, I know, I know, who am I to judge? But here I am, judging, getting fired UP, hoping this short STRONG Life Insider fires YOU up so you can destroy anything that dares stand in your way. This episode is after receiving 2 replies to my newsletter from men who are TOUGH. Men who are … [Read more...]
Can You Build Muscle In Your 40s (And Older)? 25 Tips from Experience, The Classic & Golden Era of Bodybuilding
Can you build muscle? Can you do it naturally? What about when you "get older"? Your 30s, 40s and 50s? I am not sure why we begin to think it's all over in our 30s and 40s. I have a funny feeling the internet confused you and the fact that I am saying, YES, You CAN build muscle & strength as you "get older", the internet will now sue me! I just saw a photo of Sly training hard at my buddy Gunnar Peterson's gym. Sly is 70! So with Sly being almost twice my age and still looking … [Read more...]
Training In Your 40s VS Training High School & College Athletes
The older you get, the harder the training gets! It's tougher to make gains and you can forget about that "maintenance" BS program. As you get older, the last thing you want is that WEAK attitude of "I'm just maintaining". If you're not getting better, you're getting worse. I NEVER use the word "maintenance" when training anyone, including in season for athletes. Think about it, how weak does it sound when you say "I'm just trying to maintain." It sounds like you fear the work. It … [Read more...]
Squats & My Strength Training Philosophy As I Get Older
Here's an excerpt from my updated version of The Underground Strength & Performance Manual (Almost Finished!). Make The Rep or Die….. I never saw anyone miss a rep in the squat until the internet came around. Not once in the gym did I see a guy bail out on a squat and we’re talking age 13 until my late 20s, guys squatting 4, 5 and 6 plates per side. Spotters knew how to spot and lifters were focused. It’s hard to focus when you kinda think you can or maybe you can’t. Check that … [Read more...]
143 | Dr. Tom Incledon | Injuries, Cancer, Nutrition & Strength Training
STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 143 with Dr. Tom Incledon. WOW, Mind blown in this episode and a part 2 is already in the making because we have MUCH more to talk about. BIG thanks to my sponsor, https://IntekStrength.com Use Code zach100 for 10% discount! Here's what Dr. Tom and I discuss in this episode: … [Read more...]
Iron History, THE Underground Strength Gym & Zach’s Training Program
I'm not a fun guy to be around when I don't get my training in. On the flip slide, when I train, I am at my most creative, I feel energized and almost reborn. I take you through a tour of THE Underground Strength Gym to explain why my training is going so well, how Louie Simmons influenced me, where the Iron History comes from at The Underground Strength Gym and much more. … [Read more...]
140 | Training for LIFE w/ Zach & Jim Steel
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 140 with my man, Jim Steel. This episode is great, and really, any time I chat with Jim it's like we're just hanging out and talking life. You're gonna love this episode as we discuss the following: … [Read more...]
They Said “Slow Down, You’re Working Too Hard.” THEY. ARE. WRONG.
Every morning I rise early. Before the dogs went to get out of their own beds. Before the sun has risen. I get the Coffee going for myself and my wife. I begin writing. My writing comes from my inner fire, which I began to recognize in myself as soon as I began lifting weights, circa June of 1989. The emotions that came from training were a mixture of many feelings; Anger, Safety, Confidence, Intensity, Passion, Loneliness, Bonding, Aggression and then some....... The majority of … [Read more...]