Time for change. Better yet, time to continue to grow as a person, not just in training. As I always say, they go hand in hand. Health is # 1 Let me explain why I am changing things up again. Some of these things are NOT new at all to me. Interesting. … [Read more...]
Can YOU get Stronger Than Guys On Steroids? Yes, Here’s How.
I have been accused of being on steroids since I was in high school. I STILL remember those days. It was as if none of the kids could fathom someone building muscle. Looking back, I have to laugh. I trained with infinite mistakes and could have made 10X the progress if I had a mentor with someone who knew what they were doing. With my knowledge today, and seeing the natural greats from the Silver era, especially of men like Chuck Sipes and Chet Yorton, you KNOW you can develop extreme strength … [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...]
Top 11 Muscle Building Exercises
Here's a list of the Top 11 Muscle Building Exercises that you simply can't go wrong with (minus if you have any injuries, physical limitations, excuses, etc) if you wanna get jacked AND strong. Check em' out and decide how you can put them to use into your current training regime / workouts. My suggestion is to start with some hard work, mixed in with some heavy weight, sweat & consistency. You'll also a see unique video from one of my workouts this week at The Underground Strength … [Read more...]
Solo Workouts, Cold Weather & Mental Training
I am excited to crank this blog post, as ALWAYS! The photos of old school greats and Golden Era bodybuilding always fires me up. Energy is sky high lately, I've been fasting often and experimenting with my nutrition and it's feeling GREAT. On a mission to get to 205, lean and mean.... agile, mobile and hostile! I haven't had a scale of my own since about 10 years ago so I'm gonna start tracking everything & dialing in the nutrition to keep my discipline and goals on track. LOTS of my … [Read more...]
2 Critical Program Design Tips, Identifying “Dangerous” Exercises & Knowing Your Enemy
Remember that OLD school tune with Rage Against the Machine, "Know the Enemy"? Yep, Yep... well, with training, it's the same difference. After training for 22 years I am still learning more and more about my body, sometimes, ya gotta learn the HARD way. The other day I saw a video of Louie Simmons hitting rack pulls, I was inspired, and decided I too, need to do rack pulls. Problem is, I've been injured on this exercise before, even with light weights well below my max on rack pulls. Like … [Read more...]
Train Like a Mad Man
I had a goal of Trap Bar Deadlifting 225 lbs for 50 reps. It was easy, mainly because I didn't allow myself the option to fail. I did fail, however, in my ability to count. I watched the video and realized I did 49, NOT 50! I'm a knucklehead, enjoy the Madness Below.... Drop a comment with your thoughts! Lead from the Front! --Z-- PS: Just had a dude sign up for the 1 Day Underground Mentorship coming on March 20th! Now that is Dedication, traveling to another country for a day of training … [Read more...]
The Hybrid Bodybuilding BEAST in The House!
No Rules. No cry babies or whiners. This is how I get Hybrid and BEAST at the same time. Check it kids.... I love training this way. Nobody ever said I should or could, I just followed my heart and gut instincts. Back when I was bodybuilding, I would sometimes superset squats with 315-365 lbs and leg presses with 7 - 9 plates on each side. It was crazy but damn was it fun. Deadlifts and Zerchers offer more of a "REAL World / Functional Strength" type workout compared … [Read more...]
Underground Strength Show # 13 – The DeFranco Challenge!
Joe DeFranco is one of the best Performance Coaches in the country, actually, the world. 2 weeks before my wedding, I finally got the chance to get a 1hour consult with Joe D. It took 6 months to get into his schedule, I never stopped asking him via e mail and I didn't care what the cost would be. I receive many e mails from people who want in on the USC Cert, the apprentice program or any other coaching variation, but everyone is "in a bad financial situation". I think my investment made a … [Read more...]
Squats, Stones & Thick Bars
Last night's workout was a brutal one. By the title of this article, you can guess for yourself it was challenging to say the least. I LOVE training in a way that pushes me BEYOND the physical. Where I can literally FEEL my mindset changing, getting tougher and building that GRIT! I used a specially designed thick bar for my Zercher squats, working up to 325 lbs for 3 reps.The Zercher squat is excellent for not only leg strength but for strengthening your entire trunk and core. I don't … [Read more...]