Training doesn't have to be perfect for it to work. Often times, the imperfections are better because they train the mind AND the body as one. They force you to cope with the "resistance" that is more than just the weights. My methods are NOT perfect, they have flaws, but guess what, so does every program. The flaws are beautiful. The challenges are to be wished for. Be grateful for the tough times for anything worth achieving is worth fighting for. Sometimes you just gotta attack your … [Read more...]
How to Use HEAVY Bodyweight Training & Pulling Power for Brute Strength
I recall having a phone call with Joe DeFranco and he was telling me how one of his Coaches / former athletes, Mike Guadango, was regularly doing heavy, HEAVY 1 rep sets for pull ups. Mike was also performing heavy recline rows with over 100 lbs on a weight vest for sets of 1 - 3 reps. It got me thinking differently about my Bodyweight training and I began looking to turn my Bodyweight training into a system, just like Westside Barbell implements the Conjugate System, with days focused on … [Read more...]
How 2 Wrestlers & George Hackenschmidt Changed My Way Of Training
I got my hands on an old book in the early 2000s and it really pushed home the need & the power for simplicity in life, training and nutrition. In addition, the book also encouraged the need for basics. When I saw the rugged physique on the author, I was inspired beyond my words to say the least. The author was built like a brick sh-t house. Above, George Hackschmidt, Built Like A Brick Shit House George Hackenschmidt's workouts were often in the 30 - 45 minute range yet he trained on … [Read more...]
Bodybuilding with Russian Kettlebells
This is an old school video of me attacking a bodybuilding / strength style workout, but using Kettlebells instead of traditional free weights. I remember feeling bored with my workouts and I wanted to switch things up and shock my body and my mind. Whatever training tool I use, I attack it, plain and simple. The lesson to be learned here is.... … [Read more...]
Intern Wanted for Underground Strength Gym of Edison, NJ
I'm looking for a hard working, open minded, eager to learn intern at my gym, in edison, nj. The internship will last 8 weeks, unpaid. You WILL get the experience of a lifetime though, I can guarantee that. Be ready to learn a boat load, and, you will be training WITH our athletes. I can't have an intern who doesn't walk the walk and never gets under the bar. Your hands will get dirty, rusty and possibly bloody. I'm a crazy guy to work for, I have high expectations from people. I hate … [Read more...]
15 Minute Muscle Building Workouts
I was in a bit of a rush Friday before clients were heading in to The Underground Strength Gym and I was finishing up some work on the Blog. Not to worry, as I knew I could crank out some brutal work for myself with limited time. Hey, 15 minutes sounds like nothing but when you're as insanely busy as I am, it works when you need it to work, and, you learn to cut out the crap and focus on the meat and potatoes. Getting stronger in both the physical and mental state is what I TRULY love. … [Read more...]
Serious or not at all
Yesterday, we had a high school Football player pop in, asking about training. The H3 he pulled up in looked familiar, so i asked if he was related to a certain someone who trained at The Underground Strength Gym... for 2 days. His older brother, had his Mom pay for the training for a month. After 2 workouts he disappeared...no phone calls returned....no e mails returned. I was pissed off that a young kid wasted his Mom's hard earned money and thought nothing of it. With his brother … [Read more...]
I used to….
When I was 13 I started getting heavily into bodybuilding. But what impacted me most was the info found in the original, Arnold Schwarzenneger Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. In this HUGE book were tons and tons of black and white photos of the rugged bodybuilders from the 50's - 70's. These guys were more like what I call a "power-bodybuilder". They hit heavy deadlifts, heavy olympic lifts, heavy powerlifts, heavy cheat curls, HEAVY EVERYTHING. They developed incredibly rugged, … [Read more...]
Cellar Dwellers & The STRONGEST Men You Don’t Know About
Are you a cellar dweller? I first heard of "Cellar Dwellers" through IronMind Magazine BUT my first experience came from my middle school days seeing a guy Deadlifting in front of his house. Snow was on the ground and he had a few homemade barbells set on the lawn next to his driveway. These weren't the normal barbells you see in a gym. They were cement wheels of various sizes. I was leaving school and walking out front to meet my older brother and there was this guy, deadlifting with … [Read more...]
Another Day in the Office
No fancy chair for me, no pretty desk to hide behind, only the challenge to lead from the front. Is it really a challenge, or, is it a choice? ONLY You decide! In Strength, --Z-- P.S. - This style of training is not for everyone. The psyche certainly pushed everyone harder, as we competed against one another. Technique loosened up a bit and insanity certainly jumped up more than a few nothces. It's time you began taking part in the Underground movement. Do it here: The Underground … [Read more...]