My back was going into spasms on the craziest things: doing dishes, warm ups with DB side raises, bent over row with a light barbell. It felt like a shot of lightning was hitting me in the back. I spoke to some "experts" and they all insisted I was having disc issues. I got tired of hearing how the world was going to end with my "bad back" and decided to go back to something I did in 1996 after my first knee surgery. What is that very thing? Listening to my OWN body & figuring it out on … [Read more...]
Deadlifts + Isometrics: OLD Training for NEW Results
Deadlifts have been around since the dawn of time. Cavemen lifting heavy objects off the ground. It's so simple, it's complicated. It doesn't have to be complicated, BUT, people nowadays LOVE to complicate things. I don't know why? I assume because it helps people FEEL as if they are accomplishing more by creating more complication. In this video, I encourage you to TEST this yourself. HOW? By lifting the weights. There is NO other way. You can research all you want but until you are … [Read more...]
How to Use Imperfect Squats / Imperfect Training in A “Perfect World”
I've gotten lucky this Summer...... You see, the past year has been a struggle with regards to training. My commute to work would be a minimum of 1 hour each way, sometimes 1.5 hours if it was raining because people forget how to drive in the rain. I'd get home and then hit the road again for my kids' sports or I'd drive straight to The Underground for some coaching. At the end of a 14 hour day my energy levels were drained. That being said, I organized a minimalist style training program … [Read more...]
184 | QnA: Underground Strength Seminars, Wrestling Strength & Gladiator STRONG Origins
Here we go, STRONG Life Podcast ep.184, QnA style! I had a blast crushing this podcast and talking about: - The next Underground Strength seminars and how I plan to run them. - How I train wrestlers in season and what I recommend with regards to nutrition for wrestlers. - How I operate my podcast in terms of business, sponsorship, use for my Underground Strength Gym and more thoughts on podcasting. - How did my Gladiator STRONG program get started and why I love the NO BS, … [Read more...]
5 Strength Tips for Men: We ALL Get Older. Getting Weak or Strong is a CHOICE
After posting some videos to my YouTube yesterday I came across a comment that is all too common. And although YouTube trolls are not the majority of public opinion, the excuse makers and blame artists certainly have a large community. It hit me while watching the stone lifting documentary from Iceland that Rogue Fitness put out. The Icelandic men and women take IMMENSE pride in being Strong and Tough. It is part of the culture and it is their "normal". Men are out and about trying to lift … [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...]
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...]
Strength & Conditioning Books + STRONG Knowledge In Business & Life
I am often asked the same questions over and over again. My question to you is; Are YOU willing to do some research? Willing to watch videos, listen to podcasts, use the search bar and do some grunt work to find the answers? I can hand you answers and strategies but like I tell the athletes I work with, it is up to YOU to do the work. Ultimately, your success or lack of rests on your shoulders. Below I have several videos for you to dig into. They cover the strength & conditioning books … [Read more...]
Strength Training “Advices” From 27 Years Training Experience
Coming this June marks what I call my "Strength Training Anniversary". I began lifting weights in Mid June while in 8th grade and I haven't looked back or stopped since. I was 13 1/2 years old. This June I'll be 40 1/2 years young. I will NEVER stop training, it is my ritual and keeps me sane among countless other benefits. Through my 27 years of training and coaching, I have learned MANY lessons which I explain below. You see, even at age 13, I was coaching my friends that Summer. I had a … [Read more...]
Older, Stronger, Tougher, BETTER.
How can you get better with age when everyone around you is saying ..... "Just wait till you get to my age, bro....." "Dude, I used to be ripped like you....." "I used to have all that free time...." "Your joints are gonna kill you...." Stray far from the naysayers and the weak minded robots of the world, there is no room or time for these people in your life. Change your mind and Change your life. Here's how I view getting older.... … [Read more...]