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When I first began strength training my dungeon garage in 2002, my only rule was, "There are NO Rules." I wish I took photo of my parents' garage.
Back then.... I had a digital camera and a memory card. I would take maybe 5 or 6 photos and then the card would be full. Technology around 2002 and 2003 was NOT easy or user friendly.
It was very small 1 car garage. VERY SMALL.
BUT, I LOVED IT! The temps were freezing cold which posed to be a problem eventually and so on the weekend I would train at some of the local gyms to gain access to heat and some machines.
I started with a utility bench and wedged a tool box under it for incline pressing. I had the following "equipment":
50 and 100 lb dumbbells
Squat Stand
300 lb Weight set from Price Club (before it was CostCo) - it was $99
Dip Bar
EZ Curl Bar
My training was simple, tough and effective! It inspired the creation of The Gladiator Project.
I was following my old bodybuilding split:
Day 1 - Shoulders and Arms
Day 2 - Legs
Day 3 - Chest & Back
I was tired of being confined to routine and rules when I was training in a commercial gym setting. The shitty music, the people going through the motions, the environment that felt DEAD to me.
I had to leave. I felt like it was a prison and the energy was so weak, I decided I had NO other option but to build my OWN world.
On "shoulder day" I often did barbell muscle cleans and cheating side raises with the 50s and 100s!
Squats and RDLs were high reps because back then, 300 lbs was moderate weight for me. I often did sets of 10 - 20 with squats and RDLs.
Around that time I came across Dave Draper's writings where he mentioned supersets being common in his training. Dave mentioned Dumbbell benching the 150s so I was sold that supersets made you STRONG.
I have learned through the decades of training that there is no one tool or one way to make things happen when it comes to Strength, speed and power - there are many ways.
On the flip side, there are training methods that are much better than others. More effective. Context is important and so is timing - certain routines and methods wil work better for you depending on your age, experience, time of year, goals, etc.
But if all you do is follow "the rules", you will not exceed your boundaries or the limitations people tell you about. This is as much mental as it is physical.
Break the rules and start kicking ass. Who cares what is "optimal". In sports, most tough battles are won under harsh conditions where nothing is optimal.
Check the video below and you'll see a variety of training happening at The Underground Strength Gym.
This was a training session before hosting The LOST SECRETS OF STRENGTH Seminar that Joe DeFranco and I held. Or, it may have been the night before The Underground Strength Coach Cert - this was a LONG time ago. I believe 2008 and I am updating this article (2026).
You see athletes climbing rope, jumping rope, tossing around Kettlebells, performing Bodyweight exercises, olympic lifting with dumbbells and more.
Check out the training session our college crew went through that day (There were a few Strength Coaches on hand getting a taste of the Underground as they were about to go through an intensive day of Underground Business Marketing to prep them to open their own Gym):
1) 1 Arm Dumbbell Snatch + Push Press Combo 5 x 3 - 5 reps
2A) 1 arm Kettlebell Floor Press 4 x 5 - 10 reps
2B) Mixed Grip Chin Ups 4 x max reps
3A) Thick Bar Cheat Curls 2 x 6 - 10 reps
3B) Tate Presses on Floor 2 x 10 - 15 reps
4) Sled / Prowler Conditioning 4 x 200 ft
5) Grip & Ab work 4 x each
Give the workout a go and let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
If you want a full 12 months of BEAST Workouts, you better check out The Underground Strength System HERE - it's the REAL Deal.
Make it happen!
Live the Code 365,
--Z--
Get 2 FREE Videos from The Underground Strength Coach Cert HERE
19 Responses
Looks awesome and great fun. Whish I was there working out with all of you.. Keep it up!
Hey coach Even-Esh, that’s a badass video. Anyway, I have to start thinking about what major I’m gonna do in a couple of days and I got it down to science teacher education or exercise science. What I wanted to know is when you got your degree, did you learn alot or was it just eat your veggies, do your aerobics and stay out of the sun deal. If that’s the case, I’d go crazy. One of my goals is to get into the medical field but not just teach what big pharma has to say, but to teach the world the truth in how to be health like primal man. It would be awesome to hear your input coach.
Joe
That was one of the better workouts I’ve had a while. Great stuff. Thanks Zach!
Zach awesome video as always. You really have a great mix of athletes working out at the USG… Glad were in Texas and not NJ 🙂
Keep up the great work Bro as your an inspiration to coaches and parents everywhere
What an insane training environment! Your guys are kickin’ ass and the proof is in the pudding!
I totally forgot about how much the DB Snatch/Push Press combo kicks ass…I’ll be doing that this week!
I am simply amazed by the intensity of the workouts you manage to rip out for the members of the underground. Where do you get kettlebells and rope?
What can I say – OUCH! Way to crank it. It is easy to forget how to go crazy like this when you are working with a different clientele but there are parts of this that are applicable to everyone!
break out!
Nikki Layton
Volo Innovations
Awsome workouts, i’m doin the same EDT style!!!
big z, the kids are kill’in it. my clinet mr.kopec said you made him home sick. with your treats from the shore.
keep kill’in them z
I will try this later today, and I’d like add sth.more.
I’ll start with 1min hindu squat for cardio
then kettlebell Turkish stand up 4reps each side for flexibility
since I don’t have a sled, I’ll do step climbing 10 floors×4
I guess my modified plan gives more pressure on legs. makes a stronger ass…lol
Man you got all types of people training in their!! kids-teens-adults-all of them training the a** off!! thats how its gotta be! HArd work! no BS!!…….ima go workout now bro
NO rules, NO limitations, No wonder your athletes kick butt! Big ups to you Z for creating a great training environment.
SOLID WORKOUT!!!! Wish i was there as well!!
Dudes, u rock for the feedback!
Nikki – I have to connect w/you VERY soon to get things rolling 🙂
Joe, I recvd my BA in Health & Physical Education and my MA in Health Education. Honestly, the things I learned regarding training came from the trenches and learning from others in the trenches.
Still, my education was great but it does not prepare you knowledge wise for what happens with your clients, athletes or not.
I got more craziness coming, don’t worry 🙂
–Z–
Any workout that I’ve done at the UNDERGROUND has been badass! You better be well conditioned and have some strength to get through that workout or you’ll be sitting on the FUCK YOU BENCH!
Great exercises – these guys are really going for it – not like most gyms where people are sitting around chatting or talking into their mobiles.
That was awesome! Any chance there is a USG in Wadsworth, OH? Also I am traveling to Dewey Beach, DE. Anything there? Thanks in advance. Way to kill them Z.