Zack McCarley's guest appearances

Zack McCarley

Strong Talk - Presented By Starting Strongman

8 Weeks Out

Clinically Inane

Charlie Sheen

Chris Kluwe

Paul Smith

Rob Kearney

Jeff Robinson

Brian Clark

Mike Robertson

Eddie Hall

Stan Efferding

Nick Jonas

Ayron Jones

Dave Ross

Jeff Lee

Jay Swanson

Brian Alsruhe

OwlTail

Zack McCarley began his strongman career in 2006, studying under longtime professional strongman Grant Higa, Zack McCarley went on to become one of the most decorated lightweight strongman that the USA has ever produced. Some of Zack’s accolades include being an All-American wrestler in the NCWA, winning a lightweight pro card in strongman, 11 “top ten” national placings in strongman, six strongman national championship titles at various weight classes, and even a world record and world championship in the 90kg class for strongman; much of this was accomplished while completing his BS and MS in chemistry. Zack is also well known for being a multifaceted athlete and coach, Zack excels at goal setting, mindset, and especially strongman technique and body movement. For more information go to  follow  Sign up for Zack's upcoming seminar in Oregon City 1/21/17    Follow  &amp;   Support this podcast by hitting Subscribe and giving a 5 star rating!   Sign up for Strongman programming at just $10 a month!  use code STRONGTALK to receive a free month Interested in Strongman Coaching? Fill out the form at  Visit our  for all your training needs!  Shop using our affiliate links on  &amp;  Support our    Give us a 5 star rating &amp; review and tell your friends

60: Zack McCarley 

Ever wonder what some of the strongest men in the world do for their training? In this episode of8WeeksOut TV, we haves special guest Zack McCarley, a six-time national champion in sport of Strong Man and reigning America’s Strongest Man.  Meet Zack McCarley What does training look like for America’s Strongest Man? Surprisingly, Zack McCarley doesn’t just train for Strong Man; he has competed in wrestling at the national collegiate level and in power lifting. He’s been a relatively top level power lifter, but hasn’t invested a lot of time in that sport, and this year, after his wrestling season he’ll be doing some CrossFit competitions as well to see how he measures up. Focusing on being an athlete more than just a Strong Man, power lifter, wrestler, Zack enjoys the whole aspect of being athletic and having a healthy lifestyle. Transitioning between these different focuses of requires some finesse in his programming… Carry-Over Between Zack’s Sports Going from Strong Man to the wrestling mat will clearly place a higher demand on aerobic conditioning with more training being done on the mat then in the gym. There is some carry-over from sport to sport, with increases in strength and power on one side, and a much larger working capacity on the other.  However, Zack properly trains them both separately in the appropriate time. Managing those energy systems is key, for example, although he most likely will be the strongest wrestler in his weight class, if not managed well, he could be left exhausted and gasping for air before the match has finished the first period. Zack’s Ace to Explosive Power Development Zack is known for being so fast and explosive in the world of strongman, so let’s take a look at what he does to train that skill… Zack uses box jumps as a staple of his training. Having integrated them in and out of his training over the years, he does however use some less common variations than most people use: Staying primarily within two variations, Zack demonstrates his version of box jumps from both the seated and standing position. His equipment is basic: for his set-up, Zack uses a bench in front of a relatively low platform which could be another bench or a low box. The key to Zack’s box jump, whether seated or standing, is to not re-bend the knees and lift his legs toward his torso. He will instead keep his legs fairly stiff and straight after triple extending for the take-off, and allow just enough flexion at the knee to land comfortably. The idea is to get good at jumping higher by developing more power in the lower extremities, not to jump onto something higher simply because you become more efficient at tucking your legs up higher toward your chest to get onto a higher surface. When doing his seated variation, Zack will rock back in his seated position on the bench to lift his feet. With his lower extremities still in a position of flexion, he’ll rock forward to contact the ground with his feet, and begin the jump. Because Zack’s variation of the box jumps rely on keeping the legs extended and fairly stiff, he recommends using a box that you can clear with two or three inches of clearance. Why This Style of Jumping? The biggest reason why Zack uses this style of box jumps is when you start getting good at box jumps you start needing taller boxes…  You find that you need a platform that’s 36 inches, and then a platform that’s 40 inches, and 45, then maybe 50 inches. If you travel at all, you don’t always find things that are that tall to jump on (or at least that the gym owner will allow you to jump on). So convenience is an issue. Another reason is simply safety: watching someone stack hundreds of pounds in bumper plates and then miss a jump is less than comforting. Generally, people don’t want to work out near someone that might knock a stack of plates over and injure themselves and/or others. Programming the Box Jumps Zack will typically stick around sets of three to six reps, which is determined by when you stop generating as much power; you will to stop getting as much height in your jump. If he finds it harder to get on top of the box, then he’ll just back off and use a lower box, or decrease the sets and reps. In the Strong Man season,  Zack would use box jumps maybe twice a week, but in the wrestling season he likes to use them closer to four times a week. Zack doesn’t necessarily hit the box jumps hard every time. Instead he emphasizes the importance of consistency in coming back and doing the same thing, and then eventually working to a higher and higher box, and increasing volume. If you look back at the 8weeksout videos with Bondarchuck, he talked about the role of consistency in just doing the same exercises over and over again.  The box jump is an exercise you can do a lot more volume than with a  Death Jump or a more intense jumping exercise. This is especially true if you are careful and step off the box instead of jumping back off, which will make the demands on your body much more taxing. What’s Next for the 6-Time National Champion? Zack is still recovering from an injury last March, but as he mentioned before, he is in the middle of his collegiate wrestling season right now, but will return to competing in strongman in mid-March when the season is over. Zack is a BioForce Athlete, and we’re going to have more information about his programming, show how HRV is working over-time with his training, and make sure to keep you updated on his progress. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube by searching Zack McCarley, or Pro Strongman Zack McCarley. The post Zack McCarley’s Box Jumps appeared first on 8 Weeks Out.

Ever wonder what some of the strongest men in the world do for their training? In this episode of8WeeksOut TV, we haves special guest <a href="http://www.8weeksout.com/2013/12/26/bioforce-athlete-profile-zack-mccarley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zack McCarley</a>, a six-time national champion in sport of Strong Man and reigning America’s Strongest Man. <h2>Meet Zack McCarley</h2> What does training look like for America’s Strongest Man? Surprisingly, Zack McCarley doesn’t just train for Strong Man; he has competed in wrestling at the national collegiate level and in power lifting. He’s been a relatively top level power lifter, but hasn’t invested a lot of time in that sport, and this year, after his wrestling season he’ll be doing some CrossFit competitions as well to see how he measures up. Focusing on being an athlete more than just a Strong Man, power lifter, wrestler, Zack enjoys the whole aspect of being athletic and having a healthy lifestyle. Transitioning between these different focuses of requires some finesse in his programming… <h2>Carry-Over Between Zack’s Sports</h2> Going from Strong Man to the wrestling mat will clearly place a higher demand on aerobic conditioning with more training being done on the mat then in the gym. There is some carry-over from sport to sport, with increases in strength and power on one side, and a much larger working capacity on the other.  However, Zack properly trains them both separately in the appropriate time. Managing those energy systems is key, for example, although he most likely will be the strongest wrestler in his weight class, if not managed well, he could be left exhausted and gasping for air before the match has finished the first period. <h2>Zack’s Ace to Explosive Power Development</h2> Zack is known for being so fast and explosive in the world of strongman, so let’s take a look at what he does to train that skill… Zack uses box jumps as a staple of his training. Having integrated them in and out of his training over the years, he does however use some less common variations than most people use: Staying primarily within two variations, Zack demonstrates his version of box jumps from both the seated and standing position. His equipment is basic: for his set-up, Zack uses a bench in front of a relatively low platform which could be another bench or a low box. The key to Zack’s box jump, whether seated or standing, is to not re-bend the knees and lift his legs toward his torso. He will instead keep his legs fairly stiff and straight after triple extending for the take-off, and allow just enough flexion at the knee to land comfortably. The idea is to get good at jumping higher by developing more power in the lower extremities, not to jump onto something higher simply because you become more efficient at tucking your legs up higher toward your chest to get onto a higher surface. When doing his seated variation, Zack will rock back in his seated position on the bench to lift his feet. With his lower extremities still in a position of flexion, he’ll rock forward to contact the ground with his feet, and begin the jump. Because Zack’s variation of the box jumps rely on keeping the legs extended and fairly stiff, he recommends using a box that you can clear with two or three inches of clearance. <h2>Why This Style of Jumping?</h2> The biggest reason why Zack uses this style of box jumps is when you start getting good at box jumps you start needing taller boxes…  You find that you need a platform that’s 36 inches, and then a platform that’s 40 inches, and 45, then maybe 50 inches. If you travel at all, you don’t always find things that are that tall to jump on (or at least that the gym owner will allow you to jump on). So convenience is an issue. Another reason is simply safety: watching someone stack hundreds of pounds in bumper plates and then miss a jump is less than comforting. Generally, people don’t want to work out near someone that might knock a stack of plates over and injure themselves and/or others. <h2>Programming the Box Jumps</h2> Zack will typically stick around sets of three to six reps, which is determined by when you stop generating as much power; you will to stop getting as much height in your jump. If he finds it harder to get on top of the box, then he’ll just back off and use a lower box, or decrease the sets and reps. In the Strong Man season,  Zack would use box jumps maybe twice a week, but in the wrestling season he likes to use them closer to four times a week. Zack doesn’t necessarily hit the box jumps hard every time. Instead he emphasizes the importance of consistency in coming back and doing the same thing, and then eventually working to a higher and higher box, and increasing volume. If you look back at the 8weeksout videos with <a href="http://www.8weeksout.com/2013/08/07/the-bondarchuck-principles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bondarchuck</a>, he talked about the role of consistency in just doing the same exercises over and over again.  The box jump is an exercise you can do a lot more volume than with a  Death Jump or a more intense jumping exercise. This is especially true if you are careful and step off the box instead of jumping back off, which will make the demands on your body much more taxing. <h2>What’s Next for the 6-Time National Champion?</h2> Zack is still recovering from an injury last March, but as he mentioned before, he is in the middle of his collegiate wrestling season right now, but will return to competing in strongman in mid-March when the season is over. Zack is a <a href="http://www.8weeksout.com/2013/12/26/bioforce-athlete-profile-zack-mccarley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BioForce Athlete</a>, and we’re going to have more information about his programming, show how HRV is working over-time with his training, and make sure to keep you updated on his progress. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube by searching Zack McCarley, or Pro Strongman Zack McCarley. The post <a href="https://www.8weeksout.com/2014/03/06/special-guest-zack-mccarley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zack McCarley’s Box Jumps</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.8weeksout.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">8 Weeks Out</a>.

Zack McCarley’s Box Jumps

Lightweight Pro Strongman Zack McCarley is a six time national champion, three time reigning America’s Strongest Man under 231 pounds, and the newest BioForce Athlete! Find out how he uses BioForce HRV to keep him at the top of his sport.  BioForce Athlete Profile: Zack McCarley Lightweight Pro Strongman Zack McCarley is a six time national champion, three time reigning America’s Strongest Man under 231 pounds, and the newest BioForce Athlete! Zack’s Start in Strongman First becoming interested with lifting weights when he was about 13, due to the fact that it is universally measureable, Zack began a long road to dominance. It’s something that he feels you can see the progression as you get better. Competing in strongman, powerlifting, and now rounding it off with some Olympic lifting, Zack’s strength and power has been successful transferring across multiple strength sports. His athletic ability goes beyond the barbell, as he was also a national collegiate wrestler. Overcoming Obstacles in Training for Strongman Training for strongman has been his life for the last several years, but it can break you down. Even with all his experience, serious injuries can still occur. In March of 2013, he had suffered an injury to his lower back that almost ended his career. That injury could have been avoided if he had the tools and the knowledge he has today. He attributes this to taking a closer listen to what his body tells him. Most people don’t realize over-training and under-resting are one in the same. People often become caught up in training hard all the time. When Zack trains five to six days a week, three of those days are light days, active recovery-style days. You have to know your body. You have to recover. You have to become the best you possible if you want to become a champion. And Zack’s done just that! Working with BioForce Excited to work with Bioforce, Zack had done his research on HRV and believes that this is the tool to really maximize your training based on what your body needs most. Even after ten years of training, Zack admits there are still days that he’s not 100 percent sure what his body needs, and Bioforce gives him the insight to what it needs most. As the most dominant Lightweight Pro Strongman, Zack McCarley and BioForce are sure to extend his reign, and excited for the future! The post BioForce Athlete Profile: Zack McCarley appeared first on 8 Weeks Out.

Lightweight Pro Strongman Zack McCarley is a six time national champion, three time reigning America’s Strongest Man under 231 pounds, and the newest BioForce Athlete! Find out how he uses BioForce HRV to keep him at the top of his sport. <h2>BioForce Athlete Profile: Zack McCarley</h2> Lightweight Pro Strongman Zack McCarley is a six time national champion, three time reigning America’s Strongest Man under 231 pounds, and the newest BioForce Athlete! <h2>Zack’s Start in Strongman</h2> First becoming interested with lifting weights when he was about 13, due to the fact that it is universally measureable, Zack began a long road to dominance. It’s something that he feels you can see the progression as you get better. Competing in strongman, powerlifting, and now rounding it off with some Olympic lifting, Zack’s strength and power has been successful transferring across multiple strength sports. His athletic ability goes beyond the barbell, as he was also a national collegiate wrestler. <h2>Overcoming Obstacles in Training for Strongman</h2> Training for strongman has been his life for the last several years, but it can break you down. Even with all his experience, serious injuries can still occur. In March of 2013, he had suffered an injury to his lower back that almost ended his career. That injury could have been avoided if he had the tools and the knowledge he has today. He attributes this to taking a closer listen to what his body tells him. Most people don’t realize over-training and under-resting are one in the same. People often become caught up in training hard all the time. When Zack trains five to six days a week, three of those days are light days, active recovery-style days. You have to know your body. You have to recover. You have to become the best you possible if you want to become a champion. And Zack’s done just that! <h2>Working with BioForce</h2> Excited to work with Bioforce, Zack had done his research on HRV and believes that this is the tool to really maximize your training based on what your body needs most. Even after ten years of training, Zack admits there are still days that he’s not 100 percent sure what his body needs, and Bioforce gives him the insight to what it needs most. As the most dominant Lightweight Pro Strongman, Zack McCarley and BioForce are sure to extend his reign, and excited for the future! The post <a href="https://www.8weeksout.com/2013/12/26/bioforce-athlete-profile-zack-mccarley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BioForce Athlete Profile: Zack McCarley</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.8weeksout.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">8 Weeks Out</a>.

BioForce Athlete Profile: Zack McCarley

In this episode we sit down with Professional Strongman Zack McCarley to talk about, well, being strong! Also - Antiques Roadshow, Spider-Man paints a house, and we hear another story from Boet's encounters with the police! The post Episode 3 – Strongman Zack McCarley appeared first on Clinically Inane.

In this episode we sit down with Professional Strongman Zack McCarley to talk about, well, being strong! Also - Antiques Roadshow, Spider-Man paints a house, and we hear another story from Boet's encounters with the police! The post <a href="http://clinically.inane.us/episode-3-strongman-zack-mccarley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 3 – Strongman Zack McCarley</a> appeared first on <a href="http://clinically.inane.us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clinically Inane</a>.