The 3rd annual LIFT STRONG fundraiser was held at The Underground Strength Gym in Edison, NJ on June 18th.

Total funds raised between competitors and visitors showing their support: $ 1,220

Our first year we raised slightly more than $ 1,220 and our 2nd year we raised near $ 2,000. I will be doubling the biggest donation which was $ 250 and donating $ 500.

A Few “First Time” things happened this year:

1) We had less competitors from The Underground than ever before – NOT good.

2) Our BIGGEST donations came from NON members and visitors. I would have assumed our very own members would see the importance behind this and try to go above and beyond but I guess not. Our best donation in house was $ 60.

Our BIGGEST donations actually came from NON – members, with donations in the range of $ 100 – $ 250. Our HIGHEST donation came from Larry Wasserman of Breathe Fitness Studio.

This has always been an “in house” competition but this time around we allowed some outsiders to enter.

DeFranco’s Gym had 7 competitors and we had one competitor, Patrick Moore, drive down and compete all the way from Poughkeepsie, NY!

This was, unfortunately, our WORST showing ever. Our participation was DOWN BIG time as our 2nd year had 26 competitors, ALL in house. This time around we only had TWO college competitors, Curls and Chow.

To say I am disappointed would be an understatement. I am finding there to be TOO many excuses and TOO many stories with regards to why today’s generation of athlete’s can’t do this or that. I won’t enable it. Not in my gym.

Changes to Come….

LIFT STRONG will be a MUCH bigger event next year as I will be inviting competitors in from around the world and I will NOT ask athletes of The Underground TWICE to compete.

The minimum donation will no longer be $ 40. I guess this means some high school athletes need to find a job, which seems to be a strange phenomena these days. Work? get a Job? What!!??

It’s time to pay attention, get your act together or get OUT. Period!

Below is some of the action with part II and the final results coming shortly….

I want to thank the friends and family who showed up not just from inside the Underground but from those who follow me at my personal blog.

Stay tuned for Part II and the final results of LIFT STRONG 2010.

–Z–

Some SERIOUS updates on our LIFT STRONG Fundraiser!

Friday, June 18th @ 4 PM

1) There will be a Light Weight Category. If you are 150 lbs or Under, you are IN!

- Tire Flip 250 lbs x 5 reps for time

- Log Clean & Press x 30 seconds for reps

- Farmer Walk x 110 lbs ea. hand for time

- Sled Drag x 5 Plates for time

2) DeFranco’s Gym will be sending athletes!!! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!! This is the first time DeFranco’s Gym athlete’s have been On Underground Territory. Undergrounders, Bring your A Game or don’t SHOW UP! PERIOD!!!!

3) Rare Breed Athletics will be ON site with GEAR! Prepare for BATTLE!

Notice below, DeFranco’s Guys train on Saturday’s, so do we, well…. some of you. Where were YOU last Saturday?

I have just purchased THE Prizes for the 3 Winners and they are SICK looking!

T. Woods is entering LIFT STRONG as a 2 time champion, looking to win his 3rd consecutive title before moving on to the college division.

Curls is ALSO looking to THREE-Peat as the College Champ.

Can ANYONE stop these guys? Will DeFranco’s Crew be able to bring their A Game on Underground Territory?

Next Friday, we shall see!!

Show Up to WIN or don’t show up at all.

Lead from the FRONT!

–Z–

PS: Donations for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are due by Tuesday June 15th. $ 40 Donation with the option to donate more.

PPS: If you are coming as a spectator any donation is welcome!

When you lift, you gotta “Lift STRONG” or not at all.

Exercise is NOT supposed to be easy.

Not if you want to WIN.

This Friday, July 3rd at 4 PM I am holding the annual Lift STRONG fundraiser to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Our athletes will be competing to help save lives, represent what our gym is all about and why it’s here as well as trying to win some KICK ASS trophies!

The info is below, please come show your support!

July 3rd, 4 PM

Underground Strength Gym

160 Talmadge Rd

Edison, NJ 08817 / Same Parking Lot as Apollon Gym

All athletes are making a $ 40 donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You can donate if you want but at the least, come by and show support for this awesome event!

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Can’t make it in person? Help us HERE.