Strength Training Articles

A resource for serious lifters and athletes seeking proven strength training methods. The Westside Barbell blog breaks down programming, exercise selection, recovery, and performance strategies built on decades of elite coaching experience of founder Louie Simmons and his dedicated team.

Three Keys to Conjugate Success

Three Keys to Conjugate Success

Burley Hawk 7 minute read

Conjugate Method | Training Methods & Techniques

The Conjugate Training System is a strength and conditioning operating system that provides coaches and athletes with the tools to build comprehensive...

Rylen Wax wearing a championship belt and gold and silver medals after competing at the U17 World Championships.

Building World-Class Strength: Rylen Wax’s Development at Westside Barbell

Mac McFarland 7 minute read

News | Strength Training for Sports | Wrestling

16 years old, Rylen Wax represented Team USA at 45 kilograms in both Greco-Roman and freestyle at the 2026 U17 World Championships. He returned home...

Max Effort for High School Wrestling

Max Effort for High School Wrestling

Mac McFarland 8 minute read

To build a truly successful strength program using the Maximal Effort (ME) Method, you need to lay down a solid foundation of education before your...

Ally Kennedy: 2026 World Lacrosse Championship MVP

Ally Kennedy: 2026 World Lacrosse Championship MVP

Westside Barbell 7 minute read

Lacrosse

On Sunday night in Tokyo, Ally Kennedy walked off the field at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium a world champion for the fourth time. The United States...

Introducing Dynamic Effort to Beginners

Introducing Dynamic Effort to Beginners

Burley Hawk 8 minute read

Conjugate Method | Dynamic Effort Method

The dynamic effort method is one of the three primary strength training methods used within the Westside Barbell Conjugate Training System. This...

Basic Conjugate Training Advice XX

Basic Conjugate Training Advice XX

Burley Hawk 6 minute read

Conjugate Method | Exercise Programming

The Conjugate Method is a strength and conditioning operating system capable of solving any strength and conditioning-related problem. Whether an athlete...

Westside Barbell Conjugate Con 2026

Conjugate Con 2026

WSBB Education 1 minute read

Conjugate Method | News

Reserve Your Spot We have partnered with BridgeAthletic to put on the Conjugate Con, a free one-day virtual conference on applying the Conjugate Method...

Max Effort Exercise Variations for Raw Powerlifting

Max Effort Exercise Variations for Raw Powerlifting

Burley Hawk 10 minute read

Conjugate Method | Exercise Programming | Max Effort

The use of max effort main exercise variations during maximal effort is commonly associated with the Westside Barbell Conjugate System. At Westside,...

Max Effort vs. Maxing Out

Max Effort vs. Maxing Out

Burley Hawk 7 minute read

Conjugate Method | Max Effort | Maximal Effort Method

In the world of strength and conditioning, the max effort training is often misunderstood. If you ask the average strength and conditioning coach about...

The Conjugate Club

The Conjugate Club

Burley Hawk 7 minute read

Conjugate Method | Exercise Programming

For over 8 years, the Westside Barbell Conjugate Club has provided access to monthly Conjugate Method programming, as well as the Westside Barbell...