The Westside Barbell Book of Methods by Louie Simmons, the 319-page paperback covering the Conjugate Method and the complete Westside training system.

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Westside Barbell Book of Methods — Louie Simmons

Name: Westside Barbell Book of Methods — Louie Simmons
Brand: Westside Barbell
SKU: AP-001
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

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Apparel measurements are taken from the garment, laid flat, in inches. Elbow sleeve measurements are body circumferences; see the dedicated section below. Tolerances are listed where applicable. If you're between sizes, size up for a relaxed fit or down for fitted.

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T-SHIRTS

OG Gym, Nitro, WTB & Classic Tee

Men's, body length and chest width, laid flat, in inches

OG Gym, Nitro, WTB and Classic Tee size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL
Body Length	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34
Body Length Tol.	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2
Chest Tolerance	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2
Chest Width	17 1/2	19	20 1/2	22	24	26	28	30

Camo Tee

Men's, length, chest and shoulder width, in inches

Camo Tee size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL
Length	24	26 1/4	28 1/4	29 1/4	30	31	32 1/4	33 1/2
Chest	17 1/4	18 1/4	19	21	23	25 1/4	27	28 1/4
Shoulder Width	14 3/4	16 3/4	18 1/4	20 3/4	22 1/2	23 1/2	24 1/2	26 1/2

Vintage Tee

Men's, body length, chest and sleeve, in inches

Vintage Tee size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL
Body Length	27	28	28 1/2	29 1/2	30 3/4	32 1/4	33 1/4	34 1/4
Chest Width	19 7/8	20 7/8	21 7/8	23 7/8	25 7/8	27 7/8	29 7/8	31 7/8
Sleeve Length	7 1/4	7 3/4	8 1/4	8 3/4	9 1/4	9 3/4	10 1/4	10 3/4

Category

TANKS

Men's OG Nitro Tank

Body length and chest width, laid flat, in inches

Men's OG Nitro Tank size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
Body Length	27	28	29	30	31	32	33
Body Length Tol.	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1
Chest Tolerance	+/-3/4	+/-3/4	+/-3/4	+/-3/4	+/-3/4	+/-3/4	+/-3/4
Chest Width	16	18	20	22	24	26	28

Category

HOODIES & CREWS

Men's Hoodie

Body length, chest and sleeve from center back, in inches

Men's Hoodie size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Body Length	27 1/2	28 1/2	29 1/2	30 1/2	31 1/2	32 1/2	33 1/2	34	34 1/2
Body Length Tol.	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Chest Tolerance	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Chest Width	20 1/2	21	23	24 1/2	26 1/2	27 1/2	28 1/2	30	31 1/2
Sleeve Length	34 1/2	35 1/2	36 1/2	37 1/2	38 1/2	39 1/2	40 1/2	41	41 1/2
Sleeve Tolerance	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Men's Lux Hooded Sweatshirt

Body length and chest width, laid flat, in inches

Men's Lux Hooded Sweatshirt size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
Body Length	26 1/2	28	29 1/2	31	32 1/2	34	35 1/2
Chest Width	19 1/2	21	22 1/2	24	25 1/2	27	28 1/2

Crewneck Sweatshirt

Body length, chest and sleeve from center back, in inches

Crewneck Sweatshirt size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Body Length	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34
Body Length Tol.	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1
Chest Tolerance	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1
Chest Width	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
Sleeve Length	32 1/2	33 1/2	34 1/2	35 1/2	36 1/2	37 1/2	38 1/2	39 1/2	40 1/2
Sleeve Tolerance	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1	+/-1

Category

BOTTOMS

Men's Jogger

Inseam, outseam and waist, in inches

Men's Jogger size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL
Inseam	28	29 1/2	30	30	30 1/2	30 1/2
Length Tolerance	1	1	1	1	1	1
Outseam	38	40	41	41 1/2	42 1/2	43
Waist	26 to 28	28 to 31	31 to 33	33 to 35	35 to 38	38 to 42
Waist Tolerance	1	1	1	1	1	1

Nitro Sweatpant

Inseam and waist, in inches

Nitro Sweatpant size chart in inches
Measurement	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
Inseam	29.5	30	30.5	31	32	33
Waist	16.25	17.25	18.25	19.25	20.25	21.25

Category

WOMEN'S

Women's Original Gym Tee

Body length and chest width, laid flat, in inches

Women's Original Gym Tee size chart in inches
Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
Body Length	25 3/4	26 3/8	27	27 5/8	28 1/4	28 7/8	29 1/2
Body Length Tol.	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2
Chest Tolerance	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2	1/2
Chest Width	15 1/2	16 1/4	17 1/4	18 1/4	19 3/4	21 1/4	22 3/4

Training Gear

ELBOW SLEEVES

7mm Neoprene Elbow Sleeves

Body circumference measurements in centimeters and inches — not garment measurements.

Slightly bend your elbow 30° and measure your arm circumference 4 inches (10 cm) above the elbow joint.

Open the size-guide graphic at full size

Elbow sleeve body circumference measurements in centimeters and inches
Size	Forearm (cm)	Forearm (in)	Lower Biceps (cm)	Lower Biceps (in)
S	24.1–29.2	9.5–11.5	26.7–33	10.5–13
M	26.7–31.8	10.5–12.5	30.5–36.8	12–14.5
L	30.5–35.6	12–14	33–40.6	13–16
XL	33–38.1	13–15	35.5–43.2	14–17
2XL	35.6–40.6	14–16	39.4–48.3	15.5–19
3XL	38.1–43.18	15–17	43.2–52.07	17–20.5

Reference

HOW TO MEASURE

Apparel measurements above are taken from the garment laid flat. For elbow sleeves, use the body circumference instructions in the Elbow Sleeves section. To compare against a shirt you already own and love, lay it flat on a hard surface and measure with a tape.

Body Length

From the highest point of the shoulder seam straight down to the bottom hem.

Chest Width

One inch below the armhole, measured straight across from edge to edge. Garment laid flat, not doubled.

Sleeve Length

From the center back of the collar, across the shoulder seam, all the way down to the sleeve cuff.

Shoulder Width

From the outer edge of one shoulder seam straight across to the outer edge of the other.

Inseam

From the crotch seam straight down the inside of the leg to the bottom of the hem.

Waist

Across the top of the waistband, edge to edge. Double the number for full waist circumference.

Tolerance is the acceptable variance per garment. A "+/- 1" tolerance means the actual measurement can be up to one inch over or under the listed size.

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NOT SURE WHICH SIZE TO ORDER?

If you're between sizes or sizing for a specific lift or sport, send us your height, weight, and what shirt size you wear from another brand. We'll point you in the right direction.

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What this book is

The Westside Barbell Book of Methods is Louie Simmons' lifetime of work in 319 pages. It is the master text on the Conjugate Method and the training system Louie built at Westside Barbell over four decades. Refreshed edition with redesigned covers, additional imagery, and a restructured layout that makes the material easier to work through.

Who this is for

Powerlifters and strength athletes who want the system from the source
Strength and conditioning coaches building or refining their programming
Lifters running their own training and ready to graduate from generic templates
Anyone who has heard of Conjugate and wants the foundational text, not a summary

What is inside

Training methods. Conjugate, dynamic effort, maximum effort, and reactive methods, in Louie's own words.
Exercise technique. Specific guidance on the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
Periodization and programming. How to structure training across weeks, months, and years.
Nutrition and recovery. Restoration, injury prevention, and training longevity.
Work capacity. Building the engine that makes high-volume strength training sustainable.

Why Westside

The system in this book has produced numbers that few gyms have ever matched.

99 members who have benched over 600 lb
106 members who have squatted over 800 lb
Three members who have deadlifted over 900 lb

Louie also served as a strength consultant for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks, and worked with athletes across track and field, combat sports, and Olympic lifting.

About the author

Louie Simmons founded Westside Barbell in Columbus, Ohio, and over four decades coached athletes who broke more than 100 all-time world records.

FAQ

What is the difference between the Book of Methods and Special Strength Development for All Sports?

The Book of Methods is the foundational text on the Westside system as Louie taught it, with heavy emphasis on the squat, bench, and deadlift. Special Strength Development for All Sports is a later, more research-driven book that integrates the Soviet, Bulgarian, and Westside Conjugate systems for athletes outside of powerlifting. Most lifters start with Book of Methods.

Is this book for beginners?

It is written for serious lifters. Beginners can read it and learn from it, but the value compounds with training experience. If you are brand new to barbell training, build a year of consistent lifting first.

Is there an e-book version?

Yes. The Book of Methods is also available as a downloadable e-book.

What is the difference between this edition and earlier ones?

The training content is the same proven system. The refreshed edition has redesigned covers, more images, and a restructured table layout that improves readability without changing the substance.

Does the book cover programming for sports outside powerlifting?

It touches on it. For deeper coverage of conjugate programming for non-powerlifting athletes, look at Special Strength Development for All Sports or the Throwers Guide.

5 stars: 135 (99%)
4 stars: 2 (1%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Excellent updates

Great reworking of a classic

Great easy to read/ follow version of thr OG

WSSB Book of Methods

The Book of Methods is written by laymen for laymen. There are no bar graphs scientific jargon . It is written straightforward and captures the three big lifts , squat, bench press and deadlift and accessory exercises in this order . It is full of useful , viable, usable information. The first chapter covers Louis’ and WSBB trek through their weightlifting education and the conjugate system . So the reader knows where the author is coming from. You can never have too much education or experience in a sport, endeavor or discipline in which you chose to dedicate time and effort into . This book is full of time , effort and experience.

Best Book for Athletic Training

I used this book to better understand the methods employed by westside barbell to redesign a training program tailored to my rodeo event and it does not disappoint. Strength is through the roof, as well as mobility. Highly recommend this book to anyone who considers themselves to be a serious athlete or lifter.

Awesome Book

I purchased "The Book of Methods", "Squat and Deadlift Manual", and "Bench Press Manual". It was a great deal for purchasing the combo. I would recommend reading the "Book of Methods" first, then use the manuals to put it together. These are not read once and leave books. They're reference books. I keep them in my gym and refer to them whenever I have something that I need to clarify, or need a refresher. The blog posts on Westside are a great resource as well. I read the blog on a regular basis. It helps with programming. I would say that reading the blog is the how, the "Book of Methods" is the why.

WSBB Book - The Book of Methods

Very informative, fast shipping, happy with product
Thank you

Conjugate Method Explained

Bought the E-Book first, and I was hooked all night as I read it in one sitting. In addition to support Westside Barbell, I also ordered the paperback version to hold in my hands. This book is packed with tons of information!!

3 Books

Book of Methods and squat/deadlift and bench books. Only wish I knew about Westside when I was 20 something (Louie and I are close to the same age). Already applied new lifts and more importantly, mindset!. Awesome information...

Book of Methods

Great book! Really improved my understanding on the conjugate method!

Order to Switzerland

I am delighted with the very high quality products (books and tees), and fast shipping times.
Thank you!

Westside Barbell - The Book Of Methods

Great love the book

Outstanding Customer Service

Seamless return, and fulfillment of replacement items! I ordered books that were damaged in transit. I returned them, and received my replacement items in no time. Thank you Westside

Westside Barbell - The Book Of Methods

The book of methods

All your programming and training questions answered! Great book of knowledge to make you stronger than ever. Westside v the world!

Book of Methods and Wisdom

Easy to read book. Filled with knowledge that will provide you a compass to write your training programs. Great information to avoid the Law of Accommodation.

Nice shirt and shipped fast

Don’t have much else to say other than it was a nice shirt and they shipped it fast.

Westside Barbell - The Book Of Methods

Just buy the damn book!

I changed my training to a more conjugate focused style in July, and this book has answered almost every question I’ve had. Simple, bring the book with you to the gym, and while you’re warming up, find the section in the book dedicated to what you’re doing that day. Read it, get better.

Awesome

Westside Barbell - The Book Of Methods

Thanks

Book of Methods

Arrived on time & and in good condition. Bought for my son & I to increase our knowledge base. Westside delivers on all cylinders.

Book of methods

Great read so far, full of valuable information!

Louie's Methods - Straight from The Source

Informative, practical, and instructional, this book lays out a lifetime of dedication to performance in sport, especially powerlifting. It is Louie's opus magna. And as Louie has said, he's Ahab. He's tethered to that White Whale, and he's along and riding him down. In this one, you're there on deck. Starboard side!

Great Books

Thank you for the books. I’ve been in someway using the Conjugate method from my own interpretation which has been great. Since i’ve received the books i've been studying the system to get a better understanding of it and how it works. I’ve been making the gains but still a lot to learn but that’s what it all about. Thank you once again,

Regards

Westside Barbell - The Book Of Methods

Great book

Westside Barbell Book of Methods — Louie Simmons

T-SHIRTS

OG Gym, Nitro, WTB & Classic Tee

Camo Tee

Vintage Tee

TANKS

Men's OG Nitro Tank

HOODIES & CREWS

Men's Hoodie

Men's Lux Hooded Sweatshirt

Crewneck Sweatshirt

BOTTOMS

Men's Jogger

Nitro Sweatpant

WOMEN'S

Women's Original Gym Tee

ELBOW SLEEVES

7mm Neoprene Elbow Sleeves

HOW TO MEASURE

Body Length

Chest Width

Sleeve Length

Shoulder Width

Inseam

Waist

NOT SURE WHICH SIZE TO ORDER?

What this book is

Who this is for

What is inside

Why Westside

About the author

FAQ

What is the difference between the Book of Methods and Special Strength Development for All Sports?

Is this book for beginners?

Is there an e-book version?

What is the difference between this edition and earlier ones?

Does the book cover programming for sports outside powerlifting?

Customer Reviews