A LEGACY OF
KNOWLEDGE
& POWER
KNOWLEDGE
& POWER
the culture of westside barbell
Westside Barbell is an invitation only training laboratory where only the strongest of mind and body survive. Our goal is simple. To become the best and push every boundary known to man in doing so.
The lineage and achievements of all Westside Barbell athletes who have walked through our chalky doors is of legends. Our gym has broke over 140 world records, won olympic gold, heavyweight world championships, to name but a few of our achievements.
Our education is based on theoretical research and is backed by practical application. We only write about what works, not what might work or what doesn't work. We believe that training information should filter down from the athletes at the the top rather than spew out from the keyboard hero's at the bottom.
Often Imitated
Always Irritated
Westside Barbell is an invitation only training laboratory where only the strongest of mind and body survive. Our goal is simple. To become the best and push every boundary known to man in doing so.
The lineage and achievements of all Westside Barbell athletes who have walked through our chalky doors is of legends. Our gym has broke over 140 world records, won olympic gold, heavyweight world championships, to name but a few of our achievements.
Our education is based on theoretical research and is backed by practical application. We only write about what works, not what might work or what doesn't work. We believe that training information should filter down from the athletes at the the top rather than spew out from the keyboard hero's at the bottom.
Often Imitated
Always Irritated
defined by decades of
Hard work
Commitment
& Sacrifice
Westside Barbell
Culture
This gym is not for the timid nor is it for those seeking fame. You must earn your membership through blood, sweat and other peoples tears. Your are held accountable for every word that you say and at any time you must be willing to back it up verbally or physically.
Meet Our Staff & Coaches
The Story Of
WESTSIDE
BARBELL
Westside Barbell was created by world-renowned power lifter
Louie Simmons
Louie is one of only 5 lifters to total Elite in 5 different powerlifting weight classes. He has been a top 10 lifter for 30 years and for the last 37 years Louie Simmons has totaled Elite in various power-lifting organizations. He is one of two lifters over 50 years of age to squat 920 pounds, bench 600 pounds and dead lift 722 pounds and total 2100 pounds, and was ranked 4th nationally in 2000 in the open. Over the many years that Louie has been involved in powerlifting and special strength training, he has gained a vast amount of knowledge on how to produce strength.
Learn From Louie
Through experience and constant, relentless research, his areas of expertise are vast and include but are not limited to the list below;
- The Percent Training Method
- The Conjugate Training Method
- The Dynamic Training Method
- The Maximum Effort Method
- Lifting Technique
- Raising Work Capacity
- Rehabilitation And Restoration
- The Reactive And Contrast Methods
- Special Strength Development
Knowledge
The Chest-Supported Row
One type of back exercise we often include is the chest-supported row. While there are many variations of chest-supported rows, the idea behind the exercise is generally the same. Our goal is to limit the amount of momentum achieved using excess leg or torso movement, which places greater emphasis on the mid and upper back along with the rear delts to do much of the work.
By Burley on Mar 15, 2025
BJJ Strength and Conditioning: Building Power, Endurance, and Resilience
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a physical chess match—technique reigns supreme, but when two opponents have comparable skill, superior strength and conditioning can tip the balance. Over my years of coaching, I’ve... Read more
By Tom on Mar 12, 2025
The Conventional Deadlift
The conventional deadlift is one of the two primary stances used when performing a competition-style deadlift. This stance emphasizes the posterior chain and helps strengthen the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and mid-back. Essentially, the conventional stance deadlift trains the posterior chain from the ankles to the ears and even helps address some anterior chain muscles as well.
By Burley on Mar 12, 2025
5 Accessory Exercises for the Squat
Accessory exercises are a significant part of Conjugate Method training. Each training day, 20% of our volume will come from our main exercise, while the remaining 80% will include accessory exercises. Our strategy is to use these exercises to resolve identified weaknesses and bring up lagging muscle groups so the selected accessory movements can vary from athlete to athlete.
By Burley on Mar 21, 2025
What Do Shoulder Shrugs Work?
When combined with other back exercises, such as barbell rows and cable pulldowns, shoulder shrug variations will help ensure the back is properly trained. This attention to detail will lead to direct improvements in the competition lifts when training the mid and upper back. Whether squatting, benching, or deadlifting, the mid and upper back play a crucial role in completing the lift.
By Burley on Mar 19, 2025
Starting Conjugate: Basic Accessory Exercise Programming
While exercise selection certainly plays a role in accessory exercise training success, the most critical aspect of this training is how the sets and reps are programmed. Appropriate set and rep programming selections will dictate the training adaptations that occur and, when selected correctly, can lead to significant increases in training efficiency.
By Burley on Mar 17, 2025
The Chest-Supported Row
One type of back exercise we often include is the chest-supported row. While there are many variations of chest-supported rows, the idea behind the exercise is generally the same. Our goal is to limit the amount of momentum achieved using excess leg or torso movement, which places greater emphasis on the mid and upper back along with the rear delts to do much of the work.
By Burley on Mar 15, 2025
BJJ Strength and Conditioning: Building Power, Endurance, and Resilience
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a physical chess match—technique reigns supreme, but when two opponents have comparable skill, superior strength and conditioning can tip the balance. Over my years of coaching, I’ve... Read more
By Tom on Mar 12, 2025
The Conventional Deadlift
The conventional deadlift is one of the two primary stances used when performing a competition-style deadlift. This stance emphasizes the posterior chain and helps strengthen the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and mid-back. Essentially, the conventional stance deadlift trains the posterior chain from the ankles to the ears and even helps address some anterior chain muscles as well.
By Burley on Mar 12, 2025
5 Accessory Exercises for the Squat
Accessory exercises are a significant part of Conjugate Method training. Each training day, 20% of our volume will come from our main exercise, while the remaining 80% will include accessory exercises. Our strategy is to use these exercises to resolve identified weaknesses and bring up lagging muscle groups so the selected accessory movements can vary from athlete to athlete.
By Burley on Mar 21, 2025
What Do Shoulder Shrugs Work?
When combined with other back exercises, such as barbell rows and cable pulldowns, shoulder shrug variations will help ensure the back is properly trained. This attention to detail will lead to direct improvements in the competition lifts when training the mid and upper back. Whether squatting, benching, or deadlifting, the mid and upper back play a crucial role in completing the lift.
By Burley on Mar 19, 2025
Starting Conjugate: Basic Accessory Exercise Programming
While exercise selection certainly plays a role in accessory exercise training success, the most critical aspect of this training is how the sets and reps are programmed. Appropriate set and rep programming selections will dictate the training adaptations that occur and, when selected correctly, can lead to significant increases in training efficiency.
By Burley on Mar 17, 2025