Article by Louie Simmons There is much talk about training philosophies, methods, and methodologies. It seems everyone has their own, which they devised on the basis of their own experience. They recommend such strategies as doing reps to failure to eliminate assistance work and doing only the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Have you ever wondered what the author has accomplished as a lifter, a trainer, or a scientist? Did they ever total Elite or field a team of Elites at a national … [Read more...]
Search Results for: bill peanuts west
1967 Mental Toughness Tips from Golden Era Bodybuilding
It's amazing that even in a 1967 Golden Era Bodybuilding Magazine (Muscle Builder) that people were talking about "This generation has gotten soft". This article was called Mom-ism May be the Reason Why You are NOT a Champion. As a parent myself, it is a reminder that the easy life and giving your kids everything you didn't have is NOT helping our kids. In fact, it only hurts them. This is also why I HATE when people send me gifts. Call me crazy but I want to EARN it. I want to BUY it. … [Read more...]
Iron Roots Podcast Ep. 7 | The History Behind The Box Squat
In this episode of The Iron Roots Podcast, I get into the History behind the box squat. I also share how we use the box squat at The Underground Strength Gym along with proper application of the box squat. I see a LOT of mistakes with the use of the box squat, including when I see footage from D1 University weight rooms. That is NO good. My first exposure to the box squat was from watching Louie Simmons' Westside Barbell VHS tapes. Louie learned how to Box Squat from these original … [Read more...]
Iron Roots Podcast Ep. 4 | The Touch System
Iron Roots Podcast Ep. 4. In this episode, I talk about a technique used for spotting that is more psychological than it is physical. In fact, I was using this myself in my late teens when I began pushing heavier poundages in the Squat & Bench Press. Little did I know, this was being used in the mid 60s, originally by the ORIGINAL Westside Barbell crew in Bill Peanuts West's garage gym! Check it out! … [Read more...]
The 6 Most Effective Strength & Muscle Building Methods
I've been doing a LOT of thinking about the various ways I have trained since starting back in 1989, well over 25 years of experience. I thought about the methods that wasted my time and didn't produce anything but all show and NO go muscles. Those days bother me BIG time because they have scarred me for a lifetime and unfortunately didn't help my success in athletics. I also thought about my days of squatting 455 lbs for reps. My days of breaking away from what the other guys in the gym were … [Read more...]
Man UP Monday & Dr. Jim Wendler
There are some men who REALLY have my respect, a very rare few. Jim Wendler is one of those guys, and, every time we chat I am reminded why. We're both very simple men. We chase strength and train because we understand that man is supposed to be strong and if you're a Dad, then you need to be even stronger, inside and out. You train your body to prepare your mind for life and any craziness that might be thrown your way. When other men crumble under the pressure and stress, you thrive and … [Read more...]
Thoughts On Squats, Jumps, Aggressive Learning & WINNING
My workouts have been going VERY good lately and after this past weekend's seminar at my gym with Mark Bell and Jesse Burdick, I have a gained a MUCH greater amount of knowledge AND respect for powerlifting and straight up getting stronger and more explosive. I have many more videos to share regarding last weekend's powerlifting seminar so hang tight for these :) The seminar seriously blew me away and I am still shocked at how many coaches and lifters didn't want to invest their time or money … [Read more...]
Crossfit Football, Teen Athletes, Heavy MetCons & Farm Boy Strength
As you know, last Saturday was 9-11. I drove up to Ct to meet with John Welbourn, former NFL athlete and creator of CrossFit Football. I remember 9-11-01 as if it were this morning. I was a 4th year Phys. Ed. teacher and the librarian was listening to the morning news, as she always did. They were unsure of what happened (the news that is) and thought perhaps two planes collided. Parents were picking up kids early from school and the panic was felt everywhere. I spent my afternoon at the park … [Read more...]
A Barbell and 2 Milk Crates | Minimalist Strength Training Tips
What can you do using a barbell and 2 milk crates? The Answer: A LOT! And, you can get strong as all hell! Trust me, I've been there...it's how I trained in my Dad's garage for a year and I piled on strength and muscle faster than ever before. I loved it. I cranked the music and had barely any equipment: - Pair of 50 & 100 lb dumbbells - 300 lb Barbell set - Squat Stand - Flat Utility Bench It's the training template I included in The Russian Lion Power Course. It's … [Read more...]
Ep. 213 | Do You Skip Leg Day in the Gym AND in Life?
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 213, here we GO! Skipping leg day in the gym is 1 thing, skipping leg day in LIFE is another thing! There are NO shortcuts to achieving REAL Success. We ALL know this, but, how many people LIVE this. I had an athlete recently ask me, Do we have to train legs? I almost had to look around for the hidden camera, I thought it was a joke. But, it was NOT a joke. You see, people of ALL ages are weak minded. They seek comfort. They want easy. They think we OWE … [Read more...]