STRONG Life Podcast Episode 45. A Throwback interview with Louie Simmons, owner of Westside Barbell (Strongest Gym In the World). In this episode Louie and I discuss the following: … [Read more...]
Search Results for: louie simmons
Louie Simmons: Westside Barbell Training Methods, Part I
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...]
Interview With Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell Club
For years I've been hopping on the phone with Louie Simmons to talk training methods. He understands the role of a QUALIFIED Strength Coach training athletes vs an ex Football player becoming the Football Strength Coach and bringing to the table the "same old" training that doesn't deliver results. A Strength Coach requires an understanding of MUCH MORE than the game / sport itself. The Strength Coach must realize his influence on the life of the athlete, understanding special strengths, … [Read more...]
Building Grit & Mental Toughness in Athletes “Safely” + 5 Training Tips
Mental Toughness. Here we go again. One of the most overused phrases in the coaching world. What is it? How do you help athletes "Get Tough" and why is it even important? Well, being a kid who grew up in the 80s and experiencing countless training styles and coaches, I am smart enough to see the changes and the evolution. And with all this experience comes a lot of mistakes and knowledge. What worked in the 80s and 90s doesn't always work today. As a high school athlete, my coach … [Read more...]
Dumbbell Training for Athletes: Building Strength, Muscle & Power
Dumbbell training is one of the most under utilized training tools for athletes and even bodybuilders. I explain to athletes on the regular, if someone uses dumbbells instead of a barbell, the use of the barbell does NOT guarantee the athlete will be a better athlete. Strong is Strong. Period. End of Story. At the time of this article, I am 3 weeks into training the high school Football Team with about 40 freshman. None of them have touched a barbell yet. It's been ALL bodyweight and … [Read more...]
Barbarian Brothers Strength Training Lessons & Inspiration
Lessons & Inspiration from THE Barbarian Brothers. I know that some people will dismiss this information. Others are simply not ready for it. They don't have an open mind yet. For me, with my decades of experience, I have seen a lot and gone through a lot. This gives me a massive pool of knowledge and experience to pull from. So if you're ready, read on. Heck, even if you're not ready, jump in and read on...... The weight room at my high school has been PACKED to the gills since … [Read more...]
Why Dogs are Better Than People
I was thinking about my dog. All of my dogs. And I've had those "aggressive breeds" since I was a 5 year old kid. Pit Bulls and Dobermans. In the late 90s and early 2000s, I had a Red Doberman AND a Pit Bull under the same roof. These dogs are supposedly so brutal but the truth is, these dogs are big mushes. They want to be hugged and loved. Humans screw it all up for these dogs through poor treatment and exaggerating everything. People would see my dogs and run like Godzilla was on the … [Read more...]
252: Jim “Bandbell” Seitzer, Early Days Westside Barbell & Old School Bodybuilding
STRONG Life Podcast 252 is BEAST! Jim Seitzer started lifting weights in the mid 70s with none other than Louie Simmons. That's right, imagine graduating college and training to be a bodybuilder and on day 1, you see Louie benching 365 at the Ohio State University weight room and when you ask Louie, the strongest guy in the gym for help he says, "Just show up at my house tomorrow!" Jim began training for bodybuilding as a "Power Bodybuilder" in 1976 and went on to become a high level … [Read more...]
31 Life & Lifting Lessons from 31 Years in the Iron Game
Good ol' June of 1989. That's when it all started for me. Squatting in my older brother's room on our chrome, spin collar barbell set. I opened Arnold's Encyclopedia and saw a photo demonstrating proper squat technique. And 31 years later, I've learned a lot, experienced a lot and seen a LOT. These lessons and experiences span beyond the gym and weight room. I wrote whatever came to my heart. Enjoy.... … [Read more...]
7 Tips on Developing Superior Physical Conditioning + 19 Sample Underground Strength Workouts
I wrote about “Strong & Useless” in my Encyclopedia of Underground Strength & Conditioning. It’s when an athlete can move big weights on the barbell but can’t do basic bodyweight exercises such as lunges, pull ups, pushups, sprints, and jumps. I always say, Strong is Strong. This is why I don’t chase the 1 RM testing you see so often in high school weight rooms. The first athlete who demonstrated Strong & Useless to me held all the weight room records for his high school … [Read more...]
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