What a great week at Westside Barbell. A huge thank you to all the visitors and competitors who stopped by to train, exchange ideas, and keep the legacy alive. We always appreciate the opportunity to share Louie’s methods, the gym’s history, and the work our athletes are putting in today.

On top of that, it’s been a big week of results for our athletes, with strong performances across the board. Whether in competition or in the gym, the standard remains the same—train hard, push limits, and do what others won’t.

Athlete Updates & Highlights

Justice Stanford

Justice Stanford looked strong in her match, securing a draw but showing clear physical improvements and skill progression. More importantly, her feedback confirmed that her training is translating directly to competition, proving that the work she’s putting in at Westside is making an impact on the mats.

Josiah Harrell

Josiah Harrell made a statement return to action, delivering a Performance of the Night after nearly two years away from competition due to a rare brain disease. He wasted no time dominating Quinton Parks, securing a second-round finish with brutal punches from back mount. This fight was a testament to his resilience, preparation, and the effectiveness of his training at Westside Barbell.

Notable Gym Lifts

Joseph Hilliard: 525 lb Snatch Grip Deadlift

New Content Showcase

New YouTube Video 

Joshua Perreira’s Road to ONE Championship: Training & Westside Barbell: Driven by Westside

Inside This Episode:

Josh shares his experiences training alongside Matt Brown, Mark Coleman, and some of the world’s top grapplers, offering firsthand insight into what it takes to stay ready for every opportunity. He opens up about:

• The fight that changed everything
• How Westside Barbell training transformed his endurance and power
• The sacrifices required to chase greatness
• What it’s like training under Matt Brown & Mark Coleman
• His upcoming debut at ONE Championship on Prime Video

Blog Posts:

Burley’s Advice: Maximizing Your Gains: A Guide to the Bench Press Exercise - Read Here

"The bench press is one of, if not the most popular, barbell exercises. While the deadlift has become the more popular lift today, historically, it has been the bench press that caught the attention of the general lifting public. Aside from being a popular exercise among general gym goers, the bench press is also one of the three competition lifts in the sport of powerlifting..."

Read in full here

Louie Simmon's Corner (Legacy Spotlight)

How to Start a Deadlift

Louie Simmons breaks down common deadlift sticking points and how to correct them through technical adjustments and targeted strength work. Whether pulling sumo or conventional, lifters often struggle with the initial pull off the floor, at knee level, or during the lockout. Louie explains how to optimize leverage, position, and muscle activation to increase deadlift efficiency.

For conventional deadlifters, maintaining proper hip positioning and engaging the entire back is key, while sumo lifters benefit from pushing the knees out and keeping the hips close to the bar. Louie also highlights legendary deadlifters and their techniques, proving that different styles work for different lifters—but all rely on proper leverage and special exercises.

Why This Article is Valuable

This article provides practical, time-tested advice for lifters struggling with deadlift strength and technique. Louie offers a blueprint for improving each phase of the lift, from the start to the lockout, with proven accessory work like Reverse Hypers, Goodmornings, back raises, and sled work.

For anyone looking to add pounds to their deadlift, eliminate sticking points, or better understand why elite lifters train the way they do, this article is a must-read.

Read in full here