Intro / Weekly Recap

Another solid week at Westside Barbell—nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual grind. Every athlete is putting in the work, dialing in their training, and staying focused on their goals.

One standout moment this week was hosting the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Sports Performance Team. We had an in-depth discussion about how we implement the Conjugate Method with our athletes, breaking down our approach to strength development, recovery, and injury prevention.

We also had a great conversation about the challenges strength coaches face when working with large groups of high school athletes, particularly in structuring effective training sessions while balancing individual needs.

It’s always valuable to exchange ideas with professionals in the field.

— Tom

Athlete Updates & Highlights

Lawson Grime

• Competing in a Jiu-Jitsu Tournament this weekend
• This event is primarily to stay active and keep competition sharp
• No adjustments have been made to his training—just business as usual

Josiah Harrell

• Last Dynamic Effort (DE) Training Session: Tuesday before his fight at Ohio Combat League 36
• Fight Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
• Location: KEMBA LIVE!, Columbus, OH
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Tickets Available Here

Best Gym Lifts This Week

• Dante Leon: 465 lb Free Squat
• Josiah Harrell: 465 lb Free Squat

New Content Showcase

Blog Posts

Tom’s Take: What Does ‘Training to Be As Strong as Necessary’ Really Mean?

Read Here 

“Training to be As Strong as Necessary” might sound like a simple term, but it carries a lot of nuance—especially when working with athletes whose primary goal isn’t just lifting the heaviest weight possible. When an athlete competes in a sport where strength is only one part of performance, we have to manage multiple priorities..."

This piece explains how we approach sport-specific strength at Westside, why more is not always better, and how to find the right balance between strength, power, and athletic longevity.

Burley’s Advice: Powerlifting Exercises – Essential Movements to Improve Strength

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"The sport of powerlifting focuses on one goal: to become as strong as possible. It sounds easy enough, but reaching peak performance can be complex and require creative solutions. This is where the Conjugate Method outpaces all other approaches to strength training – we can address all aspects of athletic performance..."

This blog breaks down the most effective powerlifting exercises, why variation matters, and how small tweaks can mean big gains on the platform.

Louie Simmons’ Corner (Legacy Spotlight)

Louie Simmons on the Box Squat: The Key to Strength & Power

This must-watch video is pure gold for anyone serious about maximizing strength and athletic performance. Louie Simmons breaks down why the box squat is a cornerstone movement in the Westside Method and why it outperforms traditional squatting regarding power development and injury prevention.

Here’s what Louie covers:

• Squat mechanics that protect your knees and lower back
• How the box squat builds explosive power using the stretch reflex
• Why hip-dominant squatting translates to better sprinting, jumping, and lifting
• The science of bands & chains and how they maximize strength gains
• Proven case studies—including lifters who’ve rehabbed and come back to 1100 lb squats

That wraps up this week’s Westside Weekly Blog—stay strong, keep training, and do what others won’t.

#WestsideBarbell #ConjugateMethod #StrengthTraining

Stock Clearance Sale

We’re making room for what’s next—select Westside Barbell gear is now 50% off, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. This is your chance to grab official Westside Barbell apparel at a steep discount before it’s off the shelves.