Absolute Resource Guide: Westside Barbell
Westside Barbell is the necessary resource for learning about training for Absolute strength.
What is Westside Barbell?
Westside Barbell is an invite-only, private training facility located in Columbus, Ohio founded by Louie Simmons. The sole aim of the barbell club is to break and establish new all-time world records in powerlifting. The systematic breaking and establishing of new all-time world records started in the late 1980s is still ongoing to this day. It is safe and accurate to say, no individual or barbell club has had a stronger influence on the training for absolute strength than Westside Barbell and Louie Simmons.
Louie Simmons
Louie Simmons was an elite-level powerlifter and strength coach. I often see people describe Louie as a strength coach, author, inventor, etc. — yes, true he was all of these, but understand these descriptions of Lou are incomplete and written by people who never got to truly know Louie. Lou was ALWAYS an elite-level powerlifter first and foremost — he ALWAYS had skin in the game! He is one of only four men to have made elite totals in five weight classes, top 10 from 1971 to 2005.
The inventions of machines like the reverse hyper, inverse leg curl, etc. all emerged for the sole purpose of enhancing the training — specifically the training for him and his club to break and establish new all-time world records. Yes, the public to this day benefits from these machines; but understand the how and why they exist in the first place — for Lou and his club to break all-time world records.
When you read Lou’s work, you are reading the work of an elite-level powerlifter first and author second — you are reading a signal. The author first, lifter second is nothing but noise.
Training at Westside
Lou invited me (John Quint) to train at Westside in 2011, and I have been training there ever since. In regards to the training for absolute strength, I have never acquired more skin in the game type of training knowledge from Lou, Tom Barry, George Halbert, Joe Rother, etc., too many to name. Legitimate actionable training knowledge, acquired from trial and error experience of systematically training with maximal weights at the highest of intensities, that no one can acquire from reading, regardless of what or how many books you read, degree(s) you possess.
Books
Westside Book of Methods — start here, as this is a must have for any strength athlete or coach
Special Strength Development For All Sports — another must have for the strength athlete or coach
Website
Lectures
Westside Barbell Offical YouTube Channel
Louie Simmons on Training at 90% - quick Absolute favorite that gives you a sample of Lou
Bands
Premium Resistance Bands — the best bands at the best price!!