Originally Posted by GreekGodX (Post 1867178)

Well Westside Barbell is a private gym (invite only) in Ohio that has some of the strongest lifters in the world. The owner is Louie Simmons, who created the model that they train with. So the issue is if you don't train at their gym you don't have all the information they have, and they don't really sell it or talk about it. I've heard the books they have for sale aren't necessarily the best. The methods are broadly explained in numerous articles and youtube videos, but you cannot just go and find a workout and start lifting. So with that here is my best explanation from what I've researched so far..

They follow the Conjugate Method, which is their form of periodization, that is broken down to Dynamic Effort and Max Effort days over a 4-day or 5-day workout plan. Their split is upper and lower body days but the focus is Bench, Deadlifts and Squats. For a maximal effort day you would pick 1 of the main movements and work up to a 1-3RM. The key is that you do a different variation every week on Max Effort day so your body does not get used to it. Then you do accessory work to bring up your weak areas, and the accessory work is completely dependant on the person.

Dynamic effort day you pick 1 of the main movements and you do between 50-70% of your max. Lifting as fast as possible and with the same force as if it was maximal weight. 30-60 seconds between reps of 2 for 10 sets. Again you do accessory work to bring up weak areas. A big part of the Dynamic effort days is to use accommodating resistance, such as bands or chains, to help get stronger. They use a lot of bands in different was to overcome sticking points.

That's the jist of it all. I'm trying to put something together following their methods but it is a little difficult when there isn't anything concrete out there.

Originally Posted by mk05 (Post 1870266)

Sounds like Rippetoe and Poliquin recommend exercises.

I mainly just squat, deadlift, full clean, bench, dip, and pull up.

Yesterday was my bench day. Just can't seem to break over 225 the past couple months, albeit the stress and crazy schedules. I'll do two, and then there's just no gas left. Doesn't matter if I warm up long/quick/none. Any thoughts?

Today I will be doing full cleans and snatches.

Originally Posted by icehog3 (Post 1870338)

Do you always do flat bench at the start of your chest routine, Marc? If so, I would suggest mixing it up and even skipping flat barbell bench every other workout for a bit. Start with inclines, or dumbbell bench, or dumbbell inclines, etc...you get the idea. Soemtimes this helped me get over the hump.