Louie's System of Strength Training

Strength training is all about huge numbers of bench pressing, squatting and regular deadlifts. No, it’s not; if you are following Louie's system of strength training. Louie Simmons uses a series of exercises to work on your target muscles as a whole. Instead of performing regular deadlifts off the floor, the powerlifters of Westside Barbell perform max lifts in different pulling and squatting movements. For bench pressing, Louie recommends for only 55% of the 1 repetition max for performing 8-10 sets while doing 3 reps.



At Westside, the squat, deadlift, and bench press are worked over a 4-day period every week. Two days are known as dynamic or speed day, and the other two days are called max effort day. During the max effort day, conjugate method of training is practiced whereas on the dynamic day, the powerlifters use a good percentage of their one rep max for working the box squat and bench press. On these days, the powerlifters concentrate more on building bar speed and are expected to generate tons of compensatory acceleration. In fact, the Westside Barbell powerlifters do generate more force than required for lifting the weights on the bar. These strength-training days are dedicated to perfect your form and technique.

On the max effort days, you will be simply lifting huge amounts of weight. It will help you to get very strong as you work up to a maximum effort single. This strength training routine is usually repeated for 3-5 weeks, after which they will switch your exercises. This way, you don’t have to perform the same strength training routine week after week.

Remember to maintain a gap of at least 72 hours between the dynamic or speed day and max effort day.

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Dynamic Effort Training with Westside Barbell

Earlier we provided a brief overview of day 1 of squat training at Westside Barbell. Today we will be discussing the dynamic effort method that is followed on day 2, i.e. on Friday. Dynamic effort method can be defined as lifting weights (sub-maximal) with the highest attainable speed. It can be recalled that the purpose of squat training on day 2 is to work on the neuromuscular system.



More information are provided below:

• In Westside Barbell, squat training on day 2 is performed with the help of box squats.

• Box squats are executed on a box that is 1 to 2 inches below parallel.

• The percentages of the weight of the squat are executed in a wave style for 4 weeks. Afterwards, they are repeated. An example will make the concept clearer. 1st week is 50 %, 2nd week 55 %, 3rd week 58 %, and 4th week 60 %.

• If you are using bands or chains, they must be used along with the weights. It is recommended to use weights because they help to develop accelerating and explosive strength and to execute the perfect form.

• It is important to perform each repetition with compensatory acceleration. Speed of the bar should be explosive and fast. For example, let us assume that you are doing squats with 800 pounds and the training weight is 400 pounds. The force that be applied to the bar must be 800 pounds of force.

• Westside Barbell prefers training with a light squat suit and flat sole shoes that include Converse Chuck Taylors, wrestling shoes.

Today we have discussed the major features of dynamic effort training. In our next blog, we will be providing information regarding how to perform squat training on day 2, repetitions and the rest periods.

Cheers!

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Exercises that Helps in Increasing Bench Press

In our previous post, we discussed the tips that will help the powerlifters to increase their bench press. In addition, some exercises help in increasing weight on bench press. In powerlifting bench press, many muscle groups are included. And it is important that lifters include each muscle group in their strength-training program.


Powerlifters must have strong triceps. To build one, they can begin with heavy compound lifts. Some of these include dips and close-grip bench press. While finishing, the lifters must incorporate a few isolation exercises including cable pushdowns and skull-crushers.

Lats too play an important role in powerlifting bench press; therefore, one must train them hard. Lifters can incorporate lat pull-downs and pull-ups in their weekly strength training workouts. It is also advice to opt for some rowing exercises on a regular basis.

It is often believed that bigger benchers usually have huge delts. This is so true! To get huge delts, one can include dumbbell raises and military press in their weekly strength training workouts.

Some additional tips:

• Powerlifters must focus on their muscles contracting while lowering the bar. During the concentric phase, this will help them to explode driving the weight up.

• Lifters can bring the bar lower on their chest by tucking their elbows in towards their body. In addition, try to reduce the strain on shoulders.

• Keep the quads tight throughout the lift and the heels flat on the floor.

• Keep the lats tight during the lift.

These exercises along with a proper strength training routine will help the powerlifters to increase weight on their bench press. If you like our tips feel, free to leave comments. Also, let us know more about your strength training routines.

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