Louie Simmons Instruction: Reverse Hyper Strap Model

Reverse hypers was invented by Louie Simmons, the legendary powerlifter and the owner and strength trainer of Westside Barbell, after he broke his fifth lumbar vertebra. Strap or Roller model that changes with a pin removal, can be used as either model because of the roller and two sets of straps.The Pro Roller Reverse Hyper®5356,359 and 6,491,607b2 decompresses the spine and has no vertical compression on the spine at all.

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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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Lou’s Equipment – Deadlift Jack

While loading the bar for deadlifts most of the powerlifters expand a lot of energy. As a result, they need to rest even before starting their deadlifts. Even if one tries to roll the bar up onto a plate that weighs 5 pound, chances are high that either it is going to roll off or the users will not be able to get their plates tight. In both the cases, they will flop over. At Westside Barbell, Louie Simmons use the Deadlift Jack for making loading and unloading the bar an easy task.



To use this exercise equipment one simply needs to hook it under the bar and then pull the deadlift jack back on the handle. Also, remember to add the plates before you raise the handle and put the bar back on the ground. In general, the standard model of deadlift jack that you get at Westside Barbell will fit a standard IPF bar. Better yet, they also work on the wider bars. Since the deadlift jack of Westside Barbell bolts together, it will help you to keep the shipping costs in check. However, welded version of this exercise machine is also available.

In case you are using the dedicated wide deadlift bar, it is better to go the deadlift jack that has wider jack. Such exercise equipment will ensure added stability. To make hooking under the bar easier, this exercise machine comes with taller bar cradle and also has added a handgrip. In addition, long handle facilitates increased leverage and at the same time can reduce the effort that you usually require to lift a load. The round tubing pivot and the three points of contact make this exercise equipment stable on uneven ground.

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Lou’s Equipment – Battling Ropes

Louie Simmons has been the inspiration of many powerlifters since he made one of the top ten in the Powerlifting News in 1972. Simmons is one of the six lifters who totaled Elite in five weight classes and the only powerlifter over the age of 50 who squatted 920 pounds and total of more than 2100 pounds. Being the owner and strength trainer of the legendary Westside Barbell, Louie worked with around twenty-five National and World Champion powerlifters. His strength training routine does not including big numbers of squatting, bench or other regular deadlifts. Instead, you are required to do a series of exercises to work on your targeted muscles. In addition, Louie uses certain special fitness equipment, better known as “Lou’s Equipment” among the powerlifters of Westside Barbell. One of these equipments is the battling ropes, developed by John Brookfield.



Battling ropes has been one of the favorites of Simmons for achieving the utmost conditioning for all sports. It also helps to build a death grip and can increase your range of motion greatly. Simmons believes that these ropes can be a serious strength-training partner for sore shoulders. In addition, it can push your muscular and cardio endurance. He recommends battling ropes for those who want to train alone or with training partners.

Simmons use the Manila ropes and those who are buying them from Westside Barbell will get end-capped Manila ropes. It is 1.5” in diameter and 50 ft in length. While using the Manila ropes, anchor it around any smooth surface such as power rack, a pole, bench, or kettlebell. This way, you can reach to whole new level of conditioning and can also develop your power, grip strength, cardio and muscular endurance.

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