As part of my commitment to Kaizen (continuous development) I arranged to spend a week with the world’s leading Strength and Conditioning coach, Louie Simmons. I’m not going to get into referencing him here, just check out his site, check out his articles, and you can see why so many athletes don’t succeed, they don’t follow his rules.

I spent a week training here, watching and learning, soaking up all the exercises, talking to all the athletes and learning how I could apply their science to my own training and that of all my clients.
I was fortunate enough to hook up with Buckeye Josh Rees, who was in preparation for his NFL audition, his Ohio State pro-day. He was targeting 40 reps at 225lbs (100kg) and to get his 40 time under 5 seconds, plus his vertical over 40 inches (he did all 3 when the time came!!!!). Josh has been training at Westside for 5 years, and weighs in around 290 lbs, with a body fat around 15%. His job is to block and protect the quarterback, so his weight is a necessity for his position.

I got to work on a number of great movements, like the chain floor press, band resisted speed bench press, maximal rep training with dumbbells, stability work with the bamboo bar, vertical jumps out of foam, box squatting for speed, single deadlifts for force production, broad jumps with a weight vest, and outdoor prowler and sled work, all in about minus 5 wind chill!!!!

I’ve been to Metroflex in Texas and trained with Brian Dobson (Ronnie Coleman’s trainer), I’ve worked out with Mike Francois (former Arnold Classic Winner, 3rd place in the Olympia) plus been fortunate to attend a number of college programs in the states and study their training principles. However, nothing comes close to Westside, it is an amazing place, and I cannot wait to go back and learn some more.

Check out their site, and get stuck into the articles. If you are serious about your training, stop wasting time on any other strategy, learn the Westside way, and start making gains today, and every day.

Thanks to Louie for his hospitality, plus to Josh and his brother (former Minnesota Viking Chad Rees), plus to all the other athletes for their time and courtesy in helping me learn the science behind their training.

I need to get my 225 up…