Westside Barbell

Joe "Big House" Kenn coached strength in the NFL for nearly a decade. He sits down with Tom Barry for four decades of lessons. From a guard at Wake Forest to leading strength programs at Boise State, Utah, Arizona State, and Louisville, Joe Kenn has built one of the most decorated coaching careers in the NSCA. He created the Tier System, served as head strength and conditioning coach for the Carol...

In this episode of the Westside Barbell podcast, hosts Tom Barry and Burley Hawk discuss the importance of transitioning from hard work to smart training methods for athletes. They explore the differences between athletes with seasonal structures and those without, emphasizing the need for tailored training approaches. The conversation also delves into understanding athlete personalities, particul...

In today’s episode of the podcast, Tom and Burley answer your questions on various aspects of strength training. Topics discussed include dynamic effort training, max effort training frequency, the importance of strength in grappling, and the common misconceptions surrounding the conjugate method.  00:00 Intro 00:29 Dynamic Effort For Raw Lifters 02:04 What Does A Training Week Look Like 03:04 Pos...

Download The Conjugate Method: Introduction to Bench Press Training (E‑Book) here Tom & Burley delve into the intricacies of bench pressing, focusing on the methods employed at Westside Barbell. It covers the max effort, dynamic effort, and repeated effort training methods, emphasizing the importance of technique, safety, and the role of various training parameters. The hosts also address common q...

In this episode of the Westside Barbell podcast, the Tom & Burley delve into the complexities of the Dynamic Effort Method, discussing its purpose, execution, and the importance of rate of force development. They explore the three-week wave format, emphasizing the need for proper technique and execution to ensure safety and effectiveness. The conversation also covers the role of accommodating resi...

In the debut episode of the Westside Barbell Combat Sports Strength & Conditioning Podcast, hosts Tom Barry and Burley Hawk introduce listeners to the world of strength training tailored for combat athletes, including competitive Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Wrestlers, and MMA fighters. They discuss the influential legacy of Westside Barbell founder Louie Simmons, who revolutionized modern strength trainin...

In this power-packed episode, we dive deep into the Max Effort Method—not just the “what,” but the “how” and “why” behind one of the most effective tools in strength programming. Whether you're a coach programming for athletes, a gym owner refining your training cycles, or a lifter pushing for consistent PRs, this conversation breaks down the nuance. We cover: What an optimal warm-up should look l...

Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they explore the mindset, culture, and methods behind Westside’s Maximal Effort training. From Louie Simmons’ legendary principles to the chaos of group training that runs like a machine, this episode covers everything from exercise selection to the art of coaching and self-assessment. Learn why brutally strong athletes are built with smart intensity—not reckless...

In this episode, we dive into why the Conjugate Method, pioneered and popularized by Louie Simmons and Westside Barbell, is particularly effective for high school football athletes. We explore the crucial role of strength training in enhancing football performance, discussing how absolute strength, explosive power, speed, and durability directly impact success on the field. You'll learn the essent...

Today's episode is the Unracked: Mastering the Conjugate Method webinar Tom did with BridgeAthletic "UNRACKED is a live event series from BridgeAthletic where top coaches break down the training systems, methods, and philosophies that drive elite performance. In this session, Tom Barry, CEO of Westside Barbell and one of Louie Simmons’ handpicked successors, offers a focused walkthrough of the Con...

In this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast, Tom Barry and Burley Hawk break down Dynamic Effort Training, its role in building explosive strength, and how Westside has adapted it for powerlifters, MMA fighters, and Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Topics Covered: What is Dynamic Effort Training & how does it work? How to apply the three-week wave system for speed & power Why powerlifters, MMA fighters, an...

In this episode of Driven by Westside, join Tom Barry of Westside Barbell as he picks up former Ohio State linebacker, NFL athlete and renowned strength coach Anthony Schlegel for an in-depth, on-the-road conversation about all things training. From their days under legendary coaches like Louie Simmons, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer to the gritty environments of Metroflex Gym and Westside Barbell,...

On today's episode, using a recent training example in the gym, Tom & Burley discuss utilizing the conjugate method for strength training and how it impact's athlete's performance. They reinforce how important consistency is over PR's for an athlete and how vital training intent is. Key Topics: The Importance of Max Effort Training Balancing Volume, Dynamic Effort, and Recovery Athlete Mindset & P...

Welcome to the first episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast for 2025. Tom & Burley recap the last 2 years at Westside. They discuss Louie's passing, his plans for the future of Westside, and his ongoing legacy. They also go over the current training approach at Westside and Westside's plan for 2025 Key Topics: Legacy of Louie Simmons & Westside Culture Current Approach to Training Looking Ahead t...

In this episode, we're joined by Tommy Richardson, a former USMC Infantryman and Navy SEAL with a combined 26 years of service. Tommy is a Guest Contributing Writer at Westside and is passionate about shedding light on Louie Simmons' methods for both those active in the U.S. military and those seeking enlistment. Tommy is also the CEO of Divine Savagery, consulting firm that trains the characteris...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Welsh, an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to explore how ABA is applied to enhance performance in professional athletes. We begin by discussing Sarah’s background, including her inspiration for getting into the field, and break down ABA into simple, digestible terms for our listeners. From there, we dive into a real-world case study of a profession...

Westside Recap: Inside ADCC 2024, Athlete Highlights, UFC PI Tour & More Today's episode is a solo cast with Tom, where he recaps the last 3 months at Westside. Firstly, he recaps the ADCC Las Vegas event, covering performances of Dante, Max, and Lawson. He also dives into how Westside’s dynamic training systems are pushing athletes to new heights. Tom covers Ally Kennedy's Lacrosse Season, and ho...

Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring elite grappler Dante Leon. Dive deep into Dante's journey as he prepares for the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Championship. https://adcombat.com/ Discover how Dante balances his rigorous training regimen with competition strategy, his insights on selecting the right competitions, and the unique challenges he faces...

Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring "The Immortal" Matt Brown. Deep dive into Matt's journey as he shares his experiences transitioning from a professional fighter to a dedicated coach and family man. Discover how he navigates his post-retirement life, his insights on training and injury prevention, and his unique challenges throughout his fighting career. Matt...

Join Tom Barry as he chats with Ally Kennedy, Pro Lacrosse Player and Westside Barbell Athlete. Learn about how she started lacrosse, what brought her to Westside, and the impact training at Westside has on her performance as an athlete Ally Kennedy is not only a top-tier professional lacrosse player but also an assistant coach for the Ohio State women’s lacrosse program, where she coaches the Buc...

Join Tom Barry as he chats with Myles Robinson, Pro MMA fighter and Westside Barbell Athlete. Learn about his beginning in MMA, his start at Westside Barbell, and the trials & challenges he has overcome throughout his career Key Highlights: Myles Robinson's background and his training at Westside Barbell Insights into training for Professional MMA The development of MMA training at Westside Barbel...

Join Tom Barry as he chats with Dr. Shawn Bailey, the dedicated team physician at Westside Barbell and head of The Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Bailey's primary care, physical therapy, and sports science expertise is crucial in optimizing athlete health and performance. Discover his journey, approach to sports medicine, and collaborative efforts with Westside Barbell. Key Highlights: Dr. Bailey’s...

Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they break down the fundamentals of the Conjugate System and guide you in incorporating it into your training. Addressing common questions, they discuss when to start, appropriate warm-ups, exercise selection, and more. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers valuable insights to enhance your strength and conditioning jour...

Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they delve into the versatility of the Conjugate System, exploring how it can be tailored to different sports, including golf. They discuss PGA-level golfers' unique challenges and the importance of specific training methods to enhance performance and coordination. This episode provides valuable insights into adapting the Conjugate System for various athletic need...

In this episode, Tom Barry interviews professional MMA fighter Lance Palmer about the importance of balancing conditioning and strength training, especially for athletes preparing for competition. They delve into how training adaptations evolve with age and the significant impact on joints and overall strength. The conversation highlights the philosophy of completing hard work before training camp...