Westide Barbell Routine -- Louis Simmons

**ArnoldSchwarz81** · 09-28-2004, 04:47 PM

Hey ya'll. My name is Arnold, not Schwarzenegger obviously. I'm looking to get my lifting routine critiqued. I'm based out of Missouri and have not found a powerlifting gym, so I am forced to use a regular gym by my house.

here is my routine:
WEEKS 1 + 2

ME Squat/Dead

Squat -- 1x3 as many sets until it feels relatively "heavy"
-- 1x1 for 4 sets between 90-100% of 1RM attempting to hit it

SLDL -- 4x8-10
B/O Rows -- 4x8-10
Inc Ab Crunches -- 4x8-12

ME Bench

Flat Bench -- 1x3
-- 1x1

CB Bench -- 4x6-8
Pushdown -- 4x8-10
Front Raise -- 4x10
WG Pull-Downs 4x8
BB Curl -- 3x8

DE Squat

Box Squat -- 12x2 with 50% of 1RM
Good Mornings -- 4x10
Side Bends -- 4x10
Static Holds -- 3 x As many seconds as possible

DE Bench

Bench -- 8x3 with 60% of 1RM
JM Prss -- 4x10
Pushdown -- 4x10
WG Pull-Downs -- 4x10
DB Curls -- 3x10

WEEK 3

ME Squat/Dead

Deadlift -- 1x3
-- 1x1

Glute/Ham Raise -- 4x8-10
WG Chins -- 4x10
Inc. Abs -- 4x10

ME Bench

Same as weeks 1&2

* Same goes for DE Bench/Squat

WEEK 4 + 5

ME Squat/Deadlift

Good Morning -- 1x3
-- 1x1

Reverse Hypers -- 4x12
Seated Rows -- 4x10
Inc. Abs -- 4x12

ME Bench

Floor Press -- 1x3
-- 1x1

JM Press -- 4x6
Pushdown -- 4x10
Side Raises -- 4x10
CG Pulldowns -- 4x8
Reverse Curls -- 3x8

DE Squats/Deadlift

Week 4 -- Squats -- 12x2 @ 57.5% of 1RM
Week 5 -- Squats -- 12x2 @ 60% of 1RM

SLDL -- 4x8-10
BB Shrugs -- 3x10
1 Legged Squats -- 4x10 ( each leg )

DE Bench

Bench -- 8x3 @ 60% of 1RM
Skull Crushes -- 4x10
Plate Raises -- 4x10
Hammer Curls -- 3x8

WEEK 6

* SAME AS WEEK 3 (Repeat)

Week 7 + 8

ME Squat/Deadlift

Box Squats -- 1x3
-- 1x1

SLDL -- 4x6-8
B/O Rows -- 4x6-8
Inc. Abs with medicine Ball -- 4x8-10

ME Bench

Board Press or Incline (depends on equipment) -- 1x3
-- 1x1

CG Bench -- 4x10
Push Down -- 4x10
Front Raise (DB's) -- 4x10
WG Pulldowns -- 4x8
BB Curls -- 4x8

DE Squat/Deadlift as well as DE Bench

* REPEAT WEEK 1 + 2

WEEK 9

* REPEAT WEEK 3

**ArnoldSchwarz81** · 09-28-2004, 04:56 PM

ps...i just realized my gym doesnt have anyting for glut/hams or rev. hypers...any substitutions as well would be appreciate?

**Saturday Fever** · 09-28-2004, 05:22 PM

Well, by defining a set routine like that, you're defeating what Westside is all about.

Let's use Sq/DL day as our example. If you're deadlifting, and as you approach your 1RM you notice your hips are firing straight up and your basically stiff-legging the rep, you know your lower back is your weakness. You gear the accessory work around that weakness. Maybe do some Good AMs (sets of 3 and no more than that, mind you) for accessory work. Likewise you can do hyperextensions. Lots of commercial gyms have what I call "reverse situp machines" for your lower back. After giving the weakness a solid (and first) effort, you can continue with some hamstrings and whatever else you choose to work on your Sq/DL days.

The key is variety. Always variety and always training what's weak. Best of luck, and I'm happy to help.

**Saturday Fever** · 09-28-2004, 05:23 PM

Feel free to IM or PM me between 9am-6pm pacific time with real specific questions if you don't understand what I'm saying here.

**JoeR.** · 09-28-2004, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Saturday Fever

Well, by defining a set routine like that, you're defeating what Westside is all about.

I call "reverse situp machines" for your lower back.

hyperextentions?

**Saturday Fever** · 09-28-2004, 11:06 PM

No, hypers tend to hit your glutes really hard but not your lower back as much. There are machines at commercial gyms where you sit down like an ab crunch machine, but you lean backwards. I wish I knew the names.

**ArnoldSchwarz81** · 09-29-2004, 01:33 AM

SNF i know the machine ur talkinga bout we have that. However, I will start an online journal. what do you think of routines that have a 3 day a week routine where you max out on day one for lets say chest while doing dynamic effort for squat afterwards...deadlifting on day two and then reversing day one on day three? Or should i just stick to WESTSIDE?>

**gr81** · 09-29-2004, 01:47 AM

Well, by defining a set routine like that, you're defeating what Westside is all about.

Let's use Sq/DL day as our example. If you're deadlifting, and as you approach your 1RM you notice your hips are firing straight up and your basically stiff-legging the rep, you know your lower back is your weakness. You gear the accessory work around that weakness.

my thoughts exactly.. btw I think the little ab machine your referring to is a roman chair, correct me if I am wrong. I improvise and use that for my reverse hypers, it gets the job done. as for eth routine, I think more core training shuold be in the mix personally, but then again like SNF said, you really need to determine where your weakness are and focus your training on getting those up to par

**Dale Mabry** · 09-29-2004, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Saturday Fever

No, hypers tend to hit your glutes really hard but not your lower back as much. There are machines at commercial gyms where you sit down like an ab crunch machine, but you lean backwards. I wish I knew the names.

You mean where the pad is behind your back? They call that a hyperextension machine. I think because your knees are bent there is less emphasis on you glutes and hams, though. I guess that is what you are wanting.

**Saturday Fever** · 09-29-2004, 09:59 AM

Yeah that's probably it. I never knew what they were called.

**ArnoldSchwarz81** · 09-29-2004, 11:08 AM

How do i determine my weakness's and what do you mean by core exercises..pardon my ignorance

**Saturday Fever** · 09-29-2004, 11:27 AM

Core exercises are abs and lower back stuff.

You identify weaknesses when you lift. Here are a couple examples:

1) on bench the bar always freezes about 5" up from your chest. your weakness is 5" off your chest on bench.
2) if you're squatting and your hips are coming up too fast, you have a lower back weak spot.

Basically, when you miss a lift, or almost miss a lift, say where you missed or almost missed. And someone will point out your weakness. Eventually you'll learn to identify them yourself.

**pmech** · 09-29-2004, 12:09 PM

Unfortunately for those of who are strapped into a environment with people who know jack about form or looking for weak spots it is alot harder. But you are right, as you work on the core movements you start recognizing where your weaker spots are, mine are the abs right now. I hate ab work

**ArnoldSchwarz81** · 09-29-2004, 12:22 PM

thanks for the advice guys...i talked to SNF and i have a general idea that my weak spots are at the lower portion of lifts in bench/dead/squat...so here i reworked the routine...and after the first two or three weeks i'll be able to tailor it again after assessing the "damage". Let me know how this looks overall and volume wise, thanks gents. Everything in bold/italics is what was added/changed etc....thanks.

WESTSIDE TRAINING

WEEKS 1 + 2

ME Squat/Deadlift

Squat -- 1x3 as many sets until it feels relatively "heavy"
-- 1x1 for 4 sets between 90-100% of 1RM attempting to hit it

SLDL -- 4x8-10
B/O Rows -- 4x8-10
Inc Ab Crunches -- 4x8-12

ME Bench

Flat Bench -- 1x3
-- 1x1

CB Bench -- 4x6-8
Military Press -- 4x8-10
Front Raise -- 4x10
WG Pull-Downs –- 4x8
BB Curl -- 4x8

DE Squat/Deadlift

Box Squat -- 12x2 with 50% of 1RM on week 1
52.5% of 1RM on week 2
Good Mornings -- 4x10
Side Bends -- 4x10
45 Degree Roman Chair (45lb Plate) – 4x10
Static Holds -- 3 x As many seconds as possible

DE Bench

Bench -- 8x3 with 60% of 1RM
JM Press -- 4x10
Pushdown -- 4x10
WG Pull-Downs -- 4x10

Side Raises – 4x10
DB Curls -- 4x10

WEEK 3

ME Squat/Dead

Deadlift -- 1x3
-- 1x1

45 Degree Roman Chair -- 4x8-10
WG Chins -- 4x10
Inc. Abs -- 4x10

ME Bench

Same as weeks 1&2

* Same goes for DE Bench/Squat
** Squat now goes to 55% of 1RM on DE day.

WEEK 4 + 5

ME Squat/Deadlift

Good Morning -- 1x3
-- 1x1

SLDL -- 4x4
Seated Rows -- 4x10
Inc. Abs -- 4x12

ME Bench

Floor Press -- 1x3
-- 1x1

JM Press -- 4x6
Pushdown -- 4x10
Side Raises -- 4x10
CG Pulldowns -- 4x8
Reverse Curls -- 3x8

DE Squats/Deadlift

Week 4 -- Squats -- 12x2 @ 57.5% of 1RM
Week 5 -- Squats -- 12x2 @ 60% of 1RM

SLDL -- 4x8-10
BB Shrugs -- 3x10
1 Legged Squats -- 4x10 ( each leg )

DE Bench

Bench -- 8x3 @ 60% of 1RM
Skull Crushes -- 4x10
Military Presses – 4x8
Plate Raises -- 4x10
Hammer Curls -- 3x8

WEEK 6

* SAME AS WEEK 3 (Repeat)

Week 7 + 8

ME Squat/Deadlift

Box Squats -- 1x3
-- 1x1

SLDL -- 4x6-8
B/O Rows -- 4x6-8
Inc. Abs with medicine Ball -- 4x8-10

ME Bench

Board Press or Incline (depends on equipment) -- 1x3
-- 1x1

CG Bench -- 4x10
Push Down -- 4x10

Military Press – 4x8
Front Raise (DB's) -- 4x10
WG Pulldowns -- 4x8
BB Curls -- 4x8

DE Squat/Deadlift as well as DE Bench

* REPEAT WEEK 1 + 2

WEEK 9

* REPEAT WEEK 3

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