The Testify Globe - June 16, 2025

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video The Squat, Reinvented. (click the title to watch):

MKRJ
Wish I would’ve known this 35 years ago. Game changer.

Phil
At the least, I hope it helps going forward!

TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

ARTICLES & VIDEOS

The Squat, Reinvented.
What if squatting could feel easier . . . and work better? Click here to watch.

 

The Mindset That Changed His Squat IMMEDIATELY
Want to get a bigger, stronger squat? Here are 4 simple mindset shifts that will help. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: Slippery Lifting Platform?! Use THIS for Olympic Weightlifting & Strength Training
Do you have a slippery lifting surface? A slick platform can cause a lot of problems, whether you're snatching, clean-and-jerking, squatting, etc., so Phil lets you in on a very simple (and rarely discussed!) method to make sure you've got good grip between your shoes and the platform. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Starting Out at the Gym? Don’t Miss These 4 Essentials
We cover 4 items you must have with you in the gym . . . or at least you should have them with you. Click here to read.

SLEEVES ARE OVERRATED - GRAB A TESTIFY TANK!

Sun's out, guns out, and we've got men's and women’s tank tops in multiple colors.

Get yours today and represent your favorite gym!

Click here to head to the Testify Store.

WHAT'S COMING UP

Reminder: On the afternoon of Friday, 06/20/25, our training hours will run from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. as we are hosting the annual IronFest competition that day. The morning hours remain the same as usual.

Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.

Testify IronFest VII

  • June 20, 2025

  • IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Deadapalooza! The Annual Testify Deadlift Festival

  • August 15, 2025

  • Deadapalooza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - you guessed it - the deadlift. There will be one bar (possibly multiple bars if numbers dictate), and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It's a ton of fun, so come on out!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Benching Bonanza! The Annual Testify Bench Press Jubilee

  • November 21, 2025

  • Benching Bonanza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - not surprisingly - the bench press. There will be one bar, and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It’s a great time for all involved, and we hope to see you there!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
“Prowler Base+1”
1. Load up a manageable weight.
2. Sprint 40m at 85% intensity.
3. Rest 30 sec.
4. Repeat 5-15 times.

Courtesy of “Death by Prowler” (on Starting Strength).

Compare to 2025.05.12.

Option 2
5 rounds:
10 cal bike
1 min rest
4 sandbag-over-bars
1 min rest

Set the yoke crossmember at 35/33, and the weight is 150#/75#.

Compare to 2025.03.24.

Option 3
Outdoors:
5-10 rounds:
50 yd sled push (25 yd down-back)
50 yd farmer carry (25 yd down-back)
Rest 1 min

Indoors:
5-10 rounds:
100 yd sled push (50 ft down-back)
100 yd farmer carry (50 ft down-back)
Rest 1 min

Compare to 2025.02.24.

Option 4
Row 10 x 100m
Rest 1 min between sprints. Your score is your slowest time.

Compare to 2025.02.24.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

The Testify Union - June 9, 2025

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video 10 WORST Deadlift Mistakes Most Lifters Don't Know They Are Making (most are guilty of 3) (click the title to watch):

James B.
I will occasionally scuff my shins pretty badly. This happened recently and there was a carryover effect to the next week when I was not pulling the bar straight up to avoid my now stinging shins. I wound up losing A LOT of strength (365 felt heavier than the 470 I had done recently). After some thought, I have a theory as to when I'm fouling up, but do you have general information on how, when and/or why this happens in the deadlift?

Phil
If someone is scraping their shins pretty badly, there’s a 99% chance this is related to error number 8. This happens when people lack knee extension off the floor and instead are trying to get their back angle vertical right away.

As a result of this, not only do the knees not contribute properly to the vertical elevation of the barbell, this also means that the shins and knees now pose an obstacle for the barbell, which is why we get scraped knees in this case.

To make matters worse, once a lifter’s knees are skinned, the lifter usually exaggerates this “raising the torso too soon“ error by trying to swing the bar away from the shins and knees as opposed to straightening the knees sooner, which is the correct movement anyway and also would solve the problem of scraping the shins.

This can be more readily seen on video, and this particular video might help you a lot:
When Deadlifting Heavy, Don't Stand Up & Try This Instead
https://youtu.be/heqIRjWWiLE

James B.
@TestifySC Thanks!

Phil
You’re very welcome! Here’s another video that might prove useful:
The Deadlift: Use Your Knees, Baby!
https://youtu.be/EY27KfoiQNM

TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

ARTICLES & VIDEOS

10 WORST Deadlift Mistakes Most Lifters Don't Know They Are Making (most are guilty of 3)
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your deadlift? We break down 10 deadlift mistakes most lifters don’t even realize they’re making — and chances are good you’re guilty of at least 3. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned lifter, this video will help you lift smarter, safer, and stronger. Click here to watch.

 

The BEST Conditioning Tool NOBODY Uses (Starting Strength and Cardio?)
What's the most effective conditioning tool that people hardly ever use? Learn what it is, why it's so effective, how to program its use within your strength training programming, and pick up some sample workouts as well. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: Are You Setting Your Back WRONG in the Deadlift?!
It's easy to set the back incorrectly by confusing shoulder retraction with back extension. Let's fix this in less than 2 minutes. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: What Every New Lifter Gets Wrong
If you’re a new lifter, there are a few mistakes you’re going to make rather soon. We help you avoid them. Click here to read.

SLEEVES ARE OVERRATED - GRAB A TESTIFY TANK!

Sun's out, guns out, and we've got men's and women’s tank tops in multiple colors.

Get yours today and represent your favorite gym!

Click here to head to the Testify Store.

WHAT'S COMING UP

The first ever Testify Game Night was a blast, and thank you all so much for coming out and joining us for an evening of fun and fellowship. It’s an annual tradition now!

Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.

Testify IronFest VII

  • June 20, 2025

  • IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Deadapalooza! The Annual Testify Deadlift Festival

  • August 15, 2025

  • Deadapalooza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - you guessed it - the deadlift. There will be one bar (possibly multiple bars if numbers dictate), and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It's a ton of fun, so come on out!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Benching Bonanza! The Annual Testify Bench Press Jubilee

  • November 21, 2025

  • Benching Bonanza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - not surprisingly - the bench press. There will be one bar, and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It’s a great time for all involved, and we hope to see you there!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
“Prowler Base”
1. Load up a manageable weight.
2. Sprint 40m at 85% intensity.
3. Rest until breathing and heart rate slow down. (45 sec – 2 min)
4. Repeat 5-15 times.

Courtesy of “Death by Prowler” (on Starting Strength).

Compare to 2025.05.05.

Option 2
Bike/Row for 9 rounds:
1 min on
1 min off

Record distance for each round.

Compare to 2025.03.17.

Option 3
1. 5 x 50 ft seated sled pull. Add weight each round. Rest as needed.
2. 5 x 100 ft duck walk. Add weight each round. Rest as needed.

Compare to 2025.02.17.

Option 4
Outdoors
4 rounds:
50 yd farmer carry
80 m sled drag
Rest 2 min

Indoors
4 rounds:
100 ft farmer carry
100 ft sled drag
Rest 2 min

Compare to 2025.02.17.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

Testify Journal - June 2, 2025

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video When Deadlifting Heavy, Don't Stand Up & Try This Instead (click the title to watch):

Major.Tom.1973
"stay over the bar longer than you think" is what worked for me, thank you!

Phil
Glad to hear that it worked for you, and you’re welcome!

Walter Heisenberg
I can echo this. I’m not and never have been a heavy deadlifter but I was always getting hurt in my lower back. Since scaling down the weight and focusing on staying over the bar longer, I’ve felt no pain.

Phil
I’m glad to hear that staying over the bar longer has worked well for you also, Walter!

TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

ARTICLES & VIDEOS

12 Outdated Lifting Trends to Ditch in 2025 (and What to Do Instead)
Still doing these outdated lifting trends? It's time to level up. We break down 12 common lifting habits, techniques, and myths that need to be left behind - and what you should be doing instead to actually get stronger. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just real, effective strength training advice. Click here to watch.

 

The Bench Press Truth No One Told You
Want to improve your bench press? Make sure you're doing this . . . and not that. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: Use THIS CUE to PR Your Lifts!
Try out this simple cue the next time you're going for a heavy single at the gym or in competition. It just might help you nail that PR you've been chasing. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Better Deadlifts Start When You Ignore This Muscle
Phil describes a mental picture as well as a few cues to help you use your lats in the deadlift without having to think about them. Click here to read.

SLEEVES ARE OVERRATED - GRAB A TESTIFY TANK!

Sun's out, guns out, and we've got men's and women’s tank tops in multiple colors.

Get yours today and represent your favorite gym!

Click here to head to the Testify Store.

WHAT'S COMING UP

Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.

Testify Game Night

  • Join us for the first-ever Testify Game Night at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6th!

  • Bring on the cards, the board games, the bags (AKA cornhole), and whatever else you’ve got!

  • Bring a game, a snack/drink, and get ready for a fun, relaxed evening with the Testify crew!

  • Click here to RSVP.

Testify IronFest VII

  • June 20, 2025

  • IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Deadapalooza! The Annual Testify Deadlift Festival

  • August 15, 2025

  • Deadapalooza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - you guessed it - the deadlift. There will be one bar (possibly multiple bars if numbers dictate), and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It's a ton of fun, so come on out!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
Sled
Outdoors:
10-20 x 25 yds EMOM at a weight of your choice

Every minute, push the sled 25 yards, i.e., if pushing the sled takes 20 seconds, then you have 40 seconds to rest. Perform 10-20 rounds.

Indoors:
10-20 x 100 ft EMOM at a weight of your choice

Every minute, push the sled 100 feet, i.e., if pushing the sled takes 20 seconds, then you have 40 seconds to rest. Perform 10-20 rounds.

Compare to 2025.04.28.

Option 2
Bike/row:
3 rounds of:
8 x 20 sec on/40 sec off
Rest 3 min between rounds

Score = lowest distance

Compare to 2025.03.10.

Option 3
1. Work up to a heavy single on the axle clean-and-press (i.e., ground to overhead).
2. 5 x 100 ft Zercher carry (50 ft down-back). Add weight each round. Rest as needed.

Compare to 2025.02.10.

Option 4
Outdoors:
5 rounds:
15 cal row
50 yd sled push, 100#/50#

Indoors:
5 rounds:
15 cal row
100 ft sled push, 250#/125#

Push sled slow for recovery. Score is slowest row.

Compare to 2025.02.10.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

Testify Review - May 26, 2025

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video BENCH PRESS REGRETS: Top 7 regrets from veteran lifters (click the title to watch):

Kevin Miller
The breathing part confused me, I've always been told to inhale on way down and big exhale as you push up. Everything else in the video I've been doing.

Phil
Understandable as that breathing myth is still out there - not as common, but definitely still out there. It’s useful to remember that breath is stability, and another way to think about it is, if the bar is moving, one shouldn’t be breathing.

Kevin Miller
@TestifySC Great to know! Always something new to learn.

Phil
Glad you found it useful!

TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

ARTICLES & VIDEOS

BENCH PRESS REGRETS: Top 7 regrets from veteran lifters
Think your bench press is solid? Think again. In this video, Phil breaks down 7 common bench press mistakes and how to avoid them. Learn from the mistakes of others — and make faster, safer progress. Click here to watch.

 

Why THIS is the Most Important Supplement for Building Muscle
The best supplement for strength? It's not what you think. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: The BEST Squat Accessory Ever: "This simple tool helps so much!"
How can one simple object fix your knees' forward position, your knees' lateral position, and even your hip position and back angle?! If you train on your own, the TUBOW can be a huge help to your squat. What's a TUBOW? Phil explains as Becky demonstrates. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Hate Wasting Time at the Gym? Here’s What Actually Works
For those whose workouts are taking longer than they would like (or can afford), here are two two tactics to save time at the gym. Click here to read.

SLEEVES ARE OVERRATED - GRAB A TESTIFY TANK!

Sun's out, guns out, and we've got men's and women’s tank tops in multiple colors.

Get yours today and represent your favorite gym!

Click here to head to the Testify Store.

WHAT'S COMING UP

Reminder: In observance of Memorial Day (Monday, 05/26/25), we will be open for training from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. that day, but we will be closed that afternoon and evening.

Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.

Testify Game Night

  • Join us for the first-ever Testify Game Night at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6th!

  • Bring on the cards, the board games, the bags (AKA cornhole), and whatever else you’ve got!

  • Bring a game, a snack/drink, and get ready for a fun, relaxed evening with the Testify crew!

  • Click here to RSVP.

Testify IronFest VII

  • June 20, 2025

  • IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Deadapalooza! The Annual Testify Deadlift Festival

  • August 15, 2025

  • Deadapalooza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - you guessed it - the deadlift. There will be one bar (possibly multiple bars if numbers dictate), and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It's a ton of fun, so come on out!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
Sled
Outdoors:
10 rounds of:
Push sled 100 ft
Pull sled 100 ft (hand over hand)

Indoors:
20 rounds of:
Push sled 50 ft
Pull sled 50 ft (hand over hand)

Compare to 2025.03.31.

Option 2
Bike/row:
12 min TT

Score = distance

Compare to 2025.03.03.

Option 3
Outdoors:
8 rounds:
4 tire flips
50 yd sled push (25 yd down-back)
Rest 1 minute

Indoors:
8 rounds:
4 tire flips
100 ft sled push (50 ft down-back)
Rest 1 minute

Compare to 2025.02.03.

Option 4
5 rounds:
4 tire flips
8 sledgehammer strikes
6 pull-ups
10 push-ups

Pull-ups and push-ups can be modified – talk to the coaches for options.

Compare to 2025.02.03.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

Testify Star-Advertiser - May 19, 2025

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video Stronger After 50: The Secret is Simpler Than You Think (click the title to watch):

fastbusiness
Consistency has always been the most difficult challenge for me, in strength training. There have been countless times when I've asked myself one deceptively simple question: "Exactly WHY am I doing this weight lifting stuff?" When you can answer that you will have a reason or goal and you will have your motivation. For me, building and maintaining strength allows me to perform most of the physical activities that I want to do. A secondary reason is that I believe that being strong and "in shape" is one of the best ways to avoid chronic illnesses that require expensive medical care. I can't prove scientifically that these are true, but that's not the point. To be motivated and consistent in training you only need to believe in a reason that's strong enough to cause you to get your lazy ass off the couch and into the gym and put in the effort. Then, every time you think "I don't want to do this today" you can think of your "why" and it will get you through it. Anyway, that's just the way that works for me. 🙂

Phil
"Exactly WHY am I doing this weight lifting stuff?" That's a great way to start the conversation in one's head to get things moving.

Joe
Showing up is the hardest part!
All I have to do is go in the basement.
The first set is the most difficult.

Phil
We talk about this at Testify on a regular basis - if you walk through the door (or roughly equivalent - get in your car to head to the gym), you've done the most important part.

fastbusiness
@TestifySC That's why I usually do better by being a member at a regular gym. I've tried more than twice to have a small home gym and it never seems to work very well. Too many distractions. Other people seem to have success doing it that way, but I'm not one of them.

Phil
Those phenomena are both very common. For some people, having a home gym is fantastic, but for others, the very convenience of it is the problem. If you can work out whenever, sometimes you will work out never. It becomes very easy to push the training back five minutes, 10 minutes, three hours, three weeks… And we have had a number of members start up their training again with us for that exact reason.

TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

ARTICLES & VIDEOS

Stronger After 50: The Secret is Simpler Than You Think
Getting strong and staying strong becomes more important the older we get, and the secret is not complicated. Click here to watch.

 

People Believed this Lie about Squatting for YEARS
Want the history of the worst squat technique ever to be suggested by a coach? Phil explains. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: How to Squat Heavy ALONE! | How to Fail a Squat Safely
Everybody needs to squat, but if you train alone, you need to be able to fail a squat safely. What to do? It's simple, and Phil explains and demonstrates. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Your Hideous Deadlift: Do It WRONG . . . to Get It Right?
We cover a useful deadlift drill and show how setting your back incorrectly can actually help you set it correctly. Click here to read.

SLEEVES ARE OVERRATED - GRAB A TESTIFY TANK!

Sun's out, guns out, and we've got men's and women’s tank tops in multiple colors.

Get yours today and represent your favorite gym!

Click here to head to the Testify Store.

WHAT'S COMING UP

Reminder: In observance of Memorial Day (Monday, 05/26/25), we will be open for training from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. that day, but we will be closed that afternoon and evening.

Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.

Testify Barbell MAYhem - Teams Edition!

  • May 23, 2025

  • Grab a partner and take on the barbell at Testify Barbell MAYhem – Teams Edition! One lifter snatches. The other cleans & jerks. One epic night of strength, teamwork, and mayhem.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Testify Game Night

  • Join us for the first-ever Testify Game Night at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6th!

  • Bring on the cards, the board games, the bags (AKA cornhole), and whatever else you’ve got!

  • Bring a game, a snack/drink, and get ready for a fun, relaxed evening with the Testify crew!

  • Click here to RSVP.

Testify IronFest VII

  • June 20, 2025

  • IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
Sled Pyramid – 4, 5, or 6 tiers
Go up and down a 4, 5, or 6 tier “sled pyramid” – rest as needed. The distance for each round is 80 m indoors (a down-back on the 40m course) or 200 ft outdoors (2 down-backs on the 50 ft course). Rest as needed.

For example, Bob does the following (4 tiers):
Round 1: Empty sled
Round 2: 25#
Round 3: 50#
Round 4: 75#
Round 5: 50#
Round 6: 25#
Round 7: Empty sled

Compare to 2025.04.07.

Option 2
Bike/row:
8 x 30 sec on/2:00 off

Score = least distance covered in any 30 second interval

Compare to 2025.02.24.

Option 3
5-10 rounds:
50 ft yoke carry
50 ft yoke push
100 ft sandbag carry and S.O.B. (sandbag-over-bar)

Perform 1 round every 2-3 minutes.

Compare to 2025.01.27.

Option 4
Row/Tire 10 min ladder:
2 cal row
2 tire flips
4 cal row
4 tire flips
6 cal row
6 tire flips
…
Climb the ladder as high as possible in 10 minutes.

Compare to 2025.01.27.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

The Testify Republic - May 12, 2025

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video When Deadlifting Heavy, Don't Stand Up & Try This Instead (click the title to watch):

Keene T
I just tweaked my lumbar this morning and came on YouTube looking for reminders on DL setup and this was the first vid I saw. Great advice. I've been lifting for years and never heard it explained like this. So simple now. I'll be doing this when I heal up. Thanks!

Phil
You’re welcome, Keene, and thank you as well. I hope this helps!

TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

ARTICLES & VIDEOS

You’re Probably Warming Up Wrong, and It’s Ruining Your Lifting
Warming up badly is inefficient, sometimes ridiculous, and it sets you up for poor results from your lifting. Phil helps you warm-up effectively, efficiently, and simply and provides plenty of examples, tips, and mistakes to avoid along the way. Click here to watch.

 

The 2 Most Overlooked Bench Press Tips
”You’ve had this experience . . . the last rep is a grind, but you know you’ve got it. The barbell is moving upward slowly . . . and then it happens.” Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: The BEST Grip for Deadlift!
There is one correct way to grip the bar in the deadlift, and it's probably not what you think. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Why Do You Put the Bar There When You Squat?
You’ve probably never thought about this aspect of squatting . . . Click here to read.

TESTIFY 3/4 SLEEVE SHIRTS ARE UP!

Baseball season is here, so represent your favorite team - well, gym - in style!

PLUS - you get four different options to choose from!

Click here to head to the Testify Store.

WHAT'S COMING UP

Below are a few of our upcoming events, and you can find out what else is on the calendar by heading to our events page at www.testifysc.com/events.

Testify Barbell MAYhem - Teams Edition!

  • May 23, 2025

  • Grab a partner and take on the barbell at Testify Barbell MAYhem – Teams Edition! One lifter snatches. The other cleans & jerks. One epic night of strength, teamwork, and mayhem.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Testify IronFest VII

  • June 20, 2025

  • IronFest is a team-based strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will perform one upper body lift and one lower body lift, and each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Deadapalooza! The Annual Testify Deadlift Festival

  • August 15, 2025

  • Deadapalooza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - you guessed it - the deadlift. There will be one bar (possibly multiple bars if numbers dictate), and the meet will be conducted in a "rising bar" format, so the weight on the bar only goes up! It's a ton of fun, so come on out!

  • Click here to register or for more information.

THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
“Prowler Base+1”
1. Load up a manageable weight.
2. Sprint 40m at 85% intensity.
3. Rest 30 sec.
4. Repeat 5-15 times.

Courtesy of “Death by Prowler” (on Starting Strength).

Compare to 2025.04.21.

Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 800m

Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = slowest time.

Compare to 2025.02.17.

Option 3
Outdoors:
5-10 rounds:
10 sledgehammer strikes (5R, 5L)
50 yd farmer carry (25 yd down-back)
Rest 1 minute

Indoors:
5-10 rounds:
10 sledgehammer strikes (5R, 5L)
100 ft farmer carry (50 ft down-back)
Rest 1 minute

Compare to 2025.01.20.

Option 4
5-8 rounds:
50 ft sled push
50 ft sled pull (hand over hand)
Row 1 minute
Rest 1 minute

This can also be done in a group of three where the sledder determines how long the other two people row and rest.

Compare to 2025.01.20.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.