Testify Gazette - September 28, 2026
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video If You Only Watch One Squat Video, Make It This (click the title to watch):
xyzct
Can anyone comment on the knees caving in during a couple of the lifts at the beginning of the video. Does that count as form breakdown, or is that a tolerable amount? Don't get me wrong - that gal's 3-plate squat at the beginning is freakin' awesome - more than I can squat! I just want to understand proper form better, and what allowable tolerances for deviation are.
Phil
Solid question, and I hope my response below will prove useful.
It would be better to keep the knees apart and in line with the toes, but those three squats you saw were 1-rep attempts during competitions, so at challenging, near-max or max weights, this is not uncommon, didn’t cause pain, and was acceptable.
xyzct
@TestifySC, ah, that makes total sense that there were moments of form breaking down, now that I know those are true competition 1RMs. Thank you for clarifying.
Phil
You're very welcome!
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
If You Only Watch One Squat Video, Make It This
Want a better squat? Start here. These seven tips cover the details that can make your squat stronger, more consistent, and easier to execute – including two tips that may not be what you expect. Click here to watch.
4 ERRORS Beginners Make that Experienced Lifters NEVER Do | Part 3 - The Deadlift
Beginner lifters make these 4 mistakes in the squat, press, deadlift, and bench press. Phil explains and covers how to successfully fix them. Today's article covers the deadlift. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: Get Your FIRST Chin-up or Pull-up | 6 Ways to Success!
Want to get your first chin-up or pull-up. We cover 6 ways to help you get it done. Click here to watch.
Blast from the Past: The FWYS Principle: If You Don't Change This, Your Press Will ALWAYS Suffer
A common problem in the press is achieving the correct start position for each rep - specifically for every rep AFTER your first rep. Let’s fix this. Click here to read.
“GET STRONGER - LIVE BETTER” SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE!
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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.
Push Pull Pandemonium
October 16, 2026
Join us for a Friday evening filled with benching, deadlifting, and general revelry!
Sign up by September 25 to get a meet shirt and avoid the late registration rate!
Registration ends October 15.
Click here to register or for more information.
Minneapolis, MN: Starting Strength Squat & Deadlift Camp
October 3, 2026
Spend the day learning the theory and practice of the low bar back squat and the deadlift.
Participants will spend lots of time on the platform receiving coaching and instruction on the squat and deadlift in a small group setting. We will also have a lecture and discussion on programming and cover how to identify and correct common technical problems.
Click here to register or for more information.
Kansas City, MO: Starting Strength Squat & Deadlift Camp
November 14, 2026
Spend the day learning the theory and practice of the low bar back squat and the deadlift.
Participants will spend lots of time on the platform receiving coaching and instruction on the squat and deadlift in a small group setting. We will also have a lecture and discussion on programming and cover how to identify and correct common technical problems.
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 2026.08.24.
Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 800m
Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = slowest time.
Compare to 2026.07.06.
Option 3
Outdoors:
10 rounds:
25 yd yoke carry
Rest 1 minute
Indoors:
10 rounds:
30 yd yoke carry (15 yd down-back)
Rest 1 minute
Compare to 2026.06.08.
Option 4
10 x 50 ft farmer carry
Each carry is 25 ft down and 25 ft back and is for time. Rest 1 minute between carries.
Women: 97# per handle (80# of plates)
Men: 137# per handle (120# of plates)
(Note: Each handle weighs 17#.)
Compare to 2026.06.08.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!
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