Testify Journal - June 2, 2025
/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!
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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12 Outdated Lifting Trends to Ditch in 2025 (and What to Do Instead)
Still doing these outdated lifting trends?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 2024.02.10.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!
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