Testify Republic - July 3, 2023

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION
From our video Bench Pressing Alone (safely!) and How to Unrack a Heavy Bench Press (click the title to watch):

Jay H
Why Soccer socks

Phil
If I recall correctly, I think I was deadlifting before I shot that video, and long socks are nice for protecting shins on deadlifts, snatches, and cleans.

Jay H
make sense


ARTICLES & VIDEOS

Is This Error KILLING Your Deadlift?! | How to Increase Your Deadlift
Is your deadlift setup destroying the possibility of pulling preposterously ponderous poundage? Phil pontificates. Click here to watch.

Quick Tip to Improve Your Bench Press | FAST FIX!
Phil covers a quick and easy breathing tip to help you improve your bench press. Click here to watch.

Great Tire Workouts for Conditioning!
We cover a few options for incorporating tire work into your conditioning. Click here to read.

Blast from the Past: How to Start Lifting: Learn to Bench Press
Phil helps you learn how to bench press and also discusses how to go about your first bench press workout (6th video in the "How to Start Lifting" series). Click here to watch.

Blast from the Past: Squatting Deeper - Don't Make These 2 Mistakes!
There are two common mistakes that often show up when lifters try to squat deeper. Phil covers these errors as well as a few cues to help lifters correct them. Click here to read.


NEW TESTIFY GEAR!
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: We will be closed for training on Tuesday, 07/04/23, in observance of Independence Day, and we will be closed for training on Saturday, 07/08/23, as we are hosting the annual IronFest competition.

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 V

  • July 8, 2023

  • 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.

  • Registration is closed, but you can click here for more information.

Starting Strength Self-Sufficient Lifter Camp

  • September 23, 2023

  • Spend the day learning the Squat, Press, and Deadlift and how to self-evaluate your lifts while training in your garage or commercial gym without a coach.

  • Click here to register or for more information.

Testify Fall Classic

  • October 21, 2023

  • The Testify Fall Classic is back for 2023, and we invite you to be a part of it! This is a strengthlifting meet, which means the contested lifts will be the squat, press, and deadlift.

  • 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 2023.05.01.

Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 3 minutes

Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = lowest distance.

Compare to 2023.04.10.

Option 3
5-10 rounds of:
30 sec ME tire flips
30 sec rest

Compare to 2023.03.13.

Option 4
1. 5 yoke carries @ 30 yd (15 yd downback) – work up to heaviest carry
2. 5 rounds of 5 reps on the axle “clean and press away” – work up to heavy set of 5

Compare to 2023.03.13.

Testify Inquirer - June 26, 2023

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION
From our video Make Your Own Lifting Straps! (Easy, Quick, and Cheap!) (click the title to watch):

@mohammedshoebahmed3543
Can that tape withstand the weight?

Phil
No worries - the tape doesn't support any weight. It simply holds the ends of the straps together and makes them easier to handle and put on. The tape is not technically necessary, but again, it's easier with the ends taped together. If you check out our video "How to Use Lifting Straps" (https://youtu.be/ch38nNKkSdw), you'll see that the taped end sticks out at the end and isn't supporting anything.


ARTICLES & VIDEOS

Stretching is DANGEROUS?! | Why You Should NOT do Mobility Work
Should you stretch before you lift or not? Also, stop calling it "mobility work." Click here to watch.

How to Load a Barbell for Deadlifts the EASY Way!
Phil gives you a few tips and tricks to make loading the barbell for your deadlifts easier and faster. Click here to watch.

One Cue to Rule Them All: Fix Every Single One of Your Lifts
Can one simple type of cue help you improve all of your lifts? Click here to find out.

Blast from the Past: How to Start Lifting: Learn to Press
Phil and Barb teach you how to press and explain how to do your first press workout (5th video in the "How to Start Lifting" series). Click here to watch.

Blast from the Past: Bench Press Cue: Pull Your Fists Back!
Phil covers a useful cue to help with correct shoulder positioning in the bench press. Click here to read.


NEW TESTIFY GEAR!
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: We will be closed for training on Tuesday, 07/04/23, in observance of Independence Day.

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 V

  • July 8, 2023

  • 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 25, 2023

  • 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.

Starting Strength Self-Sufficient Lifter Camp

  • September 23, 2023

  • Spend the day learning the Squat, Press, and Deadlift and how to self-evaluate your lifts while training in your garage or commercial gym without a coach.

  • 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 2023.04.24.

Option 2
Bike/row:
5 min on
4 min off
4 min on
3 min off
3 min on
2 min off
2 min on
1 min off
1 min on

Record distance for each interval and add for total distance.

Compare to 2023.04.03.

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 ft sled push (50 ft down-back)
100 ft farmer carry (50 ft down-back)
Rest 1 min

Compare to 2023.03.06.

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 2023.03.06.

Week 2022.03.21

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 2022.01.17.

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

Record distance for each round.

Compare to 2021.12.27.

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 2021.11.29.

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 2021.11.29.

Week 2018.12.24

Events: To see upcoming events, please select the "Events" option in our menu or simply click here.

Reminder: As Christmas and the New Year are coming soon, here are the hours for the holidays (you can also find them under the "About > Hours" option in the menu):

Christmas Week (2018)
Monday, 12/24/18: Closed
Tuesday, 12/25/18: Closed
Wednesday, 12/26/18: Regular hours

New Year's Week (2018-2019)
Monday, 12/31/18: Regular morning hours; closed in the afternoon/evening
Tuesday, 01/01/19: Closed
Wednesday, 01/02/19: Regular hours

This Week's Conditioning