The Testify Leader - October 20, 2025
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video You’re Probably Bench Pressing Wrong, and It’s Ruining Your Lifting (click the title to watch):
Alex
Take a big breath at the top into your chest or belly? Some say the latter, some, even professional powerlifters say the former. So confusing😮💨
Phil
Yes, the fitness community often likes to make this more confusing that it needs to be. You’ve been breathing your whole life, so don’t worry about whether it’s into your chest or your belly (since technically it’s into your lungs :-)).
Simply take a breath, then hold it and clamp down on every single muscle in your midsection/trunk as if you expected to get punched. If you’re bracing like that, you’re doing it correctly.
It’s worth noting that you hold your breath using a closed glottis and not by holding your breath against your lips. In other words, you hold your breath in the back of your throat, not up against your lips.
You can do this with your mouth open or closed, but if you’re not sure exactly how to do it, try saying the word “hick“ and holding the “ck“ sound at the end.
Here’s a video a while back that covers this a bit more:
How to Breathe and Brace Correctly When Lifting Heavy | Valsalva Maneuver
https://youtu.be/XhM3fli3A_s
Alex
@TestifySCThanks ❤
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
You’re Probably Bench Pressing Wrong, and It’s Ruining Your Lifting
Most lifters are benching wrong in at least three of these ways. Watch all 7 mistakes — and stop wrecking your lifts before your next session. Click here to watch.
The Most Common Bench Press Mistake You Don’t Even Realize You’re Making
Phil addresses and helps you fix a common bench press error in this short article. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: WRIST WRAPS: The Complete Guide and how NOT to Put Them On! (Lifting Gear Series)
We cover everything you'll ever want to know about wrist wraps, including how NOT to put them on. This is the 4th video in our "Lifting Gear" series. Click here to watch.
Blast from the Past: The Deadlift: Sock it to Me, Baby
Want an easy way to improve your deadlift? Phil really socks it to you with this tip. Click here to read.
“GET STRONGER - LIVE BETTER” SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE!
Why do you train? Because getting stronger makes everything else easier. Get stronger. Live better. “Testify” to this message and represent your favorite gym with this shirt in several color options.
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.
Kansas City, MO: Starting Strength Squat & Deadlift Camp
October 25, 2025
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.
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.
Testify Christmas Classic
December 13, 2025
The Christmas Classic is a team strength meet wherein the contested lifts will be the squat, press, bench press, and deadlift. Competitors will form teams of 2-4 lifters/team and perform all 4 lifts; each lifter will receive 3 attempts for each lift.
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 2025.09.15.
Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 3 minutes
Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = lowest distance.
Compare to 2025.07.28.
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 2025.06.30.
Option 4
10 x 50 ft yoke carry
Each carry is 25 feet down and 25 feet back and is for time. Rest 1 minute between carries.
Compare to 2025.06.30.
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.
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Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.
