Testify Daily Townsman - August 4, 2025
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video When Deadlifting Heavy, Don't Stand Up & Try This Instead (click the title to watch):
Rune L
thinking of the deadlift as a push exercise with the legs instead of a pull exercise is the best cue I ever heard
Phil
I’m glad you found it useful! Another useful thing to remember is that all pulling exercises (deadlifts, snatches, cleans, rows, etc.) are simply classified as such because the bar is hanging in the hands as opposed to sitting on top of the hands (for example, as in a bench press).
A more humorous way to remember it is that if you let go of the bar and the bar goes away from you, it’s a pulling exercise. If, on the other hand, you let go of the bar, and the bar falls toward you and smashes you, it’s a pushing exercise.
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
Deadlift Pro Tips (The "Don't Stand Up" Trick)
Are you sabotaging your deadlift without even realizing it? In this video, Phil breaks down 7 common mistakes that can wreck your progress and stall your strength gains. Fix these now—and lift smarter and stronger. Click here to watch.
2 Squat Mistakes Every New Lifter Makes
You're trying to squat correctly, but this happens. Here's what to do about it. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: This Dude's Deadlift was a TOTAL DISASTER! | Fixing Your Back for the Deadlift: Part 3
Having trouble getting your back flat and tight when you deadlift? In Part 3 of this Saturday Shorts series, we walk you through how to solve this problem. Click here to watch.
Blast from the Past: The Rower: Love It, Hate It, Do It Anyway
The rower (or "erg") is a great conditioning tool. Phil covers a few options for utilizing the rower for effective conditioning. Click here to read.
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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.
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.
Minneapolis, MN: Starting Strength Squat & Deadlift Camp
October 4, 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.
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 2025.06.30.
Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 800m
Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = slowest time.
Compare to 2025.05.12.
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 2025.04.14.
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 2025.04.14.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!
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