Testify Sun - June 29, 2026
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video Training with Injuries: Should I Train or Should I Quit?! (click the title to watch):
Melanie McNeil
Yes, keep training!! I had rotator cuff and bicep tenodesis surgery on my dominant side 15 months ago. As a pretty new lifter, between the injury, surgery, and rehab, it's taken a big bite out of my training life. But I kept training through the whole thing. My legs still worked!! My left side still worked. There was no reason to stop. I entered my first meet in February, less than a year after surgery, and finished with pretty respectable numbers for a little old lady. (In terms of powerlifting rankings over all years in my class, I'm in the middle.) I still have a lot of upside potential, though it'll go more slowly now. But none of this would have happened if I'd given up.
Phil
This is a fantastic testimony, Melanie - thank you so much, and way to keep training!
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
Understanding barbells is easy, actually (but what are the rings for?)
Ever wondered why barbells have rings etched into them? Phil breaks down the key parts of a barbell and explains what those markings mean – and why they matter. Click here to watch.
8 Things Successful Lifters Do Before Benching HEAVY (plus BONUS tip)
What should you take care of before a heavy bench press? We cover 8 simple and effective tips - plus 1 bonus tip - when preparing to bench press heavy. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: 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.
Blast from the Past: Improve Your Deadlift by FIXING These 3 Errors!
Fix these 3 errors for a stronger and more efficient deadlift. Phil explains. 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
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our Testify 10 Year Celebration this past Saturday! It was wonderful to see all of you there, and we are incredibly thankful to have such a great group of people. You ARE Testify, and you have made these 10 years an amazing 10 years.
Reminder: In observance of Independence Day, we will be closed for training on Saturday, 07/04/26.
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 VIII
July 10, 2026
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.
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.
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 2026.05.25.
Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 3 minutes
Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = lowest distance.
Compare to 2026.04.06.
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 2026.03.09.
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 2026.03.09.
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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