Testify Journal - July 24, 2023

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video Barbell Rings and the Different Types of Barbells (click the title to watch):

J Tabaka
Do you put your outside finger covering the rings or keep the ring free of hands/fingers?

Phil
I'm assuming that you're referring to the bench press and the powerlifting rings, but correct me if I'm wrong. In the bench, the rings determine the maximum width grip that is permitted in competition, so the widest you can go is with the index fingers on the rings (a narrower grip is just fine).

If you're asking where to place your hands on the bench press for general strength training, then I'd recommend taking a grip that sets you up for vertical forearms (as seen from someone standing by your feet or by your head) when the bar touches your chest. We cover this a bit more in this video (specifically at about the 2:45 mark):

How to Start Lifting | Learn to Bench Press
https://youtu.be/edsQRczKn2Y

Hope this helps!


ARTICLES & VIDEOS

Why THIS is the Most Important Supplement for Building Muscle
The best supplement for strength? It's not what you think. Click here to watch.

 

Knowing This About the Bench Press Will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
Want to improve your bench press? Make sure you're doing this . . . and not that. Click here to watch.

 

3 Ways You're Ruining Your Squat!
Quit making these mistakes when squatting. We cover 3 common squat errors as well as how to fix these mistakes. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: Slippery Bench? 10 Second Fix!
Are you slipping and sliding when you bench press? Let’s fix it fast. 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.


NEW TESTIFY GEAR!
Baseball season is here, and so is Testify’s new 3/4 raglan shirt - 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.

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.

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.


IN OTHER NEWS . . .
There will be a small price increase for members who have grandfathered membership rates. Please be on the lookout for an email with the details (only members with grandfathered rates will receive an email from me).  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at barb.mueller@testifysc.com

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to getting stronger with us at Testify Strength & Conditioning!

Barb Mueller
barb.mueller@testifysc.com


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 2023.05.22.

Option 2
Bike/row:
12 min TT

Score = distance

Compare to 2023.05.01.

Option 3
Outdoors:
8 rounds:
4 tire flips
50 yd sled push (25 yd down-back)
Rest 1 minute

Indoors:
8 rounds:
4 tire flips
100 ft sled push (50 ft down-back)
Rest 1 minute

Compare to 2023.04.03.

Option 4
5 rounds:
4 tire flips
8 sledgehammer strikes
6 pull-ups
10 push-ups

Pull-ups and push-ups can be modified – talk to the coaches for options.

Compare to 2023.04.03.