Testify Bulletin - August 28, 2023

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video How to Use Wrist Wraps for Lifting Weights (STOP Making these 3 Mistakes!) (click the title to watch):

Eric
How would someone know it’s time to consider wrists straps?

Phil
If someone’s been training for a few months, I would recommend them for use on the press and the bench press by then.

Eric
Thanks for the reply! I got proper shoes and a belt first thing when I ran SS LP. It’s been well over a few months since then so I think I’ll give wrist straps a shot.

Phil
You're welcome, and wearing them is much like wearing a belt for the first time. We could describe it as "uncomfortably tight" at first, but it will just feel correct after a few sessions. Using them on your last warm-up and then your work sets is a solid approach.

Eric
Picked up wrist straps for my heavy bench today. Did a new 5RM PR and the straps felt great! Took them off for back off sets and really noticed the difference. Felt like I spent extra mental energy trying to keep my naked wrists straight. Thanks again for the great video and advice!

Phil
Congrats on the PR, and I’m glad to hear the wraps worked out well for you!


ARTICLES & VIDEOS

When to Start Lifting Weights (and why THIS is the WORST idea)
When should you start training? Specifically, what day of the week should you start on? And what's the WORST possible thing to do? Click here to watch.

 

BEST Strategy to Squat More Weight (2 Simple Actions)
Want to squat more weight? Of course you do. Here's how. Click here to watch.

 

7 Ways You're Ruining Your Press: Part 1
Quit making these press mistakes! In Part 1 of this series, we cover 4 common press errors as well as how to fix them. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: What NOBODY Tells You About Your First Lifting Meet!
Thinking about doing your first powerlifting, weightlifting, strengthlifting, or strongman competition? Phil gives the most important tip you'll ever get. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Knee Sleeves: What, Why, Where, and When!
Phil covers the basics of knee sleeves - what they are, why you use them, when to use them, and how to use them. 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

Congratulations to everyone who competed at this past Friday's Deadapalooza and thank you so much to everyone who helped out! Judges, loaders, table officials, those who helped set up and tear down - you all were great, and we couldn't have wonderful events like this without you!

Reminder: We will be closed for training on Monday, 09/04/23, in observance of Labor 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.

Women’s Strength Group

  • 8 week class beginning on September 19, 2023. Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

  • Get stronger with Starting Strength Coach Barb Mueller and Testify coaches Jamie Morrissey and Stephanie Sharp.

  • NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Open to all women who want to get strong!

  • 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.

Benching Bonanza! The Annual Testify Bench Press Jubilee

  • November 17, 2023

  • Benching Bonanza is a strength meet wherein the only contested lift is - you guessed it - 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'll be a ton of fun, so come on out!

  • 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 2023.06.26.

Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 3 minutes

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

Compare to 2023.06.05.

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 2023.05.08.

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 2023.05.08.