Testify Standard - October 13, 2025

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video When Deadlifting Heavy, Don't Stand Up & Try This Instead (click the title to watch):

Winston Smith
Awesome advice. Thanks. That cleared up some issues I've had. Definitely dropped my hips to get the chest up in the setup, and also tried get my torso vertical way too early in the pull. I'd given up on deadlifts, but this makes me want to try again.

Phil
Those are both very common issues, and I'm glad you want to give it another shot!


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ARTICLES & VIDEOS

Don't Perform a SINGLE Squat at the Gym Until You Watch This
This mistake hides in plain sight—and it might be holding your squat back more than you think. Phil covers this foundational squat issue with 4 important tips. Click here to watch.

 

2 Clues to SPOT Your Terrible Deadlift EARLY!
Is your deadlift drifting away from you? We help you learn to notice the problem before it happens as well as how to fix it. Click here to read.

 

Blast from the Past: What is a Power Clean? | Olympic Weightlifting Technique
What is a power clean? How is it different from a hang clean, hang power clean, or clean? We cover it all here in about a minute. Click here to watch.

 

Blast from the Past: Everything You Need to Know About Lifting Belts . . . QUICK!
Phil covers the 4 Ws of lifting belts: width of belts, when to use one, where to wear your belt, and what to do once it's on. Click here to read.


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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 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 2025.09.08.

Option 2
Bike/row:
5 min on
4 min off
4 min on
3 min off
3 min on
2 min off
2 min on
1 min off
1 min on

Record distance for each interval and add for total distance.

Compare to 2025.07.21.

Option 3
5-10 rounds of:
30 sec ME tire flips
30 sec rest

Compare to 2025.06.23.

Option 4
For time:
500m row
5 x 80m sled push (200 ft if indoors)
500m row

Rest 1 minute after the first row and after each sled push.

Compare to 2025.06.23.


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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