Testify Post - April 6, 2026
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video This Obsession is RUINING Your Deadlifts (click the title to watch):
soberpert
Excellent video as usual but I’m struggling with squeezing my chest up how do I do that?
Michael
I struggle with this as well. Have a tendency to lower my hips instead
Phil
Thanks very much, and here are a couple of cues that you might find useful:
1. Lift your chest
2. Push your belly down between your thighs
3. Show your shirt to the wall
4. Wrinkles in your shirt
Here’s a video that we did a while back that goes more in depth:
3 Cues to Set Your Back in the Deadlift
https://youtu.be/cH0j8C5Ezn0
Phil
Michael, you might find it useful to give yourself the cue “chest up and hips up“ when you set your back. The “hips up” part is an overcue as we don’t actually want to raise the hips, but trying to raise the hips could help you fight the tendency to drop the hips.
Edwin Dekker
"Long arms"
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
This Obsession is RUINING Your Deadlifts
Many lifters obsess over the wrong details in the deadlift - and it holds them back. Phil covers the one thing he'd fix first with a lot of lifters. Click here to watch.
What Lifters with Bad Knees Get Wrong About Squatting
Bad knees aren’t a reason to avoid the squat - they’re a reason to do it correctly. Here are 9 key adjustments that allow your knees to keep working and getting stronger. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: Don't Let This Mistake RUIN Your Deadlift!
With a very simple cue, Phil addresses a common deadlift mistake that lifters make when setting their backs and starting to pull the bar off the floor. Click here to watch.
Blast from the Past: The Squat: Hips and Knees Together!
If you descend into your squat by breaking at the hips first instead of hips-and-knees together, that's a problem. In this article, we help you fix it. Click here to read.
TESTIFY CAMPFIRE MUGS ARE AVAILABLE!
For lifters who train hard . . . and like a little campfire-style to go along with their training sessions. Durable, no-frills, and proudly wearing the Testify logo. From campsite to squat rack, this mug's for you.
Click here to head to the Testify Store.
WHAT'S COMING UP
Reminder: We will be closed for training on Saturday, 04/11/26, as we are hosting the annual Testify Strengthlifting Challenge.
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 Strengthlifting Challenge
April 11, 2026
The annual Testify Strengthlifting Challenge is back, 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.
Testify Barbell MAYhem - The Clean & Press Classic
May 1, 2026
The annual Barbell MAYhem is back, and this year's event is a Friday night clean-and-press!
This is a single-lift weightlifting meet wherein competitors will perform the clean-and-press. Each lifter will receive 3 attempts, and the heaviest successful lift will determine their score.
There will be prizes - for feats both serious and outlandish - throughout the night!
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
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 2026.03.02.
Option 2
Bike/row:
4 x 3 minutes
Rest 3 minutes between each round. Score = lowest distance.
Compare to 2026.01.12.
Option 3
5-10 rounds of:
30 sec ME tire flips
30 sec rest
Compare to 2025.12.15.
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 2025.12.15.
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.
Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.
Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.
Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.