The Testify News - October 19, 2026
/THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION
From our video You’re Making This Part of Your Deadlift Way Too Hard (click the title to watch):
Luke Peterson
How do you get correctly positioned and tight with straps? I find that the time spent at the bottom getting the straps in position leaves me unable to feel like I'm in my natural locked down and tight position. Off the floor in that scenario always feels weird. I only use them for volume sets of RDLs so it's not super detrimental, everything works itself out by the second rep. With no straps everything is positioned and tight where it should be by the time I've grabbed, braced and set the lats.
Phil
Good question, Luke, and with practice, setting up with straps should take 10 to 15 seconds tops.
We’ve done several videos on this topic, and you might find them useful to help with this process. Here are two:
How to Use Lifting Straps in 1 Minute!
https://youtu.be/k2PR3Z-F6mA
How to Use Lifting Straps
https://youtu.be/ch38nNKkSdw
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ARTICLES & VIDEOS
You’re Making This Part of Your Deadlift Way Too Hard
The deadlift should be as efficient as possible. In Part 2 of this deadlift series, Phil covers two common errors that make one specific part of the deadlift harder than it needs to be and waste valuable effort. Click here to watch.
Part 3: Your Squat Called. It Wants You to Stop Doing This.
In part 3 of this series, we help you identify and quickly fix a common squat error. Click here to read.
Blast from the Past: How to Use Wrist Wraps for Lifting Weights (STOP Making these 3 Mistakes!)
How do you correctly use wrist wraps when training? Where to put them? How tight should they be? What's with the loop? Phil covers the basics as well as how to avoid 3 common errors. Click here to watch.
Blast from the Past: The BEST Squat Accessory Ever?!
How can one simple object fix your knee position, your hip position, AND your back angle? We explain what a TUBOW is as well as how and why to use it. Click here to read.
“GET STRONGER - LIVE BETTER” SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE!
Why do you train? Because getting stronger makes everything else easier. Get stronger. Live better. “Testify” to this message and represent your favorite gym with this shirt in several color options.
Click here to head to the Testify Store.
WHAT'S COMING UP
Congratulations to everyone who competed at Push Pull Pandemonium this past Friday, and thank you so much to everyone who helped out! Judges, loaders, spotters, those who helped set up and tear down - you all were great, and we couldn't have wonderful events like this without you!
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
November 14, 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.
Testify Christmas Classic
December 12, 2026
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.
The Annual Testify Christmas Party!
December 12, 2026
Join us for the Testify Christmas Potluck Party immediately following the end of the Christmas Classic as we celebrate another great year together!
Click here for more details as well as what to bring.
THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING
Option 1
“Prowler Base+1”
1. Load up a manageable weight.
2. Sprint 40m at 85% intensity.
3. Rest 30 sec.
4. Repeat 5-15 times.
Courtesy of “Death by Prowler” (on Starting Strength).
Compare to 2026.09.14.
Option 2
Bike/row:
3 rounds of:
8 x 20 sec on/40 sec off
Rest 3 min between rounds
Score = lowest distance
Compare to 2026.07.27.
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 2026.06.29.
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 2026.06.29.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!
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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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