The Gym Gear Nobody Talks About... But Everyone Needs.

Anyone can show up and lift. Training, however, requires intention - and a few specific items almost no one talks about. In this video, Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers breaks down the overlooked gym gear that makes the difference between exercising and actually getting stronger.

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.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

The Testify Chronicle - February 23, 2026

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A post shared by Testify Strength & Cond. (@testifystrengthconditioning)

THIS WEEK'S SUBMISSION

From our video Can One Simple Tool Really Prevent Weakness in Seniors? (click the title to watch):

* Tennesseered
I'm a 74 y.o. man. After 22 months of barbell training, I back squat 1.2 times my bodyweight for reps of five, and deadlift 1.65 times my bodyweight for reps of five. I feel strong and light and full of energy. I was recently told that I look fit and strong. Admittedly, it was my wife who told me that but who matters more than her? Barbell training really works and it's fun. Not easy, but fun.

Phil
Well said on so many fronts!

Matthew Strauts
Awesome!!! Wish more knew and pursued its benefits

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TESTIFY ONLINE COACHING

Interested in getting stronger working one-on-one remotely with us? Click here to book your free strategy session.

Get Stronger. Live Better. Start Today.

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ARTICLES & VIDEOS

Can One Simple Tool Really Prevent Weakness in Seniors?
Can one simple tool really help prevent weakness and frailty as we age? Phil explains what that tool is and why it's so powerful. Click here to watch.

The Best Training Advice That Nobody Thinks to Use
Thinking about skipping a workout or cutting a set short? Before you do, ask yourself one simple question: What would I tell my kids? The answer might be the best training advice you’ve ever received. Click here to read.

Blast from the Past: Get a BIGGER Squat Now with 3 SIMPLE Tips!
Phil covers 3 easy and quick ways to improve your squat and start setting new PRs right now. Click here to watch.

Blast from the Past: Wrist Wraps: What, Why, When, and How!
We cover the basics of wrist wraps - what they are, why you use them, when to use them, and how to use them. Click here to read.

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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.

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WHAT'S COMING UP

A big thank you goes out to everyone who showed up at the fish fry this past Friday evening — food, drinks, and conviviality were had by all! Be sure to keep your eyes open for more fun events like this, and speaking of events . . .

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.

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THIS WEEK’S CONDITIONING

Option 1
Sled Pyramid – 4, 5, or 6 tiers
Go up and down a 4, 5, or 6 tier “sled pyramid” – rest as needed. The distance for each round is 80 m indoors (a down-back on the 40m course) or 200 ft outdoors (2 down-backs on the 50 ft course). Rest as needed.

For example, Bob does the following (4 tiers):
Round 1: Empty sled
Round 2: 25#
Round 3: 50#
Round 4: 75#
Round 5: 50#
Round 6: 25#
Round 7: Empty sled

Compare to 2026.01.19.

Option 2
5 rounds:
10 cal bike
1 min rest
4 sandbag-over-bars
1 min rest

Set the yoke crossmember at 35/33, and the weight is 150#/75#.

Compare to 2025.12.01.

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 2025.11.03.

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 2025.10.03.

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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.

The Best Training Advice That Nobody Thinks to Use

Thinking about skipping another training session?

Worried about how that heavy set of squats is going to go?

Considering shutting down your deadlift set after two reps instead of finishing all five?

You already possess an outstanding source of training advice - you just haven’t used it.

In situations like these, ask yourself one question:

“What would I tell my kids?”

I often refer to this as “kid talk,” and it’s both clarifying and compelling.

(Of course, you don’t need to actually have children for this to work. Picture a conversation with your niece or nephew, or imagine that you do have kids.)

“Dad, can I skip basketball practice today?” your son asks.

“No,” you respond. “You signed up, so you’re committed. This is how you build perseverance and discipline. Let’s go.”

“Mom - I’m scared I’ll forget my lines and mess up on stage,” your daughter says.

“I get it, kiddo, and that worry is normal. But you’ve rehearsed for weeks, and you know your part backward and forward - you’re going to knock their socks off tonight.”

You give your kids the truth, and you expect them to act accordingly.

Solid. Now treat yourself the same way.

Don’t complicate this - and don’t dodge it.

The next time you’re thinking about bailing on a session or a set, just ask yourself, “What would I tell my kids?”

You’ll know what to do.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.

-Phil

PS: 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.

(Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Testify earns from qualifying purchases.)

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

Snow Closing: Friday morning (Feb 20)

Announcement: Due to the snow, we’ll be closed Friday morning (Feb 20). We’ll reopen early in the afternoon at 3 PM. Stay safe and we hope to see you then!

Get a BIGGER Squat Now with 3 SIMPLE Tips!

Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers covers 3 easy and quick ways to improve your squat and start setting new PRs right now.

(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 04/17/23)

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.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

Wrist Wraps: What, Why, When, and How!

(A Blast from the Past article originally posted on 07/09/21)

If you’re new to lifting, you might have seen these things called wrist wraps, but you might not be sure what purpose they actually serve, so let’s chat.

What are wrist wraps?

Your basic wrist wrap consists of a thumb loop at one end, the elastic body of the wrap, and a hook-and-loop closure system (i.e., Velcro). Countless manufacturers sell wrist wraps with this basic structure - some common ones include Harbinger, SBD, Rogue, Schiek, and the list goes on. A very popular length of wrap is 18”, but you can find plenty of wraps that are both shorter or longer than this (longer is fine, but for most lifters, I wouldn’t recommend anything shorter than 18”). Some manufacturers (e.g., SBD) also make variations of their wraps that are either more rigid or more flexible depending on the lifter’s preference.

Why might I use wrist wraps?

You use wrists wraps when your wrists are in compression, i.e., when you’re pushing on something - not when you’re pulling on something. A wrap gives support to your wrist by acting as an external skeleton for your wrist - you can think of it as a cast or a lifting belt for your wrist. Since the wrap is wrapped around your wrist, it lends support to your wrist and makes it very difficult for the wrist to be in positions of extreme extension (i.e., positions where you wrist is bent very far backward). Lifts that benefit from wrists wraps include all the pressing movements (press, bench press, close grip bench, etc.), snatches, jerks, cleans (this is a gray area as you need your wrists to be in extension to rack a clean), and the squat for those who wrap their thumbs around the bar and have their wrists in extension. Even if you don’t normally use a wrist wrap, it’s probably a good idea to use one if you are dealing with and training through a wrist injury.

When might I use wrist wraps?

A reasonable approach is to treat your wrist wraps the same way you treat your belt - put the wraps on for your last warm-up set, and then use them for all of your work sets as well. With some experience under your belt (under your wraps?), you may decide to put them on earlier than your last warm-up, and that’s fine as well.

How do I use wrist wraps?
(You can reference the steps below as well as the accompanying photos, and I would recommend also watching one of the included videos to see this in action.)

Step 1
Place your thumb through the thumb loop so that the wrap drapes over the back of your wrist.

Step 1: Place your thumb through the thumb loop so that the wrap drapes over the back of your wrist.

Step 2
Position the body of the wrap so that it lies half on your forearm and half on your hand.

Step 2: Position the body of the wrap so that it lies half on your forearm and half on your hand.

Step 3
Apply tension and wrap the length of the wrap around your wrist until you reach the end of the wrap.

Step 3: Apply tension and wrap the length of the wrap around your wrist until you reach the end of the wrap.

Step 4
Close off the wrap by attaching it to itself using the Velcro strap.

Step 4: Close off the wrap by attaching it to itself using the Velcro strap.

Step 5
Remove the thumb loop from your thumb (it is simply there to keep the wrap from spinning in place while you apply the wrap, so you no longer need it).

Step 5: Remove the thumb loop from your thumb (it is simply there to keep the wrap from spinning in place while you apply the wrap, so you no longer need it).

Remember: this is not a forearm wrap or a hand wrap - it’s a wrist wrap, so be sure to pay attention to Step 2. If you position the wrap too low, it’s simply a forearm warmer, and if it’s too high, it’s just a weird glove.

A wrist wrap worn too low on the arm . . . don’t do this.

In effect, the wrap should almost lock those two sections of your arm together (i.e., the forearm and the hand), and to do so, it has to straddle both sections of your arm. If you put the wrap on correctly, it will make it harder to extend your wrist (i.e., bend it backwards), which means the wrap is doing its job of support.

Quick re-wrap solution - pinch the thumb loop between your thumb and index finger and use that setup to anchor the beginning of the wrap in place while you re-tighten the wrap.

The wrap should be very snug - not so tight that you start losing circulation in your hand, but pretty darn tight. It needs to be tight so it can provide support. You will always loosen or perhaps even remove the wraps between sets. If you only loosen the wrap between sets, you don’t need to re-insert your thumb in the thumb loop - a quicker solution is to simply pinch the thumb loop between your thumb and index finger and use that setup to anchor the beginning of the wrap in place while you re-tighten the wrap.

That pretty much wraps it up, and we hope this helps you get stronger and live better!

-Phil

PS: 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.

(Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Testify earns from qualifying purchases.)

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?