Left-Coast Westside

Mark Bell explains how he uses Westside Barbell methods at Super Training Gym in Sacramento, Calif.

The road paved by Louie Simmons and his elite lifters gives me confidence that his program works. Why do I feel it works? How about 20 800-lb. deadlifters!

The Russians used to do a lot of testing on their weightlifters, and Lou adapted a lot of those principles. Now he has his own testing ground at Westside Barbell. Through science, math and lots of trial and error, Lou has come up with the Westside Barbell Method. Time and time again, this method has not just worked for Lou and his lifters, but it has also worked for thousands of athletes all over the world. My gym, Super Training, was started in 2006, and this is the method we have used from Day 1.

Beginning in 2004, I trained at Westside for a little more than a year. Simply put, if you’re not at Westside, it’s hard to know exactly what Louie is working on next, so there is some variation between what we do at Super Training and what they do at Westside Barbell, but we utilize all the general Westside ideas. As Lou says, “Our results justify our methods.” I also use lifter feedback and trial and error to figure out what will work best for Super Training. The program we use consists of three different methods: repetition, dynamic and max effort.

Louie Simmons will be using Mark Bell to teach CrossFit Powerlifting seminars, where participants can learn all about Westside Barbell Methods. For more information, please visit the Specialty Courses section of CrossFit.com.

This article was originally published in the January/February 2011 issue of Power magazine.

Uma Thurman Alice Dodd Kate Walsh Autumn Reeser Camilla Belle