On the third anniversary of his passing, we’re carrying on Louie Simmons’ unstoppable legacy by sharing this upscaled version of his classic Deadlift Secrets VHS tape. Although the footage dates back several years (2003), it’s filled with timeless insights that remain cornerstones of the Westside Barbell approach.
Ready to see how Westside went from pulling in the low 600s to producing multiple 800+ deadlifters (and countless 700+)? In this revised seminar, Louie Simmons explains how speed pulls, max effort lifts, band and chain work, and targeted accessory exercises (reverse hypers, good mornings, glute-ham raises, etc.) supercharge strength while reducing injury risk. Whether you pull sumo or conventional, Louie’s proven Conjugate Method will help you hit that next PR!
TIMESTAMPS
0:00:19 – Introduction & Modern Westside Deadlift Updates
0:01:05 – Speed Deadlift Demonstration (Bands, Percentages, Set/Rep Protocol)
0:06:00 – Rack Pulls & Band Applications
0:07:33 – “Lightning Method” Reverse-Band Deadlifts
0:12:00 – Max Effort Strategies (Good Mornings, Squats, Specialty Bars)
0:21:00 – Reverse Hyper & Supplemental Exercises
0:30:00 – Zercher Squats, Glute-Ham Raises, & Band Curls
0:45:00 – Grip Work (Hex Dumbbells, Finger Training, Machine Grips)
0:50:00 – Deadlift Technique (Sumo vs. Conventional Tips)
0:51:00 – Structuring Your Weekly Conjugate Deadlift Program
MAIN TAKEAWAYS
Speed Work: Use submaximal weights (40–60% of 1RM) with high velocity for 6–10 singles immediately after speed squats.
Max Effort Day: Rotate exercises (rack pulls, reverse-band pulls, good mornings) and work up to a 1–3 rep max.
Accessory Movements: Prioritize posterior chain work (glute-ham raises, reverse hypers), hip strength (banded walks, Zercher squats), and core/lat engagement.
Grip Training: Focus on finger strength (hex dumbbell holds, Rolling Thunder, pinch grips) to enhance overall pulling capacity.
Technique: For sumo, drive feet outward and pull back. For conventional, pull yourself into position, keep your back locked, and drive hips through.
Like this video if you’re ready to boost your deadlift numbers.
Comment below with your biggest deadlift PR or goal.
Subscribe for more Westside Barbell insights and Louie Simmons’ timeless methods.
Take these principles under the bar and watch your deadlift soar to new heights.
#WestsideBarbell #DeadliftSecrets #LouieSimmons #ConjugateMethod #SpeedPulls #MaxEffort #Powerlifting #StrengthTraining #ReverseHyper #GluteHamRaise #GripTraining #SumoDeadlift
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From the master!
They need a museum for all this shit
I can see where knees over toes guy got his ideas from.
The intro throws me off
but awesome as always
Secrets to pulling less than raw mid weight class powerlifters?
Love Louie and everything he and westside did for the sport
But guys, we gotta keep in mind how far science has come since then. There are many more infinitely more effective training methodologies. So use this as entertainment not instruction
JUICE JUICE AND JUICE SOME MORE.
These last 2 videos have been gold! I wish i had a chance to meet Louie.
I love these old DVD/tale videos. When I was in Guantanamo I got the WSBB CPT and I would just watch these DVDs on repeat.
Wow, was not expecting to see this goldmine show up in my feed.
All that powerlifting gear but no microphone, pity
you hear this tape playing in your sons room….
Alright, folks
Squat and Olympic Weightlifting next please! And by the way, this was awesome
I've Dead lifted on that platform. Took coaching from the Great Louie Simmons, Thank you Louie.
this is the kind of training young gen z need to be watching, awesome upload team!
WESTSIIIIDE
Any chance the original videos with Matt Dimel will be re-published?
Kind of odd putting out a deadlift secret video cause it was no secret they were known to suck at deadlifts. Good mournings with more good mournings, box squats and speed dead once every 6 months. Only sumo cause a deadlift is a squat
Amazing
Would love to see the bench and squat workout tapes with big Mike, JL, Tate, Wendler
Thank you guys for doing this. Louie is forever.
Legend training principles
Keep putting videos out. Especially old training videos. Nobody will EVER do what Louie and Westside did. I'm a 53yr old strongman and powerlifter who still competes. Those videos of Westside, still inspire me to train.