Westside Barbell

In the debut episode of the Westside Barbell Combat Sports Strength & Conditioning Podcast, hosts Tom Barry and Burley Hawk introduce listeners to the world of strength training tailored for combat athletes, including competitive Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Wrestlers, and MMA fighters. They discuss the influential legacy of Westside Barbell founder Louie Simmons, who revolutionized modern strength training through the Conjugate Method.

In this power-packed episode, we dive deep into the Max Effort Method—not just the “what,” but the “how” and “why” behind one of the most effective tools in strength programming. Whether you're a coach programming for athletes, a gym owner refining your training cycles, or a lifter pushing for consistent PRs, this conversation breaks down the nuance.

We cover:

• What an optimal warm-up should look like for a true Max Effort da...

Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they explore the mindset, culture, and methods behind Westside’s Maximal Effort training. From Louie Simmons’ legendary principles to the chaos of group training that runs like a machine, this episode covers everything from exercise selection to the art of coaching and self-assessment. Learn why brutally strong athletes are built with smart intensity—not reckless effort.

Key Points:

• Understa...

In this episode, we dive into why the Conjugate Method, pioneered and popularized by Louie Simmons and Westside Barbell, is particularly effective for high school football athletes. We explore the crucial role of strength training in enhancing football performance, discussing how absolute strength, explosive power, speed, and durability directly impact success on the field.

You'll learn the essentials of the three pillars of the Co...

Today's episode is the Unracked: Mastering the Conjugate Method webinar Tom did with BridgeAthletic

"UNRACKED is a live event series from BridgeAthletic where top coaches break down the training systems, methods, and philosophies that drive elite performance.

In this session, Tom Barry, CEO of Westside Barbell and one of Louie Simmons’ handpicked successors, offers a focused walkthrough of the Conjugate Method in practice: how he...

In this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast, Tom Barry and Burley Hawk break down Dynamic Effort Training, its role in building explosive strength, and how Westside has adapted it for powerlifters, MMA fighters, and Jiu-Jitsu athletes.

Topics Covered:

What is Dynamic Effort Training & how does it work? How to apply the three-week wave system for speed & power Why powerlifters, MMA fighters, and grapplers use this meth...

In this episode of Driven by Westside, join Tom Barry of Westside Barbell as he picks up former Ohio State linebacker, NFL athlete and renowned strength coach Anthony Schlegel for an in-depth, on-the-road conversation about all things training. From their days under legendary coaches like Louie Simmons, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer to the gritty environments of Metroflex Gym and Westside Barbell, this episode dives into the core pr...

On today's episode, using a recent training example in the gym, Tom & Burley discuss utilizing the conjugate method for strength training and how it impact's athlete's performance. They reinforce how important consistency is over PR's for an athlete and how vital training intent is.

Key Topics:

• The Importance of Max Effort Training
• Balancing Volume, Dynamic Effort, and Recovery
• Athlete Mindset & PR Philosophy

Welcome to the first episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast for 2025. Tom & Burley recap the last 2 years at Westside. They discuss Louie's passing, his plans for the future of Westside, and his ongoing legacy. They also go over the current training approach at Westside and Westside's plan for 2025

Key Topics:

•  Legacy of Louie Simmons & Westside Culture
• Current Approach to Training
• Looking Ahead to 2025

Organize...

In this episode, we're joined by Tommy Richardson, a former USMC Infantryman and Navy SEAL with a combined 26 years of service. Tommy is a Guest Contributing Writer at Westside and is passionate about shedding light on Louie Simmons' methods for both those active in the U.S. military and those seeking enlistment. Tommy is also the CEO of Divine Savagery, consulting firm that trains the characteristics of shoot, move, and communicat...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Welsh, an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to explore how ABA is applied to enhance performance in professional athletes. We begin by discussing Sarah’s background, including her inspiration for getting into the field, and break down ABA into simple, digestible terms for our listeners.

From there, we dive into a real-world case study of a professional athlete struggling with consiste...

Westside Recap: Inside ADCC 2024, Athlete Highlights, UFC PI Tour & More Today's episode is a solo cast with Tom, where he recaps the last 3 months at Westside. Firstly, he recaps the ADCC Las Vegas event, covering performances of Dante, Max, and Lawson. He also dives into how Westside’s dynamic training systems are pushing athletes to new heights. Tom covers Ally Kennedy's Lacrosse Season, and how training at Westside impac...

Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring elite grappler Dante Leon. Dive deep into Dante's journey as he prepares for the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Championship. https://adcombat.com/

Discover how Dante balances his rigorous training regimen with competition strategy, his insights on selecting the right competitions, and the unique challenges he faces in high-stakes tournaments. Dante...

Discover how he navigates his post-retirement life, his insights on training and injury prevention, and his unique challenges throughout his fighting career. Matt also opens up about ...

Join Tom Barry as he chats with Ally Kennedy, Pro Lacrosse Player and Westside Barbell Athlete. Learn about how she started lacrosse, what brought her to Westside, and the impact training at Westside has on her performance as an athlete

Ally Kennedy is not only a top-tier professional lacrosse player but also an assistant coach for the Ohio State women’s lacrosse program, where she coaches the Buckeye offense. 

Join Tom Barry as he chats with Myles Robinson, Pro MMA fighter and Westside Barbell Athlete. Learn about his beginning in MMA, his start at Westside Barbell, and the trials & challenges he has overcome throughout his career

• Myles Robinson's background and his training at Westside Barbell
• Insights into training for Professional MMA
• The development of MMA training at Westside Barbell

• ...

Join Tom Barry as he chats with Dr. Shawn Bailey, the dedicated team physician at Westside Barbell and head of The Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Bailey's primary care, physical therapy, and sports science expertise is crucial in optimizing athlete health and performance. Discover his journey, approach to sports medicine, and collaborative efforts with Westside Barbell.

• Dr. Bailey’s background and sports medicine...

Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they break down the fundamentals of the Conjugate System and guide you in incorporating it into your training. Addressing common questions, they discuss when to start, appropriate warm-ups, exercise selection, and more. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers valuable insights to enhance your strength and conditioning journey. Learn how to balance your trai...

Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they delve into the versatility of the Conjugate System, exploring how it can be tailored to different sports, including golf. They discuss PGA-level golfers' unique challenges and the importance of specific training methods to enhance performance and coordination. This episode provides valuable insights into adapting the Conjugate System for various athletic needs, highlighting practical applicati...