Westside Barbell

Q I heard membership into Westside Barbell is extremely hard to get. What do you have to do to get in there? Why do they make it so hard?

A Westside Barbell is an invitation only powerlifting gym owned by Louie Simmons. There are no contracts and no monthly fees; you earn your right to be there by competing on the platform. People have moved from all over the world to train there. The requirements are that you must be a pro or be at near pro level. For example, 1810 total at 181 lbs, 2200 total at 242 lbs, and 2400 at 308lbs or close to these are entry levels at Westside. It’s tough for anyone below this level to train there because everyone else is so far in front. Before moving here, I had totaled 2425 lbs, which is a pro total, yet I was the second weakest in the morning crew. You can imagine how hard it would be for a beginner lifter to come here and train with five 1000+ lb squatters, six 700+ lb benchers, and three 800+ lb deadlifters! On top of needing to be strong enough, you also need to be able to handle the training mentally. The pressure level to be the best is at the highest. Everyone in there is gunning for the number one spot, and, if you’re not willing to give it everything you have got, then you’d better stay the hell away. No one gives a crap about what’s going on in your personal life or that you don’t feel good today. You are there to do one thing and one thing only, and that is to get stronger.