If you’ve been in the strength world for a while, you’ve probably wondered what happened to Westside Barbell. The iconic gym in Columbus, Ohio, seemed to fade from the spotlight it once dominated. This article explains the shifts and reasons behind its current status.
The story isn’t about a single event, but a series of changes in the sport, business, and community. We’ll look at the facts to give you a clear picture.
What Happened To Westside Barbell
Westside Barbell, founded by Louie Simmons, was more than a gym. It was the epicenter of the conjugate method, a training system that revolutionized powerlifting. For decades, it produced record-breaking lifters and attracted athletes from all over the world. Its influence was massive, but its visible presence in competitive powerlifting has diminished.
So, what changed? Several key factors played a role.
The Passing of Louie Simmons
The most significant event was the death of Louie Simmons in March 2022. Louie was the heart, soul, and brilliant mind behind Westside. He wasn’t just a coach; he was an innovator whose ideas on accommodating resistance, dynamic effort, and max effort work shaped modern strength training.
Without his leadership, the gym’s direction inevitably shifted. While the gym remains open, the driving force behind its global reputation is gone. The community continues to honor his methods, but the central hub lost its iconic leader.
Changes in the Sport of Powerlifting
The powerlifting landscape evolved. When Westside was at its peak, federations like the IPF and USAPL grew in popularity with different rules. Westside was synonymous with gear-assisted lifting in the APF and WPO. The rise of “raw” or classic powerlifting shifted mainstream attention.
Many new lifters today aim for raw records. The specific style of geared lifting that Westside mastered became a more specialized niche. This doesn’t diminish its methods—the conjugate system is still used by raw lifters—but it changed the gym’s position in the sport’s spotlight.
The Business and Location Reality
Westside Barbell was always a private, invitation-only training facility. It was never a commercial gym open to the public. This model relied on Louie’s personal involvement and a select group of elite athletes.
After Louie’s passing, the gym continued under the care of his family and close trainees. It operates with a much lower profile. The focus seems to be on preserving his legacy and serving the local training group, not on maintaining a global media presence.
The Proliferation of Knowledge
In the past, you had to go to Columbus to learn the conjugate system firsthand. Today, the information is everywhere. Louie and his athletes published countless articles, videos, and seminars.
Key components of the Westside method are now standard practice in strength coaching. Because the knowledge is so widely available, the mystique of the “secret” gym lessened. Many coaches apply conjugate principles without a direct link to the original gym.
Where the Method Lives On
The physical gym may be quieter, but the system is more alive than ever. You see it in:
* High school and college strength programs.
* Professional sports team training.
* Online coaching platforms run by Westside-certified athletes.
* Social media communities dedicated to discussing and refining the methods.
The Current Status of the Gym
As of now, the original Westside Barbell location in Columbus is still open. It serves a dedicated group of lifters. The focus is on training, not publicity. The website and social media are not highly active, which contributes to the feeling that it “disappeared.”
For most people, “what happened” is really a transition from a widely publicized powerhouse to a more private legacy institution. The brand and its methods, however, continue to influence millions.
Key Elements of the Westside Method
To understand the legacy, it helps to know the core training principles. This is why the gym mattered so much.
The Conjugate System
This isn’t about rotating exercises randomly. It’s a structured approach to managing fatigue and developing multiple strength qualities simultaneously. The main idea is to train different abilities in the same week to avoid stagnation.
The classic template includes:
1. Max Effort Day: Work up to a 1-3 rep max on a main lift, changing the variation every 1-3 weeks.
2. Dynamic Effort Day: Focus on speed with submaximal weights, often using bands or chains.
3. Repetition Effort Day: Higher volume work for hypertrophy and muscle building.
Emphasis on Accessory Work
Westside famously prioritized “special exercises” to fix weak points. Louie believed you couldn’t just squat, bench, and deadlift more to get better at them. You had to target specific muscles and ranges of motion.
Common examples include:
* Box squats for posterior chain development.
* Floor presses for triceps and lockout strength.
* Good mornings for lower back and hamstrings.
* Pull-ups and rows for upper back balance.
Use of Accommodating Resistance
This was a game-changer. Bands and chains change the strength curve of a lift. The weight gets heavier at the top (where you’re stronger) and lighter at the bottom (where you’re often weaker). This trains acceleration throughout the entire movement.
Common Misconceptions About Westside
Let’s clear up a few errors people often make.
* “It’s only for geared lifters.” False. The principles apply to any strength sport. Many raw lifters use conjugate training with great success.
“You must change exercises every week.” Not exactly. You change the variation of the main movement (e.g., from a straight bar bench to a football bar bench) to avoid neural burnout, while accessory work can stay longer.
* “It’s too complicated for beginners.” It can be adapted. The core ideas of managing volume, intensity, and variation are useful for everyone, though a beginner might use simpler exercise rotations.
How to Apply Westside Principles Today
You don’t need an invitation to Columbus to use these ideas. Here’s a simple way to start.
1. Incorporate Variation
Stop doing the exact same squat, bench, and deadlift every week. Try a new variation every few weeks to challenge your body in a new way.
* Squat Variations: Box squat, safety bar squat, front squat.
* Bench Variations: Close-grip, incline, floor press.
* Deadlift Variations: Deficit pulls, rack pulls, snatch-grip.
2. Train for Speed
Add one dynamic day per lift. Use about 50-60% of your max and focus on moving the weight as fast as possible. Use 3-8 sets of 2-3 reps.
3. Identify and Attack Weak Points
Analyze your lifts. Do you miss bench presses off the chest or at lockout? Do you struggle at the bottom of your squat? Choose 2-3 accessory exercises each workout that directly target those weaknesses.
4. Manage Your Volume and Recovery
The conjugate system is demanding. You must listen to your body. If you’re feeling overly fatigued, you might need to reduce accessory volume or take an extra rest day. Auto-regulation is a key part of the method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Westside Barbell still open?
Yes, the original location in Columbus, Ohio, is still operating. It continues as a private training facility for a core group of lifters.
Can I visit Westside Barbell?
The gym has always been private and by invitation only. It is not open for public drop-ins or tours. This policy remains in place.
What is the conjugate method?
It’s a training system developed by Louie Simmons that rotates exercise variations frequently to continuously develop strength without plateauing. It combines max effort, dynamic effort, and repetition effort days.
Did Westside Barbell close down?
No, it did not close. The perception that it closed comes from its lower public profile after Louie Simmons’ passing and the shift in the powerlifting scene.
Where can I learn the Westside method?
A wealth of information is available through Louie’s published articles on sites like EliteFTS, archived videos on YouTube, and books by him and his athletes. Several coaches certified by Louie also offer online coaching.
Are Westside methods good for raw lifters?
Absolutely. The principles of variation, speed work, and weak-point training are universal. Many elite raw powerlifters use adapted versions of the conjugate system.
The story of Westside Barbell is one of evolution, not an ending. While the gym itself operates out of the limelight, the knowledge it generated is now fundamental to strength sports worldwide. Louie Simmons’ legacy isn’t confined to a single building in Columbus; it’s in the programming of athletes everywhere who understand the value of smart variation, relentless effort, and targeting weaknesses. So, when you ask what happened to Westside Barbell, the truest answer is that its ideas won, becoming so widespread that their origin point became just one part of a much bigger picture.