Westside Barbell

Joe "Big House" Kenn coached strength in the NFL for nearly a decade. He sits down with Tom Barry for four decades of lessons.

From a guard at Wake Forest to leading strength programs at Boise State, Utah, Arizona State, and Louisville, Joe Kenn has built one of the most decorated coaching careers in the NSCA. He created the Tier System, served as head strength and conditioning coach for the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2019, and is the only coach to have won both the NSCA Collegiate Strength Coach of the Year and the NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. He now runs Big House Power and works with elite strongman athletes including Brian Shaw and Tom Evans.

In this episode, Joe and Tom dig into how strong is strong enough at the highest levels, how NIL and the transfer portal have rewired strength coaching, how Joe interpreted Louie Simmons rather than copying him, practice-based evidence vs evidence-based practice, why he stopped programming power cleans for three years at Arizona State, peak velocity over average velocity, and why the strength coach often has to be the sacrificial lamb in a team sport setting.

TOPICS COVERED
00:00 What the public misunderstands about strength at the top level
05:35 Joe's background: Wake Forest to the Carolina Panthers
10:41 How NIL and the transfer portal changed strength coaching
28:58 No absolutes, and how Joe interpreted Louie Simmons
32:00 Dynamic effort, compensatory acceleration, and peak velocity
36:00 When three quarters of the NFL trained one set to failure
41:00 Lineage, principles, and "absorb, modify, apply"
49:00 The apprenticeship problem: 32,000 grads, 14,000 jobs
1:13:00 Why Joe stopped programming power cleans for three years
1:30:00 Why the strength coach has to be the sacrificial lamb
1:36:00 What Louie Simmons actually contributed to Joe's tier system

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CONNECT WITH JOE KENN
Instagram: @bighousepower
Website: https://bighousepower.com/

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Facebook: @westsidebarbellofficial
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CLMS
Conjugate Tactical
The Conjugate Club

In this episode of the Westside Barbell podcast, hosts Tom Barry and Burley Hawk discuss the importance of transitioning from hard work to smart training methods for athletes. They explore the differences between athletes with seasonal structures and those without, emphasizing the need for tailored training approaches. The conversation also delves into understanding athlete personalities, particularly the dynamics between introverted and extroverted athletes, and how these traits can influence training effectiveness. Finally, they address the critical balance between culture and method in training, arguing that a strong methodology is essential to harness the intensity and chaos of athletic training effectively.

Takeaways:

- Culture without a method is a trap.
- Athletes without a season must train year-round.
- Understanding athlete personalities is crucial for training.
- Introverts prefer methodical setups, extroverts thrive on chaos.
- Training should be tailored to the athlete's needs.
- Maximal effort training should be controlled to prevent overtraining.
- Communication with athletes is key to effective training.
- The conjugate method provides a structured approach to training.
- Culture must be supported by a solid training method.
- Athletes need a balance of intensity and recovery.

Connect with Westside Barbell:
Website: westside-barbell.com
Instagram:  @WestsideBarbellOfficial  

 

Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces

Chapters

00:00 From Hard Work to Smart Training
01:18 Seasoned vs. Non-Seasoned Athletes
10:31 Understanding Athlete Personalities
15:45 Culture vs. Method in Training

In today’s episode of the podcast, Tom and Burley answer your questions on various aspects of strength training. Topics discussed include dynamic effort training, max effort training frequency, the importance of strength in grappling, and the common misconceptions surrounding the conjugate method. 

00:00 Intro
00:29 Dynamic Effort For Raw Lifters
02:04 What Does A Training Week Look Like
03:04 Posture & Plyo Day
04:42 Do You Need To Max Out Every Week
06:38 Strength's Role In Grappling
09:32 Conjugate Is Outdated?
14:33 Exercise Rotation
19:04 Conjugate For Beginners?
23:46 Do You Need To PR?
27:58 Exercise Variation
32:35 Combined Dynamic Effort Day
37:28 Accessory Work
39:29 Rest Periods
43:39 Box Squats & Speed Pulls
44:54 How to Choose Exercises
50:10 Critisms Of Westside
55:32 How To Start Conjugate
57:50 Injury Rate

 

Connect with Westside Barbell:
Website: westside-barbell.com
Instagram:  @WestsideBarbellOfficial  

 

Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces

Download The Conjugate Method: Introduction to Bench Press Training (E‑Book) here

Tom & Burley delve into the intricacies of bench pressing, focusing on the methods employed at Westside Barbell. It covers the max effort, dynamic effort, and repeated effort training methods, emphasizing the importance of technique, safety, and the role of various training parameters. The hosts also address common questions regarding bench pressing, including the significance of leg drive, the rotation of accessory exercises, and the differences between raw and geared bench training.

Takeaways:

The intent of max effort days is to increase strength.

Max effort training focuses on absolute strength development.

Dynamic effort training enhances rate of force development.

Safety in max effort training is crucial to prevent injuries.

Leg drive is often overstated in its importance for bench pressing.

Accessory exercises should be rotated every three weeks for optimal results.

Velocity standards are essential in dynamic effort training.

Repeated effort methods focus on building work capacity and hypertrophy.

The volume and intensity differ significantly between max and dynamic effort days.

Understanding the differences between raw and geared bench training is important. 

Connect with Westside Barbell:
Website: westside-barbell.com
Instagram:  @WestsideBarbellOfficial  

 

Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces

In this episode of the Westside Barbell podcast, Tom & Burley delve into the Repeated Effort Method, emphasizing its significance in strength training and hypertrophy. They discuss the importance of accessory work, execution, and intent in training, as well as the role of equipment. The conversation also covers the distinction between primary and secondary accessory movements, how to adjust training based on fatigue, and the benefits of repeated effort training. The hosts provide insights on building competency in training and transitioning to dynamic effort training, concluding with troubleshooting tips and resources for further learning.

Takeaways

- The repeated effort method focuses on lifting non-maximal loads to failure.
- Accessory work constitutes 80% of training volume, crucial for strength development.
- Proper execution and intent are vital for effective training.
- Using equipment like straps and belts can enhance performance if used correctly.
- Primary accessory movements target specific weaknesses and are higher intensity.
- Secondary accessory exercises focus on hypertrophy and work capacity.
- Adjust training based on fatigue and time constraints to maintain effectiveness.
- Building competency in exercises is essential for beginners.
- Transitioning to dynamic effort training should be gradual and based on competency.
- Repeated effort training offers flexibility and adaptability in training programs.

Connect with Westside Barbell:
Website: westside-barbell.com
Instagram:  @WestsideBarbellOfficial  

 

Studio Sponsor: Dollamur Sport Surfaces