And that's what this gym is, a journey into hell... 

The wait is almost over! The long anticipated debut for the world’s strongest documentary ever to be produced is finally within reach! Directors Carlos Carvalho and Michael Fahey set out on a journey deemed impossible by many, to produce the strongest and most comprehensive film on strength ever assembled. After roughly three years of filming, they did just that! Carvalho and Fahey captured the up-close and personal story of the world’s strongest gym and the world’s greatest powerlifting coach of all time.

Westside Barbell is located in Columbus Ohio and is an “invite only” gym owned and operated by Louie Simmons. Referred by many as the Mecca of Powerlifting, Westside Barbell is responsible for breaking over 130 world-records and is the only gym in the world to have two over 2700 pound totals, in addition to five over 2800 pounds total and one who recorded the largest total of all time with 3005 pounds. There is not a day that goes by in which Louie doesn’t continually read, learn, experiment and test the boundaries of athletic performance and the human body. Although known primarily for powerlifting, Louie has achieved great success in other sports as well having been a strength consultant for three NFL teams, a strength consultant for multiple college teams and a strength coach for two Olympic sprinters, numerous combat fighters and a UFC heavyweight champion. In addition, Louie has authored four books and holds multiple patents on a number of essential strength training machines. It bears repeating that Louie’s success in powerlifting, his knowledge about strength training and the athletes he has produced, are comparable to no other coach and no other gym.

elitefts founder and CEO Dave Tate was a student of Louie’s and trained under his supervision at Westside Barbell for a decade. Without question, Dave became stronger, his lifts went up and his total soared. However, the biggest takeaways from Louie and Westside go beyond the lifts and beyond the total. In fact, as Dave states, it all starts in-between the ears.

Louie gave me the mental strength to push my body past my self-imposed limitations. He knew it from day one and just had to inspire, show and lead me to it. I may not become the best lifter in the world-but I’d certainly become the best I could be. More importantly, become better than anything I thought I could ever be.

The general public is under the impression that the Westside Barbell methods and teachings are designed solely as a means to strengthen an individual’s physical assets. Although that is obviously a big component of what Westside does, the lessons Louie instills in his athletes during their training are lessons they will take with them and continually implement on a routine basis in every aspect of their life for as long as they live. Dave summed it up best, “these are lessons in mental strength that have trickled down from training into my business, my family, and how I approach every day above ground. It’s made my life so much better, and I have Louie Simmons to thank for it. He taught me that it’s possible to be better than your best.”

Westside vs the World as of this moment is set to be screened in Columbus Ohio March 1, 2 and 3 at the Gateway Film Center and March 10 at PTC Perth Gym in Perth, Australia. More cities and dates will be announced within the coming weeks and months. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for local gyms (hardcore powerlifting, CrossFit or even group training) to bring Westside vs the World to their town and host a screening! Provided below you will find the contact information at the bottom of this article.

With the debut of Westside vs the World rapidly approaching, let's take a look back at some of Louie Simmon’s most memorable and inspirational quotes:

  • “A lifter must raise his mental and emotional limits, or he won’t raise his weights.”
  • “If you run with the lame, you will develop a limp."
  • “There are two types of people in this world, there are predators and there are prey."
  • “If you aren’t willing to die to do this, you shouldn’t do this.”
  • “Don’t have $100 shoes and a 10 cent squat.”
  • “When I go to war I go to kill, not to be killed.”
  • “Did you ever notice those who criticize the strong or the elite are usually weaker or less successful than those they pass judgment on? And those who are strong or elite in their respective sports rarely condemn those who are not as strong or as successful as they are.”
  • “You fuckin geeks who can’t even get your name on the board, keep your fuckin hands off it.”
  • “Please read."
  • “Big is not strong, strong is strong.”
  • “To win, you’ll have to put yourself through hell.”
  • “Just when your body has all the answers, you have to change the questions.”

To host a screening of Westside vs the World, email: screenings@westsidevstheworld.com

 

Official Website 

Instagram Page

YouTube Trailer

Facebook Page

 Resources

  1. Barry, Tom. “Staff.” Westside Barbell, westside-barbell.com/blogs/staff/meet-the-team.
  2. Carvalho, Carlos, and Michael Fahey. “‘Westside Vs The World’ Extended Red Band Trailer.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4abutGjK68.
  3. Tate, Dave. “The 10 Best Louie Simmons Quotes.” Elitefts, Elitefts, 19 Sept. 2017, www.elitefts.com/coaching-logs/the-10-best-louie-simmons-quotes/.
  4. Tate, Dave. “My Westside Barbell™ Experience.” Elitefts, T-Nation, 6 June 2011, www.elitefts.com/education/training/my-westside-barbell-experiance/.

Image Credit: Westside Barbell Documentary @westsidefilm