IGX

Freakin' Awesome!

This DVD was insane. Seeing how Chuck lifts and the weights he handles in training is truely impressive, not to mention the fact he is the lightest lifter to squat over a grand (1025 @ 220lbs) [yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, he lifts in the WPO so he is guilty of early weigh-ins, 2-ply canvas suits and briefs, monolifts, I mean SURELY we all could out total Chuck if we had all of those advantages, right? gimme a break, this guy is amazing!]

The DVD goes through the following "Chapters":

-Chuck's warm up: on the video he starts with 3-4 sets of chest supported rows, then hits pulldowns for about 4 sets or so, then a standing bent over pulldown for another 3-4 sets. After this "warm up" he hits the reverse hyper and some abs. For most of us mortals this would be a workout in and of itself.

-Dynamic Day: in typical Westside fashion 8-10 doubles in a 50-60% pendulum wave, bands, chains and all that good stuff. After the main lift: 45 degree hypers with a band over his neck holding a 100lb medicine ball, reverse hypers (roller hyper and strap), abs. He seems to begin and end his workout with the same exercises.

-Max Effort day: typical Westside fashion working up to a heavy single in a variation of the Squat or Deadlift. Warm up and finishing exercises are similar to all the other days, GHR's, 45's, reverse hypers, band leg curls, abs, etc. (Louie mentions that Chuck does some extra ab/hamstring work as an extra workout later in the day as well. Another GPP note, in Jim Wendler's interview with Chuck on EFS, Chuck mentions that he doesn't do sled work.)

-Circa Max workouts as the meet approaches: this is where his training breaks the typical WSB template a bit as he takes out the heavy stuff on ME day to really push it on Circa Max days. In the circa max phases you are using a bar weight of about 47% 51% and 53% (or so) with about another 40% or so of band tension (this builds up over the 3-week period), then the deload to the meet happens and your reduce band tension and finish the cycle with chains as you go into the meet (3-weeks). The total load on the bar for Chuck (straight weight + bands/chains) is in the mid-high 900's. After getting stapled with a lift Louie recommends he doesn't take, Chuck slaps another 50lbs on the bar and smokes it. Then he moves to heavy rack pulls setting a PR of 1035 from just below the knee (oh wait, he was using lifting straps, we all know he would ONLY pull half that without them; yeah right IMO gear has its place in training and Chuck proves it). On his max effort workouts while going through the Circa max phase, he drops the main lift because he goes so heavy on the Circa Max day (*note here-Louie claims if you aren't squatting 3-3 1/2 times your BW you should not be doing Circa Max work.)

-In between these various chapters, Chuck discusses various aspects of squatting technique, different gear uses (how technique changes if you wear canvas vs. poly), and considerations for beginners vs. advanced lifters.

-The video ends with Chuck lifting at the 04' Arnold - Squat was 990 and Dead was 814!

Some notes:
-This video backs up the statement Dave Tate made about Chuck "Unless you are Chuck, don't do what Chuck does!"

-Westside Barbell's Training is NOT a set template and there is no real "Westside Method" as they are always trying new things and experimenting. To me the WSB system is using Max Effort and SPeed work for the main lifts, then adding in the things YOU need to improve them, and this is different for everyone. Joe Kenn says "You only train Westside if you train AT Westside."

-Westside is NOT chains and bands and circa max, etc. All this stuff came later. Chuck believes beginners should focus on straight weight only and get strong with this, before adding chains and bands into the mix.

-Chuck has a work capacity that most don't possess in the gym, in the video it shows him training box squats with John Stafford and Chuck is pacing and chomping at the bit ready to do his next set while John is still setting up for his!

-Regarding gear Chuck starts in groove briefs, then about 5 weeks out from the meet or so he starts by adding a poly suit, then adding stronger gear as the training approaches the meet.

This video is definitely worth checking out if you want a look inside Chuck's world. If you don't care to find out about how he trains and just want to learn more about WSB's training, you are better off just sticking with Louie's videos. The production is ok, but like some of the other WSB videos the volume goes in and out a bit (mostly when Chuck and Louie are standing outside making the closing comments about the video, the wind is blowing into the mic and makes it kind of hard to hear). Other than that, the video is great and there is no problem getting the info the video is trying to deliver.

In short, if you want to see a badass video with one of the greatest, most insane PL'ers competing today, this video is for you. Check it out!

Just my $0.02,

Scott

Good review - I'll watch the video (particularly the Arnold coverage) if I feel like I'm slacking in my training and I need a kick in the ass.