Inside Westside Barbell, Powerlifting's Most Exclusive and Controversial Gym 

This is actually incredibly wholesome, mostly troubled men who find comfort and satisfaction through lifting under a wise old man who has dedicated his life towards powerlifting.

Growing up, this is what I thought all gyms looked like.

vice always with the most out of touch reporter they can find.

Rest In Peace Louie. Your work will never be forgotten

My brain during this entire video: “Welcome to the salty spatoon, how tough are ya?”

At least they admit to their steroid use. Most powerlifters nowadays obviously use steroids but will deney it to the death

I like how they get breakfast together 4 times a week

As a small, bullied kid, I started going to the gym at 15. Becoming stronger than all of my friends and many adults boosted what I thought of myself. It also protected me. For those who have little, going to a place where you feel good about who you are and what you can do is a place of refuge. I never felt as good as I did emotionally than when I was as strong as a bull. Those around you treat you better, see you better. And you treat yourself better in many ways.

Welcome to the salty spitoon, how tough are ya?

This is like anti-planet fitness. Ideal.

People are mad that they are open with their drug testing instead of lying about it?

Rest In Peace, truly changed the landscape for strength training. It’s crazy to think we are so lucky to have all of the knowledge we do about strength training, if it weren’t for people like louie we would not be doing the things we do today.

Me walks in : So how do y’all feel about cardio

Eh, I'd rather have them lift weights than do crime.

“To be honest we’d never let you in here.” Haha, ouch!

Rest In Peace, Louie. Your efforts won’t be forgotten

You can say what you want about Louie Simmons but about 20 years ago a called WestSide from Pittsburgh just to ask Louie a couple of question's and he had me on the phone for like 45 min and was very nice to me and helpful. I had just started to Powerlift and was a older guy. Nothing but love for the man.

Westside gives them: 1) [Community] A group of friends that loves and helps them to succeed in what they care about. 2) [Competence] The ultimate chance to master the passion that matters most to them. 3) [Autonomy] The feeling of freedom to do exactly what they want - to lift like no other. Of course they're addicted to that gym - to them it fulfills all three requirements for human happiness!

My testosterone levels doubled just watching this

Visiting Westside as a 16 year old powerlifter was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I got to have a 10ish minute conversation with him about powerlifting and training

I mean they lift heavy ass weights and take steroids to get big, strong and break records. People around the world do worse stuff and never get judged

It's not against the rules to take drugs its against the rules if you get caught -TJ Dillashaw

The only difference between these guys and all the other competitors is that they’re upfront with what they’re doing/using. Honesty has become taboo in our society.

lifting is a really special sport. i go to a gym that’s home to a bunch of elite lifters, and contrary to the stereotypes they’re all incredibly helpful and thoughtful. i can’t even deadlift my bodyweight (yet) and i get treated with respect, kindness, and encouragement. like they said in this video, it’s such a mental sport and the “meathead” stereotype isn’t really true.

The bench press dude has the shortest arms I've ever seen lol

I'll pay anyone 500 bucks to go to that gym and erase that board. That is, if you make it out alive.

"it's great for lateral movement, I can really feel it strengthening my feet...."

903 bench press…. Drugs or not, that is fucking impressive.

Notice how these men don’t judge. Mind their business and do what they do best. More respect to them ✊

I think a lot of guys who watched this video can’t comprehend the mindset of guys who compete out of this gym. Most of these guys Louie takes under his wing either fell on hard times or are avoiding rock bottom. Louie builds them up and gives them something to strive for. Powerlifting gives them an outlet for misplaced aggression or the stress of life and allows them to focus on staying straight. David Goggins another inspirational athlete and former NAVY SEAL stated, “Suffering breeds character. You cannot feel extreme highs without extreme lows”. So all of the grueling workout sessions and strained muscles aren’t just for the hell of it. Just like the world record bencher stated in his interview. He feels his best and most motivated when he’s so beat up he can barely make it to the bathroom. They don’t care about how they look or how they feel, it’s about putting themselves through pain with fellow men with the same mindset, very similar to military training. One of Louie’s prodigies Matt Wenning actually revamped special forces training and improved recovery and resistance to injury for the 75th ranger regiment. When you see the comments on this video where dudes are like “Lol look how beat up and unattractive these guys are; I’m glad I just train to look good!” Or “Wow these guys are just a bunch of juice monkeys”. Those dudes are most likely soft as shit and can’t comprehend pushing the body and mind past a place of comfort and into the void. Mad respect to the guys who put up with hardship and try to push past it. If you think it’s easy or can’t see the benefit of it, try pushing yourself out of the comfort zone and see how it feels. Maybe you’ll enjoy it or maybe it breaks you. You’ll never know until you try.

That day when Louie passes, powerlifting will forever lose a *titan* among men. Respect for him taking troubled men under his wing and giving them new direction and purpose.

RIP to the legend, Louie Simmons.

Awesome see you guys feature Louie and westside. Powerlifting is a niche sport with a culture not many get to see in pop media.

I first watched this about two years ago before I had started lifting; I thought these guys were crazy. After two years of being in love with lifting it just makes sense now.

I like the bald T-Rex little arms guy.

Imagine being in jail and getting out, thinking your life is out of direction, and finding refuge, dedicating your life to reaching your peak physical strength under a wise old man who does it FOR FREE, I love it

“We’d never let a guy like you in here, nothing personal.” Reporter: takes it personal.

Not a neck between them.

'i feel it really strengthening my feet'

62 years old and I guess I got a late start. This is inspiring stuff, I’ll never get as strong as these dudes but I’m gonna try.

“I feel it really strengthening my feet” I know louie facepalmed inside at that

That one dude who broke the bench press record has the craziest looking body I’ve ever seen

I love the 'eat together, stay together' embodiment/spirit instilled by him in that he brings his soldiers to the diner to have breakfast together four times a week. That's an awesome community vibe right there. You can build such loyalty by making gestures like that. Chapeau.

I just found out about Louie's death... Thanks to this man opening up about his low self-esteem issues at the beginning, even if it was mentioned for a few seconds, it helped motivate me to be consistent with working out... I'm 5 months in, monday to friday. By the time I was born in 2000, this man was lifting for decades, but I wish I could've thanked him. RIP The Last Samurai of Weightlifting.

I mean in all honesty, even if you’re on steroids, you still gotta do all the work. The steroids just help you be able to put in better work, more often but you still gotta actually put in the work

I wish I heard a *YEAHHHH BUDDDDAAAYYYYY* at the end.

It’s amazing the mentality that they have. They love lifting and found people to share their passion with. I would never do something so destructive to my body but I definitely have respect for the hard work these people put into lifting.

This place is the exact opposite of Planet Fitness lmao

Something tells me that these guys ain't vegan or practice yoga

"If you think its the drugs? Ill tell you ehat i take, and you can try it" Honestly fair, bro is confident in himself

7:22 over 400KG! That's fucking insane!

It’s all about the passion and love for the sport. For a lot of weightlifters, the iron has saved their lives.

Glad to see Vice post a positive video about masculinity.

7:15 hits different now… R.I.P Louie Simmons

Simply put this guy is a master of his craft. I'm not a powerlifter but much respect to this gym. Keep at it

Louie is the king! I bought his tapes and started the Westside program and hit PRs within 6 months. PR at 46 years old when the so-called experts said I was past my prime. Proof of the system is in the totals!

Seems counterproductive to lift weights to the point where you wake up disabled

Started lifting 1+- years ago and watch this video, got me into powerlifting right from the start. A legend will always be remembered. RIP Louie.

Lot of things left out for the newbie about Powerlifting: 1. Different PL Federations exist, what is a world record or national title in one doesn't mean nothing for a different PL Federation. 2. Louie is not sought out by all Elite or Avg. Powerlifters, nor do they use his training methodolgy. 3. Raw vs. Equipped... I will let you google that one; Louie trains equipped. 4. Certain PL Feds have different standards of lifting, different equipment, more stringent drug testing, etc... it's not all homogenous. 5. The peak of Louie/Westside Barbell ended with the emergence of Raw Lifting starting ten years ago; his style is a dying breed and his gym is only the strongest compared to what PL Federation they lift in; to say Westside Barbell is the strongest of all PL gyms/clubs is a misnomer as PL is not all on par w/ each other.

My respect goes out to these dudes. Lifting has always made me feel closer to others and myself. I might not agree with Louie’s methods, but the love he gives his squad is 100000% genuine.

"We're kicking the shit out of our selves just because we love it". I couldnt stop my self from smiling because you do love it; you love the pain, the will,and mentality,and daily grind thinking to yourself "I'm going to improve from yesterday today".

Louie to the interviewer: "you have to have a certain body type to get in here, we would never let you in here" Savage lol

400 LB power lifter leaning on a Prius in the gym parking lot.

My dad broke the Arnold classic in 98 in bench 650 pounds and Westside Barbell was where he trained

I wish my gym had metal plates. The feeling of metal and the sound it makes gives the gym character

A mere weakling mortal like myself was fortunate enough to attend a seminar at Westside with Louie as well as Glenn Pendlay. Louie is a genuinely kind person, along side with his don’t-fuck-around-give-it-to-ya-straight attitude. It was quite the experience.

"To be honest with you, we won't let you in" DAMN. he can go the planet fitness

I actually watched this video a couple of months ago and was amazed, watching this again just to find out in the comments that Louie Simmons died 24th of March! He will always remain a legend of powerlifting.

RU-vid stop, I've seen this video 4 times already, stop recommending it!

I have to crawl to the bathtub in the morning because I can't stand up straight. That's when you know what you're made of. Lol

Rest In Peace Louie. You taught me what I know.

Just started powerlifting, my deadlift is 75

When im old i want other ppl to say about me : That old mtherfker knows all sorta things

They are like a strange order of monks

They made sure to get the manliest VICE reporter they had in the office to do this report

I love that places like this exist

“It’s not against the rule to take drugs... it’s against the rules to get caught” I don’t think this guy understands how rules work

So many broken souls. I respect their work ethic though. Brutal.

RIP man

Benching 400kg+ is insane.. I cracked 100kg for the first time other day and felt great... I watched this video and cried inside.. hahaha

what the fuck i think i'll stick to weenie hut jr

I love the spirit in this gym and that everyone knows each other and be buddys. That's great 😎👍🏻

“Why is this gym not out west or anywhere else?” Yeah as soon as I heard that I knew he was completely out of touch with powerlifting.

i drove from CT to AZ last year and stopped in Ohio for sleep. The next morning I went to an iHOP for breakfast and there was this huge gang of people wearing WESTSIDE BARBELL gear...I'll never forget the logo.....it's cool to find out about their methods and gym after the fact.

I started in a gym a lot like this. Chalk on the floor. Torn carpets. Writing on the walls. Missing ceiling tiles. Mismatched plates. I miss it.

I feel like most people who see this just don’t get it. As someone who started lifting weights at 14 and wanting to be as strong as possible I admire how intense their training is. Louie revolutionized lifting with the conjugate method. I wish I had all that cool unique equipment but these guys deserve it. I’m glad so many people can go to gyms and at least get a taste of what working out can do for your mindset and wellbeing. I feel like lifting has saved my life more than once.

I have to admire their honesty, grit and community spirit.

The incredible naivety of the presenter. That dude most definitely believes professional and olympic athletes are clean.

That bearded guy with the big tunnels seems like one of the nicest people ever honestly.

Great stuff VICE. Was just thinking how I wish we had more swole episodes

People online are trolls. Steroids aid in recovery time, you still have to put a tremendous amount of work, and have a great amount of dedication and discipline.

theres something to be said about the comraderie that things like this builds, if you have that you are less likely to do bad things epmhasis on less, comraderie is under valued in society today, just being with people you like and enduring the hardship of intense training together is one of the most beautiful things in this life one can experience

Short powerlifters look like mini-fridge

The only difference is they admit to being on juice whereas "real" athletes lie

R.I.P. Your knowledge and work will never be forgotten. LETS GO WESTSIDE!

That guy who said if you want to smoke cocaine on the platform. Wow, that’s a real mofo. Lift it or don’t. Period

They get judged for drug use? Haha, you won't meet record breaking power lifter who doesn't do drugs, you won't meet a pro body builder that isn't on drugs. Guys, EVERYONE IS ON JUICE.

I compete in Drug free (WDFPF) but have total respect to the guys at IPA etc. They train hard, chemical additives just means you can recover quicker, train harder.. their workouts will destroy a drug free (due to recovery). Good vid. Some big dudes there.

RIP Louie - a true legend of the sport

Lol always gotta dude who been to prison for “everything” and nothing at the same time