Westside vs the World

This is a wonderful and inspiring documentary about Westside Barbell, it's founder Louie Simmons and the contributions he and others have made to the sport.

For people unfamiliar with the sport of powerlifting, this documentary will give them an excellent introduction to various training methods, equipment, and individuals who have shaped and contributed to the sport as well as it's future direction.

In addition to Ron Perlman's excellent narrating, there are excellent animations that add to the story.

This documentary not only takes you into the minds of elite athletes but also into the mind of Louie Simmons, a self actualized, eccentric innovator whose inventions and contributions to powerlifting are now having a powerful impact in many other sports as well.

This film is a must see for not only powerlifting aficionados but anyone who wants to learn more about sports and to be inspired.

The day after watching this film my training partner was unavailable, so I equalled an old PB on the bench with no spotter. After watching what these guys put themselves through I couldn't quit. There's an interesting examination of the motivation these people have. They're as nuts as any elite athletes, and inspirational for how determined they are. One possible oversight is the lack of mention of performance enhancing drugs, but that topic can't be covered at the same time as a look at the inside of things.

The entire film shot back and forth between a lone interview with a person, to old clips. There's was this constant drone of music that was set to 75% volume while the people being interviewed got only 25% volume. This made it damn near impossible to finish, I even had to add subtitles to it, but it was still terrible. Ruined your own movie in post, fellas.

This documentary gives the viewer a glimpse into powerlifting history, method, and mentality. The lead is Louis Simmons, founder and innovator.

Louis Simmons pioneered the techniques of powerlifting used today. It gives insight into the sport but also gives you a sense of the huge heart Louis Simmons has.

If you're into strength sports this is for you. It will give you back the motivation you may have lost. It will make you re-dedicate yourself to the gym to be a better you.

Enjoy.

Fantastic powerlifting movie detailing the rise, influence and decline of Westside Barbell and its founder Louie Simmonds.

This movie details a world beating gym and its founder Louie Simmonds. The origin of the gym, the lifters it produced, and its successes and ultimate demise within the sport. It's release a few years before Simmonds death was fortunate in that it was honest and respectful. A more detailed and critical version may not have been so kind, but that's a small price for a unique and incredibly inspirational movie about this sport. It has flaws but for anyone with an interest in the sport it's essential viewing.