UNRACKED by BridgeAthletic
UNRACKED is where elite coaches get the mic.
Hosted by BridgeAthletic’s Cooper Napoli, this live conversation series brings you inside the training systems, methods, and philosophies that drive performance at the highest level. Each episode breaks down a specific approach with the coaches who've mastered it: how it's built, how it's applied, and how it holds up when the stakes are real.
No fluff. No theory. Just unfiltered, coach-to-coach insight from those who've earned their stripes in the trenches.
Whether you're a performance coach, athlete, or serious about training, this is where you learn how the best think, adapt, and solve problems. One method at a time.
Join the conversation live by following @BridgeAthletic on Instagram to catch monthly announcements and be part of the conversations as it happens.
UNRACKED by BridgeAthletic
Mastering the Conjugate Method with Tom Barry | Episode 1
Note: This episode is from a live recording of UNRACKED, having aired on May 28, 2025.
Tom Barry, CEO of Westside Barbell, joins Cooper Napoli to unpack the Conjugate Method and its real-world application across diverse training populations.
In this episode, he breaks down:
- How the Conjugate Method structures training through max effort, dynamic effort, and repetition methods to systematically develop strength
- Where it shows up in his context: from elite powerlifters to MMA fighters, ultra marathoners, and team sport athletes at Westside
- The adjustments he makes when working with athletes who have limited training availability (condensed 2-3 day schedules vs. the traditional 4-day split)
- His approach to exercise selection: rotating max effort lifts every 1-3 weeks to find and strengthen individual "grooves" while avoiding accommodation
Tom shares insights from over a decade under Louie Simmons' mentorship, explaining how Westside translates powerlifting principles into athlete development. The conversation gets tactical on wave loading, determining appropriate training intensities, and why increasing absolute strength raises the ceiling for all other physical qualities.
This is the Conjugate Method from someone who lives it every day.
Join us live for each episode. Follow @BridgeAthletic on Instagram to catch monthly announcements and be part of the conversation as it happens.
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