Conjugate method: Meaning and How to Program It

Conjugate method

Definition

The Westside Barbell system of training maximal, dynamic and repetition effort in the same week, rotating the main exercise every one to three weeks.

Four sessions a week: max-effort lower, max-effort upper, dynamic-effort lower, dynamic-effort upper. Max-effort days work up to a heavy single or triple on a variation of the competition lift. Dynamic days move 50 to 60 percent as fast as possible, typically 8 to 12 sets of 2 or 3 with short rest.

The rotation is the defining feature: the max-effort exercise changes every one to three weeks (box squat, good morning, rack pull, pin press) so the lifter can train heavy year-round without the same lift accumulating fatigue. Accessory work is chosen to attack whichever weak point the last few weeks exposed.

It suits advanced strength athletes with a coach watching. For general clients the constant variation makes progress hard to see and technique hard to build.

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