In Honor of Louie Simmons — The Godfather of Strength.

This year’s Underground Strength Carnival is proudly dedicated to the late, great Louie Simmons — founder of Westside Barbell, widely regarded as the strongest gym in the world.

Louie wasn’t just a coach. He was a revolutionary.

A mad scientist of the iron game who changed the landscape of strength forever.

Through decades of relentless experimentation, Louie further developed the Conjugate Method — a training system that redefined how athletes across powerlifting, football, track & field, MMA, and countless other sports train for strength, speed, and explosive power. His gym in Columbus, Ohio became a proving ground — a brutal, legendary laboratory where elite lifters were forged, and world records were shattered.

Louie’s influence can be seen in every weight room that values discipline, innovation, and raw intensity. He mentored hundreds of world-class athletes, from powerlifters who moved unimaginable weight to coaches who now lead at the highest levels of sport and performance.

He taught us that strength isn’t just physical — it’s a mindset, a lifestyle, and a lifelong pursuit.

Today, we lift in his honor — to pay tribute to the man who gave his life to the barbell, and whose legacy will forever live on in every gym that dares to chase greatness.

“Weak things break.” — Louie Simmons

Rest in Power, Louie.