The Dynamic Effort Method | The Ultimate Guide!

Are you curious about the dynamic effort method?

Do you wonder how to use “speed sets” to get freaky strong?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, I will show you how to use the dynamic effort method to take your training to the next level!

Introduction

Part 1: The Westside Barbell Training Program
Part 2: The Josh Bryant Powerlifting Program
Part 3: The Dynamic Effort Method For Strongman

The dynamic effort method is one of the most popular powerlifting training methods in the world.

It was originally popularized by Louie Simmons and the Westside Barbell powerlifting team in the 1980s.

Today many of the world’s strongest athletes including World’s Strongest Man winners Brian Shaw and Eddie Hall use this training method to take their training to the next level!

So what is the dynamic effort method, and why does it work so well for building maximal strength?

The dynamic effort method is an advanced training method where you lift lighter weights as explosively as possible. A powerlifter might train the squat, bench press or deadlift with 8-10 sets of 1-3 reps using 60% of their 1-rep max.

Here is Jonathon Irizarry demonstrating the dynamic effort bench press. Check it out:

Talk about an explosive set! This is what the dynamic effort bench press is all about: exploding weights right off of your chest and driving them all the way to lockout!

When you lift explosively and really accelerate the bar all the way to lockout you teach your body to produce as much force as possible and to recruit the fast-twitch muscle fibers.

Just take a look at the following equation:

“Force = Mass x Acceleration”

You can produce maximum force by lifting a heavy weight. However, you can also produce maximum force by lifting a slightly lighter weight as quickly as possible.

The dynamic effort method should not be used as a stand-alone training method.

If you want to get as strong as possible then you still have to train with heavy weights. However, the dynamic effort method works awesome when used as part of a well-rounded training program.

There are at least 4 major advantages to using the dynamic effort method in your training program:

Advantage #1: It improves your maximal strength
Advantage #2: It improves your rate of force development
Advantage #3: It improves your powerlifting technique
Advantage #4: It is less taxing on your body than heavy sets

Talk about a powerful training method!

In this comprehensive guide I will teach you how some of the world’s strongest athletes including Louie Simmons, Josh Bryant, Brian Shaw and Eddie Hall use the dynamic effort method in their training programs.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this cutting-edge information!

Note: if you have any trouble reading the routines presented here then check out this article on how to read a training program. Now let’s get down to business…

Part 1: The Westside Barbell Training Program

The Westside Barbell training program is one of the most popular powerlifting programs in the world. It was developed by the powerlifting coach Louie Simmons in the 1970s.

Louie Simmons believes that the best way to organize your training is to train the squat, bench press and deadlift twice per week.

Louie believes you should perform your heavy sets and your dynamic effort sets on separate training days for optimal results.

Here is the Westside Barbell training schedule:

Sunday: Dynamic Effort Bench Press
Monday: Max Effort Squat / Deadlift
Wednesday: Max Effort Bench Press
Friday: Dynamic Effort Squat / Deadlift

The Westside Barbell program uses a 4 day upper / lower split. The max effort workouts are the “heavy” workouts where you work up to a 1-rep max on some type of special exercise.

The dynamic effort workouts are the total opposite: you perform up to 10-12 speed sets using around 60% of your 1-rep max.

Louie Simmons calls this “wave periodization” because the training intensity varies from one workout to the next.

This prevents your body from accommodating to any one training stimulus and helps you to make progress year-round.

On the dynamic effort training days you perform your speed sets first followed by several accessory exercises for the supporting muscle groups.

Here are some guidelines for the sets and reps on your dynamic effort days:

Dynamic effort method guidelines

Bench press: 8-10 sets of 3 reps @ 50-70% of your 1-rep max
Squat: 6-8 sets of 2 reps @ 50-70% of your 1-rep max
Deadlift: 4-6 sets of 1 rep @ 50-70% of your 1-rep max

It is very important that you stick to these set and rep schemes when using the Westside Barbell training program.

Louie Simmons believes these loading parameters are optimal after experimenting with his world-class athletes for decades.

Here is a great video of the Westside Barbell powerlifting club performing dynamic effort squats and deadlifts. Check it out:

As you can see every set is performed as explosively as possible. The bar is practically flying off their back in the squat or out of their hands in the deadlift!

Louie believes that you should use a 3-week wave for your dynamic effort sets. For example:

Dynamic Effort Wave With “Straight Weight”

Week 1: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 60% of your 1-rep max
Week 2: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 65% of your 1-rep max
Week 3: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 70% of your 1-rep max

Dynamic Effort Wave With Chains

Week 1: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 55% of your 1-rep max
Week 2: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 60% of your 1-rep max
Week 3: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 65% of your 1-rep max

Dynamic Effort Wave With Bands

Week 1: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 50% of your 1-rep max
Week 2: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 55% of your 1-rep max
Week 3: 10 sets of 3 reps @ 60% of your 1-rep max

The Westside Barbell powerlifting club almost always uses bands or chains for their dynamic effort workouts. Sometimes they use bands AND chains on the bar at the same time!

Bands and chains are not required but every Westside Barbell powerlifter believes they are an extremely important training tool.

Now let’s look at some sample Westside Barbell dynamic effort workouts. Here is a basic template for the dynamic effort bench press day:

Dynamic Effort Bench Press Template

Part 1: Dynamic effort bench press
Part 2: Bench press supplementary exercise
Part 3: Tricep accessory exercises
Part 4: Upper back accessory exercises
Part 5: Shoulder accessory exercise

The dynamic effort bench press is the most important part of this training day. It is performed first before anything else.

Then you move onto accessory exercises for the most important bench pressing muscle groups such as the triceps, shoulders and upper back. Some of Louie Simmons’ favorite bench press accessory exercises include dumbbell presses, triceps extensions, lat pulldowns and rows.

Here is a sample Westside Barbell dynamic effort bench press workout that you may want to try. Check it out:

Sample Dynamic Effort Bench Press Workout

Exercise A1: Floor press with chains (competition grip), 10 sets of 3 reps
Exercise B1: Incline DB press, 2 sets of 12-15 reps
Exercise C1: Rolling DB extension, 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
Exercise C2: Standing band pushdown, 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
Exercise D1: Standing cable face pull, 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
Exercise E1: Standing DB hammer curls, 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps

Here is the training video for this workout:

For this workout the Westside Barbell team decided to use the floor press with chains rather than the regular bench press.

This is probably not something a beginner should do. However, for an advanced powerlifter it can be a great way to mix things up.

Now let’s look at Westside’s dynamic effort squat / deadlift training day. Here is a basic template for this workout:

Dynamic Effort Squat / Deadlift Template

Part 1: Dynamic effort squat
Part 2: Dynamic effort deadlift
Part 3: Lower body accessory exercises

The dynamic effort squat and deadlift are performed first in this routine. Louie Simmons likes his athletes to perform 6-8 sets of speed squats and 4-6 sets of speed deadlifts.

Sometimes Louie has his athletes perform rack pulls against bands instead of the speed deadlifts but that is a story for another time.

After the speed sets Louie has his athletes perform 2-4 assistance exercises for the lower body. Some of Louie’s favorite assistance exercises include glute-ham raises, reverse hyperextensions, belt squats, sled drags and different types of direct ab work.

Here is a sample Westside Barbell dynamic effort squat / deadlift workout that you may want to try. Check it out:

Dynamic Effort Squat / Deadlift Workout

Exercise A1: Speed box squat with bands and chains (wide stance), 8 sets of 2 reps
Exercise B1: Speed deadlift with bands, 6 sets of 1 rep
Exercise C1: Reverse hyperextension, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps
Exercise D1: Glute ham raise (hold DB at chest), 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps

Here is the training video:

For this workout the Westside crew used a combination of chains and bands for the dynamic effort squats. This is a great way for an advanced powerlifter to use the dynamic effort method to continue making gains after they get used to bands or chains on their own.

As you can see bands and chains are practically a must-have for anyone using the Westside Barbell powerlifting program. Do what Louie Simmons tells you and get yourself some bands and chains today!

The bottom line is the Westside Barbell program takes full advantage of the dynamic effort method.

Louie believes that you should train your heavy sets and your speed sets on separate training days for optimal results.

Of course it is not the only way to use the dynamic effort method…

Part 2: The Josh Bryant Powerlifting Program

Josh Bryant was a world-class powerlifter and the youngest man in the world to bench press 600 pounds.

Today he is one of the world’s best powerlifting coaches. He has worked with some of the strongest athletes in the world including the world’s strongest bench presser Julius Maddox.

Josh uses the dynamic effort method with all of his powerlifting clients. However, the way he uses the dynamic effort method is completely different from how Louie Simmons uses it.

Josh likes his powerlifters to perform their heavy sets AND their speed sets on the same training day!

Here is a basic template for Josh’s powerlifting workouts:

Josh Bryant Powerlifting Workout Template

Part 1: Heavy Sets
Part 2: Dynamic Effort Sets
Part 3: Supplementary Exercises
Part 4: Accessory Exercises

As you can see Josh has his clients perform their dynamic effort sets right after their heavy sets.

Josh loves the dynamic effort method because it is extremely effective for maximizing force production and building maximal strength on the squat, bench press and deadlift.

However, it is FAR less taxing on your body than heavy sets performed in the 1-3 rep range. This means you can perform a high volume of work without overtraining your central nervous system.

Here are the loading parameters for Josh’s speed sets:

Josh Bryant Dynamic Effort Method Loading Parameters

Squat: 3-10 sets of 2-4 reps @ 60-90% of your 1-rep max
Bench: 3-10 sets of 2-4 reps @ 60-90% of your 1-rep max
Deadlift: 3-10 sets of 2-4 reps @ 60-90% of your 1-rep max

Josh has his powerlifting clients perform anywhere from 3-10 sets of 2-4 reps for their dynamic effort sets. This all depends on how far out they are from their next competition.

As a general rule of thumb Josh likes his athletes to perform 12-week peaking cycles to get ready for their powerlifting competitions. They slowly handle heavier and heavier weights over the course of the 12 weeks until their strength is peaked on the day of their competition.

Here is how Josh likes to periodize his speed sets on the squat, bench press and deadlift:

Josh Bryant Speed Sets Periodization

Month #1: 6-10 sets of 3-4 reps @ 60-70% of your 1-rep max
Month #2: 4-8 sets of 3 reps @ 70-80% of your 1-rep max
Month #3: 2-6 sets of 2 reps @ 80-90% of your 1-rep max

Josh has his clients perform more sets and reps at the start of their peaking cycle. As they get closer to their competition they perform fewer sets and reps at a higher percentage of their 1-rep max.

I know this can be confusing so let’s take a look at a full 13-week peaking cycle. This is one example of how Josh Bryant might program the speed sets to make you as strong as possible on the day of your competition. Check it out:

Month #1 Speed Sets

Week 1: 6 sets of 4 reps @ 65% of your 1-rep max
Week 2: 8 sets of 4 reps @ 65% of your 1-rep max
Week 3: 10 sets of 4 reps @ 65% of your 1-rep max
Week 4: Deload (no speed work)

Month #2 Speed Sets

Week 5: 8 sets of 3 reps @ 75% of your 1-rep max
Week 6: 7 sets of 3 reps @ 75% of your 1-rep max
Week 7: 6 sets of 3 reps @ 75% of your 1-rep max
Week 8: Deload (no speed work)

Month #3 Speed Sets

Week 9: 5 sets of 2 reps @ 85% of your 1-rep max
Week 10: 4 sets of 2 reps @ 85% of your 1-rep max
Week 11: 3 sets of 2 reps @ 85% of your 1-rep max
Week 12: Deload (no speed work)
Week 13: Competition week!

As you can see Josh builds up the overall training volume in the first month. Then in months 2 and 3 he slowly tapers the training volume down.

This taper is so important because it helps you to peak your strength on the day that matters: your competition day!

Remember, powerlifting is all about lifting maximum weights on the competition platform. No one cares about how much weight you can lift in the gym!

Now let’s look at some sample Josh Bryant powerlifting workouts featuring the dynamic effort method.

Here is a squat workout that Chad Wesley Smith performed on his way to squatting 905 pounds and breaking the raw American squat record. Check it out:

Chad Wesley Smith Squat Workout

Exercise A1: Back squat (competition stance), 1 set of 3 reps**
Exercise B1: Back squat speed sets (competition stance), 5 sets of 3 reps***
Exercise C1: Dead squat w/ safety squat bar (from parallel), 8 sets of 1 rep****
Exercise D1: Unilateral DB Romanian deadlift, 3 sets of 5 reps
Exercise E1: Hanging leg raises, 5 sets of 15 reps

Here is a video of Chad’s top set from this workout:

Talk about an impressive squat – Chad makes it look so easy! This is a perfect example of how Josh Bryant organizes his clients’ squat workouts.

First Chad performs a reasonably heavy triple. Then he performs 5 sets of speed squats with a lighter but still somewhat heavy weight.

After the speed sets Chad performs his favorite squat supplementary exercise: the dead squat.

The dead squat is performed in a power rack with the safety pins set 1-3 inches above parallel. You start with the bar resting on the safety pins and you squat it up to the lockout position.

This is Chad’s favorite way to attack his sticking point right above parallel. Chad likes to use the safety squat bar for this exercise because it is MUCH easier to get in the right starting position with this bar.

Finally Chad performs his supplementary and accessory exercises for all the important squatting muscles.

Now let’s look at a sample Josh Bryant bench press workout featuring the dynamic effort method. This workout was performed by the world-class bench presser James Strickland. Check it out:

James Strickland Bench Press Workout

Exercise #1: Bench press (competition grip), 1 set of 2 reps
Exercise #2: Speed bench press (competition grip), 5 sets of 3 reps
Exercise #3: Reverse band bench press (shoulder-width grip), 3 sets of 2 reps
Exercise #4: V-bar dips (forward leaning torso), 2 sets of 5 reps
Exercise #5: Prone seal row, 3 sets of 5 reps
Exercise #6: DB floor flys (neutral grip), 3 sets of 10 reps
Exercise #7: Standing rope cable pushdown, 3 sets of 10 reps

Here is the full training video for this workout:

James follows the same workout template as Chad Wesley Smith.

First he performs his heavy set and his speed sets on the bench press. These sets are performed without any bands or chains.

Then he moves onto his supplementary and accessory exercises.

Finally let’s look at a sample Josh Bryant deadlift workout featuring the dynamic effort method. This workout was performed by the IFBB professional bodybuilder Johnnie Jackson. Check it out:

Johnnie Jackson Deadlift Workout

Exercise #1: Conventional deadlift, 1 set of 3 reps**
Exercise #2: Speed conventional deadlift, 6 sets of 3 reps
Exercise #3: Deficit conventional deadlift (1 inch deficit), 2 sets of 3 reps
Exercise #4: Cable pull through, 3 sets of 12 reps
Exercise #5: Bilateral lying leg curl (feet dorsiflexed / neutral), 3 sets of 6 reps
Exercise #6: Suitcase deadlifts, 2 sets of 3 reps
Exercise #7: Pull ups (wide / overhand grip), 3 sets of 6 reps

Here is the full training video for this workout:

Once again this workout follows the standard template of heavy sets, then speed sets, then supplementary and accessory exercises.

If you want to use the dynamic effort method to get as strong as possible then Josh Bryant is a great role model to follow.

He uses the dynamic effort method with almost all of his powerlifting clients and never fails to produce results.

Part 3: The Dynamic Effort Method For Strongman

The dynamic effort method isn’t just for powerlifters!

Many of the world’s best strongman competitors including the World’s Strongest Man winners Eddie Hall and Brian Shaw use the dynamic effort method as a core part of their training program.

This is especially true when it comes to training the deadlift.

Eddie Hall and Brian Shaw train their deadlift once per week. However, they alternate every week between a heavy workout and a speed workout. For example:

Strongman Deadlift Training Schedule

Week #1: Heavy Sets
Week #2: Speed Sets
Week #3: Heavy Sets
Week #4: Speed Sets

This is an extremely effective way to organize your deadlift training if you are an advanced strongman or powerlifter.

Guys like Eddie Hall and Brian Shaw can deadlift well over 1,000 pounds! They need more rest between their heavy deadlift workouts in order to make progress.

On their lighter weeks they perform lots of dynamic effort deadlifts to build explosive strength and work on their technique.

As a general rule of thumb, Eddie Hall and Brian Shaw like to perform 8 sets of 2 reps @ 60% of their 1-rep max on their dynamic effort deadlift days.

Here is the exact training cycle that Eddie Hall used to deadlift 1,102 pounds in competition. Check it out:

Eddie Hall 1,102 Pound Deadlift Training Cycle

Week 1: 65% 3 x 10 (warm up week)
Week 2: 70% 3 x 8 (heavy week)
Week 3: 60% 8 x 2 (speed reps week)
Week 4: 75% 3 x 5 (heavy week)
Week 5: 60% 8 x 2 (speed reps week)
Week 6: 80% 3 x 3 (heavy week)
Week 7: 80% x 1, 85% x 1, 90% x 3 x 1 (heavy week)
Week 8: deload (no training)
Week 9: (competition week): 85% x 1, 93% x 1, 100% x 1

*****Note: all training percentages were based off of his target 1-rep max of 1,100 pounds. If you are using your current 1-rep max then the percentages would be slightly higher for each workout.

Here is Eddie Hall deadlifting 1,102 pounds at the end of this training cycle:

Talk about a fast deadlift – Eddie made it look like a speed deadlift!

As you can see Eddie generally alternates between a heavy deadlift workout and a speed deadlift workout. This is how Eddie builds up his deadlift strength without overtraining his central nervous system.

In case you were curious here is a typical Eddie Hall speed deadlift workout. Check it out:

Sample Eddie Hall speed deadlift workout

Exercise A1: Conventional deadlift, 8 sets of 2 reps**
Exercise B1: Seated cable pulldown (wide / overhand grip), 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Exercise C1: Seated cable rows (v-handle), 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Exercise D1: 1-arm dumbbell row, 3 sets of 10-15 reps

**Performed at 60% of your estimated 1-rep max on competition day

If you are a strongman competitor then you have to try Eddie Hall’s deadlift program. Alternating heavy weeks and dynamic effort weeks is easily one of the best ways to build a world-class deadlift.

Conclusion | The Dynamic Effort Method!

The dynamic effort method has passed the test of time as one of the most effective training methods for building strength.

Many of the world’s best powerlifting programs including the Westside Barbell training program and the Josh Bryant powerlifting program use the dynamic effort method as a core training method.

Many strongman competitors such as Brian Shaw and Eddie Hall have also used the dynamic effort method to build up their deadlifting strength.

The dynamic effort method is not for everyone.

Some people find that it is too hard on their joints. Others find that it just doesn’t help their squat, bench press or deadlift. Stan Efferding even called the dynamic effort method a “waste of time!”

However, real-world experience has shown over and over that the dynamic effort method is one of the best tools you can use in your training program. I strongly recommend you give it a shot!

If you enjoyed this article then make sure you check out the following resources:

These articles will show you some creative ways to use the dynamic effort method, bands and chains to use in your own training programs.

“How do you turn the invisible into the visible? The first step is to define your dreams precisely. The only limit to what you can achieve is your ability to define with precision that which you desire.”

Thank you for reading and I wish you the best of luck on your strength training journey!

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