Gym Articles

West Jordan Barbell

West Jordan Barbell
Hard Core #50

Two months ago we learned where Homer Simpson trains (Total Performance Sports) and last month we decided that Marge Simpson worked out ? she would train where her big head (or big heads) rule ? Headhunter Barbell. Question; in the evolution of cartoon characters ? is Marge Simpson more evolved than Beavis & Butthead? Where does Hank fit in? We have a customer who really likes Sponge Bob Square Pants ? (don?t ask!). But this makes me wonder, is Sponge Bob a totally different species? Where does he train, and why are his arms/legs so small?
More related to this month?s article question; can mirror monkeys evolve into real powerlifters? Or is that in reverse? Do dinosaur-training super-strong cavemen evolve into mirror monkeys who only want to look good? Or are these totally different species; like Sponge Bob vs. Beavis & Butthead?
I?ll let Carl Roger (of West Jordan Barbell) explain from the beginning:
Long ago in a far away galaxy there formed a piece of slime on a piece of slime somewhere on a piece of slime; anyway it did seem to grow into something else after 656,879,976,345 years. It eventually found its way to the planet earth. As it evolved and became a land dwelling mammal it was obvious that this particular species had a special calling. The human race was fully unaware that there would come a time when the earth would be invaded by aliens who would take the form of humans that we now would call Bodybuilders. It was an elaborate plot envisioned by a cruel an inhuman race of aliens. Fortunately for the human race there was some hope. That special land mammal that had evolved from the slime on the slime on the slime had further evolved and had become more human like. In fact they had integrated with the human race under great secrecy and under the supervision of a special organization entitled WJB. There began a group of covert agents that would save the world from the invasion of the bodybuilders. It seemed as though they were invulnerable and could not be stopped until through the research of WJB agents and in the secret laboratory next to the reverse hyper it was discovered that they were completely and ultimately destroyed by the strong odor of ammonia in conjunction with the lifting of massive amounts of heavy weights on barbells. If one was to sniff ammonia and do an 800lb squat the nearest bodybuilders would disintegrate. Armed with this information the agents from WJB set out on their mission to recruit new people who were brave and strong. Eventually an army of people who called themselves power lifters would crush the alien invasion and set the human race free. History often repeats itself and as this chapter in the human race was lived so long ago it would someday come to be almost forgotten except for the descendents of the famous army of power lifters. Once again the earth would be overcome with geeks and pinheads and mirror monkeys in spandex and the aliens are anxiously waiting for their chance to return therefore we must always be vigilant and willing to train at psychotic levels and be prepared to smash them if they ever dare return. Give thanks to power lifting.
WJB is a home gym in West Jordan, Utah. It is in the home of Carl Rogers. The members of WJB are Carl Rogers, Mike Haynes, Scott Mecham, Brad Tripp, Russell Bennett, Eric Milburn, Roger Broome, Jorge Bravo and Randon Carter. Carl Rogers, Mike Haynes, Eric Milburn and Scott Mecham have all set numerous state and national records. Eric has benched 502 at 185 bodyweight and age 19. Carl has benched 622 at age 40 and 259 bodyweight. Mike has benched 370 at age 36 and 164 bodyweight. Brad is on his way to a 600 plus bench in the SHW class. Roger is a great squatter as is Jorge. Jorge is ready to nail a record 850 squat for his record in the AAPF. Russ is strong in the deadlift. Scott is pretty well rounded and has made elite. By this spring all lifters of WJB will be elite status. Carl is shooting for the 2100 mark with a 700 bench for next year. We have a Texas squat bar, two ivanko multiple use bars, oakie deadlift bar, reverse hyper, monolift, Forza Squat Stands, and SSB bar. We have two benches, leg press, squat rack, lat row, seated calf raise, roman chair, lat pull down, leg curl and leg extension machines. We also have a full set of bands and two full sets of chains and an assortment of boards. Not bad for a little basement gym in West Jordan Utah eh? Our club competes regularly year round. We enjoy APF and AAPF full meets and also like to do the USAPL and WABDL meets. We hope to see some great future lifts come from our gym. That is what we train for. We mostly use Westside with our own versions of other routines mixed in. We all enjoy this magazine and the articles and great insight it gives to a regimen. There are some truly great lifters out there. Humility and a willingness to learn are vital to belong to WJB. Know it alls are not welcome. Everyone is expected to be an inspiration and example to the other lifters in action and in spirit. We have fun but when it is time to move the weight it is time to get serious and do the training. We train 4 days a week for about an hour and a half. ME legs on Monday. Tuesday is all assistance work. Thursday is light deadlift or speed squat and Saturday is ME bench. We even have a drinking fountain in our basement gym for all the thirsty lifters. Rick and his crew at House of Pain are great to work with and Carl buys all his stuff from Jason at HOP. They have great customer service and treat their lifters well. For info you can call WJB at 801-414-3891.
Thanks Carl! You should know about evolution, since you?re lifting has really skyrocketed over the past couple of years ? congrats! We all need a little sweat, ammonia, and posters in our lives ? and I wish we could all get a closer look at the cool West Jordan Barbell mural on the wall! By the way, a few powerlifters were accidentally left out of the article:
In the article that I sent to you regarding West Jordan Barbell I left out a name in the introduction of the members. Doug and Shay Kipecky are also members that have trained with us. Shay is only 14 years old in eighth grade and benched 205 and 145 bodyweight.
These guys are just as important as Carl Rogers, Mike Haynes, and all of the other West Jordan Barbell animals!
Check out the photos and email me your comments about ?lifter evolution.? Next month; we go looking for attitude. Stay tuned?

rick@houseofpain.com
or
HOUSE OF PAIN
PO Box 333
Fate, TX 75132