Belt Vs No Belt

[iggy]

How many times have you gone to your gym and found at least two people using a belt at every exercise they do. Some just use belts for lower back support on heavy deadlifts, snatches, power cleans, or squats, but how often do you use a belt?
I myself never use a belt, but might start using it slightly because i'm deadlifting around 315x5 now.
But it boggles my mind how some people still keep on their belt when they bench press or do bicep curls. I heard that using a belt dramatically decreases the challenge of the weight your doing when you squat or deadlift.
Not sure if that information is accurate though.

 

[pappad]

I think a belt can make deads more difficult as it takes out the low back. Could be wrong here.

Also, I think many people that wear a belt continue to wear it because there is no place to put it. And if you work at a gym like mine th elocker room is too far and I wouldn't want to carry it around.

 

[Powerbuilder333]

I wear a competition legal Inzer Lever Belt on ALL Squats, Deadlifts (to minimize oblique development), and when the weight gets heavy Overhead press, Bench press, and cheat curls.

To Pappad: Belt doesn't take out the lower back, it re-enforces it so it's no longer the weak link allowing greater muscle development elsewhere - IMO.

 

[pappad]

I wear a competition legal Inzer Lever Belt on ALL Squats, Deadlifts (to minimize oblique development), and when the weight gets heavy Overhead press, Bench press, and cheat curls.

To Pappad: Belt doesn't take out the lower back, it re-enforces it so it's no longer the weak link allowing greater muscle development elsewhere - IMO.

Fair enough! I feel like it takes my lower back out of it a little because it helps correct my form.

 

[dolf215]

I stopped using a belt about a year ago. I feel my lifts actually have gotten stronger from it. I have pulled 560, oly squat 405, and ohp 315 all without it. It has made my core much more stable and i don't think i will ever use one again

 

[pappad]

All I know is my power back kills me after deads if I don't wear mine! I am getting old though! LOL

 

[Scotsman]

I use a belt during competition and when going heavy in the gym. I don't use it on deads till I'm over 500 and not on rack pulls till I'm over 600.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[drsketch]

Only when going for 1 rep max and even then rarely. I dont like to be dependent on equipment. Just chalk, skin and weights

 

[needtogetaas]

I use one on squats and deads only.

 

[Sculelos]

I don't use one cause I feel like my core gets a better workout without and I don't want to become reliant on one.

My workout attire consist of gym clothes, flat shoes and chalk if I need a bit of extra grip... don't really need anything else, maby buy some running shoes if I planned on running but I can still walk or jog slowly in my flat shoes all day without it bothering me.

 

[jnef]

Heavy weights on squat rack and Deads

 

[joefire_2008]

I don't use a belt, I feel it gives you a false sense of security, and increases your chance of injury, because your body now doesn't know where or when to stop ( in time). Also, if you need a belt to lift something, maybe you shouldn't be lifting it. But, that's just me...

BTW... The military has forbidden it's members from wearing lifting safety belts for that exact same reason.

Much respect for all, take care...

 

[deezy1225]

i used one all the time when i started doin squats n deads, just untill my form was down, now i only use it for heavy lifts

 

[GUARDIAN]

only for heavy deads, squats, overhead presses. and rows.

 

[SouthernLord]

only for heavy deads, squats, overhead presses. and rows.

+1

I wear a loose belt for RDLs, OHPs, and BB rows just to remind my self to keep a tight core. For my Heavy squats, and front squats I do wear my belt tight.

 

[machine316]

when i was in highschool I played football and i wore a belt and wrist wraps for every single rep of deadlift, even warm up. now i never wear a belt. but i think the belt is a good piece of equipment, i have nothing against it. for some guys it's a mental thing whatever works right?

 

[1999TL]

I was wondering the same thing. I never wear one, nor have I tried to wear one. I'll have to try it sometime.

 

[ceo]

I've pulled well over 500 without a belt. Rarely do I wear one. I am getting old though.

 

[HAYEZ]

i just started useing one since i hurt my lower back and it allows me to workout with the pain

 

[roadwarrior]

How many times have you gone to your gym and found at least two people using a belt at every exercise they do. Some just use belts for lower back support on heavy deadlifts, snatches, power cleans, or squats, but how often do you use a belt?
I myself never use a belt, but might start using it slightly because i'm deadlifting around 315x5 now.
But it boggles my mind how some people still keep on their belt when they bench press or do bicep curls. I heard that using a belt dramatically decreases the challenge of the weight your doing when you squat or deadlift.
Not sure if that information is accurate though.

I put it on at 405 for deep squats, 455 for deads, 500 for rack pulls, and 250 for OHP but I'm no Scotsman for my max lifts. These are all about 75-80% or so of my max lifts except OHP which is closer to 90% max.

 

[FunFun]

How many times have you gone to your gym and found at least two people using a belt at every exercise they do. Some just use belts for lower back support on heavy deadlifts, snatches, power cleans, or squats, but how often do you use a belt?
I myself never use a belt, but might start using it slightly because i'm deadlifting around 315x5 now.
But it boggles my mind how some people still keep on their belt when they bench press or do bicep curls. I heard that using a belt dramatically decreases the challenge of the weight your doing when you squat or deadlift.
Not sure if that information is accurate though.

I never use a belt, and never will for any movements for 5 reps and up. Where did you get the idea that 315 x 5 on the deadlift was heavy. That's barely a beginner's weight.

 

[FunFun]

+1

I wear a loose belt for RDLs, OHPs, and BB rows just to remind my self to keep a tight core. For my Heavy squats, and front squats I do wear my belt tight.

With me wearing a belt will make me forget to keep a tight core. Without one a tight core is always on my mind.

 

[bottleneckblooz]

I used to use a belt only during squats, for the sole reason that I believed that heavy squats without a belt would cause your waist to get big and blocky. Whether there is truth to that I don't know, but I don't use one anymore.

 

[DaveTSI]

only on very heavy (near max) squats, deadlifts and OHP's. Thats it, wearing it more often than that will weaken your core/stabilizers.

 

[Captain FT]

I use it on squats and deads but thats only been for the last month. prior to that I was building back up to working with over 300lbs and I wanted to concentrate on form. I felt using a belt would give me greater confidence to go heavier than I should be and sacrifice my form. Once I started hitting 295 for 8-10 on squats and deads without a belt I decided it was time to get the belt back.

 

[BMK792]

i personnally dont find a belt comfortable but i sometimes wear it for max squats and deads.

 

[goku_kakarot77]

i always use belt when i lift, something i have noticed is that my body grows and my waist doesn't, it gave me the V taper,

 

[mwm5]

Where did you get the idea that 315 x 5 on the deadlift was heavy. That's barely a beginner's weight.

remember not everybody on the board is huge like yourself


i never use a belt, i like the core work out without it