belts?

[Welsh power house]

I have always used a lifting belt for squats, deadlits, barbell rows and curls, do you think they do more bad than good.....i have read that they take the lower back and abs out of these movements and can do damage.
any veiws?

 

[Imnotdutch]

I dont use a belt at all. I think that if you have a strong core I dont think you need one unless you are maxing out. Too many people overuse things like gloves/belts/straps.

I have always used a lifting belt for squats, deadlits, barbell rows and curls, do you think they do more bad than good.....i have read that they take the lower back and abs out of these movements and can do damage.
any veiws?

 

[spkzx9r]

I agree w/ Imnotdutch, I only use a belt when going really really heavy. You do need a strong core as mentioned above.

 

[b fold the truth]

I"ve been wearing my Inzer belt of late a notch or two loose so I can focus on taking in big air and pressing against it.

B True

 

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I rarely use belts for any exercise buuuut sometimes I do not feel 100%. My muscles are stiffer than usual or I feel injury prone, then I usually use my belt on very heavy lifts. Deadlifts, squats, and sometimes dumbell shoulder presses. Again this is rare. Develop your trunk and you shouldn't need belts. The funniest is seeing guys wearing a belt to do tricep pushdowns and stuff like that....damn funny!!!!

 

[MonStar1023]

Nope I never use belts at all.. I never thought they had any use in my opinion. Or gloves, or wraps, or anything else.

 

[Freak Show]

I only use them for big lifts like tricep kickbacks and concentration curls!
Anyway, I only recommend them for people who are squatting or deadlifting using a weight that allows 3 reps or less.
I actually tried using my belt for the first time in a year yesterday during squats. It felt so damn awkward. For some reason it changed the feeling of the whole set. Can't explain it fully, but I know I don't like it any more. I don't think abdominal and low back strength can be emphasized enough. Without em you're screwed.

 

[GenetiKing]

I wouldn't even consider stepping in the squat rack without my belt on. Of course I'm prone to a recurring lower back injury. I also always use it for DL's, SLDL's, heavy shrugs, and T-Bars. I agree that they are overused by some people but I wouldn't be able to train heavy half the time without mine.

 

[Tuna Guy]

im prone to lower back problems but never wear a belt,
deadlifts are not a problem, i did 440 a couple of weeks ago without a belt, but as soon as i hit 300 in the squat there is to much pressure on my lower back.

b fold the truth, how do you rate the abs out on the squat, was thinking of giving it a try seeing as regular squats seem to hurt my back.

 

[bignate73]

got rid of my belt 2 years ago. brand new inzer too. it just sits in my closet.

the principle of the belt is to create abdominal pressure which in turn presses against the spine and stabilizes it. a belt forces you to press OUT against it, when in actuality you should be pulling IN and creating your own internal pressure. you can do this by drawing in your navel, ie activation of the core musculature. also you can do the vasalva technique which is basically where you close your glottis and create more internal pressure, but that technique should be avoided unless you are familiar with your body enough to tell the signs of oxygen deprivation. it can creep up on you fast.

so, no, i dont use one. probably never will. i do alot of core stability exercise and never feel my lower back buckle. its my strongest point in the kinetic chain....as it should be.

 

[Freak Show]

i do alot of core stability exercise and never feel my lower back buckle. its my strongest point in the kinetic chain....as it should be.

Paul Chek is that you? Just messin with you nate. Great advice.

 

[tripleV]

yes. my belt helps me loads. i also use straps and knee wraps on squats

 

[big4life]

Nope, never found a belt that
I was comfortable wearing.

 

[Jguns]

Nope I never use belts at all.. I never thought they had any use in my opinion. Or gloves, or wraps, or anything else.

Exactly. It is so hilarious to see all of the pencilnecks walking around with them on all the time. So they look like big, tough, weightlifters!

 

[b fold the truth]

I prefer to squat ONLY in a belt.

B True

 

[gymtime]

I'll use a belt only on the last heavy set of squats. I've been lucky never having had any real back problems, but I don't want to tempt fate either.

 

[Bikini Mod]

No belt - no straps.

Carefull w/belts unless you like hernias. I have had two. Since I gave up the belt, I have no trouble w/these any longer......and yes, for a girl, I do go heavy as often as my joints allow (squat and deadlift).

 

[Daeo]

As far as I'm concerned using a belt isn't wimping out. I believe that if you want a strong back than you train that area specifically. For example if I wish to strengthen my lower back I'll do good mornings or extentions. Using squats to strengthen your lower back is similar to using pullups to strengthen your biceps. Doesn't make much sense to me.

I've never had an injury in my 7 years of training and I'd like to keep it that way. Belts allow me to focus on the muscle group I was trying to target and not worry about injury. Your quads are much stronger than your lower back and I'd hate to end a set because of this.

Also straps are almost a necessity when using heavier weight. If you can succesfully hold 400-500lbs in your grip long enough to do 8 reps without worrying about your grip slipping I envy you. Ever watch the Worlds strongest men competitions. Almost everyone uses belts, straps, and knee wraps. I'd love to see anyone dispute their power and size...

 

[needleboy]

no belts, no straps!!! Every muscle you can work helps you grow!!!

 

[Imnotdutch]

I dont think anybody is implying that it is wimping out.....just that belts etc are overused. At the end of the day nobody does squats for lower back. But if you do them without a belt your core gets strong enough to do them without the extra assistance. BM makes a good point about some of the risks involved....in alot of cases this makes the belt like a security blanket (maybe not for you but for a lot of people)......it makes you feel safe but in fact it isnt.

A similar situation exists with straps. If you insist on using straps the minute the weight gets heavy how can you ever hope to hold a heavy bar without straps? Alot of people develop wrist problems from straps cutting in.....I can live without that. With chalk I can hold 700 without problems and I'm only a skinny runt. This isnt unusual....many people can do this. Many very small powerlifters go above this without straps.

The point of WSM competitors using equipment is this.....when you are lifting such extreme weights, day in and day out, your joints take a battering. It is likely the bones/tendons that will give up before the muscle, unless you help them out a little. Also it lets the audience see bigger weights being lifted which is always good publicity.
You might want to ask Bfold whether he uses straps in training.....

As far as I'm concerned using a belt isn't wimping out. I believe that if you want a strong back than you train that area specifically. For example if I wish to strengthen my lower back I'll do good mornings or extentions. Using squats to strengthen your lower back is similar to using pullups to strengthen your biceps. Doesn't make much sense to me.

I've never had an injury in my 7 years of training and I'd like to keep it that way. Belts allow me to focus on the muscle group I was trying to target and not worry about injury. Your quads are much stronger than your lower back and I'd hate to end a set because of this.

Also straps are almost a necessity when using heavier weight. If you can succesfully hold 400-500lbs in your grip long enough to do 8 reps without worrying about your grip slipping I envy you. Ever watch the Worlds strongest men competitions. Almost everyone uses belts, straps, and knee wraps. I'd love to see anyone dispute their power and size...

 

[minion]

You can say what you want, but belts are important during HEAVY lifts. However your belt shouldn't be so tight that it constricts your normal physiology, only a guide. Your belt should be helping you drive the weight by subtle reminders. (head up, stomach tight, arch the spine, press on the bar, ect.) Also another factor is waist size, if you have a smallish waist size like me a belt is mandatory while squating or deadlifting 315lbs.+

I've seen guys going heavy w/ out a belt, and sooner or later they come around to reality. A month or so limping around nursing a back injury will do that to you. I know from experiance, cuz I used to think the contrary. Trust me its not cool. BUT, some people just have to learn the hard way, so if you got it like that go'head killer. Get some.

 

[Imnotdutch]

You need to re-read what was written.....

Read the posts and you will see that everybody agrees that when going heavy (ie: maxing out) a belt is a good idea. Other than that I dont really need little reminders......if you have your form down it just happens.

If you have a small waist size and squat without a belt your waist will grow.......end of problem. You as good as said you have poor core strength and you use a belt! Lose the belt and build back up to your current poundages and your core wont be a problem.

I've actually gone from back injuries (when wearing a belt.....which meant my core was weak) to a trouble free back (no belt......alot of time building a decent core). There are several people that have posted in recent months stating the same. Of course no belt and shitty form = bad back. So the answer is dont be a macho asshole and only use weight that you can use good form with.

You can say what you want, but belts are important during HEAVY lifts. However your belt shouldn't be so tight that it constricts your normal physiology, only a guide. Your belt should be helping you drive the weight by subtle reminders. (head up, stomach tight, arch the spine, press on the bar, ect.) Also another factor is waist size, if you have a smallish waist size like me a belt is mandatory while squating or deadlifting 315lbs.+

I've seen guys going heavy w/ out a belt, and sooner or later they come around to reality. A month or so limping around nursing a back injury will do that to you. I know from experiance, cuz I used to think the contrary. Trust me its not cool. BUT, some people just have to learn the hard way, so if you got it like that go'head killer. Get some.

 

[minion]

I read right I just disagree. My job may just be more demanding than yours and I can't take foolish risk like that. I also advocate the use of belts well before your MAX lift. Like I said 315lbs. plus in my case the belt goes on, its not a matter of machismo.

However I do agree guys doing tricep press on the cable station while wearing an olympic sized belt do look silly.

 

[Imnotdutch]

Yeah I have an easy ass pencil pushing job.......but my back is still top priority. Without it you cant do anything......

I read right I just disagree. My job may just be more demanding than yours and I can't take foolish risk like that. I also advocate the use of belts well before your MAX lift. Like I said 315lbs. plus in my case the belt goes on, its not a matter of machismo.

However I do agree guys doing tricep press on the cable station while wearing an olympic sized belt do look silly.