Lifting belt and high weights?

[musclehealth]

I have never used a workout belt with success. I have lower back pains when I squat high weight. It sucks because when I try using a belt it does not help. Any suggestions? Maybe i just wear it wrong.

Note: I never used one before cause I have read numerious times that it can effect the strength of your obliquues externus abdominus or the muscle that control you to stand up strait.

 

[biggsben]

it can affect those muscles if you overuse the belt, you should try to find one that fits well(try on a few at the store I ended up with a nike belt I like alot) and gives you some more pressure. I only Use the belt when I am going close to my max on squats or if I have been working all day and my back is already tired I might use it to protect my back on bent over rows sometimes. the point of it is to raise intra-abdomanal pressure and help your obliques and TVA so as to prevent injury. should you use it all the time, NO. Is it helpful on heavy weights and max attempts definately. just my $.02, BiggsBen

 

[eat big]

Well, for me to feel the benefit of a belt is has to be REALLY tight. Not so I cannot breathe but so I can feel pressure. Also, use it on standing shoulder presses.

 

[musclehealth]

Well, for me to feel the benefit of a belt is has to be REALLY tight. Not so I cannot breathe but so I can feel pressure. Also, use it on standing shoulder presses.

whats the proper way of using it? the with seems so small on all of them.

 

[Illuminati]

whats the proper way of using it? the with seems so small on all of them.

check out innzernet.com and click on the power belts link (5th one down on the left side of the screen.) they have both powerlifting belts and bodybuilding belts.
it sounds like you are either not putting your belt on tight enough, or that your form in your squat might need some work. it could also be that you are lacking strength in your lower back. couldn't really tell ya unless i saw a video of you squatting.

 

[curgeo]

The main reason for wearing a belt is for high intra abdominal pressure. You want to place the belt high on your stomach...not low on your back. By gathering air into your STOMACH and pushing out against the belt, you can create more abdominal pressure which reduces stress on the lower back and spine.

 

[blut wump]

The problem might be due to tight hamstrings. I had a similar issue with my squats and it just went away when I started doing stretches for my hamstrings at the end of every workout.

Congrats on the decision to try and stay away from your belt when you don't need it. Let your body's support system do the job it was designed to.

 

[curgeo]

If you have lower back pain, then make sure to wear the belt, but train your obliques with side bends or such. Tight hamstrings can contribute to back pain as can a lot of things.....weak abs.....weak lower back.

If your problem is back pain, by all means wear your belt and blow air INTO your stomach to support your spine.

 

[Growth&Courage]

Well I find that lifting belt is a must for my training particularly when it comes to squats or deadlift. Not only does it strengthen my squatting posture, I feel as if without the belt I wouldn't have been able to accomplished the existing training regime. It has to be tight enough until you feel the firm support on your lower back & abs.

 

[ChinkNasty]

I have always squatted and deadlifted without a belt until I approach relatively higher weights...I have seen noticeable strength gains in my back and abs as they compensate for doing the afore mentioned movements without much support...but again, if you're feeling pain, reevaluate your situation

CN

 

[b fold the truth]

You need to make sure that you don't have some pre-existing condition.
Make sure that you are not "tight" anywhere (hamstrings, hip flexors, erectors, etc...).
STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE!!!!!!!

B True

 

[blut wump]

CasualBB recommended a book to me called "Core Performance" by Mark Verstegen. I read through it over the past couple of days and it's filled with exercises for conditioning your core and loosening core and posterior-chain muscles. It's also filled with lots of annoying waffle to convince you to work on it but it does contain a humungous selection of exercises and programs to fit them into.

I've spent all of this year avoiding my belt unless I really felt the need for high-intensity lifts and I think it's helped me. Pushing against a belt can help you to lift heavier but if you're getting unexpected pains (rather than just aches or "pumps") then it is probably muscle tightness. Then again, a visit to a chiropractor might be in order.

You could also re-examine your form and posture in the squat since increasing weight can change your center of gravity and maybe cause you to lose your form. Get someone to watch you and criticise.