Lifting Belt - Wear to protect weak back or don't to strengthen?

[Xlajbf]

Don't know what to do here. As some of you may know from reading my "I want to start doing Pendlay Rows" thread, I have/had-last-time-I-checked-a-year-ago a bulging lumbar disc that quickly brought my deadlifting weight down to 0lbs (0 kg) just over a year ago. I'm back up to 310lbs and feel myself getting stronger every week, but of course, I don't want to end up hurting myself again.

Part of the advice I've read is to stay away from a lifting belt so that I can strengthen my core (which I've been doing) and not become dependent on it. I haven't been lifting with a belt, and I think that's helped me strengthen my lower back and abs since my injury.

So what do you think? Put on a belt and prevent re-injury, or leave it at the fitness store and lift heavy to strengthen my back to the point where it'd take a sledgehammer to re-injure it?

Off to the gym. =) Thanks for any opinions.

 

[ZGzaZ]

My vote always goes to without, I'm just getting over a back injury as we speak...but still, have to say, without.

 

[Kabeetz]

Don't know what to do here. As some of you may know from reading my "I want to start doing Pendlay Rows" thread, I have/had-last-time-I-checked-a-year-ago a bulging lumbar disc that quickly brought my deadlifting weight down to 0lbs (0 kg) just over a year ago. I'm back up to 310lbs and feel myself getting stronger every week, but of course, I don't want to end up hurting myself again.

Part of the advice I've read is to stay away from a lifting belt so that I can strengthen my core (which I've been doing) and not become dependent on it. I haven't been lifting with a belt, and I think that's helped me strengthen my lower back and abs since my injury.

So what do you think? Put on a belt and prevent re-injury, or leave it at the fitness store and lift heavy to strengthen my back to the point where it'd take a sledgehammer to re-injure it?

Off to the gym. =) Thanks for any opinions.

I believe the general concensus is that training aids are OK, when NECESSARY. If there is a particular heavy set you're nervous about, throw it on for that set. You should be getting to the point over time many PR's from now where you wouldn't need a belt for that weight down the road. Strengthen your core.

 

[Oceano]

dont to strengthen gets my vote. dr. michael colgan says so.

 

[al420]

I dunno - I think it depends on what type belt - little leather belt, Oly style, is fine IMO. I choose not to use them for Oly squats, but on my top Dead sets and top PL style squats I use a massive Inzer. With progress you end up doing last weeks top set w/ out a belt the following week, and so on...

Saftey is job one, and you can;t build big legs w/ out heavy squats... so you decide. Don't rely on it, but it is a tool....

 

[s8nlilhlpr]

I was dead set against them for the longest time, but honestly I feel its a little safer now. Nothing fancy, only use it for the last set on squats, maybe top 2 sets at most if I'm doing tripples.

 

[glennds]

training belts seems so...90s. everyone was wearing them. it was practially a fashoin statement and announcement to the world: i am serious about lifting! even girls.

you rarely seem them anymore. guess the consensus is they dont really give you lower back or safety benefits.

 

[gettnlarge01]

I haven't wore a belt in 10yrs and my back is injury free,but if you feel you need it on heavy sets use it.

 

[SLAYER69!]

I only wear one for heavy squats.

 

[redguru]

I thought the belt wasn't to protect the back but to have something to press against.