they aren't as bad as wearing gloves but they are pretty close. I disagree that they aren't a crutch, maybe not for you but 99% of guys I see at the gym they are a crutch.. notice the people who walk around the gym wearing belts for their whole workouts, not even for squats or deadlifts. take away their belt and I would like to see them try and workout, they would struggle mightily. surely you can agree that is awful to walk around with a huge pot belly hanging over their belts and doing 50 pound curls.. because this is the shit I am talking about and its moronic!!
you guys can pull up a bunch of 'studies' and links about how great belts are and I can counter with twice as many that say the opposite... I will ask you this.. if I told you that you couldn't wear a belt for the next week on your lifting would you be able to still workout? that by definition would be a crutch.
here is a good little link to check out..
http://staff.washington.edu/griffin/belts_chek.txt
and here are the hodgetwins who are annoying as fuck and I can't stand and even they think belts are retarded.
How Often Should You Wear Weight Lifting Belt - YouTube
I can grant you on a heavy squat or deadlift a belt is fine, just like how straps are fine in those rare instances (for the record I NEVER wear gloves, straps, belts or any of that shit).. but to walk around your entire workout with a belt? that is ridiculous!