Use of a belt

[t3c]

I've been using a belt on ME days for GMs...is that ok?

Should I not be using a belt all the time? My back feels very comfortable using one

 

[Screwball]

I personally think that you should use a belt only on maximal attempts? You can use a belt while performing speed box squats to practice technique. If you train without the use of a belt then your core muscles should respond more rapidly. IMHO.

 

[Hannibal]

We use the belt only on Dynamic Day just to practice technique. ME Day we go without the belt. Initially your ME Numbers will go down...but your core will catch up quickly and you will be that much stronger.

 

[FREAK19]

If I were you I would only wear a belt if I needed it. Wearing a belt too much has a effect on binding the lower back muscles and preventing them from developing the strength they ought to have. Your only gonna make your back stronger. I only wear my belt when I do deadlifts, and squats.

 

[t3c]

good ideas, I think i'll lay off the belt for a while then and only use it on maximal attemps

thanks

 

[Stapled to the Floor]

I posted this question a while back and got the same responses so I will update you on my success..

1st and foremost you MUST HAVE YOUR CORE STRENGTH BUILT before going beltless.. You will be surprised at how much you can do in GM's without a belt.. A lot of it is psychological..
YOU MUST MAINTAIN YOUR ARCH.. If you round your back eithe the weight is too heavy or it is time to put the belt on.. My first GM workout without a belt I came 40 lbs shy of my belted weights..This was 2 mos ago.. I will soon surpass my previous belted P.R's within next 3 weeks..

Like you I wore my belt most of the time.. I now go beltless on DE box squats and ME good mornings up to the last 2 sets where I have maximal weight.. The first time I went beltless My abs were sore afterwards indicating I used my core as my belt which is what you are suppose to do... CORE STRENGTH IS EVERYTHING!
These are the only beltless exercises I do right now (due to a back injury.. ie I cannot pull or do anything requiring a rounded back) but I plan on doing more in the futre.. I am so glad I went this route because I feel much more stable now.. Give it a try and good luck. I am glad the guys on the board gave me the advice to do so... p.s if you cant get use to it right away start loosening your belt one notch at a time till you dont need it.. this will force you to use your CORE more and more.. good luck

 

[spatts]

We use the belt only on Dynamic Day just to practice technique. ME Day we go without the belt. Initially your ME Numbers will go down...but your core will catch up quickly and you will be that much stronger.

...except me. I don't use any lifting gear. I tried a belt once during squats, but not for back support. It was loose to help me use my air; however, I found that I use my air better without it.

 

[IrishPower]

to belt or not to belt:

this question comes up so often on this forum and the answers change everytime this is ok. most advice is good when applied appropriately.

my take again (and it is sort of revised from last time i answered).

belts definitely add weight to the amount of weight you can use in an exercise. i think this is for 3 reasons.

1. the lower back gives out early (weak core)
2. using a belt changes the mechanics of the lift, shifting the load to stronger muscles.
3. psychological/confidence. the tighter i feel, the easier a lift seems for me.

what i now do is the following.

on 2nd half of speed squats and subsequent heavies, i use a belt.

on all my full deadlifts i use a belt. this is not really because i am weaker, but because putting on a belt makes the movement less comfortable for me. i *need* to get used to the feel. it is definitely a different movement.

on other ME exercises..... i vary whether or not i use a belt. i usually try and work up to a semi-hard triple without a belt. every time i repeat an exercise, i try and up this beltless PR by a little bit. i then, if feeling good, throw a belt on and work up to a max single. in a way, this is giving me 2 prs for the workout. the difference is that the beltless PR is not REALLY pushing it. i have yet to fail on this one, and I'd like to keep it this way.

good luck.

/irish

 

[Arioch]

Actually, the belt will directly increase intra-abdominal pressure, which will stabalize the entire torso. For those of us who tend to lean forward when squatting, this is a great benefit, as it makes it easier to stand upright. I get 50 pounds out of my belt when I am squatting, and I get next to nothing out of it when deadlifting or performing good mornings.

I use it only on max effort squats, but in my case it is because I am paranoid about tipping forward, so use it more for safety, along with the poundage boost.

 

[Cubanito17]

HOLY SHIT I didn't know there was SOO much scientific shit behind just wearing a belt

dude here's how I see it if you feel comfortable wear the damn thing if not then don't

I feel good wearing my belt on all low back movements and supps for the squat but then again I'm stil afraid b/c of the muscle in my low back that I pulled which I don't know if it's completely healed or not.