Thoughts on a weightlifting belt?
k8millz
Posts: 28 Member
What are your thoughts on weightlifting belts? (Best brands, prices, etc..) I don't have any major issues squatting or deadlifting, however I've been looking into purchasing a belt to up my numbers. Are they beneficial or a waste?
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I have a cheap Valeo belt and I don't feel that it's a good investment. I'd rather spend that money for a dip belt0
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What numbers are you lifting?0
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Certain people will. Tell you that you don't need a belt until you lift really "heavy" (what ever that is) or that using a belt is a crutch that will somehow impair your muscular and strength development. I think this is pure BS.
I'm 66/160# and currently DL 325 and SQT 245, which is pretty good for an old man. I've always used a belt when doing SQTs, DLs, BPs & OHPs.
Doing so provides core & back support to prevent injuries as I continue to lift heavier. It also helps me to focus on my breathing and on the tightening of my core in my lifting routine, which are both important but seldom mentioned aspects of doing SQTs and DLs, especially at heavier weights.
So, my recommendation is to buy and use a belt when you're lifting, whether you're lifting "heavy" yet or not. getting into the habit of always using one will prepare you for when you reslly need it. Consider it insurance.
As for which belt to get, buy a well constructed powerlifting belt that is at least 8-10 mm thick. Thicker than this is stiffer and is not necessarily better. Most are 4" wide but for smaller women 3" should suffice. Some men also use 3" belts for DL to avoid hip flexor impairment. They cost around $100-150 and are well worth the price.
I have been using a hand stitched double pronged 4" wide & 10 mm thick double buckle belt made by Best Belts (that's their name) for years. It's a small family owned business that has been making belts by hand for a long time. See: http://www.bestbelts.net.
A lot of people on MFP use belts made by Inzer, particularly it's lever belt. I'm not a fan of the lever because I believe that simpler is better but if that appeals to you check them out. They of course make standard buckle belts which are well made and regarded. See: https://www.inzernet.com.
There are of course other quality belts made by other companies but these are 2 that I recommend and looking at these will give you a good base upon which to compare the quality and construction of others.4 -
Nice article with thoughts from 4 strength and conditioning experts
https://www.t-nation.com/training/do-you-really-need-a-lifting-belt
Spoiler the general view is for most people the use of belts should be limited0 -
If your goal is to get stronger at things like squat/deads/overhead press and you have the disposable income for a belt I would definitely recommend it.
I would go with inzer or bestbelts.net.0 -
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I have an Inzer. It's purple.2
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What are your thoughts on weightlifting belts? (Best brands, prices, etc..) I don't have any major issues squatting or deadlifting, however I've been looking into purchasing a belt to up my numbers. Are they beneficial or a waste?
Belt is great for stabilizing the core. When you belly breathe and pull are in against the belt it helps to stabilize the spine. Helps to get a few more pounds up on deadlifts and squats0 -
No way I want to lift above 85% of my max without a belt. Nope.
Get a belt. A leather one. Inzer will do the trick.4 -
My belt just helps me set my core bracing properly and then I can focus on everything else.0
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i love my belt, i only use it when i get to around 50-60% of my 1rm . I take it off for just about everything else. i have an inzer 10mm single prong.0
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Packerjohn wrote: »Nice article with thoughts from 4 strength and conditioning experts
https://www.t-nation.com/training/do-you-really-need-a-lifting-belt
Spoiler the general view is for most people the use of belts should be limited
This is my opinion.0 -
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I got one a few months ago and I've been able to add quite a bit of weight to my DL and SQT. I go as heavy as I can without it and then put it on for heavy sets/1rm. I got a lever, mainly because you can rip it off like a badass.0
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Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
Seems legit8 -
I use a double prong leather belt. I don't know the brand, it's what is available in my gym. I use it for heavy squats and deads. I've had chronic back pain in the past and feel the belt helps keep my back and core stable, more secure, and is safer for me.1
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Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
Would the overwhelming majority of powerlifters who almost exclusively do their heaviest lifting belted convince you that your opinion is wrong?1 -
Just picked up a Inzer lever about 8 weeks back. Best investment yet. Still breaking it in so I still get "bite" marks from it.
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LolBroScience wrote: »Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
Seems legit
lol'd so much I couldn't even come up with a response despite really wanting to1 -
Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
just curious what you base your "bropinions" on?2 -
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I want a purple Inzer belt - to go with my purple singlet - but their website currently says that anything other than black will take up to 10 weeks, which would put me much closer to my meet than I'd like to use new equipment.
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Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
just curious what you base your "bropinions" on?
If I pull sumo the tail of my belt gets caught on my arm sometimes. I call impedance.0 -
TresaAswegan wrote: »Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
just curious what you base your "bropinions" on?
If I pull sumo the tail of my belt gets caught on my arm sometimes. I call impedance.
Some people - for that reason, as well as potential issues with the buckle while getting into position - wear their belts backward.0 -
Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
just curious what you base your "bropinions" on?
Brosperience, obviously4 -
TresaAswegan wrote: »Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
just curious what you base your "bropinions" on?
If I pull sumo the tail of my belt gets caught on my arm sometimes. I call impedance.
Some people - for that reason, as well as potential issues with the buckle while getting into position - wear their belts backward.
I've been trying the tuck just the tail and have the rest stick out in front of me like I've seen on the interwebs. I thought that was sooo dumb until I tried it and problem was solved. HA
Backwards belt would be interesting, but I think I'd need someone to strap me in and I'm not sure anyone at my gym wants to get that friendly lol1 -
I only wear one if I'm maxing or working at greater than about 85% of my 1RM...which isn't very often. I don't run heavy cycles all that often.0
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I have a pink Inzer single prong. I wear it when my coach tells me too. I write my meet body weight/lifts on it.
But really..
I don't really go by certain %'s, but right now 225 is usually "my number" for squats and deads. As I get stronger that will increase though.
I probably wouldn't do any maximal attempts/high RPE-ish sets without it unless some dude-bro wants to rumble and say something dumb about lifting belted. In which case I would throw down if need be. Yep.2 -
Cutaway_Collar wrote: »
There was a reason why I said bropinion in jest. I have nothing against belts. It's just become a mental chest thumping thing that I like to lift heavy within my limits without oneCutaway_Collar wrote: »I deadlift 405lbs without one. I have no plans of increasing above 405 lbs. I have reached my deadlift limit maybe and my bropinion on belts is that they impede more than they help.
just curious what you base your "bropinions" on?
Is there any reason why you have determined 405 to be your deadlift limit/no plans to exceed that?
I'm a smallish girl and I hope to pull that within the next year.
Jussayin...3
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