Belts

Saunz5

What is everyone's opinion on lifting belts? I keep getting mixed reviews from people/trainers at the gym! HELP!

Capt_Apollo

my buddy taso has a lot of information on this. here's hoping he shows up in the thread.


most people use belts incorrectly. if you are wearing them for your entire work out, you're using it incorrectly. they should really only be worn on your last and heaviest set.

i've seen people running with them on.

Saunz5

my buddy taso has a lot of information on this. here's hoping he shows up in the thread.


most people use belts incorrectly. if you are wearing them for your entire work out, you're using it incorrectly. they should really only be worn on your last and heaviest set.

i've seen people running with them on.

Running? Seriously!? I wouldn't do that! (Run) I have been told to use it for my squats to help keep my back straight and support it. But then a trainer watched me (without the belt) and told me my back was plenty straight and that if I just took a deep breath in before I squat that it will support more than the belt without restricting...or something like that. My memory is horrible.

ilovedeadlifts

belts are great for your heavy sets. I typically put one on for anything over 80% of my 1 rep max for squats and deads.


There are 0 cons to wearing belts, I don't understand why people seem to have that misconception.
The belt is used for you to push out against it, which creates more intra-abdominal pressure, and stabilizes the back.

DavPul

I used to wear a belt all the time (along with my gloves!). There really aren't any negatives and a belt really does help on the heavier exercises. I guess the one bad thing is that it helps so much that it keeps you from fully strengthening your core as a lot of what a strong core does gets replaced by the belt.

I don't use one now, mostly because I'm old and weak and don't go heavy anymore. If I was to go heavy again, I would get my belt out of the closet

wellbert

I use one to help remind me to keep my chest out. It pinches if I don't!

Leadfoot_Lewis

I just recently bought one for my heavy Deadlift sets (5 or less reps). So far this is the only lift I use it for.

Belts help with intra abdominal pressure which basically protects the back. They should only be used for the heavy lifts and should not be used as a substitute for bad form.

taso42

The Cap'n summoned me, but there's already all good info above.

The only thing I would add is, avoid those belts that are wider in the back than the front. They should be uniform all the way around. Standard is 4" wide and 10mm or 13mm thick, heavy duty leather. For most of us mere mortals 10mm is more than enough, and the 13 is just a dog to break in I hear. Some women or short people prefer 3" due to clearance between hip bones and ribcage. But I'm pretty short and 4" is fine for me.

There are inexpensive belts ($20 or so) that are non-leather and close with velcro. These seem to be fine and might be a good starter belt if you don't want to splurge for a leather one, which might run you around $80.

If you have the book Starting Strength, which you should, he has a blurb on belts in the Squat chapter. But I think we've hit all the points here.

MoreBean13

my buddy taso has a lot of information on this. here's hoping he shows up in the thread.


most people use belts incorrectly. if you are wearing them for your entire work out, you're using it incorrectly. they should really only be worn on your last and heaviest set.

i've seen people running with them on.

When were you watching me run?

If you go with a belt, make it a bedazzled one. The blingier, the better.

But you shouldn't use it to keep your back straight- your form should be good independent of the belt. If you need a belt to keep your back straight, what you really need is to drop back the weight and work on form. The belt is to protect your back and keep you from busting a gut- literally, not keep your back straight.

Saunz5

Thanks everyone! Great information! I think I'll go with what the trainer said as opposed to a random member at the gym. He watched me with full weight and said my back was straight so I'll keep at it! Thanks again!

taso42

what did the trainer say?

Saunz5

That I didn't need a belt and my back was straight. He also said something about taking a deep breath before each squat and that will do something...don't remember what...my memory sucks.

taso42

That I didn't need a belt and my back was straight. He also said something about taking a deep breath before each squat and that will do something...don't remember what...my memory sucks.

Nobody NEEDS a belt. And certainly nobody needs a belt to correct a rounded back problem - that's a form issue that should be addressed separately. As discussed upthread, belts are just an aid to give something for the abs to push against and help make the core very very solid. This in turn helps you lift at your limit.

Taking the deep breath into your belly (not chest) and tightening up your core and pushing out with your abdominals is called the valsalva maneuver, which is most likely what your trainer was talking about. This is a good thing to exercise with every rep of every lift. It literally lets you lift more.

You may opt to never add a belt and that would be just fine.

Nataliaho

I agree with everyone here, I belt isn't necessary nor is it a substitute for poor form. It is a tool for strength training. I didn't start using one until I was already strong in my core and with my form. I only use one at 80%+ of my 1rm.

Saunz5

That I didn't need a belt and my back was straight. He also said something about taking a deep breath before each squat and that will do something...don't remember what...my memory sucks.

Nobody NEEDS a belt. And certainly nobody needs a belt to correct a rounded back problem - that's a form issue that should be addressed separately. As discussed upthread, belts are just an aid to give something for the abs to push against and help make the core very very solid. This in turn helps you lift at your limit.

Taking the deep breath into your belly (not chest) and tightening up your core and pushing out with your abdominals is called the valsalva maneuver, which is most likely what your trainer was talking about. This is a good thing to exercise with every rep of every lift. It literally lets you lift more.

You may opt to never add a belt and that would be just fine.

Thank you! )
And yes, if my form wasn't good I'd be dropping weight to perfect it, not adding it!