"Back in the day" everyone wore a weightlifting belt for just about any exercise. The trend nowadays seems to be to not wear a belt except for extremely heavy lifting. What are everyones thoughts/reasonings on this? I'm kind of torn but personally prefer to wear a belt for the safety factor. I think I remember hearing something about "core strength" being one of the reasons for not wearing a belt. Let me know. Thanks, Greg
Should I be wearing a weight belt?
- Thread starter GT2003
- Start date
It depends on what you're doing, in my opinion. If you lift a lot of boxes throughout the day, you might want to wear one just in case.
As for the gym, I think only a beginner should wear a belt until they get the form down. When I started my squats, and deadlifts, I wore a belt all the time. Now, I don't since I am used to the lift and I believe I have good form.
As for the gym, I think only a beginner should wear a belt until they get the form down. When I started my squats, and deadlifts, I wore a belt all the time. Now, I don't since I am used to the lift and I believe I have good form.
Dallen, I don't see why a beginner should use a belt, I'd rather say a beginner shouldn't so he will get some basic core development before he starts using it later (if he does).
Also, belts aren't suppose to compensate for bad form, they give extra support and reduce the chanse of having a hernia (bit unsure there, comfirm, anyone?), however, if you use a belt all the time in the gym, your core won't be as developed and you will increase the chanse of a hernia when doign something like lifting boxes IRL. Therefor, I'd say if you lfit alot of boxes, you shouldn't wear a belt, because you need to train your core for the strain of every day activity.
If you are looking to compete, most competitions allow belts (if not all, I'm not sure) so then lift with a belt when the weight gets heavy, as you will need to learn how to get the most of your equipment.
If you are lifting just to lift heavy and being cool, I'd say it's up to you.
If you do decide to go with the belt, I wouldn't use it for lifts less than 90% of 1RM, but that's my opinion.
However, I do believe the real answer might be "who cares?" - aslong as you don't use it for everything and become one of those "belt guys" it's really not that big of a deal..
Also, belts aren't suppose to compensate for bad form, they give extra support and reduce the chanse of having a hernia (bit unsure there, comfirm, anyone?), however, if you use a belt all the time in the gym, your core won't be as developed and you will increase the chanse of a hernia when doign something like lifting boxes IRL. Therefor, I'd say if you lfit alot of boxes, you shouldn't wear a belt, because you need to train your core for the strain of every day activity.
If you are looking to compete, most competitions allow belts (if not all, I'm not sure) so then lift with a belt when the weight gets heavy, as you will need to learn how to get the most of your equipment.
If you are lifting just to lift heavy and being cool, I'd say it's up to you.
If you do decide to go with the belt, I wouldn't use it for lifts less than 90% of 1RM, but that's my opinion.
However, I do believe the real answer might be "who cares?" - aslong as you don't use it for everything and become one of those "belt guys" it's really not that big of a deal..
Never, except if you expect to compete (in powerlifting). The purpose of a belt is to provide extra support for your lower back. By cinching the belt up tight and flexing/expanding your abs you force your lower back agianst the belt and assist that portion of your back that is against the belt to remain straight. If you are not competing you want to train your lower back to be stronger and your mind to retain correct form to provide maximum muscle development, so I would never use a belt.
Thats why I wear a belt but only when I am doing heavy lifts such as deadlifts. Breathing and proper form will help you avoid a hernia but I don't like to take the chance. There have been times when I pushed a set a little to far and I am afraid if I do that without support I could be in trouble
I think everyone should learn the exercise raw. When they are ready to max, they can determine for themselves whether they need a belt or not. Personally my core is weak when it comes to putting weight on my back. So when I max squat, I'll probably want to wear a belt. If your core isn't your weak point, then there's no reason to wear a belt.
Hoss
1
Agree 100%. More people need to read this and understand that a belt doesn't help you lift more, it's a safety device. And if you progress far enough, and your wheels become strong enough you will one day inevitably outgrow the capabilities of your 'core' and you'll be at a higher risk of a hernia.
Thanks for all the answers! Think back 15-20 years ago (if your that old, hehehe) and it seemed everyone wore a weight belt no matter what. How trends change. I do agree that if you start lifting monster weights that it's a pretty good idea to wear one. Thanks again for all the input, Greg
I wear a belt maybe one session a month, mainly on days that my back feels dodgy or I want to go real heavy. I dont think there is a major problem with wearing a belt every so often when you feel like you may a little more suseptable to injury or you want to go real heavy.
But as Mreik and Karky said its not a tool to help you lift more.
But as Mreik and Karky said its not a tool to help you lift more.
you sure they don't help you lift more? I tried them when I did quarter squats, and it helped me stabilize more weight, so I could use more weight for the exercise. But then again, I wasn't used to the big weight on my back that I had to use when doing quarter squats, so that might have been why a belt seemed to help so much. Maybe I should try a DL max with a belt and see if I get more or not..
do you use a belt only for heavy lifts, or for all squats, dls, etc?
Also, do you think that if you use a belt you should do extra ab work? Not only for size, but for performance too (I realize your a BeeBeer and all that, but you know
)
Hoss
1
I use a belt for my DL's and squats, and only in the 1-2RM range. And no, as long as the bulk of your working sets is w/o a belt I don't think that any extra abdominal work would be needed as far as 'core' strengthening (damn I hate that word). Now ‘not needed’, and ‘don’t do it’ are two wayyy different things. Because studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between how strong your abs are and your max.
And for everyone that says it helps you lift more, it should essentially take weight off your 'core'.. But take a look at this:
"In a recent study, Bauer, Fry and Carter (1999) investigated the EMG activity of the erector spinae muscles during high bar squats. Ten men with weightlifting experience performed two sets of three repetitions: the first set with and the second set without a weight belt. The load used in this experiment equaled 60% of each subject‘s 1RM. Findings indicated that the average erector spinae activity was greater in the lumbar region of the spine while wearing the belt. The hypothesis of the study stated if weight belts provide additional support to the spine during squatting there should be a decrease in the activity of the back extensor muscles."
This tells us a few things:
1. The belt DOES NOT help prevent lower back injuries by taking tension off the muscles.
2. It is NOT a crutch to compensate for a weak core. Unless by weak core you mean a thin abdominal sheet. In that case it does compensate, by lowering your risk of developing certain types of hernia. It by no means, makes you stronger.
And for the die hards:
If I wrapped your bicep tightly, would it help you curl more?
And for everyone that says it helps you lift more, it should essentially take weight off your 'core'.. But take a look at this:
"In a recent study, Bauer, Fry and Carter (1999) investigated the EMG activity of the erector spinae muscles during high bar squats. Ten men with weightlifting experience performed two sets of three repetitions: the first set with and the second set without a weight belt. The load used in this experiment equaled 60% of each subject‘s 1RM. Findings indicated that the average erector spinae activity was greater in the lumbar region of the spine while wearing the belt. The hypothesis of the study stated if weight belts provide additional support to the spine during squatting there should be a decrease in the activity of the back extensor muscles."
This tells us a few things:
1. The belt DOES NOT help prevent lower back injuries by taking tension off the muscles.
2. It is NOT a crutch to compensate for a weak core. Unless by weak core you mean a thin abdominal sheet. In that case it does compensate, by lowering your risk of developing certain types of hernia. It by no means, makes you stronger.
And for the die hards:
If I wrapped your bicep tightly, would it help you curl more?