Lifting Belt: Yes or no, and what exercises?

[Desparado]

Hey man, I am only a beginner when it comes to muscle mass.
But I recently started bulking (I under eaten for years) and been doing a 5x5 Stronglift program.
I have noticed on my big compound lifts when I am pushing big weight, the belt helps soo much.
It lets me lift more weight with better form and more comfortably.
I use it on Squats / Deadlifts / OHP probly 75% of the time, and Rows and bench I will use mainly after I stall on the next time I train it.
Hope this helps.

You use a belt to bench???

[BLaaR]

Maybe, but that's no reason not to use one. When used properly they are very useful.

I agree.

I do not mean you should not use one, just that many "noobs" end up getting hurt because they are under the wrong impression / sense of security when using the belt.

For heavy lifters like your yourself, a belt is almost a must.

[djflex]

Holy crap, I had no idea the type of belt made such a difference. And different belts for different lifts? Can you tell me why?

The one I bought at Dick's for 24.99 looks like the fourth one.

Toby, if you end up liking use of a belt. Spend the money and get an inzer, they are worth it, imo.

[bodyhard]

Put some phcuking weight on the bar and you will see the need.

Thats uncalled for FLEX, I am pretty sure Corbi is lifting as heavy as you (for him) and is giving it all he has.

What is heavy for you, might be light for the next man and vice verse.

[-=FLEX=-]

Thats uncalled for FLEX, I am pretty sure Corbi is lifting as heavy as you (for him) and is giving it all he has.

What is heavy for you, might be light for the next man and vice verse.

BH I was just busting his balls man. He knows me well enough to know that.

[mslman71]

If you wanna use it, use it. Unless someone else is going to come in and lift for you and you somehow manage to reap the rewards I say do whatever you feel comfortable with doing.

I threw my lifting belt onto the bar one day as an experiment and as I suspected it did not lift the weight. Now, granted, I believe it does assist in some measure with storing up a bit of potential energy on compressive type lifts (squats, deads, etc) but all that is is a systematic offset. If you go up 20 pounds because of it it makes no difference unless you are in some kind of competition. If you're working against max output each time the magnitude of the weight itself doesn't matter.

[Getsum]

I like my inzer lever for squats.

I use a dual prong for deads.

Not everyone is gonna have 2 belts. I do. LMAO.

Yep, the Inzer digs into my upper quads on deadz. I have a theory that this wont be an issue once I'm back under 200# though.

[djflex]

BH I was just busting his balls man. He knows me well enough to know that.

I do not think greg would have cared even if you were srs!

He is a role model for not a single phuk is given!

[induced_drag]

Inzer lever checking in.

I hate to be blasphemous, but I dont see a huge difference with it over my $15 velcro one. My first 600lb dead was with a velcro belt on (srs). Now I do know they are more stable and give you something to push against....etc. But lets be honest, 90% of the people on here wont be pushing the weights where you can even take advantage of a 10mmbelt. (and one that costs $100+)

I dont believe in the need for belts anyway....except on the most maximal lifts. (I dont put one one till I get over 500). I am pretty sure I could go over without one and not get hurt, but I am learning to push against the belt now (trying more of a powerlifting style).

I think you should use it as little as possible as it allows your core to strengthen as you do. As you go down to singles...then a belt is not a bad idea. To me, it is more of a reminder to keep the core tight.


The Pros of the inzer lever, is you can immediately pop it open after the lift and be more comfortable. It will remain on you, but just not tight. Plus it is cool . There are worse things that I have spent $100 on and I do not regret it. Plus velcro are not allowed in most powerlifting meets.

[socket]

I use one on deads and squats..... anything over 50% of my max.

I use a cheap velcro style I bought at the local sports store... works fine for me.

[tmonkey]

I have had back surgery and liked the feeling of safety it gave me but my cheap vlecro one started to rip and i quit using it with no plans to replace

[Corbi]

I do not think greg would have cared even if you were srs!

He is a role model for not a single phuk is given!

This a million times over, and besides I knew jim was just busting balls, its all good.

[bodyhard]

BH I was just busting his balls man. He knows me well enough to know that.

In that case it is all good let me STFU and keep it moving

[tmonkey]

In that case it is all good let me STFU and keep it moving

[somedude999]

Holy crap, I had no idea the type of belt made such a difference. And different belts for different lifts? Can you tell me why?

The one I bought at Dick's for 24.99 looks like the fourth one.

I apologize if you already know this, but I'll explain it just in case; a lot of people think the belt is meant to support the back when it's actually meant to support the stomach. The idea is that you inhale deeply and force your abs against the belt. The belt resists the expansion of your abdominal wall, which increases internal (thoracic) pressure, which acts like an air cylinder to support the spine. If you've ever taken a balloon and squeezed it in the middle you'll notice both ends bulge out and get harder. Same basic idea.

The top two are powerlifting belts. They're the same width all the way around and provide the most support to the stomach. The trade off is that they can be uncomfortable and some people don't like bending over in them.

The third belt (skinny front/thick back) is an olympic style belt. They trade off support to the stomach for increased mobility and are more comfortable to bend over in.

The last belt is a velcro belt that's meant to look like a powerlifting belt. The nice thing about them is that they're super comfortable. The problem with them is that they're not that stiff so your stomach will cause them to curl and fold when you put real pressure on them. Additionally, the velcro can come loose when you put a lot of pressure on it, which usually only happens on really heavy lifts, which is usually the worst time to suffer such a distraction.

I use an Inzer 10mm lever. I love it.

[tobymax123]

Thanks for all the input from everyone who replied. Very helpful.

The one I got is Velcro, wide in the back, narrow in front. I like it on my squats. I think more than anything it helped me keep straight. I mean it sort reminded me to stay in balance and go straight up and straight down. I seem to have a problem with balance, which I think is why I've tweaked my back twice. It helped with that.

And since I mentioned straps in the op... I used them for the first time on deads yesterday, and it was great. I went up to 265, 2 sets x 3. Not much, but my PR. It's amazing how one bad finger messes up my grip strength, so the straps will be a godsend as I progress.

[scullin]

I usually only wear it on heavier squats and deadlifts. Sometimes wear it on lighter sets too if my back is bothering that day but only squats and deadlifts either way.

[-=FLEX=-]

The one I got is Velcro, wide in the back, narrow in front.

Weightlifting belts that are wider in the back make me LOL. Whole point of them is to basically give you something to press your stomach against to tighten up your core. Your back is basically stabilize by the pressure resulting in this, not the belt itself.

[pvsampson]

I use mine for Deads and Squats on my work sets.I find it helps me keep my back straighter.It is narrow at the front,I got it from a second hand shop,it's an Everlast leather twin prong,had never been used and cost me $20.I like it and I don't give a f#ck what anyone thinks,it makes me feel more confident.

[-=FLEX=-]

i don't give a f#ck what anyone thinks,it makes me feel more confident.

ok.

[Corbi]

I don't give a f#ck what anyone thinks,it makes me feel more confident.

Yes you do, admit it that you do care just a wee bit what anyone thinks.

[djflex]

Yes you do, admit it that you do care just a wee bit what anyone thinks.

For myself, i care.

Its important what people think of me.

Many sleepless nights , i toss and turn, wondering how i can better peoples thoughts about me.

[m314]

I haven't worn a weight belt since high school. I've never felt the need for them either. If I wanted to enter a deadlift comp, I might start training with one to get an extra few pounds.

[Phattso]

For squats I do wear a belt with 225 on up, because I have a minimal umbilical hernia. I'd rather not blow up.

[Corbi]

For squats I do wear a belt with 225 on up, because I have a minimal umbilical hernia. I'd rather not blow up.

Thought I was gonna blow up or rather out today. Was DL'ng #365 for reps and on the 2nd one it forced one loud ass fart out. Glad that's all that happened