Belts & knee wraps necessary?

[PBanonymous]

So this guy at my guy.. kinda an ol' timer lifter. He's about 45: not to say that's old... just that he's kinda old school.

He keeps bugging me telling me that I NEED to be lifting with a belt on. ANd that if I don't buy wraps for my knees "I'll be sorry"

I thought that using a belt to lift all the time (he wears the thing ALL THE TIME) weakens your core? Right?

I did have a double hernia when I was 3yrs old... but my drs have never ever cautioned me when I played sports or commented on any other precautions I should be taking?... is this guy right?

[Zenree]

hahahaha....I think this guy is just trying to "chat you up"

I mean srsly, how the heck can he tell you what types of "reinforcement" you need?

Isn't that a totally personal choice?

Just say "thanks, I'll keep that in mind" ...and of course, do whatever you want.

[CEPCNC]

well his basis is solid for the need of straps and a belt, but he's probably talking from past personal experience being that he probably had a lot of weight on the bar/rack.

Yes I use a belt (no wraps) on squats, sldl, and reg dl when I'm going heavy. My back has been broken so I AM cautious. If I get up over 300lbs on squats or dl then I'll put one on....I actually seen someone with 500lbs on the squat bar for short reps and using NO belt...I about shat my drawers just watching.

For powerlifting I would say YES...wraps and a belt for the heavies. For bodybuilding, just a belt will suffice. Hopefully someone else will chime in as my opinion is a little biased for my personal experiences/injuries.

[Euqinom]

Originally Posted by mortician83

So this guy at my guy.. kinda an ol' timer lifter. He's about 45: not to say that's old... just that he's kinda old school.

He keeps bugging me telling me that I NEED to be lifting with a belt on. ANd that if I don't buy wraps for my knees "I'll be sorry"

I thought that using a belt to lift all the time (he wears the thing ALL THE TIME) weakens your core? Right?

I did have a double hernia when I was 3yrs old... but my drs have never ever cautioned me when I played sports or commented on any other precautions I should be taking?... is this guy right?

A belt can actually alter your motor patterns and affect your lifting negatively. Don't do what he says.
Eric Cressey says on t-nation: wear a belt to win competitions.
Also, read Beltless and Backstrong by Paul Chek. It will explain everything.
I've used a belt only for maxing out on my 90%+ lifts, when powerlifting was a specific goal (competitionwise).
As for wraps, they are painful, hard to use, and hardly worth it for the non-competitive lifter. I've heard people that advised kneesleeves, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

[ctgblue]

Originally Posted by Euqinom

Also, read Beltless and Backstrong by Paul Chek. It will explain everything.
I've used a belt only for maxing out on my 90%+ lifts, when powerlifting was a specific goal (competitionwise).

I also recommend only using it for max lifts, I use it above 400lbs on squats and above 500lb on shrugs and rack deads (just to not have to worry about the core)

People who wear them all the time, usually wear them too loose and too high, and are under the impression that the BELT supports the back. The belt, worn low and tight, gives the abs something to drive into to help THEM support the back.
So you can snicker at him as he wears it to the water fountain and while doing curls.

If you NEED a belt, get a real belt, 4" wide all the way around - the front of the belt supports the lower core - like this one
http://www.prowriststraps.com/inc/sdetail/87153
If you want a lightweight one, this is the only one I would recommend (having pulled over 700lbs with one on)
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gl/harbelt.html it has at least a 3" nylon strap, which is the support, and a long strip of velcro, as opposed to valeo/nike and those brands with a littl e 6" strip of velcro that comes loose in the middle of the lift

As for wraps, they are painful, hard to use, and hardly worth it for the non-competitive lifter. I've heard people that advised kneesleeves, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

I have only used knee wraps for super heavy squats, and now I use APT kneesleeves ( http://www.prowriststraps.com/inc/sdetail/95496 ), slight compression, but supportive and warm. I still only use them going very heavy, often when at a weight where I would don a belt also.