tapered waist

[mitch]

I was told that wearing a belt all the time while lifting will create a more tapered waist. This includes wearing a belt during every lift, every bodypart, during the entire workout. The rationale, I was told, is like that of when women used to wear corsets, getting that tiny waist, even when they took the corset off.

Is there any validity to this theory??

[JamesBarlow]

Originally posted by mitch
I was told that wearing a belt all the time while lifting will create a more tapered waist. This includes wearing a belt during every lift, every bodypart, during the entire workout. The rationale, I was told, is like that of when women used to wear corsets, getting that tiny waist, even when they took the corset off.

Is there any validity to this theory??

NO!

Unless you are using a corset while you workout the belt won't work.

The corset work that women did would reduce their waist measure by 10-15 inches, sometimes even more. When the corset was removed their actual numbers may only be 5 or so inches less then normal.

I don't know about you but when I do wear a belt it's not so tight as to reduce my waist by that much.

If you want to wear a belt while you train then do so, but don't think it's going to reduce your waist measure.

[AussieTank]

No



What it will do though is help you take the indirect stress placed on the muscle fibers of your abs hence building a less impressive "6 pack" i do however think wearing a belt during heavy lift will help support the lower back which is why i wear a belt when heavy squating and deadlifting

[steelechris]

No

First and foremost I would have to say thats the stupidest idea I have ever heard first off because, your going to have one of the most underdeveloped lower backs if you do that. Think about it, half the exercises put stress on the lower back making it strong, and if your wearing that belt, your taking most of that stress away. Can you imagine a pro who wears belts all the time, develops that HUGE upper body, and when he takes off the belt almost falls over because he can't support his own weight, lol.

[freaker]

You'll still work the lower back plenty while using a belt. It the transverse abdominus that ends up not working as hard when wearing a belt.