weight belt @ squating (new member intro)

[3/4tonYJ]

hey all,
been reading/luking around the board for a little while now, (enjoyable & informative)

i've been an off/on lifter for 20 years, (always have some form of exercise going on) but never over 1 year steady lifting......

anyway, my 1st question........

to use a weight belt or not.......(and what does it benefit/prevent)

so i do more of a "maintenance lifting routine" and my leg day is once a week, it's evolved over the last 3 or 4 months but i always do 3 sets of squats (after 2 warmups) usually reps are 10, 8 & 6 or 7. not to failer but close......i'm 190 lbs. and am working out with 225 for the 3 sets.....a gym friend asked why i don't use a belt, and i thought about and said i didn't think i needed one, then i re-thought, could i be making a big mistake.......

thanks for any thoughts.........

[DCLifter]

I personally think that too many people rely too much on belts. If you lift with proper form---which means keeping your abs and lower back tight---then you really don't need a belt until you squat or deadlift about twice bodyweight.

However, if you have disc problems in your lower back, a belt would be a good idea.

[fitnessman]

I do not use a belt to squat. I squat pretty near 600 for reps. The belt actually hindered my progress.

[HardBody]

I use a belt but i don't believe a belt is ever needed.......i think it's more what i'm use to then anything else....once i forgot got to bring it on leg day and i went ahead and did squats without it using the same number of reps and weight...so i know it's all in my head ....

i have a buddy who just can't workout if you he was to forget his work out music

just my opinion..

[ralph029]

My opinion...
Back problems... were a belt
SUPER heavy weight... wear a belt to be safe but not needed
Ride an old rigid frame Harley or Indian... weat a belt
Anything else... spend the money on a dinner for the ol' lady besides you might get lucky and sex always feels better than one of those belts!

[kendo]

hi 3/4tony] welcome onboard good to see new members in the senior section. I always wear a belt but I have had tendon trouble in the past. I find warming up with high rep hyperextensions even on leg day warms up the lower back.

[zilkermuscl]

I dont wear a belt when I squat. I did wear a belt, but I kept getting a belt injury from it. I asked around the university, and it was about half and half on the belt. It does increase inner abdominal pressure which may help your lift, and does prevent side to side movement to a degree. But it cut back on my breathing to a degree. I squat 550# and dont use one. But, I also have two spotters and a trainer. I use very, very strict form, and if I get out of form, I immediately stop. Most people who use a belt dont pull them tight enough for them to be effective - and I mean they need to be tight.