Belt or no belt?

[jmpak001]

Just curious how other people train squats, deadlifts and bench in terms of using a belt.

For me it goes

Squat : belt (kind of a no brainer)

Deadlift : beltless. I can't get into a comfortable position with a belt on.

Bench: beltless probably 99.98% of the time. I haven't used a belt to bench in a while though, maybe 2 years.

[sperez21]

Just curious how other people train squats, deadlifts and bench in terms of using a belt.

For me it goes

Squat : belt (kind of a no brainer)

Deadlift : beltless. I can't get into a comfortable position with a belt on.

Bench: beltless probably 99.98% of the time. I haven't used a belt to bench in a while though, maybe 2 years.

Belted for all 3, my 13mm inzer is a year old and still leaves marks on my hips and ribs on heavy squats and deads, but I can't match the pressure I can push out against the belt at all without it. Have also learned to love benching with a belt, helps me get tighter than I ever could belt less. I incorporate belt less work though, just another variation

[screamingjesus]

squat - belt
deadlift - belt
bench - belt
curls - belt
tricep kickbacks - belt
shadow boxing between sets of crunches - belt.

[mccloudlw]

squat - belt
deadlift - belt
bench - belt
curls - belt
tricep kickbacks - belt
shadow boxing between sets of crunches - belt.

You're one of those people.

Squat: belt
Deadlift: belt
Bench: working on it

And bruises just mean it's working right.

[Rags85]

Just curious how other people train squats, deadlifts and bench in terms of using a belt.

For me it goes

Squat : belt (kind of a no brainer)

Deadlift : beltless. I can't get into a comfortable position with a belt on.

Bench: beltless probably 99.98% of the time. I haven't used a belt to bench in a while though, maybe 2 years.

Thats basically what I do. Just realize that it won't be comfortable deadlifting with a belt. Its not intended to be. I deadlift beltless because I suck at using the belt and every time I try to learn it, I just get frustrated because I pull less for a few weeks and say "screw this, I pull more without it anyway". If I truly commit to a belt, I bet I'd pull more. Basically, all I'm saying is, don't use comfort as an excuse to not pull with a belt.

[mccloudlw]

Putting the belt up slightly higher when you pull than you would war it when you squat makes it much more tolerable. For me.

[ajc1234]

Squat - belt
Deadlift - belt, but one notch looser than when I squat
Bench- no belt

[PTzFree]

Depends. If I'm doing lower weight with higher reps, I've noticed a huge difference in my core strength without a belt. It's important to make those muscles work naturally and strengthen them too. Force yourself to learn correct form without a belt. I've actually had more injuries using a belt like this because when it was off those little stabilizing muscles were not up to par during other exercises or at home where there is not weight belt.

If it's higher weight with low reps, a belt is an undeniable safety precaution.

[screamingjesus]

You're one of those people.

Squat: belt
Deadlift: belt
Bench: working on it

And bruises just mean it's working right.

I forgot an important point. i always remove my belt to check my abs in the mirror.

[jesteraq]

I forgot an important point. i always remove my belt to check my abs in the mirror.

lmao

[mccloudlw]

I forgot an important point. i always remove my belt to check my abs in the mirror.

I'd definitely do that if I had abs

[Rags85]

Depends. If I'm doing lower weight with higher reps, I've noticed a huge difference in my core strength without a belt. It's important to make those muscles work naturally and strengthen them too. Force yourself to learn correct form without a belt. I've actually had more injuries using a belt like this because when it was off those little stabilizing muscles were not up to par during other exercises or at home where there is not weight belt.

If it's higher weight with low reps, a belt is an undeniable safety precaution.

Sounds like you don't know how to use a belt properly. Bolded statement is completely wrong and if you truly believe that, then that is likely why you're getting injured.

[NoDoubts]

squat/deadlift no belt until 85% of 1 rep max or so. the best way to get your core strong is to train with no belt on.

[Partyrocking]

I wear my belt higher when I deadlift than I do for squats. Don't wear it for bench, at least not yet.

[mccloudlw]

Sounds like you don't know how to use a belt properly. Bolded statement is completely wrong and if you truly believe that, then that is likely why you're getting injured.

I've only seen one semi belt related injury. Dude was trying to squat 1rm (which was a lot). Big breath, went down, and on the way up his ratchet came undone. He exhaled and it dislocated most of his floating ribs. Make a pretty nasty sound.

If he'd held his breath, he probably would have been fine. But you're right. I don't think I've ever heard someone say they were safety devices. They're tools.

[PTzFree]

Sounds like you don't know how to use a belt properly. Bolded statement is completely wrong and if you truly believe that, then that is likely why you're getting injured.

Well, it's a belt, so I'm not sure I even understand what I could possibly be misunderstanding about its use or purpose. They are worn snug around the waist to prevent you from improper form, i.e. - rounding your back and risking injury to discs.

Since it's purpose is the prevention of injury, it is inherently a safety device.

To clarify: I simply believe that preventing your back from rounding is a job for your core. I've only experienced injury when not using a belt after having trained myself to rely on the belt to do the job of the core muscles. That is why, when possible, I train without one. You will not be wearing a belt when you pick the kids up off the floor, lift a tote into the attic, or mount the tire back on the car - best train those muscles, too.

http://breakingmuscle.com/olympic-we...ne-pro-and-con

Read the cons listed. It's exactly what I'm talking about - apparently others agree with me.

[mccloudlw]

Well, it's a belt, so I'm not sure I even understand what I could possibly be misunderstanding about its use or purpose. They are worn snug around the waist to prevent you from improper form, i.e. - rounding your back and risking injury to discs.

Since it's purpose is the prevention of injury, it is inherently a safety device.

To clarify: I simply believe that preventing your back from rounding is a job for your core. I've only experienced injury when not using a belt after having trained myself to rely on the belt to do the job of the core muscles. That is why, when possible, I train without one. You will not be wearing a belt when you pick the kids up off the floor, lift a tote into the attic, or mount the tire back on the car - best train those muscles, too.

http://breakingmuscle.com/olympic-we...ne-pro-and-con

Read the cons listed. It's exactly what I'm talking about - apparently others agree with me.

I'll see your BM article with another:

http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-c...htlifting-belt

The goofy narrow in the front and a foot wide in the back belts popular for body building might legitimately be for back support. A thick, stiff PL belt is not. And for them to really work, it has to go way past "snug".

[danlsann]

only use a belt for squats and deads. Usually only when handling 70%+, sometimes i dont use a belt though. Never for front squats or bench or any other lift though

[lifterut]

Lately it seems I don't use it for anything. Training in waves, and belly getting smaller all the time puts the belt too big every time I'm ready to do a heavy enough squat or deadlift to wear it. I put it on, close the lever, and it's too loose so I ditch it. If I wasn't so lazy I would carry an actual bag with a screwdriver, but I tend to just throw the belt over my shoulder. Would probably help if I also didn't forget about it the second I get back in the truck. Maybe I should do it now…

[jmpak001]

Awesome responses.

That one post about the guy who got hurt because his belt came off or something, my belt just broke midset last weekend at the end of a 5x5 @ 85 or 90% so I've had to lay off until my new belt comes. It was a belt from big 5 and I had it for 5 years. I'm so glad I got out of that without injury after reading that.

[mccloudlw]

What kind of belt do you have, OP? Just saw you other thread and did some deductive reasoning.

This is a belt:



This is bull ****:

[Rags85]

Well, it's a belt, so I'm not sure I even understand what I could possibly be misunderstanding about its use or purpose. They are worn snug around the waist to prevent you from improper form, i.e. - rounding your back and risking injury to discs.

Since it's purpose is the prevention of injury, it is inherently a safety device.

To clarify: I simply believe that preventing your back from rounding is a job for your core. I've only experienced injury when not using a belt after having trained myself to rely on the belt to do the job of the core muscles. That is why, when possible, I train without one. You will not be wearing a belt when you pick the kids up off the floor, lift a tote into the attic, or mount the tire back on the car - best train those muscles, too.

http://breakingmuscle.com/olympic-we...ne-pro-and-con

Read the cons listed. It's exactly what I'm talking about - apparently others agree with me.

I've only seen one semi belt related injury. Dude was trying to squat 1rm (which was a lot). Big breath, went down, and on the way up his ratchet came undone. He exhaled and it dislocated most of his floating ribs. Make a pretty nasty sound.

If he'd held his breath, he probably would have been fine. But you're right. I don't think I've ever heard someone say they were safety devices. They're tools.

Thats a failure of a device. Sucks, but not what I was talking about. Belts are not safety devices, never have been, never will be. As you say, they are tools to aid you in lifting more weight. Thats it.

The problem becomes when someone assumes they are safety devices, and puts on a belt and thinking they are now safe from injury. Assuming your safe from injury tends to lead to form breakdown and thus injury. The links given don't even talk about powerlifting belts at all. Good article about PL belts. http://strengtheory.com/the-belt-bible/

[Rags85]

What kind of belt do you have, OP? Just saw you other thread and did some deductive reasoning.

This is a belt:



This is bull ****:

Also, this.

[jmpak001]

What kind of belt do you have, OP? Just saw you other thread and did some deductive reasoning.

It was a Valeo belt from Big 5. Honestly, I should have bought a better belt a long time ago but I saw a picture that said something like you won't ever squat 500 with that kind of equipment and I wanted to see if I could but I guess that's not happening.

I ordered an Inzer belt that's coming today so that's probably going to
be the last belt I ever buy

[mccloudlw]

Ok, so forget everything you've done with your "belt" to date. The new one is going to fit, feel, and function 100% different.

[dleedle]

I train with a belt for squat and deadlift, but not bench. For bench, I have a pretty big arch and using a belt puts some sheer force on my lumbar which I don't really like. As long as your ass and shoulders are anchored to the bench, there's little risk of back injury.

[Rags85]

I ordered an Inzer belt that's coming today so that's probably going to
be the last belt I ever buy

Yup, they are called forever belts for a reason.

[screamingjesus]

those powerlifting belts pinch your fat and leave you bruised every workout

[mccloudlw]

those powerlifting belts pinch your fat and leave you bruised every workout

And? It gets better as the belt breaks in and your body acclimates, but they're not supposed to be comefortable.

[screamingjesus]

And? It gets better as the belt breaks in and your body acclimates, but they're not supposed to be comefortable.

and its distracting from the lift.