Belt or no belt?

[mccloudlw]

and its distracting from the lift.

Convincing anyone on here to use anything except a legitimate powerlifting belt is going to be a tough sell. Especially if you're a fan of those goofy body building belts. It's not a back brace. If you're using it as one, you're probably doing something wrong.

[hodgesjoshuab]

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

You do your cardio with a belt on you potato?

[mccloudlw]

You do your cardio with a belt on you potato?

I assumed he was joking, but...

[squatz4ndOatz]

I do my lifting beltless. I feel tighter with a belt but not as comfortable as when I go beltless.

[screamingjesus]

You do your cardio with a belt on you potato?

yes, if I train at home, I only wear the belt. It's very liberating

[FutureAestethic]

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

What does the position of the belt on your body looks like?
it should be a lil bit higher than you belt position for squat (like above belly button)

[jmpak001]

What does the position of the belt on your body looks like?
it should be a lil bit higher than you belt position for squat (like above belly button)

It's been so long since I tried I can't remember. But I'm going to try once I break my new belt in. Tried it out today and it hurt like hell and depth took a slight hit because of it. But I expected that.

I'm guessing it's going to be a while until this inzer belt is fully broken in even with squatting 3 times a week.

[FutureAestethic]

It's been so long since I tried I can't remember. But I'm going to try once I break my new belt in. Tried it out today and it hurt like hell and depth took a slight hit because of it. But I expected that.

I'm guessing it's going to be a while until this inzer belt is fully broken in even with squatting 3 times a week.

it could be too tight as well. Keep it a lil bit loose, but make sure when you inhale to your stomach it should be tight.

[IsraeliPride]

Squat - No belt until i feel i need it (75% + i guess)
Deadlift - Rarely use belt, i hate it. Will try it again though this week, might change my mind.
Bench - Never

[BerserkGrom]

I use them now cause when I didnt use them and then started using them again it felt uncomfortable and weird. So now that I use it more frequently I can get more out of them. I suggest you do it, too, if you are a serious lifter.

[jmpak001]

Benching with a belt is a little weird for me. I don't really have much of an arch when I bench. That might be why it takes me 10 years to add 2.5 pounds to my bench 🤔 So adding a belt just feels like I'm laying on my back with a belt on

[mikelucas123]

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

All the way Belt

[NotThatUgly]

2 common things I read from powerlifters:

"Belts are just to lift more, not for safety." This seems like splitting hairs. If you can create more stability with a belt in order to maintain rigidity under heavy load, then how is it not safer? If equating for weight, suppose I squat 405 with a belt and without, which variation am I more likely to get injured from? Common sense says the belt makes you more rigid, therefore it's safer.

the other thing is about the stiff powerlifting belts. Yeah they are better than the tapered bodybuilding ones for powerlifting, but what you don't see is strongmen wearing those belts. And strongmen deadlift as much or more than powerlifters, and squat similar amounts and they are usually doing stuff like this for reps. Usually strongmen are using tapered belts with more flexibility. Try a few belts and see what works for you.

[PhDPepper1111]

Belt for sure.
Usually only when going heavy, but for all big 3 lifts.
Agree with previous comments: Can lift more using the belt as a brace for core tension, but I do feel considerably more stable/safer.
For those that don't, I understand wanting to feel more loose/flexible, but I think you'd be wiser to use a belt.

[inspirasn]

Belt keeps your core tight during heavy squats and deadlifts. May add a few kgs on your max too aside from safety.
For bench not necessary. I use lever belt.

[Brandon2576]

Belt always when maxing or competing. I try to avoid it during training as much as possible. I would prefer to only put it on when I’m a few weeks out from whatever I’m bout to do just to get used to the feeling of it. I think going without the belt increases core strength (I know there are studies that say that it has the same level of activation). I think if you make the training hard the fight is easy.