When do I need a belt or straps?

[Dann74]

I’m 45 been lifting a year and trying to get up to 2x body weight for 5 x3 or 4.

I’m up to 330lbs and need to get to 375. I really didn’t want to get a belt or straps because I want to increase my grip and I’m keen on strengthening my back. Is there a point where you need to get a belt.

My limitation at the moment isn’t my grip or back but breathing and oxygen.

[HanleyTucks]

Never.

If your limit is breathing and oxygen, go for a 30' walk every day.

[keyboardworkout]

I would rather see someone pulling double overhand with straps than suffer a biceps injury.

[mtpockets]

I’m 45 been lifting a year and trying to get up to 2x body weight for 5 x3 or 4.

I’m up to 330lbs and need to get to 375. I really didn’t want to get a belt or straps because I want to increase my grip and I’m keen on strengthening my back. Is there a point where you need to get a belt.

My limitation at the moment isn’t my grip or back but breathing and oxygen.

Strap up when your grip fails to the point it interferes with your back training. You can train your grip another time in many ways not at the expense of your back training.

[Corbets]

I started using a belt / straps this year, after about a year of lifting (I’m 40). Not all the time, just on my heaviest work sets. For me, that’s pulling 150kg or so off the floor, same general area as you. There’s nothing wrong with doing so - I want my grip trained too, but the straps help work the posterior chain when the grip has hit its limits.

My limitation at the moment isn’t my grip or back but breathing and oxygen.

This suggests to me that you should do more cardio. I’ve been a runner for a dozen years or so before I started seriously lifting, and have a friggin fantastic cardiovascular system (was so happy when the doc diagnosed me with “athlete’s heart” - lol), but I know a lot of lifters tend to ignore that aspect of it. Here’s a great article by Greg Nuckols on the topic.

https://www.strongerbyscience.com/av...ding-you-back/

[Dann74]

I run half marathons I’m aerobically fit. It’s more I hold my breath in the movement too much and forget to take in enough air at the bottom. I think I need to watch someone who knows what they are doing my gym just doesn’t have many people lifting a lot to watch. I never feel anything in my biceps from it. I guess I’ll try straps soon if I can’t get further not sure I like the sound of a bicep tear.

[Corbets]

I run half marathons I’m aerobically fit. It’s more I hold my breath in the movement too much and forget to take in enough air at the bottom. I think I need to watch someone who knows what they are doing my gym just doesn’t have many people lifting a lot to watch. I never feel anything in my biceps from it. I guess I’ll try straps soon if I can’t get further not sure I like the sound of a bicep tear.

Fair enough. In that case, I’d suggest watching Brian Alsruhe’s youtube videos about breathing and bracing. He has some that talk about the concept generically, and some that are specific to the lift of your choice. They’re all amazingly helpful.

[OldFartTom]

When grip limits you, use chalk as next step (before going for straps or mixed grip). Chalk works wonders. You can get liquid version in a convenient tube or little squeezy bottle to go in gym bag. It doesn't have to be block or powder version. FWIW... probably because I'm a skinny-wristed wimp, I find straps painful.

[mtpockets]

I find straps painful.

Yeah, I haven't used straps since I discovered Versa grips many years ago

[drudixon]

After watching a bunch of Clarence Kennedy videos I've decided to Ditch the belt, reset the weights a bit and just build up without. I feel for atg high bar the belt is limiting. Ofc my focus lately is learning Olympic lifting so a different animal than power lifting.

[ElrondHubbard]

Yeah, I haven't used straps since I discovered Versa grips many years ago

I recently started using Cobra grips, which are similar. Big difference from either straps or raw.

[LWW]

NEVER!

If you "feel" you need a belt, then well, I'd suggest not to lift that day.

As for grip, well, us Jedi's have learned through the "force" to make that connection to grip and back.

As for cardio, well, I'd suggest working high rep squats, nothing beats it, not even running. I'm a Jedi night and have learned the ways of the force, there are very few jedi's in the universe who know how to truly do "high rep squats".

[ElrondHubbard]

NEVER!

If you "feel" you need a belt, then well, I'd suggest not to lift that day.

As for grip, well, us Jedi's have learned through the "force" to make that connection to grip and back.

As for cardio, well, I'd suggest working high rep squats, nothing beats it, not even running. I'm a Jedi night and have learned the ways of the force, there are very few jedi's in the universe who know how to truly do "high rep squats".

You may be a Jedi Knight, but it's a good thing you aren't a weight lifting coach. Your advice is wrong, as usual.

[LWW]

You may be a Jedi Knight, but it's a good thing you aren't a weight lifting coach. Your advice is wrong, as usual.

Give me a break, I've rubbed elbows with the best coaches in history. Who do you know in the "irongame"??????

[mtpockets]

I recently started using Cobra grips, which are similar. Big difference from either straps or raw.

I haven't used the cobra's, but I imagine they are very similar. The versa grips were a game changer for me, I am prone to some real bad bouts of elbow tendinitis. Pullups aggravated it. The grips really helped me in this area as well.

[tblodg15]

I haven't used the cobra's, but I imagine they are very similar. The versa grips were a game changer for me, I am prone to some real bad bouts of elbow tendinitis. Pullups aggravated it. The grips really helped me in this area as well.

Exactly! I have not had issues with tendinitis but I use the cobra grips to be proactive. I have never had pain on the inside of my elbow but have had some numbness. That was enough to convince me to buy the grips because I have heard it can be a nightmare to get rid of one you do get the tendinitis.

[ElrondHubbard]

Give me a break, I've rubbed elbows with the best coaches in history. Who do you know in the "irongame"??????

And how many of those coaches refuse to let their competitors wear belts?

Are you aware that a belt actually increases the activation of abdominal muscles during a lift?

I suspect it's not your elbows you should be focusing on.

[x-trainer ben]

Here is 1 mans answer and here are 2 articles to read.

"When Should I Use a Weightlifting Belt?
It’s recommended to use a weightlifting belt at and above 80% of your one-rep max but using it for lighter training is not recommended."

https://fitnessvolt.com/weightlifting-belts-review/

https://fitnessvolt.com/21303/my-way...s-good-or-bad/

[ElrondHubbard]

Here is 1 mans answer and here are 2 articles to read.

"When Should I Use a Weightlifting Belt?
It’s recommended to use a weightlifting belt at and above 80% of your one-rep max but using it for lighter training is not recommended."

https://fitnessvolt.com/weightlifting-belts-review/

https://fitnessvolt.com/21303/my-way...s-good-or-bad/

Another take from Greg Nuckols:

https://www.strongerbyscience.com/the-belt-bible/

"For the life of me, I can’t figure out a good reason (physiologically) someone shouldn’t start using a belt whenever the hell they want to. "


He does nuance that a little later:

"Personally, I’d recommend training 70/30 or 80/20 beltless your first few months in the gym, gradually transitioning to the opposite ratio as you become more experienced."

[x-trainer ben]

Another take from Greg Nuckols:

https://www.strongerbyscience.com/the-belt-bible/

"For the life of me, I can’t figure out a good reason (physiologically) someone shouldn’t start using a belt whenever the hell they want to. "


He does nuance that a little later:

"Personally, I’d recommend training 70/30 or 80/20 beltless your first few months in the gym, gradually transitioning to the opposite ratio as you become more experienced."

thanks, will read

[LWW]

And how many of those coaches refuse to let their competitors wear belts?

Are you aware that a belt actually increases the activation of abdominal muscles during a lift?

I suspect it's not your elbows you should be focusing on.

This is not about coaches refusing, the best coaches are the ones who teach their trainees how to think for themselves.


There is also something called building an internal belt which is far more valuable.

I don’t know who you’re talking in your last sentence, I assume not me because others are talking about elbows. If I’m wrong though, well my focus is what will make me the 1percent.

[mtpockets]

Give me a break, I've rubbed elbows with the best coaches in history.

I suspect it's not your elbows you should be focusing on.

I don’t know who you’re talking in your last sentence, I assume not me because others are talking about elbows.

Are you that Fuk'n stupid that you forget the lies you tell.... You mentioned Elbows

[x-trainer ben]

Can the adults in the room get back to Belt talk, and save the personal for your mother in law.

[mtpockets]

Wow... Are you guys getting practice in early for those family arguments over Christmas?

You guys are going to be GOOD by end of December. When your mother in law makes a cutting comment, this year she might regret it

Can the adults in the room get back to Belt talk, and save the personal for your mother in law.

Sorry Ladies, but I'll say what I want, when I want and where I want. Get over it!

Merry Xmas

[x-trainer ben]

Sorry Ladies, but I'll say what I want, when I want and where I want. Get over it!

Merry Xmas

Ok just relate it to Belts and weight lifting!!!!

Mr. What you want when you want where you want;never in it so no need to get over it.

[weiss1967]

trying to get up to 2x body weight for 5 x3 or 4.

My limitation at the moment isn’t my grip or back but breathing and oxygen.

at such low reps, you are completely unaerobic. Oxygen cannot be your limit. You can even hold your breath through the whole thing, a lot of people do, subcounciously.

[Mark1T]

I can't advise other people, but I have been in the gym for many years. For me, it is all about self-preservation, so I use a belt for all sets for squats and hack squats. The belt support my gut and it just seems logical to protect against a hernia. I had one and don't want another one. Still, there is no guarantee against a hernia, but it does IMO reduce the risk.

Again, I can only speak for myself.

[ElrondHubbard]

Sorry Ladies, but I'll say what I want, when I want and where I want. Get over it!

Merry Xmas

And please pass the dressing!

[Jtbny]

NEVER!

If you "feel" you need a belt, then well, I'd suggest not to lift that day.

As for grip, well, us Jedi's have learned through the "force" to make that connection to grip and back.

As for cardio, well, I'd suggest working high rep squats, nothing beats it, not even running. I'm a Jedi night and have learned the ways of the force, there are very few jedi's in the universe who know how to truly do "high rep squats".

Oh stop...

Give me a break, I've rubbed elbows with the best coaches in history. Who do you know in the "irongame"??????

I'll be your Huckleberry.

[LWW]

Oh stop...



I'll be your Huckleberry.

Now how can BBJ be an excuse NOT to squat? IMO if you're not squatting you're not being the best fighter. I told you, it's cookie cutter stuff.

BBJ was a nice little "show" (for money) put on by the Gracie's in the 90's where they selected the contestants and knew their "boy" was gonna win.

.....not saying it's garbage, still good stuff, but don't agree with not squatting.