That’s the spirit!
Nope 
Yes, my belt arrived yesterday! A pleasant surprise since I didn’t even receive notice that it shipped.
The plan is to try it out tomorrow on squats.
I’m kinda afraid I should have bought a slightly bigger size though. When I tried it on I only had 3 or 4 holes remaining, and I’m not exactly at my heaviest right now… should I be this worried? Maybe I will be able to get a tighter fit after breaking it in?
No, you shouldn’t be worried and you’ll likely be able to get it tighter when broken in and as you get more used to it. Plus 4 holes is probably 3 inches (assuming 3/4” spacing), you can put on a decent amount of weight before putting on that much size.
To be blunt, I didn’t aim the question at you but also to be blunt, agree to disagree. I have no idea what’s happened to your total but since you’ve joined I’ve seen you develop strength. Maybe not the kind you’re in the pursuit of but: you’re stronger.
Thank you, I feel better now. I think I was underestimating the amount of weight one must gain or lose to switch holes. I would have hated to spend $100 on something that might not work out in the future.
I sensed that, but I couldn’t resist being a smart aleck. I know sarcasm can be hard to detect via text alone, so that’s my bad!
Hasn’t really moved unfortunately, but I do greatly appreciate what you’ve written. I think most people who take this hobby seriously, like yourself and other regular posters on this forum, are in pursuit of something much more than only the amount of iron loaded on the bar.
120 cal assault bike 13:47
40 band pull aparts
I need me a @Voxel cheerleader in real life 
.
i knew you would understand
All too well, all too well…
I implore you to try and be your own. How often is it productive, long-term, to not be in your own corner when taking into consideration more than just one dimension of life? I.e., yes, haranguing on yourself might make you accomplish a lot of things but how well will you feel?
5s intensification
3x3 jumps
Squat
35x6
85x4
105x2
115x2
125x4x5+ (9)
Deficit RDL 135x6,8,6
Belt squat
+35x1:00
+30x1:00
Kneeling ab wheel rollouts 27, 20
Tabata assault bike
Tried out the belt on sets with 115 (light but wanted to try it before my working sets) onwards as well as the first two sets of RDLs. I am much less worried about the size I ordered because after twisting the belt around a little yesterday, I was able to fit into the 6th hole this morning. That should give me more than enough room.
Of course, it was weird to say the least. Again, I’ve literally never tried on a lifting belt until this came in the mail a couple days ago. I think it helped at least a little bit already, but I chickened out on my last set I think because of DOMS and the belt feeling foreign and nauseating on higher-ish reps. I didn’t like it on the RDLs and thought it made me perform worse, but then I pulled beltless on the last set and felt weak. So maybe I was having an off day and it really did help.
On the belt squats I’m trying something new where I set the timer for one minute and just try to squat as many reps without counting. It sucked. I also felt pretty bad on the conditioning today.
Importantly, the belt is already helping me feel less fearful, I think. Around 125-130 I start getting in my head. It’s adding another variable to consider, which isn’t good since I’m such a bad squatter anyway, but I think the long-run advantages will outweigh any initial cons. The belt will help next week when I’m expected to rep out 140, which terrifies me.
What’s your target?
I don’t know exactly how helpful the belt is, so hard to say. I think when I was heavier I could at best squat morning 140 for 7-8 reps. I would be pleased to match that.
Stop thinking the belt is magical. You are! Envision yourself completing this set at 140. You still have to brace like hell. or then, belt or no belt it won’t make a difference.
Then it takes a few times to get used to it and break. I had bruises all over my abs for 2 weeks. Hard to reap the benefits of it in that case
I for sure don’t want to go down this mental path. I don’t want to become mentally or physically dependent on the belt. The latter is definitely unlikely, but since I already get in my head on squats, I need to be careful about the former. Some have commented that I squat in a fearful way. I can’t 100% deny that. I think if the belt helps me be less fearful, then that is good. But it also shouldn’t become a crutch.
I have a feeling I’ll be experiencing this soon. I bruise pretty easily. Last week during belt squats the plates barely brushed against my leg and this happened 
Trying to find the right fit for your belt is tough, but once you get it in the sweet spot you’ll know.
You’re going to crush 140!
@whang Finally got around to watching the video you linked. Great coach, and though I already knew I have this problem at heavier weights, it was still a good watch. Julia seems to coach the starting position like Brian Alsruhe.
I followed the “be able to stick 2ish fingers between the belt and abdomen” advice and it seemed to work okay. I think it will be tricker on deadlifts.
I sure hope you’re right!
I’m the same. The squat is the most emotional lift to me, probably is to everyone. Recent sets though, with supramax weights and all have brought me more confidence. I’ll try, when gyms open back in a few years, to go the bar with confidence, not loud music to comfort me.
Yeah same… I even sometimes rub my skin off of my forearms when I deadlift and they rub my SBD sleeves ahah… After the 100 x 100 deadlift I was bloody even
Glad you liked it! Hope it helps!
Holy shit!
I used to have bruises all along my shins when I pullled conventional. There was one time when I tried a max set. I cut myself around rep 6 so there was blood running down my leg for the next 9 reps . Scar lasted 3years
As long as I wear leggings rather than shorts, my shins don’t get too badly bruised from deadlifting. I get weird bruises from silly things instead.
