My belt can be uncomfortable as well. Sometimes I wrap a small towel around the buckle to keep it from biting me too bad. I figure, from my facial contortions and the funny noises I sometimes make that squatting and deadlifting are already somewhat uncomfortable.
Wear it when you think you need it!!!
Agreed with Modi and others who say “wear it when you feel like you need it.” Personally I put it on for squat and deadlift when I get around 90% of my 1RM.
If it is uncomfortable, play around with it and you will eventually get used to it. Again jacking others advice.
I used to wear a belt doing bent rows when I was younger. I couldn’t breath after the second rep.
I only use a belt for a PR’s and record days are a waste of a week, so no, I do NOT use a belt. They create a crutch that you lean against. After you become atronger, you WILL get hurt, if not always leaning on that crutch. Save your back and throw the belt in your bag to collect dust, but that’s just IMHO 
[quote]kneedragger79 wrote:
I only use a belt for a PR’s and record days are a waste of a week, so no, I do NOT use a belt. They create a crutch that you lean against. After you become atronger, you WILL get hurt, if not always leaning on that crutch. Save your back and throw the belt in your bag to collect dust, but that’s just IMHO [/quote]
This is what I meant in my GENERALIZATION. I didn’t say it was a gold standard or that was the case for everyone, but if someone is just starting they should not need a belt. Nor should they want to use one, because they would be using it for support rather than building the support for themselves.
Whether or not the OP falls into this situation, I do not know. I was just stating that in case he was new to lifting. I’ve seen plenty of new lifters just grab things like wrist straps and belts when they are completely unnecessary, just because they don’t know better.
[quote]Modi wrote:
The last few comments seem foolish to me.
[/quote]
This forum is strength sports. The emphasis here should be on sports. Not what people say on get.big, or what people have read in Joe & Bobs colouring books, nor what the big guy in the gym told them.
Not sure if the poster intends to compete but the belt should together with the right suit help you lift more. Some guys it is a instant plus others guys it takes time to adapt the belt. It may mean a change in style. It made my sumo work but my conventional killed me as I has a very small waist.
The great Jon Kuc wore belts because he thought he should ( My opinion not his) but pulled a WR without one. He had a rounded style not seen so much today with modern gear.
Unless you are very unusal you should pull more with a belt but it may take time.
Should you train with a belt all the time on all your dead variations I would say no, but sure many sucessful people do.
If not competing I personally would forget it, but to each their own.
X3 with modi’s advice. What surprises me is that no one is accounting for the break-in of this belt, if it is a 10mm (if someone did and i didnt catch it, props to you). I never wear my belt tight when dl’ing, I wear it loose and push my belly out to make up the gap.
[quote]kneedragger79 wrote:
I only use a belt for a PR’s and record days are a waste of a week, so no, I do NOT use a belt. They create a crutch that you lean against. After you become atronger, you WILL get hurt, if not always leaning on that crutch. Save your back and throw the belt in your bag to collect dust, but that’s just IMHO [/quote]
That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
[quote]kneedragger79 wrote:
I only use a belt for a PR’s and record days are a waste of a week, so no, I do NOT use a belt. They create a crutch that you lean against. After you become atronger, you WILL get hurt, if not always leaning on that crutch. Save your back and throw the belt in your bag to collect dust, but that’s just IMHO [/quote]
Tube Steak Boogie.
Thank you all for the excellent replies and advice!
I was working on my car for about 2 hours friday and maybe my back was pre-fatigued from all that leaning over the car. It’s a possibility.
Anyways, I do plan on competing this year. The belt is 10mm and 4" all the way around. I have been training squats and deads without a belt for exactly 1 year. My legit lifts for squat and dead friday were 230x5 deep and 335x2. I was actually going for a 3rm with the squats and ended up doing 5 and shooting for a 3rm on deads and only getting 2.
I am on the texas method so I do my 5x5 on monday without a belt. Fridays I shoot for a PR. I have decently strong abs, I can situp 95 lbs on the decline bench for 2x15.
I think the problem might have been that the belt was too tight since I used the same hole as I did with the squat. My face felt like it was going to explode from the pressure.
I will take modi and undesired’s advice and attempt the same 3rm this friday with a belt but one hole bigger than what I squatted with.
[quote]Hugo82 wrote:
Because if he’s just starting or is doing less than 1.5x(perhaps even 2x) BW he shouldn’t want to use a belt. It’d be hurting himself in the long run by weakening his back.[/quote]
Shut up
[quote]kneedragger79 wrote:
I only use a belt for a PR’s and record days are a waste of a week, so no, I do NOT use a belt. They create a crutch that you lean against. After you become atronger, you WILL get hurt, if not always leaning on that crutch. Save your back and throw the belt in your bag to collect dust, but that’s just IMHO [/quote]
So, what did you total beltless at your last powerlifting meet?
I once wore a belt for an entire trainin cycle. I found I could no longer walk or stand upright without my belt on.
Oh Noes…
[quote] Matt wrote:
I once wore a belt for an entire trainin cycle. I found I could no longer walk or stand upright without my belt on.
Oh Noes…[/quote]
.
[quote]Hugo82 wrote:
Because if he’s just starting or is doing less than 1.5x(perhaps even 2x) BW he shouldn’t want to use a belt. It’d be hurting himself in the long run by weakening his back.[/quote]
no he won’t
[quote] Matt wrote:
I once wore a belt for an entire trainin cycle. I found I could no longer walk or stand upright without my belt on.
Oh Noes…[/quote]LOL…
Sorry if it’s a little unrelated but I only wear a belt when doing rows. A person close to me seriously screwed up his back doing rows,and nothing gives me anxious lower back pain like barbell rowing so I’m using it for that now.
Do all powerlifting federations allow belts? Even the raw ones?
hey, no one has said this, but have you tried turning the belt around for deadlifts? One of the guys i train with can’t wear the belt forward b/c it’s so uncomfortable to get down to the bar, so we just fasten it behind him. Hope that makes sense
[quote]UAphenix wrote:
hey, no one has said this, but have you tried turning the belt around for deadlifts? One of the guys i train with can’t wear the belt forward b/c it’s so uncomfortable to get down to the bar, so we just fasten it behind him. Hope that makes sense[/quote]
Not a bad idea. I’ve seen people do this before. I’ll keep it in mind.
[quote]elano wrote:
Do all powerlifting federations allow belts? Even the raw ones?[/quote]
AFAIK yes.
BTW I find a lot of the lifter I train with prefer the belt to be a little looser for the DL compared to the SQ, also som wear it a little higher for the DL. As others said you have to find a position that suits you.
Tight belt + high reps = lose!