If I had to do it all over again, I’d use one from day 1. There’s no weight you need to be at to use one, and they’re a great tool.
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This has happened to me when I go too tight with the belt. It makes it so that I can’t use my abs or bracing. I good morning squats when I try to go too tight.
A belt take learning to use it effectively for most people.
I don’t think you need to be moving X weight to use one. Maybe X percentage of you max would make sense.
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I don’t have a specific percentage but a load at which I just feel better with the belt than without it. Like, there’s a certain load on the bar for the different lifts at which it just feels right to start wearing it. Might be indicative that I’m not taking my lighter loads seriously enough so YMMV.
Same with me. For squats I usually throw it on for everything past 3 plates. For Deadlift everything over 4 plates. Perhaps those points where I put the belt on will go up as I get stronger.
Thanks for the belt recommendation. Might go with that one but wouldn’t mind some other recommendations too.
The EliteFTS econo belts aren’t bad either and are much cheaper. They aren’t as nice as what was recommended above and will take some time to break in, but they do the job.
I have had 2 Inzer Forever lever belts and they are both amazing.
Always a good idea. I basically recommended a top tier belt. I started with a cheap belt, and it cut in and the buckle had sharp edges that ripped my shirts and belly skin. It was a waste of money. I suggest staying away from anything like that. Just get a good one then you only have to buy one.
Inzers are good, last a long time, but won’t break in as much as the Pioneer or other belts (comes down to leathers and construction used). They are great for the people who want the new belt feel all the time.
Pioneer IMO are the best belt you can get. If you buy it though EliteFTS it saves you a bunch of money, but will still be more than the Inzer I think.
Bob’s Belts I have heard good things, but haven’t used them (I have used Inzer but didn’t own, and own a Pioneer).
Then you need to pick between single prong, double prong, or lever. Lever is great if you like the same tightness for all the lifts you use a belt for, if not avoid the lever (or get the very expensive SBD lever as it is an easy adjust lever). The lever also is good for stuff like strongman comps as it is easy on easy off. I don’t see a reason to get a double prong, and I have owned one. Single prong is good for doing different tightness levels for different lifts (if you get the pioneer, you get 1/2" spacing vs 1" spacing which is really nice, but expensive).
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Deadlifts
70% 185 1 3
80% 212.5 1 3
90% 237.5 1 3+ (14 reps)
70% 185 5 5
Press
70% 80 1 3
80% 92.5 1 3
90% 102.5 1 3+ (12 reps)
70% 80 5 5
Assistance
Kroc rows: 35lbs x40
Preacher curls: 42.5 lbs - 20,15,15
What are your guys thoughts on adjustable dumbbells? Thinking of getting these.
One concern I have is it seems a bad idea to drop these when lifting.
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My thoughts are that for less than half the price you could buy a pair of Olympic dumbell handle and enough weight plates to match the top end of that pair. It will also last forever, won’t get damaged if you drop it and can be easily added to once you get too strong for 25kg. The plates will also be interchangeable with your barbell weights. I literally can’t think of a downside, however, I’m aware that many people I respect the opinion of really like adjustable dumbbells so there is probably plenty of value to be had there too. I believe @T3hPwnisher has a pair, or experience with them and some other posters whose names escape me right now.
Trying to press a pair of loadable dumbbells is a gigantic pain. The loading pins stick out long on them, so you have to stab yourself in the leg on benching, and they can get in the way on pressing overhead. I’ve been trying desperately to get a pair of Ironmasters, despite the fact I have loadable handles.
All that said, I’m waiting on my 36" long DB handle to arrive today, but that’s going to be exclusively used for DB rowing.
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You see, the fact that I don’t have a bench in my home gym is starting to show through here.
I’ve never had an issue pressing them though.
Do you press with handles neutral or horizontal?
Neutral at the top, probably about halfway inbetween at the bottom.
Yeah, that accommodates the length. Trying to press them horizontally shows the ugliness.
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I would look on the used market. Not sure how things are now, but I am guessing we are going to be getting some people who bought stuff during Covid shutdowns start selling.
You might be able to get fixed DBs for a good price, or you might find an adjustable pair for cheaper.
You seem to be getting some good advice in here. Just wanted to throw out a couple of things. Have you considered plate loading and rowing one end of a barbell until you manage different DB’s? It’s not exactly the same. but if positioned properly it should be close enough for Kroc Rows.
Regarding belts. I have an Inzer Forever belt, and they mean it. I just got a replacement lever at no cost, and this belt was $70 new to give you an idea of how old it is. I have several Inzer items, and they have always been great. That being said, I personally get zero from a belt at best. At BEST. It frequently causes a negative. Am I not using it correctly? Maybe, but I’ve read and tried everything. It does not help everyone, and is absolutely a crutch for many in lifting.
So you have used the belt enough to need a new lever, but
This doesn’t make much sense to me. Do you think you will eventually “get” it? Do you think it makes the lift safer but harder or something?
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I fail lifts with the belt on that I get without it. It is not as much of an issue on squats, but a definite negative on deads and log cleans. It does not help my OHP at all. But, that is not the case for most people, just a few of us. One of the prongs broke off that lever within a few weeks of receiving it, but didn’t seem to effect it and as I used it so little I felt no urgency. Being stuck in place for months, I had time and not enough else going on for a while so I actually got to that item on the checklist. It’s probably close to twenty years old, and I’m not sure it’s even really broken in completely. I bought it because everyone had one and everyone else benefited from it.
I do not think that it makes the lift any safer, for me or anyone else. It’s a tool to lift more. It could be that I never got good with the tool, but it’s been pointed out to me recently that I’m not alone. Some serious PLers seem to also pass on it, much to my surprise.
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Inzer belts take a really long time to break in. I also hear that even when broken in, that they are still pretty new feeling compared to other belts.
I really like the Pioneer as it breaks in a lot more (more comfortable). But they are expensive.