Deadlifting - When to Use a Belt?

First off I want to say I’m not a powerlifter - I don’t compete and of the three lifts I only deadlift. (I front squat and single leg squat, and I bench with dumbbells). I’ve only been lifting weights with any sort of purpose for about a year and a half. I started while rehabbing and doing PT after having surgery on my shoulder (torn labrum).

Anyways, at a BW of ~175 my DL 1RM is 345. I was wondering at what point I should consider using a belt. I don’t use wrist straps and obviously don’t wear any gear. I do wear gloves but I’ve been trying to ween myself off. Anyways, at what point do you think it becomes necessary to wear a belt? I don’t want to be like those ridiculous gym guys who wear their belt for everything from curling with dumbbells to curling in the squat rack, but at the same point if it’s necessary for safety or to improve I want to utilize it as a tool.
I will end this awkwardly worded post now. All help is appreciated.

save the belt for your heaviest set(s)
work on your core ( planks, weighted situps, etc…)

I wear a belt if I know the set will be challenging.

i hate wearing a bet for deadlifts until its my last set(s) and theyre gonna be tough. You gotta do what feels right for you. I wasnt putting on a belt till 365 for my deads. I also know people who use the belt for 135, you go by how you feel, if your low back is sore, belt up

I wear a belt for squats when I’m over 3 plates and feeling tired and always over 350. As for deadlifts. I’ve never used one and my max is 455. Havent felt particularly worried yet.
Only use it on squats when I feel like my back may fail before my legs. If my back is failing on deadlift I wont be lifting it with a belt unless I also have a crane.

never

[quote]creeep wrote:
never[/quote]

x2

It does not help me in anyway, in fact I do much worse with a belt deadlifting…I have pulled close to 600 with no belt.

My guidelines are:

1.) 1-3 reps (meaning it’s heavy weight)

That’s all of them.

PS: Lose the gloves :wink:

Heaviest work sets mid-way to competition… First few weeks of any phase is 100% raw… then belt gets added in later.

But since you don’t compete… Wait until you plateau. Then start using it on your heaviest sets for a cycle or two… then see where your belt-less is at, try to increase that for a cycle or two… Repeat.

I will wear a belt any time I am working close to my limits, whether it be a 1RM or 10RM.

[quote]B rocK wrote:

PS: Lose the gloves ;)[/quote]

x2. Gloves will kill your grip.

As for when to use a belt, if you’re not planning on being a competitive powerlifter any time in the near future, and your form is relatively good, I’d suggest you go beltless. Learning how to stabilize your spine is really important, and by using a belt, you’re having an external device assist in doing that.
You might want to look into a belt if you ever consider competitive lifting, or if you get to a point where you’re lifting enough weight that you’re nearing your capacity to stabilize your spine.

use it whenever you want. use it all the time. it doesnt matter. it wont effect anything negatively or positively. some are die hard against belting up which is fine, but look up what andy bolton says about using a belt for deadlifting. he’ll throw one on with sub 400lb weights. me personally, i save the belt for my last 2 or 3 sets.

use one or not, you still need to do a shit load of ab work.

[quote]B rocK wrote:
My guidelines are:

1.) 1-3 reps (meaning it’s heavy weight)

That’s all of them.

PS: Lose the gloves ;)[/quote]

x2

and ill add that if your not using straps you should use chalk. I never knew how big my DL was untill i used chalk and didnt have to worry about grip issues what so ever.

Its all personal preference, but I choose not to wear one!!!

I guess it’s personal, the number will seem arbitrary to other people, but I’ll put a belt on anything above 80% of my 1rm.

I feel like i get more out of my work outs without a belt. That way i can use my entire body, and every part of it. Belts also give you a false sense of security! I never use one.

IMO it is pretty simple…if you can deadlift more weight with a belt, than use a belt. I can’t do more weight, so I don’t. If it helped me, I sure as hell would use one.

Wear one if your back get to tired. Or if you feel your form is going to slip.

Only you can decide that. Don’t limit yourself to wear a belt before it is necessary.

I estimate a beltless max, work with that max for 3 weeks, then on the fourth week I like to belt up and try for a PR of my last belt max

I use a belt on all sets over 135. My thoughts are that adding a belt will change your technique, so why not use a belt on all sets so you are constantly practicing your technique. If i want more work for my core I’ll do more accessory work.

[quote]dbcooper7i wrote:
First off I want to say I’m not a powerlifter - I don’t compete and of the three lifts I only deadlift. (I front squat and single leg squat, and I bench with dumbbells). I’ve only been lifting weights with any sort of purpose for about a year and a half. I started while rehabbing and doing PT after having surgery on my shoulder (torn labrum).

Anyways, at a BW of ~175 my DL 1RM is 345. I was wondering at what point I should consider using a belt. I don’t use wrist straps and obviously don’t wear any gear. I do wear gloves but I’ve been trying to ween myself off. Anyways, at what point do you think it becomes necessary to wear a belt? I don’t want to be like those ridiculous gym guys who wear their belt for everything from curling with dumbbells to curling in the squat rack, but at the same point if it’s necessary for safety or to improve I want to utilize it as a tool.
I will end this awkwardly worded post now. All help is appreciated.[/quote]

I put one on for high reps if I do that, 5 and up, and at 365. I’m in the 500 to 600 range, btw. The high rep sets are at 315 and up btw.