If used properly, a couple fingers loose, it will increase core strength. It provides resistance to push your abs out against.
Anyway, to answer the question-a little lose for squats and a little tighter for deadlifts.
[quote]dbutkus wrote:
Why are you using a belt? It will increase your max in the squat but it will decrease your core strength. What I’m saying is that you should do most of your work sets without a belt. This will build up the core muscles. When you are going for a max use the belt for a few workouts to get used to it and go for it. But do most of your training without belt or wraps.[/quote]
For bench, I like it very tight and low on my waist to hold my shirt in place. Otherwise (i.e.- no shirt), I don’t use one.
Use a regular belt for this (ie, the kind you wear to hold up pants). It works better and is easier to put on.[/quote]
You know, I tried that a while back but I could never get the shirt to stay put. No matter how tight I cranked it, the collar creeped up. I would like to try one of those thinner bench-specific lever belts (I think liftinglarge.com sells them) though. Those look like they would work well.
For bench, I like it very tight and low on my waist to hold my shirt in place. Otherwise (i.e.- no shirt), I don’t use one.
Use a regular belt for this (ie, the kind you wear to hold up pants). It works better and is easier to put on.[/quote]
You know, I tried that a while back but I could never get the shirt to stay put. No matter how tight I cranked it, the collar creeped up. I would like to try one of those thinner bench-specific lever belts (I think liftinglarge.com sells them) though. Those look like they would work well.
[quote]DemiAjax wrote:
Alrightie. I’ll avoid the belt. However, I find that my back is stronger than my abs and takes over on torso stabilization for a lot of lifts, aside from leg raises and planks anyone have any specific good ab strengtheners?[/quote]
Don’t avoid the belt… I have a lever belt from Inzer that is awesome. You can release it when you don’t need it tight without taking it off. I wear mine the entire time I lift. I train for power. I use it to keep my core tight, so… to say that it will make your core weak doesn’t make sense to me. If used correctly, before attempting a lift- you take a big breath and push your gut into your belt. This makes your entire core tight. It’s a tool that will help make you stronger. The other thing that I use it for is to hold my power briefs in place during a dead or squat. In that case I tighten the belt up a bit. I contribute a mid 700lb squat and 700 lb dead to proper form and proper use of equipment.