Maxed Out on Squats Today, Form Check

[drewc64]

@jfallon9

I think you just answered my question. Are ratios from beltless-belted lifts a matter of individuality?

Probably, it would depend on how you squat and where your strengths/leverages are. If your cock strong in the core compared to your legs, then it will not help much. My lower back is a weak point for me, so I can get a lot.

[chris_ottawa]

@jfallon9

But say I know how to properly use a belt, how much extra weight could I squeeze out of it in a competition compared to my beltless squat, DL, and press? I heard 5-15% more than my beltless max in an article from Squat University, but I’m not sure how realistic that is.

That sounds about right, except for bench where it adds zero. Some people bench with a belt, I recently stopped because I was having some issues with my hips coming off the bench and I changed my setup, but anyway all it does is give you something to brace your abs against. If you lose tightness you could lose the lift, but you can stay tight enough without a belt and there is no actual spinal loading so there is nothing in terms of more weight moved. Definitely don’t wear a tapered belt for bench, all it will do is limit how much you can arch.

[chris_ottawa]

@drewc64

Some powerlifting Feds are 10mm I think.

As far as I know, all feds allow up to 13mm and 4 inch width. There are some fucked up feds that allow straps, slingshot, etc. so maybe you could find one that lets you wear two belts like some strongmen do.

[anon74672285]

Yea, belted benching sounds like a bad idea. I think it would just be uncomfortable, if anything. I was referring to belted overhead presses, lol. And for Squat and DL, that ratio makes me happy. I guess my training beltless is good for now because

1.) I lack access to a proper PL belt, and
2.) Once I do begin to use a belt, I’ll begin to get more accustomed to heavier weights. Also, I learned and am continuing to learn how to brace with no external aid rather than just learning how to fasten a weight belt as tight as a corset.

[chris_ottawa]

Benching with a belt isn’t a bad idea, it just doesn’t do a whole lot so a lot of people don’t bother. However, pretty much all equipped (the actual “not raw”) lifters wear a belt on bench to keep their shirt in place.

It won’t add anything to OHP either, but it will keep you from hyperextending your spine.

@jfallon9

I learned and am continuing to learn how to brace with no external aid rather than just learning how to fasten a weight belt as tight as a corset.

What you said there is the exact problem I was talking about, a belt is not a corset or a back brace and you still have to brace your abs, it actually allows you to brace harder once you know how to use it. If you throw on a belt and tell yourself that it’s supporting your back (rather than you bracing supporting your back) then you are asking for an injury.

[anon74672285]

Of course. Bracing with a belt is in a whole different dimension than bracing without one. There is so much more stability.