a single outlier is not indicative of a controversy. It’s literally one human who has found a way to make not using a belt work for him. I knew someone would bring up Konstantinovs, and it’s a stupid argument to make, because there isn’t even 1 more example of anyone in the world who has pulled their absolute best deadlifts without a belt, and is a high level lifter.
I stand by my statement that there is no controversy. ‘Poliquin said’ doesn’t fly with me, because Poliquin is FULL of shit. I’ll never understand why he is given so much credibility. I feel like it’s just because he creates complicated explanations for things. But the dude is absurd.
This is like saying ‘there is controversy about vaccines and autism.’ No. There are a couple of bullshit deeply flawed and even fabricated studies, and some mouthpieces for a movement that should not exist in the first place. Idiots will say anything. Might as well say ‘the round earth theory’ is controversial because you can find people who don’t believe in it.
Don’t get me wrong I use a belt but primarily when I’m doing 85% and above or if I’m maxing. I honestly feel like if your getting back pains your either doing it wrong or you have a muscle imbalance. I train all the time without a belt and I never have any back pains. I feel many people don’t like starting over. Putting your ego aside to work with lighter weight to perfect your form. Most importantly don’t be afraid to do assistance exercises you dont typically see people doing in the gym. Good mornings, kneeling squats, pull throughs, hip thrusts, and etc. Everyone response to training differently however I look at it this way. If your unbelted squat goes up wouldnt your belted squat be even further above it?
If I max or overload [box squats or sissy squats] def have the belt on. Otherwise no for me. Although I lost my power gut so it doesn’t fit like it used to so haven’t really utilized it as much.
Which type belt do you guys use? I see nylon and leather belts - som are same size and some are bigger one the back that the front, not sure what to go for and what the difference is really
You want a leather belt that is equal width around. 4" wide is pretty standard. I like a 13mm thick belt, but some folks prefer 10mm. 13mm is super stiff.
I have owned both the single prong P3 and the lever P3. I love the lever for quick and standardized tightening.
But the only reason I changed is I had a buddy who needed a belt and elitefts was having a sale.
I think I’m leaning towards a lever one, probably 10mm. Do you just unscrew it to change how tight it is? And do you usually have it the same tightness for all lifts?
Yeah, small screwdriver or a coin to swap the tightness.
I leave my lever belt as is, but that’s why I have the spud belt. A sturdy lever belt will bruise you up good if you’re doing sandbag work or something similar.
For squats, deadlifts, etc., the same tightness seems fine.
I’m finding the opposite. I use my 10 mm buckle for DL now, definitely a shade looser and definitely higher. The 13 mm doesn’t let me get in position as well.
I have an Inzer 10mm lever belt and if I were buying again I think I’d go with a single prong. The lever is great because it’s fast on and off, but if you want tighter then you have adjust it. I wear my belt higher for DL and the “setting” on my lever belt is too tight for it but just right for squat where I wear it lower. I ended up getting a second belt for DL, the Spud Inc deadlift belt.
I’m always dealing with lower back pain due to an injury years ago. I don’t try to squat or deadlift heavy because of how sore my back gets. Obviously some of this could be form. Part of my interest in getting a belt is the whole, “Training myself how to brace better” aspect of it, even if I’m not specifically lifting super heavy on squats or DL’s.
Check out elitefts, I picked up a $50 belt from them 13mm single prong and its great while being very affordable, it’s 4" thick and I use it for both squatting and deadlifting without issue.