At what weight does it make it permissible (okay) for a person to put on a belt during either a squat or dead lift???
What are your goals? What are you trying to accomplish with that particular squat workout? Whatever weight that is, are you always going to wear a belt from that point on?
If I am doing a ME workout I will usually put my belt on once I get to around 75-80% of my max attempt for that day. I only wear a belt for squats and deads though. Although I’ve been tempted to throw it on when I do 1200lb calf raises.
Personally, I went several years without using a belt when I never did less than 3-5reps per set. But once I started maxing and learned how to squat and deadlift properly I’ve found good results using a belt.
[quote]Rollerink wrote:
At what weight does it make it permissible (okay) for a person to put on a belt during either a squat or dead lift???[/quote]
Cue the hordes of 170 pound guys saying “using a belt makes you weak!”
I want to put on a belt:
Squat- 365+
Dead Lift- 455+
I also heard that wearing a belt makes you weak. I want to get my raw lifts as high as possible but seem to be stuck at these weighs without a belt
Wearing a belt does not make you weak, in over 25 years of powerlifting, the one thing I know for sure is learn to use a belt properly. By this I mean learn to fill your belly with as much air as possible and push your abs out against the belt, make sure to adjust the belt so that you can stick your fingers between your belt and your stomach, so don’t make the mistake of getting it too tight. Use a good powerlifting belt and learn to use it, just using proper tech. you can put 40-60 lbs. on your squat, and not suffer any back injuries. Back injuries don’t have to happen so be wise learn to use you belt.
George
[quote]Rollerink wrote:
I also heard that wearing a belt makes you weak. I want to get my raw lifts as high as possible but seem to be stuck at these weighs without a belt[/quote]
I’m just getting into PLing properly now so by all means if this is wrong someone correct me. Belts are generally advocated for use when you’re doing 1RM or close to that. The belt helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure keeping your lower back and abdominal area strong. Using one won’t make you ‘weak’ as such but you can become heavily reliant on one for lifting (psychologically if nothing else), so that’s one of the reasons why a lot of people only wear one when they get near their 1RM.
If I’m trying for a new DL 1RM I’ll belt up, but on subsequent attempts at the same weight I’ll try and go belt free, then belt up again for the next attempt at a higher weight.
Okay, I am really tired of people saying not to use a belt, it makes you weak. That is bull. As a powerlifter I have used a belt and have found it to be a great help. I now train with a belt whenever I’m over my body weight, which is 235. If your are worried about your abs or lower back not getting the conditioning from squatting or dead lifting with out a belt, I bet if you looked around your gym you could find a place to do some crunches or some decline abs and some stiff leg deads. Besides anyone who is really into powerlifting realizes how important your core strength is and works on that. So I say belt away. Quick note, Bench record 425, Squat 585, and dead 725. Before belt, Squat 530, and dead 617.5.
Good luck and best wishes training…
Respectfully,
Ant
[quote]Rollerink wrote:
I also heard that wearing a belt makes you weak. [/quote]
Where did you hear this? Floating around on the wind? I’m going to guess it was coming out of a mouth that was attached to a guy that was not strong.
Put on a belt when you feel you need to.
I put the belt on at about 60% on my ME squat/DL day.
I find a benefit from lifting fairly heavy without a belt. But that’s just me. I also forgot to put my belt on one time I was deadlifting. No harm done at 495, but I’ll never do that again!
The majority of people saying using a belt makes you weak are probably weak themselves. Like others say, put on a belt when you get into your max effort work(1-3 reps). Deadlifting near your max is flirting with a back injury if you dont wear a belt. Some people might get away with it, some people wont.
[quote]g’em wrote:
Rollerink wrote:
I also heard that wearing a belt makes you weak. I want to get my raw lifts as high as possible but seem to be stuck at these weighs without a belt
I’m just getting into PLing properly now so by all means if this is wrong someone correct me. Belts are generally advocated for use when you’re doing 1RM or close to that. The belt helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure keeping your lower back and abdominal area strong. Using one won’t make you ‘weak’ as such but you can become heavily reliant on one for lifting (psychologically if nothing else), so that’s one of the reasons why a lot of people only wear one when they get near their 1RM.
If I’m trying for a new DL 1RM I’ll belt up, but on subsequent attempts at the same weight I’ll try and go belt free, then belt up again for the next attempt at a higher weight.
[/quote]
I’d agree with this. I’d bet strength coaches would agree as well, that a belt should be used at or near 1RM (90% and above). Dos Remedios, EC, MR, etc have stated so.
When using a belt, it does help create intra-abdominal pressure. If you use a belt on submaximal weights, you alter the firing patterns of the muscles used to support the spine. This CAN lead to weak support, inhabition, and injury.
There’s no reason to use a belt for calf presses either, as there is no spinal loading. (I’m assuming that with 1200 lbs, you’re on a sled or press.)
[quote]Rollerink wrote:
At what weight does it make it permissible (okay) for a person to put on a belt during either a squat or dead lift???[/quote]
Wear the belt for attempts that are 90% or greater of your 1RM. The belt is there to prevent your form from breaking down dangerously in squats, deads, etc.
I’ve never once considered wearing a belt for deadlifting. It’s been a total non-issue for me. On the other hand, it seems like using a belt for squating would seriously help me out, as I have a lot of trouble maintaining my core for squats. That could also be due to hip flexor issues, I would think.
I stopped using a belt a number of years ago for regular work outs, when I go for a PR and I’m nervous I will belt up.
my words of wisdom are really pay attnetion
about putting it on too tight. you get that damn thing stuck on you its a bitch to get off and hard as hell to breath if you cant get it off for awhile.
[quote]mattwray wrote:
Put on a belt when you feel you need to.[/quote]
Good answer. Simple and to the point.