Hello guys,
I’m wondering what the use is of weightlifting belts? I see alot of heavy lifters wearing them so i’m curious as to their purpose and how it could help me.
They assist in keeping a neutral spine, and in increasing intra-abdominal pressure so you can stay tighter throughout movements involving the spine to a large degree.
Yes, they are very useful if used properly for exercises like barbell rows, squats, deadlifts for some people; depending on the individual, they can also help on bench, certain assistance exercises, shrugs, etc. But you shouldn’t get in the habit of wearing one all the time by any means.
[quote]hungry4more wrote:
They assist in keeping a neutral spine, and in increasing intra-abdominal pressure so you can stay tighter throughout movements involving the spine to a large degree.
Yes, they are very useful if used properly for exercises like barbell rows, squats, deadlifts for some people; depending on the individual, they can also help on bench, certain assistance exercises, shrugs, etc. But you shouldn’t get in the habit of wearing one all the time by any means. [/quote]
Ahhh I see, I also heard that people that use belts alot should do direct ab work.
[quote]hungry4more wrote:
They assist in keeping a neutral spine, and in increasing intra-abdominal pressure so you can stay tighter throughout movements involving the spine to a large degree.
Yes, they are very useful if used properly for exercises like barbell rows, squats, deadlifts for some people; depending on the individual, they can also help on bench, certain assistance exercises, shrugs, etc. But you shouldn’t get in the habit of wearing one all the time by any means. [/quote]
I only wear them for squats, deads, and OHP. If I wear one for bench then my arch suffers.
CS
I love my Inzer lever belt. I use it for heavyish to heavy squats, deads, and bench. I also like it for bent over rows when my back still feels fried from a previous workout.
[quote]Bailey H wrote:
[quote]hungry4more wrote:
They assist in keeping a neutral spine, and in increasing intra-abdominal pressure so you can stay tighter throughout movements involving the spine to a large degree.
Yes, they are very useful if used properly for exercises like barbell rows, squats, deadlifts for some people; depending on the individual, they can also help on bench, certain assistance exercises, shrugs, etc. But you shouldn’t get in the habit of wearing one all the time by any means. [/quote]
Ahhh I see, I also heard that people that use belts alot should do direct ab work.[/quote]
As with any piece of equipment, relying on it too heavily can lead to muscle imbalances. All serious strength athletes do direct ab work anyways.
[quote]frankjl wrote:
[quote]Bailey H wrote:
[quote]hungry4more wrote:
They assist in keeping a neutral spine, and in increasing intra-abdominal pressure so you can stay tighter throughout movements involving the spine to a large degree.
Yes, they are very useful if used properly for exercises like barbell rows, squats, deadlifts for some people; depending on the individual, they can also help on bench, certain assistance exercises, shrugs, etc. But you shouldn’t get in the habit of wearing one all the time by any means. [/quote]
Ahhh I see, I also heard that people that use belts alot should do direct ab work.[/quote]
As with any piece of equipment, relying on it too heavily can lead to muscle imbalances. All serious strength athletes do direct ab work anyways.[/quote]
Yeah I dont do alot of ab work though, just some leg raises. I do alot of heavy squats, deadlifts, bench presses and OHP so I think my abs get strong enough from that.
If you have a back injury, and you’re lifting heavy it’s most likely a must. I’m sorry I can’t explain why because I don’t know the science behind it. For people without injuries, we use it to help keep us tighter.
And wearing a belt doesn’t necessarily mean your “core” will fall behind. You’re having something tight against your abs and that causes more flexing, so why would it? It is still smart to do core work though. Doing so helps your big lifts tremendously. For me at least.
[quote]Zerpp wrote:
If you have a back injury, and you’re lifting heavy it’s most likely a must. I’m sorry I can’t explain why because I don’t know the science behind it. For people without injuries, we use it to help keep us tighter.
And wearing a belt doesn’t necessarily mean your “core” will fall behind. You’re having something tight against your abs and that causes more flexing, so why would it? It is still smart to do core work though. Doing so helps your big lifts tremendously. For me at least.[/quote]
Well im not sure but I read something that Jim Wendler wrote and he said if you use a belt then you need to do ab work, but the only ab work I do is some Leg Raises or some Barbell Rollouts. But for core strength I just do heavy lifts, its worked well so far.
[quote]Zerpp wrote:
If you have a back injury, and you’re lifting heavy it’s most likely a must. I’m sorry I can’t explain why because I don’t know the science behind it. For people without injuries, we use it to help keep us tighter.
And wearing a belt doesn’t necessarily mean your “core” will fall behind. You’re having something tight against your abs and that causes more flexing, so why would it? It is still smart to do core work though. Doing so helps your big lifts tremendously. For me at least.[/quote]
Well im not sure but I read something that Jim Wendler wrote and he said if you use a belt then you need to do ab work, but the only ab work I do is some Leg Raises or some Barbell Rollouts. But for core strength I just do heavy lifts, its worked well so far.
If you use a belt the right way it should help you engage the “core” more. Ab/lower back training is important for people who use a belt and don’t use a belt.
If your learning to engage your abs during squats, deads, and other big lifts I would have the belt a notch loose so you can really learn how to push your midsection against the belt. Basically, trying to expand your midsection in all directions.
[quote]Bailey H wrote:
[quote]Zerpp wrote:
If you have a back injury, and you’re lifting heavy it’s most likely a must. I’m sorry I can’t explain why because I don’t know the science behind it. For people without injuries, we use it to help keep us tighter.
And wearing a belt doesn’t necessarily mean your “core” will fall behind. You’re having something tight against your abs and that causes more flexing, so why would it? It is still smart to do core work though. Doing so helps your big lifts tremendously. For me at least.[/quote]
Well im not sure but I read something that Jim Wendler wrote and he said if you use a belt then you need to do ab work, but the only ab work I do is some Leg Raises or some Barbell Rollouts. But for core strength I just do heavy lifts, its worked well so far.[/quote]
I guess everyone has a different opinion on it, as Rippetoe and a powerlifter over at EFS said it doesn’t “dumb down” your core. But still do ab work regardless, it can only benefit you.
Working the crap out of your core makes you’re torso rigid during deads and squats and makes your back more injury proof.
With a few exceptions, you’ve gotta take what those authors say with a grain of salt.
You always have to understand their perspective.
Well thanks for all the advice guys, im definatly gonna buy one now
I have an Inzer and it is the greatest thing, I use mine for squat, deadlift, bent-over row, and standing military press ( only when heavy )…I think using it in bench etc. is pointless.
A belt actually increases core activation. This has been proven through EMG studies. Also, a belt is not for protection of the lumbar spine, other than indirectly, through the aforementioned increased activation.
A belt will absolutely help you… if not now, later when you become stronger and can use your core better, assuming you can’t use it properly now. I love my 10mm Inzer single prong, especially for squats and OHP.
And do abs pplz, the pros do em, that should be good enough for you. squat and dead assistance work should be upwards of 50% core
I wish I got a belt earlier and used it more. I’ve been squatting beltless after my knee injury (weights have been low) but now that they’re getting better I’ll use the belt for heavy rows/squats/OHP/shrugs.
I don’t know why, but when doing DE work my form for the heavy stuff with a belt gets better if I go beltless on the light speed stuff.