I wear one while doing heavy squats and deadlifts and sometime for bentover rows
I never wear a belt but then I’m not that strong, 200Kg squat and a 230Kg deadlift.
I do wear straps when DL-ing though, I got stabbed many years ago and got my ulnarnerve cut so I only have two “working” fingers on my left hand.
Don’t wear one, don’t own one.
I also never wear a belt, never. One of my best friends is a Chek praticioner, and he fully agrees with my not using a belt, even when going for a new max in the squat.
Read a long time ago that if you use a belt you don’t allow your stabilizer core muscles to develop with the rest of your body. I don’t use a belt and would only do so if I was going for a max effort.
None here. While gaining “support”, you lose core function and lower back strength diminishes. With a strong back, all other movements are supported, allowing better gains and strength ability. If you’re truly concerned with lower back strength, I recommend doing a 4-6 week endurance program, using less weight and jumping to 10-15 reps. Then go back to your strength program, and you will be pleasantly surprised with your progress. I usually see a 15-20% increase in my squats/dl’s.
[quote]Ghostrider_81 wrote:
greatgro wrote:
I’d rather work my “core” without it. This way whenever I use 100% exertion OUTSIDE the gym, my body won’t fall apart
I totally agree…this is also why I don’t use wraps, or lifting straps. When I first started squatting I always wore a belt, when I quit using it I had to re-work my way back up to the heavier weights, however I feel I am a lot stronger now that I don’t rely on a belt.[/quote]
I only use a belt when curling in the squat rack and when maxing on the pec deck. I usually wear gloves on the treadmill and straps while doing kickbacks. Oh, wait, that’s someone else. (You KNOW you’ve seen him.)
Actually, I too used to wear a belt for squatting and DLing but quit several years ago. I too had to work my way back up to heavier weights. Dropping the belt helps one to correct bad form developed from assistance provided by the belt. I know I am stronger now than I was then. I infer my 1RM max from 2-3RMs but would see no harm in using a belt for maxing efforts.
And I actually do use straps when DLing. I am in the process of weening myself off of them. The working weight that I can handle with them is significantly higher, so I am trying to close the gap.
BFG
I have’nt used a belt in about 5-6 years. Don’t even know where mine is.
J
I don’t wear a belt.
Haven’t wore one mostly due to not having the extra money to buy a belt. Have spent extra money buying more plates, a dip belt, bands, and equipment to make a sled and paralletes.
What is more weight? I squeeze out triples of 495. I don’t mind stopping there.
I haven’t worn a belt in years! I used to wear one when I was in highschool cuz I thought it made me look cool to wear one when I worked out.
I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back and I haven’t used a belt since the herniations. I think not wearing a belt help strengthen my lower back doing deadlifts.
I have never worn a belt, with the exception of the weighted belt for dips and pullups. Also never used knee or elbow wraps. I use chalk for usually at least one exercise per workout, and wrist straps for heavy shrugs.
I will possibly use a belt in the future if injury requires one, but for now I’m relatively uninjured and pain free.
Belt free for the past 12 years.
I only wear a belt on the stairmaster or when I’m doing curls in the squat rack.
There’s nothing wrong with wearing a belt. I probably put mine on at 135-145 on box squats, with a max weight on speed day at 375 or so. I am however, learning to use the belt to lift maximal weights.
I do think you should get a good power belt and learn to use it. This will help train your form better, both on a squat and deadlift.
Your core will not get weak as long as you get stronger overall.
WOW! Thanks a lot for the input guys. 
I guess I’m late but here goes…
I haven’t used a belt since ~93. Read Brawn around the same time. I don’t do singles, doubles or triples…well not triple deads. I’m doing triple squats. There’s a place for belts but not for the average trainee.
At the power rack yesterday there was a hooooooge guy doing lateral raises with a belt. Go figure. Guy was about 6’4" and at least 250 pounds single digit bodyfat. I’m 258 at 5’10" but more like 15% bodyfat…
I didn’t figure I’d ask about his belt usage because it doesn’t apply to me. I don’t feel the need for a belt and have helped a friend wean off the belt. He would injure his lowerback quite frequently but not anymore. The lack of the belt has him training smarter.
I don’t wear a belt, other than the one to hold up my jeans. I enjoy being able to run around outside of the gym and lift up random objects (like rocks). To be able to do this, I feel that I need to train RAW so that I don’t have to get into a uniform to have myself feel solid and capable. I usually just train in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt as well, this is to help with feeling comfortable trying to lift in whatever I may be wearing when I see something I want to try to pick up.
I wore a belt when training until I was around 20 or 21, then I weened myself away from it over a period of 3 months. Back has never stopped thanking me.
I do a lot of heavy singles and triples (at 500+) in my squatting/deadlifting training routine, rarely going above five repitions. So the lack of belt hasn’t seemed to hinder me even though I go heavy on a regular basis. Actually, my lower back has gotten strong enough that it is usually the last part to become fatiqued or strained.
My body does seem to work differently than a lot of people I know, so my input may be quite useless for you.
Regards,
Sensless
My abs and lower back are my belt.
Only to pull sled.
Tucker
I use my belt when i hit close to/on my max for gm’s, all types of squats, deads, overhead lifts, when I have to blast out a heavy shit, and on benches (max attempts and such).
Bottom line, just use it for what it’s for - the maxes. Just like anyone else who aspires to be able to squat a railcar, you gotta get strong in the guts, too.
But don’t let macho B.S. of ,“I’m an IronMan and belts are for weak pussies!” thinking get you into an injury you could have avioded. Been there.