b fold, needsize: I'm not going to use a lifting belt anymore

[frorider6]

b fold and needsize have convinced me that if you have a healthy back, you don't need a belt. I think I have a healthy back but have been using a lifting belt as a crutch. I'm going to lower my weights just a bit at first to get accustomed to it. Hopefully I'll get stronger than ever.

Also, I'm going to try to gradually phase out the use of my lifting straps. I'm sure I'll need them for my final sets for a while, but I'll try to gradually ween myself off of them.

As a side note, b fold and his training methods did help to change how I looked at lifting when I first started coming to this board. He is proff that if you want to be big, you have to lift big with mostly compound movements.

 

[needsize]

Good stuff, congrats on joining the select few!

 

[I'D RATHER BE DEADLIFTING]

I use my belt on most of my big lifts, but waved goodbye for good to straps a long time ago. Heavy lifting+chalk+grip work does the job!

 

[gymtime]

I use my belt on most of my big lifts, but waved goodbye for good to straps a long time ago. Heavy lifting+chalk+grip work does the job!

Yup. Straps and belts for heavy stuff only.

 

[Screwball]

Equipment ...

Only use equipment when absolutely necessary! If you train with as little assistance as possible then your body will adapt more easily & quickly. Equipment is used for maximal lifts and to prevent injury. The only other time I can think of that equipment usage can be beneficial is breaking in new equipment (i.e. proper fitting of bench shirts, squat/deadlift suits, etc...). If you can improve your bodies ability to lift and then throw equipment into the mix when attempting maximal lifts you will reallly hit big PR's. Good luck!

- Screwball

 

[frorider6]

Well, I'll still be using lifting gloves. That's just a personal preference though.

 

[I'D RATHER BE DEADLIFTING]

You had to ruin it didn't you.



PS- my sister wears gloves. My calousses have callouses.

 

[frorider6]

You had to ruin it didn't you.



PS- my sister wears gloves. My calousses have callouses.

Well, the least I can do is wear gloves, since I'm not wearing anything else in the gym.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

sounds like a plan man

 

[rippedtrojan]

frorider, check this out...

http://www.testosterone.net/html/123back.html

it has a plan for weaning oneself off of a lifting belt. it's the third part of the article. the whole article is a discussion on to use lifting belts or not to, and gets pretty technical. interesting stuff. if you want the other two parts, type in "beltless" in the search box and you can find all 3 parts.

i have never used a belt at all, but the article has sound advise. have fun dude.

 

[Lord_Suston]

Frorider, yo bro its hard I'm trying to ditch the wraps, but a part of me says you need them cause that's a lot of weight, the other sidfe says "no you don't, the other half is a pussy now fucking lift the weight!!!!" Its a hard adjustment but it is very rewarding.....

 

[b fold the truth]

Thanks. I sometimes wear my belt on an extremely heavy set or if I am doing speed squats. With speed squats I wear my belt about 3 holes too lose and just practice pressing my stomach out against it. You should NOT be tightening your abs when you lift...you should be pressing out.

I do not wear my straps unless I am doing an event in a contest that warrants them. I have pulled 629 from the floor totally raw (yesterday) and I have done a partial deadlift from 18" with 835 totally raw also. I want to train my entire body...including any weak links that I have.

It is important to have a very strong back and abs for strongman. When I am doing a 400+lb stone...I can't wear a belt. What about when doing the yoke walk and drag? A belt helps on the yoke walk..but I need to breathe for the sled dragging afterwards. It just takes time...and we all have that.

Be sure and work some reverse hypers in there too...and heavy ab training.

Why do you wear gloves?

B True

 

[frorider6]

Why do you wear gloves?

I've gotten a few nasty little metal splinters. And I just like wearing them.

 

[aurelius]

I only now use the belt on my max (100%) squat. Wouldn´t think of doing it otherwise.

Be sure to strengthen the back before going all out. My leg strength got well out in front of my trunk and had to play catch up for a few months.

 

[bignate73]

Well, the least I can do is wear gloves, since I'm not wearing anything else in the gym.

BAD VISUAL!

 

[Deciever]

im slowly not using the belt as much. i didnt use them on my sldl... and i wound up getting 225 x 4 which is really good for me.. i still use them for deadlifts 300+, aand squat 245 +, but nothing else.. im gonna kick the habit!

 

[needsize]

I don't even use them for max singles anymore, and can still hit heavy enough lifts to keep up with most powerlifters, and am injury free in the back, unless you train like b-fold I don't think they're necessary.

 

[b fold the truth]

I don't wear my belt unless I am in a contest. My gym lifting and training is just that...training for contest preparation. I want my entire body to be prepared...not used to wearing a belt as a crutch.

Come contest day though...you better believe I'll be wearing a belt and wrist wraps.

B True

 

[needsize]

That's basically what I meant, your training is in control and is about gaining strength, things are different on competition day with the events that you do, then a belt makes sense to protect from the injuries you could get moving moutains, and throwing cars and such....

 

[b fold the truth]

Hahahaha...thanks needsize. If you get the chance...take a look at all of the pics on this site. Tons of great pros and amateurs too.

http://samson-power.com/2002_northeast_strongman.htm

There are three pics of me doing the amat stones and tons of pros. Odd Haugden (52 years old I think) competed too. All of it is fun...for all sizes. Notice that some of them are very small, short, fat, lean, muscular...but we all have fun. After all...that is what lifting, training, and competing is all about...fun.

B True

 

[Exodus]

bfold and hanibal weened me off of gloves, straps, and a belt a long time ago........

i have a bad back.......... i dropped 305 forwards when i was a junior in highschool......... thought i was ok........... went to a softball game that night and gave a swing that would make Jose Conseco jelous.......... and that did it

so a belt was always my excuse.

before i quite using them.......... i box squatted 405 once off of a box parallel using a belt and knee wraps

after 10 weeks without a belt and focusgin on pushing my abbs out instead of tightening them.......... i dont wear a belt for anything.......... and i box squated 405 1 time off of a bx 2 inches below parallel with no belt or knee wraps.

my back dont hurt at all anymore and sunday i did 300lbs for a set of 3 of bent over good mornings.

it really is great.......... the key is to remember to push your abbs out instead of tightening them........ makes all of the difference in the world.

X

 

[Your_Moms_Kneepads]

Well, I'll still be using lifting gloves. That's just a personal preference though.

See the comment below yours.....