belt or no belt on heavy squats?

[spatts]

I wear a belt on max attempts, and it's not to support my back. I wear it LOOSE, and use it to help "use my air.' by pressing out against the belt to squat.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

I wear a belt only for near max 3 rep sets and under

 

[louden_swain]

I use a belt and my back development has not suffered.

 

[m0t03]

I never wear a belt, and the point about getting a hernia makes me wanna avoid it even more. If Im using correct form I dont think Im gonna be hurting anything.

Mike

 

[rjl296]

I never wear a belt, again cept for max attpt.

 

[spatts]

FWIW, my doc told me the opposite about a hernia. That pressing out against nothing will make it bulge easier than pressing out against supported tissue (supported by the belt)...just as if there was another bone or organ on the other side of it, rather than nothing at all.

 

[JDarty6173]

The only time I use a belt is on my final set of Deads and Rev Band Deads.. And like Spatts I keep it loose, just so i can really push out with my abs..

 

[Lumberg]

FWIW, my doc told me the opposite about a hernia. That pressing out against nothing will make it bulge easier than pressing out against supported tissue (supported by the belt)...just as if there was another bone or organ on the other side of it, rather than nothing at all.

Many hernias occur below the area supported by a belt (like into your scrotum for one). No belt covers every conceivable place a hernia could occur.

CCJ, you should suck in your stomach to maximize intra abdominal pressure while squatting. You want to use your TVA. Read the article I referenced.

JC

 

[coolcolj]

Thanks Jon, figured I was doing something wrong.

I almost passed out on the last set yesterday, I even saw stars after the last rep! I've been working hard

 

[spatts]

Jon, that's true...for men. I suppose I'm the minority here. Men have an area of thin tissue, left behind after the testes drop, that is more susceptible to hernia (and not covered by the belt). I'm sure my doc wasn't considering this when advising me.