belt or no belt on heavy squats?

[Lumberg]

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.

Yesh I just wanted to clarify that that advice would not be correct for a man. In a way you are lucky!

JC

 

[Zyglamail]

I wont wear one unless attempting a max lift, and likely not even then. I find without a belt your abs and back grow to support the amount of weight you handle. in the long run a belt will hinder your progress because most lifts are only as strong as the weakest link.

 

[CYPRIOSQUATS]

Yeah i never wear a belt myself. I want to compete in a naked powerlifting meet sometime too (by the way that means no belts etc.) i don't really train for it but i think that i would do well. I gotta work on the deadlifts though.

Also does anyone have a link to a study on the hernia thing i just want to show some people that. A study makes people think it is true even though people can put together a study to prove anything.

 

[spatts]

What exactly are you looking for in the study? Something that says a belt helps or doesn't help? Depends on the kind of hernia too...and why you wear a belt (loose or tight).

 

[Hannibal]

I wont wear one unless attempting a max lift, and likely not even then. I find without a belt your abs and back grow to support the amount of weight you handle. in the long run a belt will hinder your progress because most lifts are only as strong as the weakest link.

Exactly...

 

[edgecrusher]

I only use one when i drag my sled. Other then that, I'm pretty much against any and all "lifting gear."