Belt while deadlifting?

[chewyxrage]

I have some back problems. Sacroiliac joint. Basically causes the entire pelvic area to shift one way or the other. Pretty painful.

I got most of it worked out with the help of a chiropractor.

Seems to be a very re-injurable situation tho. After I deadlift I'm in pain for a few days.

Ya'll think a belt would help at all? I have one from back in the day...haven't used it in years.

The alternative is to stop deadlifting, which I don't want. One of my fav lifts.

I did it with just 135 a few days ago, very strict/slow motion. And I'm OK now. But I want to get back to the heavy stuff soon.

Any experience/advice is much appreciated.

 

[Tblock1]

I have some back problems. Sacroiliac joint. Basically causes the entire pelvic area to shift one way or the other. Pretty painful.

I got most of it worked out with the help of a chiropractor.

Seems to be a very re-injurable situation tho. After I deadlift I'm in pain for a few days.

Ya'll think a belt would help at all? I have one from back in the day...haven't used it in years.

The alternative is to stop deadlifting, which I don't want. One of my fav lifts.

I did it with just 135 a few days ago, very strict/slow motion. And I'm OK now. But I want to get back to the heavy stuff soon.

Any experience/advice is much appreciated.

Definitely a belt will stabilize the whole low back area and should help a lot. Take it easy though and don't suddenly try to pull 500 lol!

 

[b fold the truth]

I've heard of some people getting hip problems from pulling alternate grip. FOR A LIMITED TIME I might try to pull only double overhand grip, hook grip, or with straps double overhand grip. I might even switch to your opposite grip and see if it alleviates any hip pains.

I do wear a belt when I pull. On my warm up sets it just holds my deadlift suit in place. I tighten it a notch when I pull my heavy set.

You might look to get a pair of EFS Pro Short Bands from EliteFTS - Powerlifting and Strength Training Products and Knowledge for Lifters, Athletes, Coaches, and Trainers I'd get one of the two lightest ones that they have and use those for deadlifting for a little while. You can start with lighter weight on the floor and the bar will get heavier as you lock out. Good tool if you have had hip problems and don't want to pull as much from the floor.

 

[SPEKTOR-AAA]

Like someone already said just slowly build from that 135. Dont expect to be lifting 500 houses too fast. I would definately use a belt but more importantly work on your core strength. A strong developed core really makes this lift more productive overall and it may help with the back/pelvic problems. Good luck.

 

[Andalite]

I find a belt extremely uncomfortable and I like to train my core so as to compensate for that.

I think you should definitely switch grips if you're using the over/under grip. What I mean is: don't get used to your right hand being over and left hand being under. Switch it up. On some sets use a right over + left under and on other use a right under + left over. I actually switch up my grip every rep to keep the strength imbalance at a minimum.

Be aware that you will always be naturally stronger on one type of grip....so use that grip for your max attempts.

 

[chewyxrage]

Thanks for the great responses. I'm using the over/under grip and will switch it up to see if it helps.


I skipped deads this week because my back felt.....off. Sometimes I wonder if it's benching heavy or doing some other back exercise that throws it off. Who's knows. Just want it to be gone. Think I'll hit up the chiro again next week. Hate throwing that money away though. I've spent around $600-700 already over the course of about 1.5 years. We'll see.

 

[chewyxrage]

small update, I've been DL'ing with an overhand grip instead of mixed. No belt.

Back feels great. Before, I could feel the pain even later the same day, now, nothing.

Thanks for the great suggestions and wish me luck I'm just going up 5 lbs/week to play it safe.

Bfold, why did you emphasize LIMITED TIME only?

 

[ceo]

def. see your chiro after deadlift days. Has he shown you any stretches or exercises to do to help the area? I would definitely be stretchign your piriformis, hip flexors, hams...shit you need to be stretching everything really.

My chiro is a CSCS as well, and has worked with many semi and pro athletes. Great guy. He actually wants his patients to get better and not need to visit him as often.

 

[smtimelevi]

Ive had some back probs. Chiro really does wonders, Mine said its best to hit the gym right after an adjustment if possible. I wouldnt use a belt right now. build that core first. then when you get back in the heavier weight ranges throw the belt on. the belt takes tension off the low back and abs, this will rob you from the core strength increases the deadlift will give you. if your only doing lighter weights i wouldnt worry about the stress on the low back from the weight, just your form.

 

[chewyxrage]

so I'm hitting up deadlifts last week and for some reason my gym was crazy bizzy at like 6:00am...

I had to skip my little 2 min bike warm up and stretches, cuz it was so crowded in there. I warm up with 135, then 205, then I'm doin 255 deads (easy) first rep, I felt my hips do this same shit again, shifted out. I did 2 more reps and just knew it was time to stop. I finished the rest of my upper back workout, hit the chiro that night.....3 days later, good to go. My chiro was like "Oh, back for your yearly tune up? I can see one leg is an inch longer than the other..."

pisses me off. my form slipped for like 2 secs because of the random chaos in the gym........FUCK