dose squats become so much easier with a belt?

[tank-with-full-amunition]

I never used a belt before...last night was my first time...I was all tired just woke up and got done drinking my coffee....so I head to the gym and do 2 sets of 275 for 12 reps after warming up...I noticed that it got easier than my last squats workout so I decided to do a third set since I usually only do 2...so I asked my friend personal trainer to spot me just in case so he tolled me to use a belt....so I said ok...I put on the belt and start walking towards the squat rack like a sheep walking towards the slaughter house...I thought I was gonna struggle so bad my heart was pounding....so I jump in...and it was so much easier than the previous 2 sets....I just kept going with no rests like it was nothing till I got to 10 reps than I took a few deep breaths and finished it off

should I always use a belt and work my way up?
will my squats with out a belt still improve doing that?

 

[infraredline]

I never used a belt before...last night was my first time...I was all tired just woke up and got done drinking my coffee....so I head to the gym and do 2 sets of 275 for 12 reps after warming up...I noticed that it got easier than my last squats workout so I decided to do a third set since I usually only do 2...so I asked my friend personal trainer to spot me just in case so he tolled me to use a belt....so I said ok...I put on the belt and start walking towards the squat rack like a sheep walking towards the slaughter house...I thought I was gonna struggle so bad my heart was pounding....so I jump in...and it was so much easier than the previous 2 sets....I just kept going with no rests like it was nothing till I got to 10 reps than I took a few deep breaths and finished it off

should I always use a belt and work my way up?
will my squats with out a belt still improve doing that?

Yes squating with a belt makes it possible to do more weight then normal but it should not be used unless you are doing a powerlifting meet, the reason I say this is it functions as a crutch and weakens your lower back and its stabilizer muscles thus making you more prone to injury
Your squats will improve without the belt it is just going to take some patience and drive, sometimes I find it helps to switch to very high rep squats (ie 16-20) and do a couple sets of those for 2 weeks then go back to heavier, does the job in regards to busting through a plateau

 

[tank-with-full-amunition]

Yes squating with a belt makes it possible to do more weight then normal but it should not be used unless you are doing a powerlifting meet, the reason I say this is it functions as a crutch and weakens your lower back and its stabilizer muscles thus making you more prone to injury
Your squats will improve without the belt it is just going to take some patience and drive, sometimes I find it helps to switch to very high rep squats (ie 16-20) and do a couple sets of those for 2 weeks then go back to heavier, does the job in regards to busting through a plateau

definitely for sure high reps can get u stronger if u eat right
I have never gotten stronger from high reps till I started carb cycling...and am only eating 1700 calories too...before I started carb cycling I use to eat everything and just lift heavy for 5 reps to get stronger

 

[Gorilla-Pharma]

I disagree some..I can do basically the same weight with or without a belt, a lot of that is in your breathing.. And when squatting I'm not concentrating on my lower back, I do that on back days. I were a belt starting at 405lb for support as at higher weights risk of injury is high and gonna happen.

 

[tank-with-full-amunition]

I disagree some..I can do basically the same weight with or without a belt, a lot of that is in your breathing.. And when squatting I'm not concentrating on my lower back, I do that on back days. I were a belt starting at 405lb for support as at higher weights risk of injury is high and gonna happen.

when I go back to heavier weights with low reps am gonna start wrapping my knees and will only use a belt if I know that am not gonna be able to get the full set

 

[Gorilla-Pharma]

when I go back to heavier weights with low reps am gonna start wrapping my knees and will only use a belt if I know that am not gonna be able to get the full set

I wrap anything over 500lbs

 

[tank-with-full-amunition]

I wrap anything over 500lbs

it must feel great to have all those plates on the bar
I like to watch videos on youtube of ppl squatting with nose bleed and puking to keep me motivated lol

 

[Gorilla-Pharma]

it must feel great to have all those plates on the bar
I like to watch videos on youtube of ppl squatting with nose bleed and puking to keep me motivated lol

Ya I've gotten nose bleeds from deads, squats, and decline bench. I think it actually made me feel embarrassed to tell ya the truth.

 

[Headholio]

What kind of belt was it?
I find that a real powerlifting belt can make a squat easier (thick stiff belt, full 4 inch width all the way around). Cheap flimsy belts that are narrow in front and wide in the back do little, if anything.

A good belt adds leverage particularly when trying to explode off the bottom.

A belt helps to reduce the stress on your spine by decreasing the cross sectional area of your abdomen and increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Always using a belt can weaken the supporting muscles, but a belt for heavy low rep sets is a good idea and can make back injury less likely. My philosophy is to strengthen your core and supporting muscles with lighter, higher rep sets, and use the belt for heavy sets, ie, max effort and around 4 reps or less.

 

[tank-with-full-amunition]

Ya I've gotten nose bleeds from deads, squats, and decline bench. I think it actually made me feel embarrassed to tell ya the truth.

that never happened to me but I almost passed out once doing t bar dead lifts with very little weight....I was trying to keep up with my friend who was way advanced than I am...after that incident I was afraid to do legs because I was on the ground couldn't move and all my muscles from my lower back to my neck was so tight with sooo much pain with a huge headache and couldn't breath....I still remember the feeling....I dont know how I got to the house than all that just suddenly disappeared when I drank creatine