Needsize Do I need A Weight Belt to Do Your Heavy Squat Routine? I mean they $35 bks

[curling]

I am starting your squat routine tonight you know the 5 sets and 5 reps which is heavier than I normally do. So do I need a weight belt for this. Btw I am not a young whippersnapper anymore I am 37 so I don't want to hurt my back.

 

[Lord_Suston]

You don't always need a belt, i do not use one and I don't have any back problems. If you do use one ( iwould recomend one since the weight is above 85% your max most likely) then you need to train your lowere back since the belt take a lot of stress off your back, the only problem is then your back needs to catch up. I'd let you have mine since I don't use anymore lol, but since you are older you might want to get one.

 

[curling]

Thanks bro that very nice of you to offer. I am trying to strenghten my lower back right now by doing straight dead lifts but I am taking my time to make sure I don't injure anything until I get stronger.

 

[needsize]

Sorry, just noticed this thread now. To answer your question, I haven't used a belt in 3-4 years, and went from a damaged lower back to a brutally strong, injury free one. So, no, I think belts are really pointless during sets.

 

[needsize]

The key to avoid injury is proper warmup, and make sure that you don't raise the weight too fast, if you quads can lift it but your back can't, then slow down. Also keeping you back straight throughout your reps will help keep the stress off your lower back.
Hope that helps.

 

[b fold the truth]

The belts that most people use (thin in front and wider in the back) do nothing anyways...so why wear one. If you are going to get a good belt (Inzer, 13mm) then wear it very very loose to practice pushing your stomach out against the belt.

B True

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

a lot of people mask weak abs by wearing a belt all the time. I dont throw a belt on until 365 or 400 when squatting now and hit my abs hard

 

[b fold the truth]

Think about it...you are TRAINING...right? Why wear a belt when you are training? You are only as strong as your weakest link. Use the belt when it really counts...at a contest.

B True

 

[needsize]

I havent' used one in so long I'm actually stronger without it now. But consider that I'm not a powerlifter, and I don't use a belt, but can still lift as heavy as any of the powerlifters I train around.