Squats & Deadlifts- With Or Without A Belt???

[Texas Ranger]

Guys, I just wanted to take a poll. Who does Squats or Deadlifts with or without a belt??? Any advantages or disadvantages??? Ok, I'll go first. I don't and haven't for years....

 

[anthrax]

No belt if you want your lower back to get stronger

.... except for 1 RM and PR

 

[Atomic Punk]

No belt if you want your lower back to get stronger

.... except for 1 RM and PR

Agreed. I do all my lighter Dead & Squat sets w/o the aid of a weight belt.

 

[bignate73]

i dont use a belt.

IMO,in training it should be used for if you plan to use it in competition (to learn your gear or learn your geared limits). if you are not competing, its up to you if you want to use it, and for your own reasons whatever they may be.

 

[Cut]

never used a belt, never had any problems.

 

[strider364]

I use a belt on squat @ 315 and up, and 225 and up on front squat. Just my preferance. Never have used a belt on Deadz.

 

[Toozee]

I like no belt. I think it keeps my core stronger by making it not rely on a belt.
But, for very low rep, heavy stuff, i would use one.

 

[Forge]

No belt for me. The only time I ever use the belt anymore is with weighted chins or dips.

 

[d3track]

i use a belt on my heaviest sets
i try to go as far into my workout as i can without it

 

[strongsmartsexy]

No belt on either for me.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

No belt on either for me.

stud

1RM squats- I use a belt.

 

[needsize]

I dropped my belt around 5 years ago when a surgeon explained how the pressure it builds up can easily lead to a hernia. Since then, I have been able to dead and squat some pretty big poundages, and since I dont use a belt, my lower back, abs, intercostals, serratus, etc are all pretty impressive

 

[supreme]

Well if we all agree no belt except for 1 RM why don't we make the "backstrong & beltless" articles a sticky. It would answer a ton of questions!

S

P.S I agree no belt, except to hold my shorts up!

 

[strongsmartsexy]

Well if we all agree no belt except for 1 RM why don't we make the "backstrong & beltless" articles a sticky. It would answer a ton of questions!

S

P.S I agree no belt, except to hold my shorts up!

That and how to decompress one's spine after leg presses and heavy deadlifts.

 

[Forge]

So here is a related question about beltless deads and squats: do you guys draw your abs in or push them out on those lifts? I personally draw my abs (and navel) in as I feel it keeps my back more straight and also keeps the pelvis more straight. But I've done it both ways and both feel comfortable to me, so I really can't tell if one is better than the other.

Any opinions from more experience than I have?

 

[strongsmartsexy]

So here is a related question about beltless deads and squats: do you guys draw your abs in or push them out on those lifts? I personally draw my abs (and navel) in as I feel it keeps my back more straight and also keeps the pelvis more straight. But I've done it both ways and both feel comfortable to me, so I really can't tell if one is better than the other.

Any opinions from more experience than I have?

You need to stabalize the torso with both lifts especially on heavier weights. That means contracting the abs. THere is a technical term for it that I don't recall at the moment.

 

[majutsu]

No belt -- they vastly increase injury rates

 

[biggest_man_in_the_world]

No belt for me. The only time I ever use the belt anymore is with weighted chins or dips.

How do you add weight for chins/dips to your belt? Do you just tuck it under the belt? I'd have thought it would fall out this way...

 

[he-man]

most gyms have a belt with a chain attached to it that you can loop the plates through. im a big fan of the non-belt school as well, even on very heavy lifts.

 

[kiloamp]

I don't use a belt either and haven't had an back injury in something like 15 years (last time was while wearing a belt.)

 

[Forge]

How do you add weight for chins/dips to your belt? Do you just tuck it under the belt? I'd have thought it would fall out this way...

I have a chain with two clevis hooks, one hooks around the belt and the other loops through the hole in the plates. I hang them from the front of the belt, though I've seen people hang plates from the back of the belt too. The front is more convenient for me.

I've tried the "hold dumbells with your feet" approach but then I have to concentrate on holding that damn dumbell. With the chain and belt I'm free to focus on the lift only.

 

[chewyxrage]

how to decompress one's spine after leg presses and heavy deadlifts.

what's this?

 

[bignate73]

hang from a bar, or do reverse hypers to decompress the spine after heavy squatting and deadlifts. i like to hang from the captain's chair (arm supported knee raise thingee) and feel the pressure lift from my SI joint, and give a little twist side to side.

(btw, the leg press isnt much of a spine compressor since the weight is directed through your hips)

 

[coolcolj]

Just lie over a swissball, and do some reverse hyperextensions

 

[strongsmartsexy]

hang from a bar, or do reverse hypers to decompress the spine after heavy squatting and deadlifts. i like to hang from the captain's chair (arm supported knee raise thingee) and feel the pressure lift from my SI joint, and give a little twist side to side.

(btw, the leg press isnt much of a spine compressor since the weight is directed through your hips)

Try 900lbs or so at greater than a 90 degree angle. You'll notice some compression.

 

[Aerojaxx]

I am in the, "No Belt Zone".

 

[Lord_Suston]

No belt untill comp time, train the core

 

[Nonerz]

i dont use a belt.

IMO,in training it should be used for if you plan to use it in competition (to learn your gear or learn your geared limits). if you are not competing, its up to you if you want to use it, and for your own reasons whatever they may be.

my situation...I only have used a belt when dragging the sled, not for anything else but I am competing in a PL meet late April. I really need to learn how to use a belt/my air properly.

 

[Destroyer1986*]

Is decompressing the spine after heaving deads really necessary? If so, why?

 

[silver_shadow]

belt for the heaviest sets only for me- yes i try to lift as heavy as possible without. that is the only way to strengthen the core. i see too many newbies in the gym walk in with belts- so if they do lats, bi's and tri's, they won't take off the belt. needless to say they are pretty weak.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

Is decompressing the spine after heaving deads really necessary? If so, why?

Is it really necessary to stretch after working out? If so, why?

 

[Rev]

I just sprained my back 4 months ago without using a belt and was laid up for 4 days to where I couldnt walk. Sence then I used a belt.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

I just sprained my back 4 months ago without using a belt and was laid up for 4 days to where I couldnt walk. Sence then I used a belt.

ACK! Have you seen a doctor and gone through physical therapy for that? Core excersizes are hugely important and wearing a belt tends to allow one to depend on the support of the belt instead of developing the core...