training with a weight belt?

[the nature boy]

do you guys and gals use one? I don't. But I made the mistake of reading an article by Lee Labrada and it said this

"Use a weight lifting belt while you do heavy exercises like squats and dead lifts. Whenever you perform a heavy lift, it is common for intra-abdominal pressure to rise. This intra-abdominal pressure forces your stomach to distend, and with repetition, may cause permanent belly distension. By using a good weight-lifting belt (I recommend the time-tested, pliable Valeo™ weight lifting belts), you can harness this intra-abdominal pressure to stabilize the spinal column, allowing the muscles that support your waistline to work less and therefore not thicken as much. "

is this true? anyone?

 

[louden_swain]

I use one.

 

[rjl296]

only for me lifts, and only on occasion

 

[johnny1111]

I used to, don't anymore. You are only as strong as your weakest link. -john

 

[SofaGeorge]

You couldn't pay me to put one on. I got two back injuries early in my weightlifting career... both times wearing a lifting belt. Then I read an article that belts can CONTRIBUTE to getting injuries. I stopped using them... haven't had a back injury since.

 

[the nature boy]

I used to, don't anymore. You are only as strong as your weakest link. -john

I'm the same way. BUT, if you do plenty of ab work and back work (good mornings and hyperextensions etc) then you're working the "weak link" pretty good. Right?

 

[gymtime]

Yeah, but crunches and hypers won't prepare you for "max-out" type weights. I think belts can be a good preventative measure for those doing powerlifting-type movements and weight amounts. But for most bodybuilders, they're probably not necessary.

 

[the nature boy]

all right. I guess I was just concerned about the distended belly thing.

 

[WarriorPL]

What I want to know is what Nature Boy is doing on the training board. Is this your first post outside the C&C board?

 

[SANDMAN5150]

I must agree.....I do not use one for the same reason you are we as your weakest link and I also got rid of wrist straps if I am not able to hold it I just work on gripping excercises and then manhandle that weight .......before I could not deadlift nor hold 225 for a rep now i manhandle 495 withour a belt and wraps for 5 stric reps.......so no belts.....no wraps unless you go for PR's in my case

 

[Baoh]

The excerpt is wrong.

Also, the best way to prepare for doing max effort work without a belt is to never wear a belt. I don't even need to train abs or lower back directly due to the stresses of compound movements. I have never worn a belt. Extra work for your core can and will help, of course, but the primary issue, I find, is simply specificity. If you want to become more capable without the use of a belt, do your work without it, even on ME work. If you have been using a belt for some time, of course, you'd need to work your way up to that level over time to avoid possible injury.

 

[TheOak84]

i use it when i go for a max on deadlift.. but when i can do 3 sets of 1 with a heavy weight with a belt, i try 1 set of 1 with the heavy weight w/o a belt, so i can get used to it.. thats what works for me

 

[JollyRogers]

I use one, simply because when I do squat lifts im a danger to myself and others around me...

I don’t have a squat rack so I use 2 benches that are fixed, and have to get the bar off halfway from the floor, laffs... yeah it sure pumps the legs that first lift, but hey, I guess I get an extra positive & negitive rep, my friend helps if I cant lower it back, no safty

 

[Rich_S]

I'm proud to say I don't even own one.

As far as "belly distension", that's nonsense. He should back off on the HGH, if he thinks his gut is getting swole.

 

[Lee]

from what i heard belts train the lower back muscles to be dependant on that extra support, thus weakening them overall.