What point do you use belts/straps etc

[rediculus]

I know it says don't use straps or weight belts if at all possible. First attempt at 315 a 7 weeks ago I was NOT ready and was still feeling out my squat max (stop laughing I know it's weak but whatev gotta start somewhere I can still use all natty as an excuse...sorta...not a good excuse but)

anyways I'd say I was stopping and pushing up 4 inches above parallel. why? it was Fuggin heavy but I could move the weight. So I wanted to at least get as much as I could. Rep 1 rep 2 rep 3 BING good form parallel dizzy falling forward smash into the squat rack.

I rack the weight and have a little pinch feeling in my back. I Finish out squats yada yada and...yep I threw my back out. To the chiropracter I go about 4 weeks later when anything I can do just aint working. He straightens me up I continue to carefully self align.

That took a grip of time out of my training and OBVIOUSLY should have had a belt on. But...When you are doing squats and deadlifts when are you guys putting on the belt? And don't say a lifting belt is cheating lol.

 

[SaiBoT]

Well I use those neoprene belts that make me lose water of the waist. Other than that I only use a support belt when I'm trying to max out, you shouldn't rely much on those because it weakens you core if you use it all the time.

 

[rediculus]

on a 5x5 routine my last sets are 295x5 315x5 315x5...well that's what it was last week...so I THINK I am doing 5 sets of 315 next week? Which is a new PR by almost well 20lbs or more after my back injury....FYI The dermatherm stack thing from PP...yah....It made a visable difference within 2 to 3 days which I assume is water weight. Just sitting here in the house I am sweating with the AC on. well my arms chest and stomach and lower back are. Kinda wierd

 

[SouthernLord]

Every time you use straps, god kills a kitten....

I use straps on most of my "work" sets. I use a belt on all of my back thickness (rows, Dls) and Squat work sets. I do not use them on warm ups. I will completely ditch the straps when I start the 5x5. I will use the belt for some squating and DLing though.

 

[Big_BK]

I am in a similar spot. Just had alot of chiro work done and it fixed me up SO good. I am being cautious now and using a belt after 3 plates on all core lifts. I squat and pull around 455 no belt but its not worth the extra core strength fucking my back up again. Just make sure you are training your core on other days if your gonna belt up alot. Sidebends, crunches (weighted), etc.

 

[rediculus]

acutally I have found a couple exersizes that I am "perfecting" that put a shit ton of pressure on core muscles. (other than the obvious 6 pack) so obliques etc. Growing up my coach always said squat or deadlift anything you think is heavy you better have a belt on.

Straps I am not a huge fan of but at the same time. I am realistic in knowing my fingers can't handle the same load my legs and back can. So to really PUSH where my primary lifts can go. Gotta use a strap on!! er I mean gotta strap it!!

and anyone see those dumbell hooks CEO linked up in my other thread? (the fatboy thread about how high bodyfat folks like me shouldn't take steroids but the truth is that's not so much the truth) Anyone have opinions about those? hang them from a bar you can get under your dumbells and just wreack HAVOC on your pecs and shoulders.

 

[LucSulla]

I use a belt on my last set of squats on my 5 x 5 routine. Just started that this week. After due consideration, I decided that a little extra protection is worth the extra couple of pounds it may help with. I'm almost to 300 lbs on my fourth set, so I feel like I am still lifting plenty heavy enough without the belt to continue strengthening my core. At this point, this weeks PR is my fourth set after several week's anyway.

I also use the belt on my heavy set of standing overhead presses. I do deadlifts after that, and I don't wear a belt on deads. I find that if I really struggle on my final set of OH presses it often prefatigues my lower back a good bit, which I worry about deadlifting after. My core is taking a beating on my DLs anyway, so I don't mind sparing it a little punishment on the presses.

 

[SouthernLord]

A belt can be your friend. Using your belt while curling in the squat rack is never cool. Proper use of your belt will put more weight on the bar and your body. You are using it smartly.

I use a belt on my last set of squats on my 5 x 5 routine. Just started that this week. After due consideration, I decided that a little extra protection is worth the extra couple of pounds it may help with. I'm almost to 300 lbs on my fourth set, so I feel like I am still lifting plenty heavy enough without the belt to continue strengthening my core. At this point, this weeks PR is my fourth set after several week's anyway.

I also use the belt on my heavy set of standing overhead presses. I do deadlifts after that, and I don't wear a belt on deads. I find that if I really struggle on my final set of OH presses it often prefatigues my lower back a good bit, which I worry about deadlifting after. My core is taking a beating on my DLs anyway, so I don't mind sparing it a little punishment on the presses.

 

[rediculus]

OOH dude I sooo curl in the squat rack when there's some geek wanting to put the seat in the rack so he can do dumbell rows? I'll be the dick.....I don't own a belt or wraps but lol. With my lifts all coming up to being over 315 I am far enough over my body weight that I have to start using it. It's good to know I am not OVER Using it. and yes SL I am ripping off your workout routine. It's jsut 5x5 enough to get some serious results and still enough add on's that I can still fine tune my weak links.

 

[Rage-Of-Sparta]

i try to use my straps only for rack deads when i get passed 400
i havent use a belt latley since i havent needed one but feel
if you are going for a maximum effort set then its better to be safe than sorry

 

[rediculus]

PS I dont' own them yet but I am thinking it will be my next necessity as the weights and lbs increase

 

[Big_BK]

Personally i don't use straps on DL, my mixed grip is strong enough to keep up with my back right now pulling low 5's. Although i am getting alot stronger since my back got fixed, we'll see how far i can push before i need to use them. I do end up using them on alot of stuff like rows and bis because my forearms give out before my back/bis and thats what im trying to hit with those exercises so its worth the sacrifice, not like grip is getting ignored.

 

[rediculus]

Did anyone check out those dumbell hanging thingy's CEO posted up? what do you guys think about that little gadget....COUNTRY POWER INC.

 

[Jocques Straap]

I have never used straps. However, there was a moment about 3 months ago where my deadlift was failing because of my grip. I was so close to buying some straps but I held off. I didn't change my workout plan at all, and now my grip strength is stronger than ever. I maxed the other day, added 20 pounds to my PR, and had no problems with grip whatsoever. It's strange. I imagine at some point if my grip is limiting my lifts, I will get straps, but for now I have no need for them.

I use a belt for my heavy sets of deads, and squats. I've tweaked my back enough times to know that there is a time and a place for one. I use it for anything around 85% 1RM and higher.

Many people have this strange idea that using a belt will give them a weak core. This isn't true. The studies I've seen show that when you are belted up, there is a dramatic increased of muscle activation in your erector spine and rectus abdominis. While your obliques have less activation.

Using a belt doesn't mean you are using your core less, it just means you are using your core differently.

I have seen those dumbbell hooks before. I have never used them, or have any desire too.

 

[captainahole]

Use both, love them they help in many ways. I lift heavy so it helps with security. I just had hernia surgery and know that if i hadn't used a belt for the last couple years It would have been a really bad hernia because of my lifts

 

[dabuffguy]

I wear wrist support wraps when benching, and I wrap them very tightly around my wrists to the point they turn pale after a set. It helps support my weak wrists, and alows to me control the weight better and lift more weight.

I have always worn a waist belt for squats and deadlifts.

I do not use grip straps for deadlifts though.

 

[rediculus]

alot of different opinions here. Actually the weak core was one thing I never understood as the belt itself becomes something for your abdominals to push against giving greater support. Not from less flex but from a greater amount of pressure being able to be applied. Never used grips but it seems natural to me that if I intend..take that back most anyone that intends to deadlift 6 or 7 or 800 lbs is probably going to strap up...I like strapless myself

 

[LucSulla]

A belt can be your friend. Using your belt while curling in the squat rack is never cool. Proper use of your belt will put more weight on the bar and your body. You are using it smartly.

Thanks, good to know it makes sense to someone who has been lifting longer.

 

[ExtraMile]

I used to use a belt for heavy BB Rows and Deads but Iv stopped now, I may have to start using on thought as I progress with squats, zercher squats work the shit outta my core, especially lower back, and in the 5x5 Iv got BB rows on the same day, considering Im BB Rowing just 1kg less than Im squatting (lol) Im a little worried about my lower back at the end of the day, but Ill just leave it for a while until it hurts rather than aches.

And straps? Never used them, Im not even sure how they work but Im thinking of getting them, my grip is falling so far behind, I would just use them for shrugs if I ever did them and Romanians, 75kgx8 on romanians and I need to put the weight down at 5 and re grip, doing curls today and forearms aches more than biceps lol.
I cant do shrugs either because I cant hold onto the weight long enough. What material is best for straps? Iv seen them made out of several differant materials...

 

[ldub1313]

I got one word, CHALK. For those who are trying to decide whether to use straps or not, I dont know if you have tried chalk, but straps are now obsolete now that I have chalk. Just something to try, I dont know if it will help you as much as it helped me but for a dollar something, its a cheap way to get grip and build grip strength.

 

[b fold the truth]

If your back went out on a heavy squat, and you say that you were not able to take it down correctly, then you had too much weight on the bar and it would be safe to say that your form was NOT up to par.

If your core is strong enough...you shouldn't need one. Wearing straps isn't going to fix your weak grip. Wearing a belt isn't going to fix your weak core.

Avoiding your weakness just means that it is going to be a BIGGER and MORE DANGEROUS weakness in the future.

 

[1999TL]

If your back went out on a heavy squat, and you say that you were not able to take it down correctly, then you had too much weight on the bar and it would be safe to say that your form was NOT up to par.

If your core is strong enough...you shouldn't need one. Wearing straps isn't going to fix your weak grip. Wearing a belt isn't going to fix your weak core.

Avoiding your weakness just means that it is going to be a BIGGER and MORE DANGEROUS weakness in the future.

So many different opinions. I've been thinking about buying a belt. I'm at 275 squat and 315 Dl still. I was just thinking if I should start wearing one when I get to 315 on Squats.

 

[LucSulla]

So many different opinions. I've been thinking about buying a belt. I'm at 275 squat and 315 Dl still. I was just thinking if I should start wearing one when I get to 315 on Squats.

When I first hit three plates I started wearing one. After awhile I quit though. I had some mental hang ups at 315. I felt like two plates wasn't all that serious, but at 315 I felt like I was in peril all of the sudden. The funny, and telling, thing was that I had none of this sentiment squatting 300. There was just something physiological about THREE PLATES. I quit using the belt again after I hit 340 for 5 one week with the belt and then couldn't do it again without the belt. It made me feel like I was cheating.

If I work my back a little too hard and I feel like that specific day I am weaker in my core than normally, I will throw it on, but I also take that as a sign that something isn't jibing with workout that day as I shouldn't need the belt. A good example from personal experience is doing deadlifts after military press. One day a press got away from me a little, and I really tweaked my right lumbar in an odd way while getting the weight up. It wasn't serious enough that I felt I had pulled something, so I still felt confident I could deadlift. However, I knew that I had done something out of the ordinary to it, and it was hurting a bit as a result. That day, I wore a belt on my fourth and fifth set of deadlifts as a precaution, but I also made a note that either I needed to get my form in check on MPs the next week or drop the weight.

I think belts are a great tool for the oddball day when something isn't clicking as they can help one push through his or her routine that day with a little added safety, but if everyday is an oddball day, clearly something else is amiss. In that case I think one can easily use a belt as a crutch to ignore other issues in his or her lifting.

 

[PWR]

Anyting over three plates I use a belt on. You can go heavy as hell, but you only have one back and its important to take care of it.

I have never used lifting straps for DL's, shrugs or any other pulling exercise. Concentrate on your back muscles and it will help not fatigue the forearms as much.

I do use wrist wraps on bench and heavy dumbell presses. I feel safer especially if I have a set of 150's above my face