Who actually uses a belt, and when?

[SteelWeaver]

I was intending to ask about this today, then saw W6's post in another thread about using a belt to avoid PL-like waist thickness. Mm, so there ARE times when it is recommended to use a belt? What about with injuries? Surely it's better to rehab the injury without a belt, then lift without a belt to ensure no strength imbalances occur?

And W6, if one DOES go the route of using a belt to prevent waist-thickening, isn't one asking for injuries through lack of core strength?

 

[slinky]

I've been training w/out. However, due to my goals for the new year (2003), I'm getting one.

So, what I'm going to do is this: will train as much as possible w/out one. THEN when performing the 1RM (deads/squats) use a belt. I'm thinking this would be the way to go.

 

[The Shadow]

the entire ab region will thicken form certain movements - not just obliques as their *main* function is rotation....I guess its up to each individual but I don't understand those who are contradictory, like wearing a belt....but with wrist straps or even wrist wraps.

 

[The Shadow]

.

 

[KEL]

bump for W6

 

[SteelWeaver]

Another bump for W6, and a question about obliques: how much work do these get when doing leg raises and crunches? I do weighted Russian twists about once a week, and the other 2 ab sessions are all upper/lower moves, no rotation. That's fine for obliques, isn't it?

 

[makedah]

Oh my land, I didn't learn how much one used ones obliques all day long until the day after I started squatting like a big girl. It hurt so much I ached trying to turn myself over in my sleep!

I never do crunches or leg raises because I hate getting on the floor for ab work!


Twice a week, I do two weighted ab moves (unless I'm too wiped out after doing legs ) . One of those moves is always for obliques - so I work obliques on their own twice a week. I'm going to start doing one-armed deadlifts as supplemental move, so they'll get some more work with that, too.

I used to do side bends for accessory work; now I do Saxon side bends or full contact twists. Saxons are a big challenge for me. I can do regular side bends with 35# dbs or more, I have to do Saxons with 8s and 5s (sometimes 3s)! I'm going to try the wood chops on the link below (I'd been doing them wrong before!) I'd like to work up to doing Turkish get-ups or side presses/windmills more often, but they're rough on my bum shoulder.

(get-ups, saxon side bends and one-arm dls are pictured here: http://www.testosterone.net/articles/218exer.html )

(bent press, side press and full contact twists pictured here: http://www.testosterone.net/nation_articles/205abs.html )


Interesting article about rotational strength and its larger role in movement and strength: http://www.paulchekseminars.com/articles.cfm?select=31


I haven't considered belts - I don't think I'm at that level yet. How would I know if I needed one?

 

[Nonerz]

I haven't used a belt yet...I guess I just gotta lift more weight!

 

[bignate73]

i see no need for using a belt, for my purposes. i relied on one before, without just cause. i dropped the apparatus, built up my body's natural strenght and have felt stable ever since. target the weak links first and you can work worry free without equipment. i did the same for straps.

 

[JJFigure]

I have set poundages when I will use a belt - 225 lbs.+ for squat and 300 lbs.+ for deadlift. Those are the only two lifts I'll use a belt for, and I felt I needed the extra support only when my poundages hit those levels.