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 Anabolic Discussion Board
 BELT OR NO BELT?
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| Author | Topic: BELT OR NO BELT? | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 383 |
BROS, IVE BEEN READING UP ON SOME POLLS AND INFO ABOUT POWERLIFTERS AND BODYBUILDERS USING WEIGHT BELTS WHILE DOING SQUATS, DEADS, ETC. WHAT ABOUT YOU? PROS/CONS TO USING OR NOT USING A BELT...LET ME KNOW WHATCHA FEEL....ZEUS13     | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 217 |
A belt is a substitute for using your abs for stablization. That is enough reason not to use one. If I can't squat 405 for reps without a belt then my body is not ready to do it. I think a bodybuilder should build the entire body without letting weaker muscle groups be neglected... I would strengthen my abs until I had the strength to support my lower back without a belt. Just my $0.02 KoRnfed | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 383 |
GOOD POINT KORN...ANYON ELSE???ZEUS13 | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 893 |
Belts, in general, are a bad thing. They take away the use of the body's stabilizing muscles in that area. Go as heavy as you can without a belt, and only use it when necessary. I have to use one because I have a very bad lower back. Without it, I wouldn't be able to squat the bar... | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 687 |
Belt.. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 174 |
I am against belts for the reasons described above. But also because, every one day wonder that wanders into the gym feel that since he has a belt on he is one of us.. It's just a pet peeve that P#sses me off. However in the same breath I also use wrist-wraps for some back and shoulder movements so I guess maybe my thinking is skewed!  ------------------ | ||
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Guru 
Posts: 3939 |
Belt. How does the belt work? It works by increasing the internal pressure within the abdominal cavity. This has two effects, 1. Stabilizes the mid-section by making it more rigid. 2. By increasing the internal pressure you make it harder to incur a hernia. Which is a tearing of the lining separating the internal organs from the lower abdominal cavity. I agree that you should only use a belt when needed, but when going heavy in squats or overhead presses, even curls it should be used. The amount of internal pressure that we can generate when pushing a heavy load up is incredible. That is one of the reasons to remember to breath as well throughout the exercise. The belt as with knee wraps/wrist wraps etc is a tool, and should be used properly or it can cause injury just as much as the exercise you are performing. | ||
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Cool Novice 
Posts: 42 |
I personally try not to use the belt... I feel that it takes away from lower back development, and that it's easy to become reliant on. Paul Chek wrote a GREAT series of articles about belt training, intra-abdominal pressure, and how it all works... It's a 3 parter and can be found here: http://www.testosterone.net/html/123back.html This is some pretty heavy reading, but if you've got some time, check 'em out! GREAT info. [This message has been edited by Twiggy (edited November 07, 2000).] | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 383 |
GUYS THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO. ANYONE ELSE HAVE .02 TO GIVE, FEEL FREE....ZEUS13 | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 260 |
Definitely use a belt,especially when doing heavy squats and deadlifts.I'd rather be safe than sorry.The extra support is well worth it. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 100 |
Never used one, never had the need. Hopefully never will. Just like straps, never needed em. Just built my forearms and grip up to handle the weight. But there are occassions where straps might be handy, but not the belt. For me anyways. IronMike | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 415 |
Using a belt subtracts from the development of your stabilizer muscles. If you need to use it for 3-4 sets, that might be okay. But there is something to be said for training lighter to allow the weak links to catch up. Peace! ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 260 |
I have to totally disagree about a belt hindering development of stabilization muscle.You mean to tell me,that when you have 405 on your back,and do 15 ass-to-the-ground squat reps, set after set,your stabilazation muscles aren't working????????????????????????????????????? ------------------ | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 517 |
Got to agree, a belt is a saftey precaustion. When going heavy there's nothing wrong with using one. Its more a personal choice. Some days I go heavy and wear a belt and wrap my knees, some days I don't need it and obviously can't go as heavy. It's really up to you. Its not cheating and it certainly won't impede your overall development. Plenty of monster powerlifters and body builders wear them. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 271 |
I used to wear one a LONG time ago. Not anymore. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 93 |
stopped using a belt some time ago- im not going back - i actually feel better not using one-tomo | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 29 |
i disagree with using a belt. If you never use a belt then your stabilizers will grow with your other bodyparts. If you start to use a belt then they will not grow as fast meaning that you will most likely have to rely on the belt in future. Just my opinion. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 84 |
no belt need to build it all ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 241 |
No belt....except for low rep squatting...1-5 reps... | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 328 |
No Belt. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 139 |
I try to stay away from wearing a belt. Belts are to be used if you are going for a special PR or in competition. I think that you will grow more all around without one. B True | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 365 |
I used to throw my back out at least twice a year..usually doing squats.... just muscle pulls but it sucked big time... I had always used a belt so I douldn't figure out why I would throw my back out. Finally I decided to lose the belt while squatting..and increased my ab work.(i like weighted crunches) And guess what?? I haven't thrown my back out in 4 years...Now here is my exception..On back day I start with Deadlifts...which tire my lower back..Then I like to do Bent Over Rows... due to the fact my lower back is tired..here is when I wear a belt (while doing the rows) just as a safety measure....so you have thefantom1's $.01 (can't afford $.02) ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 101 |
No belt for me. Wearing a belt while squatting and deadlifting gives me pain in my gut the next day. I don't really like the idea of putting more pressure on my internals than I have to. Lift correctly and you wont need one. Also I think taking the strain off the stabilizer muscles is gonna increase your chances of injury when not wearing a belt - like when lifting objects out of the gym. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 219 |
Belt... for squats and deads only. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 383 |
GREAT INFO WITH SOME OF THESE POSTS BROS. IM GONNA TRY A FEW WEEKS W/O A BELT AND ONLY USE IT WHEN GOING VERY HEAVY WITH LOW REPS. THANKS...ZEUS13 | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 34 |
no belt unless im squating 500+ for reps. I paid attention during the olympics and hardly and PLs wore belts. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 123 |
I believe that you should use a belt for the last sets of deadlifts and squats when the smaller stabilizers are burning out but your legs and lower back have more to give...but take it off after each set and don't walk around my gym with it on day after day....you look stupid with it on . | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1260 |
No belt anymore. I used a belt. The problem with a belt is: it protects your back (that's good). It protects your abs area (that's also good), BUT it does not protect the area above or under the belt. So i got me an injury UNDER the belt in the right groin. And after all these years it is still there. That does not mean anybody else would have the same problem. So it is a personal choice. ------------------ Don't look back, life is too short | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 100 |
Prefer to lift without - | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 134 |
No BELT No Gloves No Knee Wraps I don't like extras, I think you become dependant on them. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 300 |
Personally the belt doesn't do crap for me. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 256 |
NO BELT! |
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posted November 07, 2000 11:28 AM