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 Training Discussion Board
 Using a belt?
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| Author | Topic: Using a belt? | ||
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Cool Novice 
Posts: 13 |
How important is using a belt when weight training? At the gym I go to (which is full of mostly college kids, w/no huge bodybuilders) I hardly see them used... I'm not looking to deadlift 400 lbs...just gain some muscle...lose some fat...get laid more, etc. [This message has been edited by Icculus (edited August 17, 2000).]     | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 103 |
I use a belt for any kind of lift that involves my back. That includes most calve sets. Why take a chance with injuring your back, when a belt can eliminate most of that risk. Proper form is a must, but a belt sure does help. I don't think those kids have a clue, if they are anything like the gobers at my gym, but I don't see them doing much of anything but chest and bi-ceps anyway. ------------------ quote: | ||
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Freak 
Posts: 1501 |
when i first started training i would wear my belt ALL the time. any time i would pick up a weight. as of the last couple years i have stopped wearing it. i go heavier now than then and feel no strain. some, not all, use their belt too much and it can actually weaken your back. daily stress even in the gym is necessary, not just training heavy with deadlifts on back day. as long as you are using good form and not ballistic exercises, there should be no need for a belt in day to day training. exceptions: heavy squats,deads, possibly leg presses. just my opinion on it at least. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 55 |
I only use a belt for my heaviest sets of squats and deadlifts. I too think it can actually be bad for your back to wear it all the time. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 201 |
It detrains the stabilizers or the core musculature. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 111 |
The belt law; Use a belt on any freeweight lifts which demands lifting more than your body weight. Excluding Bench. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 358 |
BK is that so your pants don't fall down, because wearing a belt all the time has been shown to be a waste of time. I would'nt wear a belt for any exercise. It definitely weakens your back and possibly your abs also. get used to not wearing the belt, even on dead's and squats. It's just a confidence thing with most guy's anyway. Most people I see wearing a belt do so in the wrong manner anyway. The only time I wear a belt is for adding plates to my body weight when I'm doing dips. BK don't take offence at my little joke, it wasn't supposed to sound like a flame. Later bouncer ------------------ | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 902 |
The only thing I sometimes wear a belt for is squating. ------------------ | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 350 |
Bump for bouncer. Even when I do lifts that involve twice my body weight, I don't use a belt. Like someone else said, it takes away from the stabilizor work - stabilizors are often the difference between a fuctional, athletic body (what I have and try to improve) and an all show-no go physique (something I could give 2 shits about). | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 58 |
Icculus, FlexRich here so listen up, so you want to know about wearing a gym belt? Well, in my best opinion and I am sure bodybuilders on this board will agree with me the more you wear the belt the more your back demands use for the belt in actuality your abdominal muscles weaken and also your lower back. Now, let's get one thing clear I am not telling you not to use the belt all I am saying is use your common sense at the gym if your squatting real heavy or deadlifting some serious weight by all means use the belt to stabilize your back, but as long as you have good form and you are lifting carefully and properly you should have no problem. As for the college kids at your gym that don't use a belt well, their just their to check out the girls anyway. Flex on this for a while and who knows you'll probably get laid more often. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 124 |
Good form works for me. Screw the belt! ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 268 |
Doing squats without a belt and using good form also builds up your abs. I personally never use a belt, and I've never had any back pain. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 350 |
Once in a while I'll do heavy deads and squats in the same workout - my abs are extremely sore the next day without any direct stimulation. The soreness is nothing like from doing direct ab work - it's on the inside and feels like you got beat up a little bit. I can really feel that i've hit my transversus as opposed to the rectus abdominis. While the latter is the actual "six pack", the former is just as important because it wraps the six pack tight to your trunk and gives your midsection functional strength and stability. Weight belts rob you of this natural development and lead to disproportionate midsections that may look good flexed, but will hang out like beer bellies relaxed, and also lead to a reliance on external devices like belts for heavy lifts. Not to mention rob you of the host of benefits you would reep in athletic performance for other sports, and could even lead to back problems due to a disproportionate midsection. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 123 |
If you're starting out, I don't recommend weight belts. I use belts once in a while. I use it when I try to go all out with a heavier weight. Say for instance. I can Squat 495 pounds for 20 reps. I keep my rep range for squats 12-20 reps. Once my max weight weight reaches 20, I'll add more weight so it knocks the reps down back to 12. I always use a belt when try a new weight. Once I feel comfortable using that weight, I'll lose the belt and won't use it until my new weight reaches at least 20 reps. The only gear that may be worth getting is knee wraps, elbow wraps and gloves. I use gloves for better gripping and because my gloves have wrist wraps. I have a very weak wrist that I injured years ago. Good luck. ------------------ | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 38 |
Screw the belt, I always used to wear one to. If you have injuries you may need a belt. By not using a belt you will work your abs during deadlifts,squats and overhead presses. Belts don't do that much for the back it is mostly a "gym myth". I reccomend no belt and your body will be able to grow better. I also know everything and this should be taken as fact. Just kidding but your better off raw. oh yeah no straps either | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 105 |
Using a belt for all exercises will in fact weaken your back muscles. As you progress you want your back to progress as well. For most if not all exercises a belt should not be worn. I personally wear a belt only when I squat. (15yrs ago I wore a belt all the time and my back was in worse shape then it is now) ** Avoid a belt when ever possible.... | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 288 |
I try to use my belt as little as possible. I figure if using your belt too much, it will weaken your back. I usually only use it when I do heavy squats, and heavy overhead presses | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 27 |
The advice could be: Use it only with movements involving lower back when lifting with weight that is 80 percent of your 1RM or more... I only use the belt for very heavy squats and deads. Mylo | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 124 |
I STARTED BB AT 20 & AFTER 25YRS I STILL DON'T BELIEVE IN BELTS,YOU'RE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOUR WEAK LINK AND BY USING BELTS THE REST OF YOUR BODY WILL GET STRONGER BUT YOU'LL HAVE WEAK LOWER BACK,SO BE CAREFUL. | ||
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Moderator 
Posts: 793 |
I have a belt - that collects dust in the closet. I agree w/the brothas before me. Habitual use of a belt will weaken your core stabilizing muslces (abs and back). Now because I have a nasty hernia (which was repaired only to get blown out again) I am not allowed to wear a belt. If I ever go heavy enough (I have squatted 225# for 5 -6 reps w/o a belt) to require the use of a belt I have to rethink why I am in the gym in the first place, my legs may get a bit bigger - but a what price? | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 64 |
Use the belt for squats, leg press (avoiding a hernia is a good idea), hack squats, deadlifts and bent over rows, maybe shoulder pressing but eh? | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 16 |
Using a belt too often will weaken your back muscles. Whether it's leg or back training, your stabalizing muscles never develop if you use a belt all the time. The only time that I use a belt for Squats or Deadlifts is if i'm doing between 1-3 reps otherwise I never use one. Keep your form good. �Some succeed because they are destined to, most succeed because they are determined to� | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 213 |
I use a belt anytime I have to go do some lift which stresses my lower back alot. Like deadlifts and squats. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 159 |
In my opinion belts are all show no go never used one and never been injured. new studies suggest belts actually cause injury ------------------  | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 267 |
BUMP! ------------------ | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 21 |
bump! | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 64 |
now that this thing has been bumped again!! I will respond: belts are a must for me on leg press (so I don't get a fucking hernia) other than that just use good form and you should be fine!! a belt really doesn't protect much. the reason it's good for leg press is cause if you press around 900lbs or more your intestines want to explode out of your gut, and if your stomach ain't strong enough=hernia so belt supports ab strength | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 24 |
Agree w/Mac - I never touch the things. | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 43 |
interesting story on www.t-mag.com this month, last of a series. It has inspired me to use a belt only on sets over a certain weight in my mind. Now I have to squat up over 3 plates before I strap it on. Kind of helps me to "mentally" make 3 plates not such a big deal anymore, going for 5 plates soon! ------------------ | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 340 |
i just use it for deadlifting and heavy squats... otherwise you will weaken you abs. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 158 |
The only time I wear a belt is after i do my deadlifts....cuz then I go to bent over rows and my lower back is sore ( a good sore) from the deadlifting..so just as a precaution I use the belt for the bent rows... As for squating I don't use it as I keep my form perfect (also use 25lb plates under my heals..if I don't I lean to far forward and there goes my back... ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 51 |
i dont wear a belt...ever. It is a complete waist of time. (excuse the pun). Strengthen your erectors and abs instead gents. I have a 660 dead raw so there is no need for a belt cause the weight is heavy. Apart from anything else, 99% of the gimps i see in the gym dont know how to use a belt in the first place. Clue...if you can walk around wearing it all the time....it aint on right.....people treat these damn things like a fashion accessory or a status symbol..."look at my belt..i have to wear it cause i am sooooooo powerful"..lmao. I am the only guy in my gym that even owns a proper 2 ply double thick same width all the way around lifting belt..never mind knows how to use it. Only times i think a belt is justified...standing presses and strongman work. The strongman stuff because you can lever against the belt when taking an object ie a stone , off the floor. The standing presses because the feel of the belt pushing in to the erectors forces you to keep upright, so the belt eliminates the worry of leaning too far back and missing a rep. cheers, G. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 313 |
ive never used a belt, i probably should but there just to big and get in the way and i dont feel right wearing them so i chose not to wear them | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 43 |
gforce - a 660 dead raw is kickass man! ------------------ |
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posted August 17, 2000 10:48 PM