Belts

[Regalius]

What are your guys opinions on using belts for DLs and Squats. Do you use them? If so why or why not.

I just used one for the first time the other day and they felt good for stabalization I guess, and if they stop me from slipping a disc or something im all for it. But i've seen videos of a few people who post on here not using them on some pretty heavy DLs. If this is in a different thread please post a link cause my search didn't find nothing.

 

[Crusty D]

, I believe the general concensus is to use them ONLY on your heaviest lifts.

 

[whipyourasstyle]

No I don't like them. I think its because I'm a little guy (145) and the biggest lift I do is not that heavy (Pr's at DL 335, SQ 275) so I feel sorta stupid with a belt.

BTW is it normal to DL more than I can Squat??

 

[Zerocrew1984]

yeah its pretty normal to deadlift more than you squat. then as you progress say in powerlifting after a lot of years it seems alot of peoples squat goes higher than the deadlift.

 

[SmashiusClay]

I use one for heavy lifts, I see it as a way to safeguard my back and as my back takes a fair old beating from combining MA training with PLing I feel to lift without one would be fairly dumb.

I use an Inzer 13mm lever belt and couldn't possibly reccomend it highly enough.

 

[DEVILsSON]

it helps on heaviest of lifts...esp on squats...but def not necessary...

squat>deadlifts mostly for those who use gear....for most natural raw lifters.....deadlift is generally higher or close to their squat....

 

[Lard-ass]

I used to wear a belt when I started dl and squat regularly, cause I had a weak core. After a year of squatting and dl-ing, I still had a fukkass weak core - comparable to a boiled spaghetti.

My experience, stay away from belts (especially if your new to the game and still weak).
But as others pointed out, it can be useful on occasion when you go real heavy.

 

[BeRGLeZ]

I see a group of lifters at my gym who all use belts for deadlifts - the weaker of them doing 200lb deadlifts for reps to the stronger of them doing 400lb deadlifter for reps.

 

[Stonebreaker]

Another over-asked question and no one is screaming about the search function? Quiet day here in the S&P.

Very well, I shall do so, only without the screaming.

Are weight belts beneficial for lifting?
So I just got my weight belt from Inzer.
Belt me, baby! Belt me! Yeah, that's it... harder!
weight belts
Weight Belts

The short answer (in my oft-posted opinion, anyway) is that support equipment is for near-maximum lifts, and to be used infrequently. They're there to reduce the chance of injury when you're going big, but if you use them all the time, they become a crutch and you wind up never developing the muscles they are there to support.