I looked at your pics bro and your lower abdomen looks strong. Breathe right and you'll be good.

I wear tight unpadded bike shorts.. its almost like using a suit. Never used a belt ever. its not that I dont
believe in them. I think they work well.Its that they cut me in half when I use them.. very uncomfortable.

I would like to get a nylon lifting belt. That might be a better choice.

core strength and breathing. hernias can erupt big time when you are pushing weight and holding your breath. creating internal pressure. i got mine from puking. same concept.

best things i believe to reduce hernia risk are, strengthing your core, correct form, and not lifting past your ability. most hernias come from weak core and improper form.

i had several hernias repaired years ago. i knew the moment i got them, i was squatting. i was going heavy, like i had done hundreds of other times, my form was off, my descent was to fast and my core was not tight through the entire squat. BAM half way up it felt like i was stabbed with a hot knife. thought i had one, turned out i had 4. all from the same lift. 2 inguinal and 2 under the testicals. took me out of the gym for almost a year. i made them use mesh, they wanted to do tension repair but i knew if i had it done this way they would come back. so i told the doc to go big on the mesh because of lifting and i wanted to get back to it right away. I have never had another problem.