weightlifting belt. yay or nay
I'm not a competitor or anything but I get my share of deadlifts and squats in my workout routines. My maxed arnt very much I squat around 365 maybe more for 1rm but never attempted more and same for dead the most I attempted and achieved recently was 475. The only thing I use is chalk and flat soul sneakers.
I have seen guys use belts religiously and others tell me you don't want to "rely" on them and the rest say better safe than sorry.I figured I would get a cheap one for now and see how it works and if I like the support.
I wanna know who use a belts and who doesn't why or why not and what brands you prefer. I think inzer has that lifetime warranty which is cool.
I wanna get a single prong 4in by 13mm belt.
Based on the little I have read. Any powerlifter or strongmen got any recommendations?
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BendTheBarbellI forgot to update after testing my belt on deadlifts. And after reading more about them to my understanding correct me if this is wrong but typically guys have different belts for bench and deadlift. I did not test my belt on bench because I see no need right now. For deadlifts may 4 inch 13mm belt destroyed my form at first . I had it set too tight I think an my starting position was affected initially. I tried loosening the belt by one notch and it felt better but still seemed like the belt wasn't helping just making it Harder to pull the weight. I dropped some weight on the barbell and tried holding air to push my abdomen against the belt to create more pressure and it felt a Little better but it definitely did not instantaneously improve my deadlift like it did my squat... Do y'all use a different belt for deads or do u think it just takes more breaking in or getting use to ?
A belt is cool because it can help you hold your intra-abdominal pressure on heavy lifts. The down side is, it can become a crutch or allow you to compensate for a weak core. As a rule, I generally only use the belt when I go over 85-90% 1RM
If you aren't following an strength program now but are interested in powerlifting, I suggest Wendler 5-3-1. The program focuses on strength but adds hypertrophy for muscle gain.
Good luck with your lifts
BendTheBarbellThat's good advice brother. I was utilizing stronglifts 5x5 for a while I started wendler's 5-3-1 a long time ago And reading that from you is definitely getting me back to it. I got a routine that's self developed right now and I'm gonna jump on 531 off cycle in a few weeks .it's great for building strength while not stressing tendons too much. This is irrelevant to the belt but u ever use the conjugate method? Westsides routine? I'm reading uo on it now. It seems complex at first but I'm very interested
I've used some of the Westside Method techniques - speed work, adding resistance through bands and chaine etc. but I have not followed Westside strictly for any period of time. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of Louis Simmon's teaching. All of the enhanced/ geared lifters in my area use his program. Their gym is across town so I try to get there a couple of times a month and usually end up working in with them and doing Westside stuff. Otherwise, I'm working out at home or in a commercial gym without a spotter so I can't use all of the bands, chains, etc to get everything out of the Westside training program. Hell, I even have to sneak my chalk into the gym in a plastic baggie like some sort of powerlifting dope fiend, lol.
BendTheBarbellUpdate. The belt is awesome.I can see how some could abuse it or use it as a crutch Cause I was able to push myself longer and harder on squats. But it's motivating me to strengthen my core more. I am going yo use it as a tool when I plan on going heavy low rep. In a few days I'll tell you guys how I feel using it on deadlifts.
Just make sure the colour matches your handbag.
I'm only joking, I've never used one but then I never go heavy low rep.
BendTheBarbellI got red so it matches my lipstick too.Jk I got black. And so far I love it. Squatting heavy didn't feel like it was crushing me
I'd suggest mixing it up. When you're going heavy (1-5 reps); use a belt. When you're using lighter weight (8-15+ reps); don't use a belt. It'll force you to engage your core when you're performing multi-joint/compount lifts.
bigmurphIm far from a pro and I really don't lift heavy but I still wear a belt why wouldn't you . The one time you don't will be the time you get hurt so I say wear it no matter what. Stsy safe injuries are our worst enemy.
Interesting... I've always been under the impression that belts don't prevent injury, they simply allow you to build more pressure in your core and lift heavier with ease. I guess in a sense that could help prevent injury indirectly, but I'm pretty sure you can still get injured wearing one.
You are right impastable. A belt is simply a tool to aid in intra-abdominal pressure. It gives you something to push against. It is not designed to prevent injury, only good form and safe spotting can do that. I have, however, seen plenty of guys that think it is acceptable to use it to cover up the beer belly haha.
bigmurphYou're definitely right you can still get injured but id rather have that extra support on my vertebrae
BendTheBarbellI felt using it that it would allow me to push a few more reps with CLEAN form. With weight that normally I shouldn't rep as many times due to form failing after a certain level of exertion. So I'm about only one day experienced with these things lol! But based on my recent leg session I can tell that if I'm not careful I could injure something else like my knees if I'm not listening ti which parts of my body Are reaching their limits. I got knee wraps too but I only use those if I'm trying ti perform a 2 or 3 rep max. I believe MOST things have their pros and cons but these belts should b a staple if u go heavy on squats. I have yet to try it on deadlifts. I'll update this thread a couple more times after I use it with deadlifts and bench too.
BendTheBarbellMurph u neg me bro? I don't care who did but if your opinion differs it should be shared.
BendTheBarbellI could leave my house in a bubble everyday and somehow still get injured. Not saying you are wrong But it can provide an extra blanket of safety. IMO of course.
BendTheBarbellGood point man. I'm feeling lucky I havnt been hurt yet considering how long I've been lifting without one. Well its coming in the mail tomorrow. Hope it works well and I'm definitely gonna order An inzer in the next few months. I like that warranty
bigmurphBest of luck to you brother I hope that the belt fits and you like it and it works out good for you
I have an inzer belt lifetime warranty broke latch before and they sent one for free as far as wearing it. I don't use it till I go over 315 on squats or heavy shrugs At my age and my beat up joints I don't go heavy that often any more but when I do it's belt and knee wraps for sure
BendTheBarbellI ended up ordering a single prong 4 inch 13mm leather belt from a knockoff company to try it out. If I like it I'm gonna invest in inzer. I plan on using it for deads and squats when I go over 80-90% does that sound ok? Breaking it in of course with lighter weight
Sounds like a plan It's prob a personal preference on when to use it I know people who don't use one at all and I have seen people who use it on every set for me it's about protecting my old bones as I age they have been put through hell already and I don't. Care about showing off these days. I love my inzer belt you will enjoy it hell the knock offs may be just as good
I think rogue has a new one out that looks good. I don't use one. Unless you're training for that sort of thing I wouldn't either.