[tnfirefighter]

Hey Guys,
Ive never wore a weight lifting belt when doing weight training. I was told that I needed to start if I was going to be going heavy on my lifts. I have noticed that my stomach gets sore when I do heavy bench and dead lifts. My question is....will a belt help prevent this? I was also told that it will make you more powerfull when lifting because of the support? True/False? How many use a belt when lifting.

[JDuB]

G'day tnfirefighter-

How do you mean your stomach gets sore from benching and dead lifting is it just muscles soreness the day after or a pain while your lifting. . . ?

Wearing a belt does provied some sort of support but not heaps, though I find wearing one just remind you to keep correct form and keeping your TA active while lifting.

[warrior111]

A weightlifting belt has two main purposes. It reduces stress on the lower back while the person is lifting in an upright position and prevents back hyperextension during overhead lifts. A belt reduces low back stress by compressing the contents of the abdominal cavity. This increases the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), providing more support in front of the bones of the lower back. This allows the spinal erector muscles, which would normally provide this support of the lower back, to produce less force during the lift. Another benefit of increased IAP is a reduction in the amount of spinal shrinkage (lower back compression) a lifter may experience during circuit weight training.

I use belts. i bought my own one beacause the gym ones were disgusting lol.

[Tripower]

To be frank, I really do not believe in using a belt unless you are attempting a 1RM. I used to wear one for squats and deadlifts, but our weightroom guru at school told me that belts do nothing but help you 'cheat', for want of a better word. Increasing your intra-abdominal pressure artificially will not stimulate many vital stabiliser muscles such as abdominals and lower back to grow. Core strength paves the way to heavy, injury free lifts. Using a belt for really heavy sets is fine, but if your are experiencing pain, not soreness, maybe your technique is'nt up to par, or maybe your body just isnt used to the pressure. Either way, unless you are doing some fuckin' heavy weight that you have never attempted before, I would advise against it, as it only weakens your core strength in the long run.

[warrior111]

yeh good point. but its not like your wearing a belt for each excercise, eg leg press. i find that they give the extra support when doing heavy lifts and doing power lifting base techniques. Also its not like it shuts down your abdominals and lower back

Now tripower, will you help me with my STI assignment, its due this week lol.jks

[MikeNYY420]

I wear a belt for heavy squat and deadlifts(5 reps or less) and for some over the head exercises so I don't bent my lower back and to help keep good form. It does give you a little extra strength because of the support, but really not much. I'd say keep it for the heavy sets.

[monkeybiker]

I never use a belt. If I am using good form I don't have any problems.

[Luscious Lou]

the thing is once u start using it u become dependent on it, ur abdominals and lower back get weaker if u use it and expect it when ur going heavy. I wouldn't advise anyone to START using a belt unless u have an injury where the belt would be beneficial. Otherwise dont start bcuz u don't wanna start using it as a crutch.

[monkeybiker]

I think a lot of people use a belt because the think they should. Many people have it on there whole workout. To use a belt correctly it needs to be very tight so would be uncomfortable for a whole workout.

If you have no injuries and use good form you should not need it.

[Tripower]

I generally equate belts to other types of equipment, such as knee straps and such. Don't use it unless you have to, your body should be able to cope if you are injury free.

[FronttaBackThickness]

Originally Posted by Luscious Lou

the thing is once u start using it u become dependent on it, ur abdominals and lower back get weaker if u use it and expect it when ur going heavy. I wouldn't advise anyone to START using a belt unless u have an injury where the belt would be beneficial. Otherwise dont start bcuz u don't wanna start using it as a crutch.

yesssirrrr.

[warrior111]

i would only recomend useing belts for lower back injuries or excercises that cause stress on the back or spine e.g squats.

[mabo]

Have you seen any scientific literature that suggests wearing a belt reduces the incidence of lower back injuries when weightlifting?