Who still wears a weight belt?

[BigLittleTim]

Fifteen years ago, everyone in the gym had a weight belt on, even if they were doing arms. Today, I don't even see guys squatting with a belt.

Are belts considered "old school"? Retro? Hazardous? Just out of fashion?

-BigLittleTim (clinging to his ancient Valeo belt like Linus' security blanket)

[IronReload04]

only for deads and squats....why do i wear them....because thats what my hs coach said

[perfectbeast2001]

I wear a thin neoprene belt by ocelot for squats and deads. I have found it to be invaluable as i used to suffer from lower back pain. Many in the gym feel the belt is not nessecary or that it may even impede lower back development. I dont care as long as im not in pain and can still lift

[Schmidty]

If I had a belt I would use it but I dont so its what ever

[Hellmaskbanned]

I always lift with a belt no matter what exercise.

Gives better support, and gives me the confidence to go heavy without worrying about injury.

Also, I've done cleans/squats in the past without it on and I could tell a difference.

[ebjack]

I use it for squats,deadlifts, and stiff leg deadlift. Buti only use it for the heaviest sets....not during warm up...
I've started using it during the leg press...I twisted my back somehow while pressing and it took me out for two weeks. I'm getting old

[LukeNY]

If you do a google search on weight belts you can find a lot of good information... most of it against the belt

I've never used one, never hurt myself, and I'm never gonna use one.

I think a lot of it can be personal preference... i see guys using them at the gym, but its normally some guy using it on bench (my gym isn't big on squats/deads)

[MuscleScience]

belts just give a sense of security.

[RuhlFreak55]

i use my badass single prong 10mm belt for deads and squats and sometimes shrugs and things

[heavyhitter08]

i always use one when i'm lifting heavy for any exercise It gives me that sense of security; even if it's in my head when i know it's on i can lift harder.

I also have a herniated L5 disc so have to be careful...

[Slowhand]

yeah I use one.. how else am i going to strap weight to myself as im doing weighted dips?

[J.S.N.]

i have a really nice inzer pling style belt, but i only use it for heavy sets. this thing is stiff and tight as ****, so you wouldn't want to go around wearing it your whole workout no matter how nicely it complements the color schem or your NFL logo wifebeater and matchign zubaz.

[audis4]

use belt for deads over 400lbs

squats use the belt over 300lbs...not sure why, just do

[chest6]

Used to use one with squats over 365.

Never deadlift with a belt..not even up to 565

Used to use one with rows over 275

Recently I havent worn one no matter what

[StoneGRMI]

yeah I use one.. how else am i going to strap weight to myself as im doing weighted dips?

Use your wiener you pansy. What?

[*Narkissos*]

I use 'em sometimes. Depends on how i'm feeling.

[Timm1704]

i injured my back when i was 16, had awhile out of training. when i returned i wore a weight belt constantly, even for chest! after careful review, and suspecting that the constant use of a weightbelt had robbed my core strength, i relegated the belt to the bottom of my bag, only to resurface for squats and deads. that lasted about 4 workouts, as the lid came off my protein shake in my bag and i threw the belt out, havent worn one since. saying that, i did try one on for a heavy set of squats last week, but i prefer to squat naked... erm, i mean beltless!

[Haro3]

i use my badass single prong 10mm belt for deads and squats and sometimes shrugs and things

and thats why ur gonna have a weak core

[skipp]

use belt for deads over 400lbs

squats use the belt over 300lbs...not sure why, just do

Same with me, 'cept I use it over 315lb on deads and over 405lb on squats.. I'm not a big fan of hernias.

[Hellmaskbanned]

and thats why ur gonna have a weak core

I wear my belt for everything and it hasn't effected my core strength negatively at all.

[Terinox]

depends on exercise, and like some said, if it is just a psychological thing, so be it, whatever it takes (especially when you're OFF )

[JC.1987]

i left my belt at muscle beach in the 70's

[cfiler]

Depends on the exercise.

I like it for deadlifts, but not much else. Don't know why though.

Also when curling, I find I keep better form when using a belt.

[Act of God]

The only time a belt touches me is if I am doing weighted dips or pull-ups. My gym is loaded with guys wearing belts while doing arms, or shoulders, or abs...

[*Narkissos*]

The only time a belt touches me is if I am doing weighted dips or pull-ups. My gym is loaded with guys wearing belts while doing arms, or shoulders, or abs...

[JohnboyF]

I wear a belt for deads and squats and bb rows thas it...

Straps on back day , except on deads (cant tie them )

Straps for up right rows thas it

[Carlos_E]

I use 'em sometimes. Depends on how i'm feeling.

Same here.

[wascaptain5214]

i used a belt for every lift years ago...then went to wearing only when deading or squating....but now dont wear one at all. because i dont go heavy anymore....but your right, not as many belts in the gym anymore

[Pac8541]

I gave up on a belt years ago because I thought that not using one would strengthen my core better. However, I've begun using one again in the last 3 months for the last 4 sets or so of squats, deads, and in the last couple weeks, for my bench. Based on the powerlifting advice I've gotten with those 3 lifts, the belt gives me something to push against when I fill my belly full of air for those max efforts.

Curiously though, the injury I suffered 5 weeks ago while squatting happened when I tightened my belt one more notch than I normally would. Never had a hernia but if I had to imagine what one would feel like, that's what it felt like. Dr. said no hernia but it seemed odd that I'd be injury free until that moment. I was well below my max too... wierd.

[Pac8541]

My gym is loaded with guys wearing belts while doing arms, or shoulders, or abs...

No shit on this too! Some of the goof-ball third country national's I've been working with wear a belt for everything they do in the gym, abs and cardio included.

[Kärnfysikern]

for heavy squats and deads I always use a belt. Maby its just in my head. But weights that feel like a ton without the belt is easy with the belt.

Sometimes for heavy t-bar rows aswell. But not for any other exercise.

[BITTAPART2]

i like how some guys used this as an excuse to post lift numbers LOL.

"i use a belt only when benching 800lbs or squating an elephant"

[*Narkissos*]

^^

[Jakspro]

only when on my last set of squats or deads, i sometimes use them on BB rows, i know that if i dont i get an increadible pump, feels good.

Who feels they weaken core?

[chest6]

i like how some guys used this as an excuse to post lift numbers LOL.

"i use a belt only when benching 800lbs or squating an elephant"

i didnt put numbers I said at a certain amount I'll put it on...

[biglouie250]

is there a definitve consesus on whether its worse or better to use a belt. ive heard arguments on both sides. i use it for squats, barbell/tbar rows and deads.

[daytrader]

When im going at about 90-95% of my 1rm on deads or squats i use them, besides that i feel you get a better core workout if you dont us it

[trip07]

People will def. have their side on whether or not to wear a weight belt. I side with not wearing one because it agree that it builds core strength.

[TADOLFI]

I'm wearing mine while I type this - really helps the core so that I can type faster!

Everyone has their own preference.
I use mine on the heavy stuff.

[QuieTSToRM33]

never