are straps bad for lat pulls, cable rows ,etc...?

[binder]

What I don't understand are these dudes wearing weight belts to barbell bench press.

you don't do heavy bench do you? abdominal/thoracic pressure increases the amount of force you can press with your chest. Also the reason why they don't exhale until about midway through the press.

also, for safety reasons on the heavy lifts. Pushing that hard guys tend to arch and it reminds them not to as well as saves their backs if they arch anyways.

[AdamGH]

you don't do heavy bench do you? abdominal/thoracic pressure increases the amount of force you can press with your chest. Also the reason why they don't exhale until about midway through the press.

also, for safety reasons on the heavy lifts. Pushing that hard guys tend to arch and it reminds them not to as well as saves their backs if they arch anyways.

You misinterpreted. I see dudes walking around the gym with a weight belt on for every exercise. From doing forearm lifts, bicep curls to lightweight bench pressing or to take a piss. Weight belts have a purpose, but not what I see them used for.

good article:

While on the topic of core stabilization, I want to emphasize to any misinformed fitness enthusiasts that a weight belt should not be worn at any time during any of your weight training routines (unless you’re performing a max or near-max lift in one of the spine loading lifts such as squats or deadlifts). The theory behind a weight belt is that it pulls in on your abdominal wall to aid in supporting your spine during a very heavy lift. The problem is that if you use a weight belt all the time, you actually weaken your core musculature since you take away the work that they are intended to perform. Hence, you could set yourself up for a back injury in the future. You don’t know how many times I see misinformed guys walking around the gym for their entire workout wearing a lifting belt. Poor souls! Bottom line – don’t use a lifting belt unless you’re a competitive power lifter performing max or near-max squats or deadlifts. You’re actually doing more harm than good if you use it for anything other than that.

[binder]

You misinterpreted. I see dudes walking around the gym with a weight belt on for every exercise. From doing forearm lifts, bicep curls to lightweight bench pressing or to take a piss. Weight belts have a purpose, but not what I see them used for.

ya i did...i thought you were saying you have no idea why guys use them for bench.

i don't wear a belt so i can properly develop my lower back since i previously fractured L4 and my pelvis causing ligament damage as well. If you start training light with no belt and work your way up there should be no risk for injury. Belts do serve a good purpose for heavy lifters though.