Do you wear a belt when lifting?

**Prime** · 07-10-2004, 09:35 AM

I tried using one when i started but found it just caused pressure underneath the belt and started to suffer groinal pains. I can understand wearing one for doing squats because youre working your quads not your back, but why wear one for deadlift? Arent you supposed to be working your back for deadlifts?

**RATM** · 07-10-2004, 09:38 AM

i wear a inzer lever belt for everything

**carbs-rule** · 07-10-2004, 10:17 AM

I've read its best to go without a belt when you first start lifting, and then switch to the belt when you start going a lot heavier. If you use a belt to early, then some stomach and back muscles will not develop enough for stability in heavier lifting. THis was in some magazine from the past few months.

**Mighty Joe** · 07-10-2004, 10:31 AM

Only on heavy squat days!

**DBarcelo** · 07-10-2004, 10:36 AM

I never wear a belt for anything.

**nj123** · 07-10-2004, 01:35 PM

i had a hernia a while back.. i usually use one now but im not sure if it helps. do yall know if a belt will help against gettin a hernia?

**birsling** · 07-10-2004, 01:47 PM

Ever since I slipped a lumbar disc about 3 yrs ago, I wear a belt on squats only.

**xfade7** · 07-10-2004, 02:58 PM

I was reading in my in my october 2001 issue of muscle media, which says "one new study says weightlifting belts actually promote hernias and hemorrohids.."

dont know if this is true, since this was 3 years ago. but something to think about.

xfade7

**slizzut** · 07-10-2004, 05:45 PM

nope

**Testsubject** · 07-10-2004, 06:52 PM

Always, I find it keeps everything together, helps me keep strickter form as well.

**decadbal** · 07-10-2004, 07:01 PM

yea, for back, and legs...

**DBarcelo** · 07-10-2004, 09:30 PM

A belt won't prevent a hernia, but if you wear it too tight, or if you think you're superman because you have a belt on, you can increase your chances of getting a hernia.

**goodtobeapimp** · 07-10-2004, 09:35 PM

Yep..Lever belt ...

**abstrack** · 07-10-2004, 09:40 PM

nope belts are a fashion statement,lol

**mass junkie** · 07-10-2004, 10:04 PM

nope, gets in the way

**se11** · 07-10-2004, 10:54 PM

Not really. I thought they were really only good to use if you have back problems or leg problems.

**BlazingTiger20** · 07-10-2004, 11:28 PM

No I NEVER wear one I dun't even think they have one in our school weight room. Though I heard when you begin lifting heavy you are supposed to wear one in bench, squats and things like that. I think bench is because some people lift their lower half off the bench... I bench 245 which was a strain and I have no idea what the butt raising thing helps(never occurs to me to do that).

**Prime** · 07-11-2004, 12:24 AM

ok out of everyone who said either yes or no, how many people that said they dont are under 5ft10 and how many are over? Thinking maybe the taller people rely on one more then us shorter individuals.

**birsling** · 07-11-2004, 10:24 AM

I am 5'10", and wear one due to a lumbar disc problem. Never wore one before I got hurt. Also, I only wear it for squats

**goodtobeapimp** · 07-12-2004, 12:01 PM

Check any powerlifting meets. Any time your going extremely heavy I believe its mandatory to have a belt on.

**)(PimP JuicE)(** · 07-12-2004, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by BlazingTiger20

No I NEVER wear one I dun't even think they have one in our school weight room. Though I heard when you begin lifting heavy you are supposed to wear one in bench, squats and things like that. I think bench is because some people lift their lower half off the bench... I bench 245 which was a strain and I have no idea what the butt raising thing helps(never occurs to me to do that).

im pretty sure its called cheating, i call it that. its putting your back into your bench which youre not supposed to do...its a chest exercise.

LM1332 · 07-12-2004, 04:34 PM

Im not at that point where i have to wear a belt...im weak

**radar1234** · 07-12-2004, 07:23 PM

i wear a belt because i go heavy.
deadlifts 6 sets 225-565lbs
squats 6-7 sets 225-405lbs
wearing a belt when going heavy to me is a must!!!
most people who dont wear a belt dont always go heavy.
i got an umbillical hernia from going heavy without a belt.
but i also dont think that belts should be worn for light weight.
thats my 2 cents!!!

**Powrlftr** · 07-14-2004, 12:45 PM

I use a belt for squats and deads for 3 reps and under. You do work your lower back when you deadlift and wear a belt. Besides safety a belt increases the max weight you can pull or squat.

**brian11** · 07-14-2004, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by LM1332

Im not at that point where i have to wear a belt...im weak

IMO if you are weak then you still need to wear one for squats and deads because you dont have the muscles in your lower back to support you. It might be lower weight compared to what other people do but its heavy weight for you. It def. doesnt hurt to be on the safe side. And once you hurt your back once you will know why i recommend the belt for those excersizes.

-B-

**Prime** · 07-14-2004, 02:23 PM

it's funny because i find wearing a belt impedes my ability to lift.

**brian11** · 07-14-2004, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Prime

it's funny because i find wearing a belt impedes my ability to lift.

how so?

**cpt steele** · 07-14-2004, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by radar1234

i wear a belt because i go heavy.
deadlifts 6 sets 225-565lbs
squats 6-7 sets 225-405lbs
wearing a belt when going heavy to me is a must!!!
most people who dont wear a belt dont always go heavy.
i got an umbillical hernia from going heavy without a belt.
but i also dont think that belts should be worn for light weight.
thats my 2 cents!!!

I agree with this I only put my belt on when I lift over 400

LM1332 · 07-14-2004, 04:46 PM

nuh i think it only should be used with heavy weight. Plus all the weight i do is not ubber light and not ubber heavy its right in the middle where i can controlably lift it

**Mu'min** · 07-14-2004, 08:32 PM

I'm 6' and I do not use a belt. Deadlift 545 x 2 this past week and squat 365 x6 last time I did them. Strict form protects my back. If my form starts to deteriorate then I am done.

**Prime** · 07-15-2004, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by brian11

how so?

i ususally pull and seriously stress the area just below the belt. Wearing a belt may make the area its covering stronger but it raises the pressure on the area below it which causes me all sorts of problems.