belts

fug · 10-31-2009, 10:59 AM

looking through the muscle mags etc I have noticed that not all the people training wear support belts. I am starting a training regime after open heart surgery and some cardiac rehabilitation which has helped me no end. my question is should I get a belt to wear to help my lower back support. I have been told that I should not press any weights above my head as this could put stress on my sternum where they had to open me up tp perform the open heart surgery.

all comments welcomed

**Prince** · 10-31-2009, 11:01 AM

you will get mixed answers on this, personally I wear a belt 100% of the time in the gym except when I am doing cardio.

**Built** · 10-31-2009, 03:13 PM

I only wear my Inzer for the heaviest lifts, and then pop it open right after the set is done.

If you're just starting out lifting, my .02 would be to avoid wearing a belt for now; let your core get strong as you build up your lifts. At a certain point - when you're doing double bodyweight squats - you can consider the belt, but not for ordinary training and certainly not until you have a good strong core built up.

My .02

suprfast · 10-31-2009, 03:22 PM

I cant comment on the belt, but congrats to you for getting into physical activity after such an event.
kris

PushAndPull · 10-31-2009, 03:32 PM

I have never wore a belt, and never been injured when lifting heavy. Then again i've never had that kind of surgery. My advice, ask your doctor.

fug · 10-31-2009, 06:06 PM

thanks for all your comments.
Last year I suffered a stroke and was taken down with pnuenomia and was given less than 24 hours to live
I got through the surgery through families and friends good wishes and payers for me. My rehab at cardiac is completed and I am looking forward to getting back into the gym and getting back my fitness and

Quote:

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

I have never wore a belt, and never been injured when lifting heavy. Then again i've never had that kind of surgery. My advice, ask your doctor.

**P-funk** · 10-31-2009, 06:24 PM

I would speak with your doctor or rehab specialist (are you seeing a phyiscal therapist?). A belt will make your blood pressure rise, and given your health history, you need to ensure that wearing a belt is safe for you.

Personally, I don't think anyone needs to wear a belt (save for powerlifting, when you are going for max loads and the weight on the bar is the most important thing - which is not your situation at all).

patrick

**Built** · 10-31-2009, 07:07 PM

^ In general, I agree completely. I have a lower spine deformity that limits me a smidge - but I only use my belt to work my form on very heavy (for me) squats. Currenly, anything over 175 lbs I use the belt; under that I never do.

AKIRA · 10-31-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince

you will get mixed answers on this, personally I wear a belt 100% of the time in the gym except when I am doing cardio.

Really? I am surprised to hear this coming from you even knowing your back injury history.

So you wear belts while doing bench, arm curls, lat pulldowns, leg press? Do you put a belt on when you pick up children (family), carry groceries, help the wife with heavy lifting, car stuff, yard work?

**Merkaba** · 11-01-2009, 12:00 AM

I'm like Built. I have scoliosis. I just started using one for my heaviest work and i pop it loose after every set. I really like it during heavy bench and squats. I don't go too heavy on deads but I might try it.

rahaas · 11-01-2009, 05:06 AM

I use one but am like most here in trying to avoid using it for anything but heavy deads & squats. I'm finding that avoiding using it as much as possible for me has strengthened my core tremendously.
Having said that, Patrick's advice is the best.

10-31-2009, 10:59 AM	#1
fug Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: England Posts: 7	belts looking through the muscle mags etc I have noticed that not all the people training wear support belts. I am starting a training regime after open heart surgery and some cardiac rehabilitation which has helped me no end. my question is should I get a belt to wear to help my lower back support. I have been told that I should not press any weights above my head as this could put stress on my sternum where they had to open me up tp perform the open heart surgery. all comments welcomed

10-31-2009, 11:01 AM	#2
Prince IronMagLabs Owner Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 37,396 Photos: 356	you will get mixed answers on this, personally I wear a belt 100% of the time in the gym except when I am doing cardio. BOARD SPONSORS: MassNutrition.com - Discount Supplement Superstore IronMagLabs.com - Bodybuilding Nutrition AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders & Supplements CEMProducts.com - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclesProd.com - Steroids, Bodybuilding & Training Blog Maximizer.com - Maximum Strength for Maximum Performance MikeGetsRipped.com - The Original 'Get Ripped' Blog ProteinRoutine.com - Experiments in Healthy Living Follow on Twitter Join Facebook Group Befriend on Myspace

10-31-2009, 03:13 PM	#3
Built Bioidentical Bodybuilder Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Posts: 6,115	I only wear my Inzer for the heaviest lifts, and then pop it open right after the set is done. If you're just starting out lifting, my .02 would be to avoid wearing a belt for now; let your core get strong as you build up your lifts. At a certain point - when you're doing double bodyweight squats - you can consider the belt, but not for ordinary training and certainly not until you have a good strong core built up. My .02 Wondering where to start? Confused? This will get you started. Daredevils are Shredded Find out why... (Now you can find out why... in Hebrew!) UD2.Built - My UD2.0 setup.

10-31-2009, 03:22 PM	#4
suprfast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Merced, ca Posts: 387	I cant comment on the belt, but congrats to you for getting into physical activity after such an event. kris 5'8" 207 lbs 225lbs(6.8.09)/207lbs(10.22.09) looking for 200lbs in 25 weeks(a pound a week) Exercise Examples

10-31-2009, 06:24 PM	#7
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 31,699	I would speak with your doctor or rehab specialist (are you seeing a phyiscal therapist?). A belt will make your blood pressure rise, and given your health history, you need to ensure that wearing a belt is safe for you. Personally, I don't think anyone needs to wear a belt (save for powerlifting, when you are going for max loads and the weight on the bar is the most important thing - which is not your situation at all). patrick E-Book: Take Charge! Everything You Need To Know To Write Your Own Training Programs Online Consulting/Program Design Reality Based Fitness Podcast Check me out on Twitter! Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter! "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

10-31-2009, 03:32 PM	#5
PushAndPull Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California(San Diego) Posts: 57	I have never wore a belt, and never been injured when lifting heavy. Then again i've never had that kind of surgery. My advice, ask your doctor.

10-31-2009, 07:07 PM	#8
Built Bioidentical Bodybuilder Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Posts: 6,115	^ In general, I agree completely. I have a lower spine deformity that limits me a smidge - but I only use my belt to work my form on very heavy (for me) squats. Currenly, anything over 175 lbs I use the belt; under that I never do. Wondering where to start? Confused? This will get you started. Daredevils are Shredded Find out why... (Now you can find out why... in Hebrew!) UD2.Built - My UD2.0 setup.

11-01-2009, 12:00 AM	#10
Merkaba "King of Cheat Meals" Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: sc Posts: 1,625	I'm like Built. I have scoliosis. I just started using one for my heaviest work and i pop it loose after every set. I really like it during heavy bench and squats. I don't go too heavy on deads but I might try it. Ban 2 1/2 's !!!!!! -------------------------------------------- Some Pics. All Natural

11-01-2009, 05:06 AM	#11
rahaas Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 880 Photos: 1	I use one but am like most here in trying to avoid using it for anything but heavy deads & squats. I'm finding that avoiding using it as much as possible for me has strengthened my core tremendously. Having said that, Patrick's advice is the best. *No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.*

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