To wear a belt or not wear a belt...

Young Stud · 04-20-2004, 05:54 PM

I keep hearing that when doing squats you should only use a belt when you are doing low reps with high weight.Then i go to school and my weight training teach(who knows nothing about lifting weights) forces us to where these during almost all lifts.When i am on my own when should i wear a belt?

LAM · 04-20-2004, 05:55 PM

if you want a strong lower back lose the belt. unless you have a pre-exsisting lower back injury you shouldn't need a belt until you get close to 85% of your 1RM...

**CowPimp** · 04-20-2004, 06:27 PM

I seem to recall a couple of debates on these forums about the useage of weight belts. The consesus seemed to be that weight belts are stupid because instead of using a belt you should be getting your lower back and abs strong enough to stabilize you during any lift where you might need a belt. I have always hated belts beause of their unnatural feel. However, I don't squat or deadlift at less than 4 reps.

Vieope · 04-20-2004, 06:40 PM

I agree, if you can´t stabilize yourself with only your lower back, lower the weight.
I don´t know why but I always been afraid of the weight belt

**Prince** · 04-20-2004, 06:47 PM

yup, no belt unless you're going real heavy weight, i.e. 1-3 rep range.

wearing a belt, knee wraps, wrist wraps (finally ditched mine), are all just crutches.

the only thing I use are wrist straps on back day, but I do not start using them until my grip fails, which is about 2/3 of the way thru my back work-out.

PreMier · 04-20-2004, 07:40 PM

Hmm... I dont think wrist wraps are a crutch. I cand shrug 405 without them. I am not going to sacrafice my trap workout, because they are stronger than my forearms.

**Mudge** · 04-20-2004, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PreMier
Hmm... I dont think wrist wraps are a crutch. I cand shrug 405 without them.

Therefore it is a crutch. What do crutches do, they allow you to do something you otherwise would not be able to do very well, if at all.

If you want real strength and not gym numbers then dont wear a belt. If you are in a powerlifting competition and the belt assists you in getting another 75 pounds then obviously you are going to use it.

PreMier · 04-20-2004, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
Therefore it is a crutch. What do crutches do, they allow you to do something you otherwise would not be able to do very well, if at all.

So I should sacrafice trap and back development because my forearms arent as strong?

**Mudge** · 04-20-2004, 09:43 PM

So you should sacrifice being able to hold your weights forever because of your traps? So I should pull over and fix my broken spark plug wire so it runs better and gets better gas mileage? I prefer to have REAL numbers, not gym numbers. Obviously lifting weights on a bar is easier than a mishapen object that is not evenly balanced or weighted, but I will use no assitance in the gym.

To me its the same thing as a bench shirt, except that it doesn't protect you from anything. I lift raw, I dont feel that a person lifting with assistance is lifting the weight, because they aren't.

I dunno man I shrug with 315 and I feel my traps are balanced. I hold my weights for deads with no trouble.

Couple sets of forearm excersizes and I'm done.

PreMier · 04-20-2004, 09:56 PM

Well, I know that you dont need to get sore, and you dont need to feel the "burn" for hypertrophy to occur. But I can only hold 270lbs or so before my grip gives. And with this weight I feel nothing. I would rather use the straps untill my grip is up to par, instead of lagging in the exercise untill I am strong enough.

**Prince** · 04-20-2004, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PreMier
Hmm... I dont think wrist wraps are a crutch. I cand shrug 405 without them. I am not going to sacrafice my trap workout, because they are stronger than my forearms.

re-read my post, I said that I use straps on back day after my grip fails!

PreMier · 04-20-2004, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
re-read my post, I said that I use straps on back day after my grip fails!

I know... Mudge already proved the point eh.

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
Therefore it is a crutch. What do crutches do, they allow you to do something you otherwise would not be able to do very well, if at all.

**Mudge** · 04-20-2004, 10:25 PM

Difference of opinion. I will admit that I wish I could use chalk, I need to tough it up and get some grippers.

Tha Don · 04-21-2004, 11:50 AM

depends, if your pants won't stay up on there own its best to wear a belt, may save yourself some embarassment

on the real i wear a belt for bent over rows and deadlifts only, is that okay?

i'm tall so if i don't wear a belt my lower back really suffers... and i mean suffers in a bad way!

peace

Deeznuts · 04-21-2004, 12:04 PM

I always use belts, but I usually train in the 80% range. However, I try to work my lower back and abs on their own at least once a week to make sure the belt usage doesn't allow certain muscle groups to become any weaker.

**Mudge** · 04-21-2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by young d
on the real i wear a belt for bent over rows and deadlifts only, is that okay?

When you do bent over rows put your left leg out front. I'm 6'2" and have no problems 275+ on bent overs.

LAM · 04-21-2004, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PreMier
Well, I know that you dont need to get sore, and you dont need to feel the "burn" for hypertrophy to occur. But I can only hold 270lbs or so before my grip gives. And with this weight I feel nothing. I would rather use the straps untill my grip is up to par, instead of lagging in the exercise untill I am strong enough.

how will your grip ever catch up if you constantly use straps ?

**Prince** · 04-21-2004, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Deeznuts
I always use belts, but I usually train in the 80% range. However, I try to work my lower back and abs on their own at least once a week to make sure the belt usage doesn't allow certain muscle groups to become any weaker.

I used to as well, big mistake!

Stop using the belt, if your "core" is strong you really do not need it.

PreMier · 04-21-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LAM
how will your grip ever catch up if you constantly use straps ?

Grip exercises... Plate binches, forearm work, and I also have some of those spring grippers.. never use them though.

**Mudge** · 04-21-2004, 04:57 PM

Not the store bought grippers I hope

Good for 6 year olds

PreMier · 04-21-2004, 05:04 PM

They are like these: http://www.hexplus.net/gripper.htm

Have no idea on the poundage though.

Var · 04-21-2004, 05:44 PM

I used to use straps for the same reason as PreMier. I thought my back would lag because my grip sucked. I found that my grip strength came up REALLY fast once I got rid of them. Took me about 3 weeks to DL, shrug, and row the same weight I was doing with straps.

**Mudge** · 04-21-2004, 08:31 PM

The model # should be the poundage. One line of popular grippers was dropped for awhile because people litterally wanted dyno sheets.

Racers use shock and spring dynos also (a gripper is a wound spring), so it can be a real costly venture answering all the phone calls etc that they were.

PreMier · 04-21-2004, 08:40 PM

I dont see a model # on mine... They are pretty hard to squeeze though.

**Mudge** · 04-21-2004, 08:46 PM

The ones you linked to have a 100 etc, did you get one of those? Or do you not remember if you did get one of those anyway.

PreMier · 04-21-2004, 08:55 PM

No, mine are similar. But they are not those. I just linked to that site to show what they looked like. Im sure mine had the poundage on the package, but its not on the grippers themselves.

04-20-2004, 05:54 PM	#1
Young Stud Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 12	To wear a belt or not wear a belt... BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com I keep hearing that when doing squats you should only use a belt when you are doing low reps with high weight.Then i go to school and my weight training teach(who knows nothing about lifting weights) forces us to where these during almost all lifts.When i am on my own when should i wear a belt?
Young Stud Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 12

04-20-2004, 05:55 PM	#2
LAM Gym ratt/Part-time pimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 7,384 Photos: 2	if you want a strong lower back lose the belt. unless you have a pre-exsisting lower back injury you shouldn't need a belt until you get close to 85% of your 1RM...
	Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov TBD ----------------------------------------------------- What you talking about Willis ?

04-20-2004, 06:27 PM	#3
CowPimp Fueled by Testosterone Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 15,375	I seem to recall a couple of debates on these forums about the useage of weight belts. The consesus seemed to be that weight belts are stupid because instead of using a belt you should be getting your lower back and abs strong enough to stabilize you during any lift where you might need a belt. I have always hated belts beause of their unnatural feel. However, I don't squat or deadlift at less than 4 reps.
	The only time it's bad to feel the burn is when you're peeing... CowPimp Picks Up Heavy Shit MySpace

04-20-2004, 06:40 PM	#4
Vieope Monochromatic Bunny Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: drinking coffee.. Posts: 14,792 Photos: 10	I agree, if you can´t stabilize yourself with only your lower back, lower the weight. I don´t know why but I always been afraid of the weight belt
	FURtherness

04-20-2004, 06:47 PM	#5
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 32,886 Blog Entries: 24 Photos: 300	yup, no belt unless you're going real heavy weight, i.e. 1-3 rep range. wearing a belt, knee wraps, wrist wraps (finally ditched mine), are all just crutches. the only thing I use are wrist straps on back day, but I do not start using them until my grip fails, which is about 2/3 of the way thru my back work-out.
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04-20-2004, 07:40 PM	#6
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20,999 Photos: 1	Hmm... I dont think wrist wraps are a crutch. I cand shrug 405 without them. I am not going to sacrafice my trap workout, because they are stronger than my forearms.
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

04-20-2004, 09:43 PM	#9
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,861 Photos: 1	So you should sacrifice being able to hold your weights forever because of your traps? So I should pull over and fix my broken spark plug wire so it runs better and gets better gas mileage? I prefer to have REAL numbers, not gym numbers. Obviously lifting weights on a bar is easier than a mishapen object that is not evenly balanced or weighted, but I will use no assitance in the gym. To me its the same thing as a bench shirt, except that it doesn't protect you from anything. I lift raw, I dont feel that a person lifting with assistance is lifting the weight, because they aren't. I dunno man I shrug with 315 and I feel my traps are balanced. I hold my weights for deads with no trouble. Couple sets of forearm excersizes and I'm done.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

04-20-2004, 09:56 PM	#10
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20,999 Photos: 1	Well, I know that you dont need to get sore, and you dont need to feel the "burn" for hypertrophy to occur. But I can only hold 270lbs or so before my grip gives. And with this weight I feel nothing. I would rather use the straps untill my grip is up to par, instead of lagging in the exercise untill I am strong enough.
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

04-20-2004, 10:25 PM	#13
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,861 Photos: 1	Difference of opinion. I will admit that I wish I could use chalk, I need to tough it up and get some grippers.

04-21-2004, 11:50 AM	#14
Tha Don Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 3,826 Photos: 33	depends, if your pants won't stay up on there own its best to wear a belt, may save yourself some embarassment on the real i wear a belt for bent over rows and deadlifts only, is that okay? i'm tall so if i don't wear a belt my lower back really suffers... and i mean suffers in a bad way! peace

04-21-2004, 12:04 PM	#15
Deeznuts Still Growing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 771 Photos: 2	I always use belts, but I usually train in the 80% range. However, I try to work my lower back and abs on their own at least once a week to make sure the belt usage doesn't allow certain muscle groups to become any weaker.
	Desire.Dedication.Deeznuts

04-21-2004, 04:57 PM	#20
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,861 Photos: 1	Not the store bought grippers I hope Good for 6 year olds

04-21-2004, 05:04 PM	#21
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20,999 Photos: 1	They are like these: http://www.hexplus.net/gripper.htm Have no idea on the poundage though.
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

04-21-2004, 05:44 PM	#22
Var Filthy Animal Join Date: May 2002 Location: Finally back in New England!! Posts: 5,438	I used to use straps for the same reason as PreMier. I thought my back would lag because my grip sucked. I found that my grip strength came up REALLY fast once I got rid of them. Took me about 3 weeks to DL, shrug, and row the same weight I was doing with straps.
	But when you disarm them, you at once offend them by showing that you distrust them, either for cowardice or for want of loyalty, and either of these opinions breeds hatred against you. -N. Machiavelli

04-21-2004, 08:31 PM	#23
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,861 Photos: 1	The model # should be the poundage. One line of popular grippers was dropped for awhile because people litterally wanted dyno sheets. Racers use shock and spring dynos also (a gripper is a wound spring), so it can be a real costly venture answering all the phone calls etc that they were.

04-21-2004, 08:40 PM	#24
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20,999 Photos: 1	I dont see a model # on mine... They are pretty hard to squeeze though.
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

04-21-2004, 08:46 PM	#25
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,861 Photos: 1	The ones you linked to have a 100 etc, did you get one of those? Or do you not remember if you did get one of those anyway.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

04-21-2004, 08:55 PM	#26
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20,999 Photos: 1	No, mine are similar. But they are not those. I just linked to that site to show what they looked like. Im sure mine had the poundage on the package, but its not on the grippers themselves.
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

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