Thread: powerlifting belts

Originally Posted by mrpower

what's the deal with these....do I need them for deadlifts and squats? will they protect me from a back injury? or r they worthless and a bad way to spend ur money?

It will protect you from a hernia!!!

Buy a good one with a steel buckle, not that plastic shit

http://www.cardillousa.com/weight-belts/index.html

arguable topic..... many people strongly urge to NEVER use one unless you are in serious danger with heavy weight (close to your max)

when you use it, yes, you are safer, however you are cheating your body's natural stabalizer muscles in the lower back and abs..... with proper form and good practice you will have no need for a belt as the stabilizer muscles will be stronger....

thats at least what many others have argued on this site, and ive also heard that elsewhere.... thught id drop that in before you went out and bought one

I would suggest that if you do use a belt, limit your usage of one. It does help increase intra-abdominal pressure and therefore protect your spine. At the same time it reduces the need for action from your core stabilizer muscles, as Hlanderr said.

I say that reserving it for sessions where you implement high intensity loads, or perhaps when achieving true muscular failure or beyond in exercises that could lead to compromised safety is a good way to go. This way you get the benefit without totally cheating your stabilizer muscles out of stimulation.

My personal preference is to never use any type of lifting aid. Fuck powerlifting suits, lifting belts, knee wraps, and straps. I like to lift my weights without any assistance.

I'm only worried about deadlifts and squats..........and I never max out on weights.....i keep it in between, not 2 heavy but not 2 light

Originally Posted by mrpower

I'm only worried about deadlifts and squats..........and I never max out on weights.....i keep it in between, not 2 heavy but not 2 light

Then you really have no need for a belt. I agree with CP. I'd rather achieve my goals by myself...

allright.......then I guess I'll leave that out of my Christmas list

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I would suggest that if you do use a belt, limit your usage of one. It does help increase intra-abdominal pressure and therefore protect your spine. At the same time it reduces the need for action from your core stabilizer muscles, as Hlanderr said.

I say that reserving it for sessions where you implement high intensity loads, or perhaps when achieving true muscular failure or beyond in exercises that could lead to compromised safety is a good way to go. This way you get the benefit without totally cheating your stabilizer muscles out of stimulation.

My personal preference is to never use any type of lifting aid. Fuck powerlifting suits, lifting belts, knee wraps, and straps. I like to lift my weights without any assistance.

Question on the last part.........are you against that all together what about competitors also what about if you cant get failure lets say out of ur shoulders because your grip goes before the shoulders do on a lift such as the shrug....since ur grip is not being trained on purpose or specifally on that lift.......i think use of straps are fine as long as grip is not part of the lift....ie deadlifts....just wondering what you think

Originally Posted by WantItBad

Question on the last part.........are you against that all together what about competitors also what about if you cant get failure lets say out of ur shoulders because your grip goes before the shoulders do on a lift such as the shrug....since ur grip is not being trained on purpose or specifally on that lift.......i think use of straps are fine as long as grip is not part of the lift....ie deadlifts....just wondering what you think

I know you're not asking me, but I personally won't use anything like that. This includes belts, suits, wraps, straps, supports, braces, shirts, etc. I want to lift the weight because I can, not because I'm strengthening my weak link and then lifting it. Why not add a belt to that and add some more weight? Why not knee wraps and a suit next? You get the idea.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

I know you're not asking me, but I personally won't use anything like that. This includes belts, suits, wraps, straps, supports, braces, shirts, etc. I want to lift the weight because I can, not because I'm strengthening my weak link and then lifting it. Why not add a belt to that and add some more weight? Why not knee wraps and a suit next? You get the idea.

A belt is a different story...
You will all perish in flames when you feel the tugging of that hernia -

Only use it on max reps though...

And unless you periodize and max, you will never achieve what you could...

Of course most of you are bodybuilders, so it doesnt matter, right?

But, whos the biggest BB?

R.C... And how does he train?...

Full out!

think about it

Yes, hernias are definitely bad. However, I think that if you use good form and lift sensibly (AKA don't try to add 50 to your previous max...) you should be just fine. I max out fairly often and work in the 90%+ range every week for my lifts and I've never come across a lifting-related injury. Just lift with good form and be sensible and I doubt you'll come across problems. If your body is used to heavy weights, you should be fine IMO.

Oh, and he also uses how many steroids? I mean come on... That comparison is a little unfair. Haha.

Even though I don't use a belt, I see no problem with using a belt for max attempts. Especially in contest settings were you are trying to hit PRs and supramaximal attempts when form may get a little sloppy.

Yeah, I'd agree that they're acceptable in a meet. It's just that, within the scope of the thread starter, it seems like a belt is completely unnecessary and he should have no problems without one. If you're going or new PRs as in a PL meet, then I can see it a little more. However, since I most likely will never compete, I'll probably never end up using one.

Originally Posted by WantItBad

Question on the last part.........are you against that all together what about competitors also what about if you cant get failure lets say out of ur shoulders because your grip goes before the shoulders do on a lift such as the shrug....since ur grip is not being trained on purpose or specifally on that lift.......i think use of straps are fine as long as grip is not part of the lift....ie deadlifts....just wondering what you think

My philosophy with straps is that if I can't hold it, then I can't lift it. I'm training for strength. I don't care as much about muscular development, although I appreciate it as an added bonus. Cheating my grip would be stupid for my goals. However, straps do make sense for a pure bodybuilder. You just have to be reasonable so that you don't cheat your grip. As a bodybuilder, you should still hold it if you can do so, and only use the straps when maximal effort is restricted.

I'm not against anyone else using something per se, as long as it is used sensibly. Like I said with the lifting belts, restrict the usage so that you don't cheat your core muscles. I think it's stupid when I see people walking around their entire 1 hour long workout with a belt on. I mean seriously, barbell curls with a goddamned lifting belt on? You look like a douche bag. Am I going to call you out if you try a 3RM with squats with a belt on though? Not likely.

I have a Inzer tapered with the Power Lever. It allows you to hook it on, but not have it super tight. but then when I do my work sets of 2's and 3's I snap the lever over to make it facken tight.. All other regular weight reps I leave it loose.

well like i said before........i'm only gonna use it for squats and i'm thinking on leaving deadlifts out of my workout........dunno what good it does to my body or what muscle group helps, unless it's really important......i'm working out for the whole bodybuilder nice lean muscle look, not the big powerlifter strenght look.......so i'm still confused about buying the damn belt

Do you guys list gloves in the same category as straps and belts and the likes? I personally, don't use gloves....I like having tough hands all calloused up...seems kinda practical for an active male....but I do use straps for a couple of reasons...one being I have tendonitis in my left arm and it helps when I don't have to squeeze so hard to hold on to weight..and secondly....when I'm deadlifting, I'm working on leg and lower back strength....all I want to worry about is form, so as to prevent further injury, and picking the weight off the ground.

Deadlifts are an excellent total-body exercise. I would keep them in your routine if I were you. If you don't plan to go heavy, then a belt just isn't necessary, plain and simple. If you get injured it'll be from bad form,.

I don't put gloves in the same category. I used to use them (and still do for heavy deadlifts) just so my skin didn't slide off my hands. I've gone without them for heavy deads and I won't do it again. I'm slowly trying to toughen up my hands by using the gloves only when I need to, but it'll still be a while before I won't need them at all.

The stronger your abs are the more weight you can squat without a belt. Don't be afraid to go for heavy weights without a belt if you have strong abs.

well i got abs....dunno if they're strong enough, i'll have to ask them

Simply build up the weight. What's difficult or impossible for you now may be easy in a few short months. Your abs will strengthen as the rest of you does.

Originally Posted by mrpower

well like i said before........i'm only gonna use it for squats and i'm thinking on leaving deadlifts out of my workout........dunno what good it does to my body or what muscle group helps, unless it's really important......i'm working out for the whole bodybuilder nice lean muscle look, not the big powerlifter strenght look.......so i'm still confused about buying the damn belt

Nice lean muscular look? What bodybuilders have you been looking at? Haha. They all look like goddamned circus freaks to me.

Remember, the super heavyweight class is not the only class in powerlifting. There is a 114 pound class up to about a 275 pound class I believe. You don't think those 114 pound powerlifters are lean and muscular? You better bet your ass they are. They are pretty much all lean and muscular under 200 pounds.

Plenty of bodybuilders have used deadlifts to help build up their physiques. Schwarzy, Coleman, Columbo, etc. Why would you not want to use an exercise that stimulates so much musculature in one fell swoop?