Thread: Do you use a belt during deadlift/squat

personally i think im going to be using a belt on deadlifts and squats

Never, the only time I would use one is when doing max 1-3 rep sets and I never go that heavy.

I generally recommend that if you wear a belt, it only be done if both of two conditions are true:

You are performing a movement that stresses the lower back and requires you to place a load on the trunk.

You are using a level of resistance that is maximal, or very near-maximal.


Personally, I don't use a belt regardless of the exercise being performed or the intensity level.

Never, not even when doing 1 RMs.

Gave mine up months ago, feel much stronger.

If you are coming back from an injury, go light and slow, but don't rely on a belt, gloves, wraps, etc. You'll be stronger in the long run.

counterproductive in most cases.

Personally i like relying on my self not some belt, i think its better to work at perfect fourm then use a belt, life wolf said "counterproductive in most cases."

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Never, the only time I would use one is when doing max 1-3 rep sets and I never go that heavy.

I agree with this...

After obtaining a Hernia...

IMO, Max effort lifts require a belt

(Dr E., is again a genius)

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Never, not even when doing 1 RMs.

ditto.

i figure till i get waaaaay up there in my lifts (i'm talking 500+ squat/dl) i will not need it, as long as i make sure none of my lifts are outpacing the others. for example if you squat 500 but can't GM 135 without shaking you'll have a problem somewhere down the line.

Originally Posted by Yanick

ditto.

i figure till i get waaaaay up there in my lifts (i'm talking 500+ squat/dl) i will not need it, as long as i make sure none of my lifts are outpacing the others. for example if you squat 500 but can't GM 135 without shaking you'll have a problem somewhere down the line.

I'm going to try and avoid a belt even if I'm pulling 700 pounds. Fuck it!

I don't even own a belt. If I had one I would only use it for seated Db curls, leg extensions and seated calf raises.

Originally Posted by P-funk

I don't even own a belt. If I had one I would only use it for seated Db curls, leg extensions and seated calf raises.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I'm going to try and avoid a belt even if I'm pulling 700 pounds. Fuck it!

Heh, heh, heh. Now we're talking...

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I'm going to try and avoid a belt even if I'm pulling 700 pounds. Fuck it!

that is tough to justify. 100% intensity is 100% intensity, whether it be 500lbs or 700lbs or 300lbs.

*I feel the same way though. I would feel like a chump at the gym puting on a belt to deadlift even 500lbs.....that's it.....700lbs is the cut off! No belt until the deadlift is over 700lbs!

"I will laugh at all of you when the Doc is sewing up your ballzak's"

Originally Posted by The Monkey Man

"I will laugh at all of you when the Doc is sewing up your ballzak's"

I agree. A belt is acceptable for max attempts. But, a belt doesn't prevent you from getting hernia! You can get hernia from bending over and picking up your clothes in the morning or from taking a shit. Any type fo strain could cause it. Not just during max attempts. it is a scarey thing though. i am always afraid of hernia.

I don't even think it's acceptable for max attempts. You shouldn't be doing so much weight your form goes to shit. Otherwise it was just a poor excuse for a lift. If you don't do this, I don't think you're really in that much more danger. Just be sensible.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

I don't even think it's acceptable for max attempts. You shouldn't be doing so much weight your form goes to shit. Otherwise it was just a poor excuse for a lift. If you don't do this, I don't think you're really in that much more danger. Just be sensible.

Maybe in training but it is impossible to say that for a contest situation when you are trying for a PR. You don't know what is going to happen and sometimes shit goes south and your forms goes out the window. Look at Chigisheiv and his 211kg snatch at the world championships. Do you think he planned to come out of the hole crooked like that? No way! You want/hope for a perfect lift but it doesn't always happen like that.

Actual competitions are a different story - you're going to use your all-out maximum effort and there are too many things that are different to assume your form will be perfect. I'm just talking about lifting at the gym, etc. - your form should still be good even on your max IMO.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Actual competitions are a different story - you're going to use your all-out maximum effort and there are too many things that are different to assume your form will be perfect. I'm just talking about lifting at the gym, etc. - your form should still be good even on your max IMO.

I agree. But like I said. It doesn't always workout like that. When going for PRs there are times when things just seem to click and there are times when the shit hits the fan. Either way I still don't use a belt but I could see people justifying its use for these types of attempts.

I find that quite agreeable. I don't use one but I see why one might.

Originally Posted by P-funk

I don't even own a belt. If I had one I would only use it for seated Db curls, leg extensions and seated calf raises.

Hah. I love those fools who walk around for their entire 1 hour workout with a belt on. When I see people doing seated calf raises with a belt I just want to laugh at them. I probably should. Most likely I can kick their ass.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Hah. I love those fools who walk around for their entire 1 hour workout with a belt on.

Like this guy...

Hey, no fair. That's part of Hulk's...um....costume? Uniform? Leotard?

i did use a belt on both until i read this thread

Belts are only good for one thing, spanking your woman.

Originally Posted by Hlanderr

...but recently I hurt my back and I want to take extra precautions to try to prevent it from happenening again

I would suggest instead of using a belt, just use a lower weight or extend the time between weight increases.

I only use a belt when doing very heavy weight ( for me )
while squatting.

It will NOT have a negative effect if I use a belt for freaking 2 sets once a week.
The warmups and medium heavy lifting for squat I don't wear it, so
I doubt it will "weaken my core" or whatever.