Is a Belt for Squatting like straps for deadlifting or a shirt for benching

anklebreaker · 03-21-2007, 01:36 PM

My primary goal is a lifter is to build up leg strength and power so I can be a better basketball player and a better athlete generally. As such, I long ago decided that my forearm development wasnt as important as my hamstrings, so I started using straps so I could deadlift heavier. Similarly, I feel that my lower back is my main weakness in the squat and when, just yesterday, I used a belt for the first time I was able to put up significantly more poundage. Did the belt take my back out of the equation and allow my glutes and legs to lift to their full potential (like someone using straps on a deadlift)? Or did my legs work just as hard as they normally do and the use of the belt just arbitrarily inflated the amount of weight I could lift (like a bencher wearing a shirt)?

If my only real concern is leg development, should I be using a belt when I squat ?

KelJu · 03-21-2007, 01:41 PM

Anytime I stack on real heavy weight, I use a belt for support so I don't fuck my back up. But if I am doing lighter weight like in the 10-12 range I don't.

A belt isn't going to stop you from building your leg strength, so I don't see how it could hurt to use one.

Witchblade · 03-21-2007, 01:48 PM

I disagree. Don't use a belt. You should have enough core strength to lift the weights you want to lift, especially if you're an athelete. Core strength is vital for athletes.

If you have a bad back, I see the point, but for healthy athletes I don't.

**Dale Mabry** · 03-21-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anklebreaker

If my only real concern is leg development, should I be using a belt when I squat ?

Should you? No.

Can you? Yes.

KelJu · 03-21-2007, 02:51 PM

Well maybe I am mistaken. How many of you feel that you shouldn't use a belt, even when you are squatting 350 or more?

Do you think it is more of a boast to your 1RM rather than a safety precaution?

I hurt my back real bad once in high school squatting without a belt, but it could have been bad form.

anklebreaker · 03-21-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I disagree. Don't use a belt. You should have enough core strength to lift the weights you want to lift, especially if you're an athelete. Core strength is vital for athletes.

If you have a bad back, I see the point, but for healthy athletes I don't.

I am not saying that core strength is irrelevant, but the way I see it is squatting is the best tool I have to build powerfull legs. If my back is limiting my abillity to develop my legs, then perhaps I should squat with a belt and do other exercises (Good Mornings/deadlifts/BB rows) as auixillaries to build my lower back?

So what I'm really curious about is if squatting slightly more weight with a belt is doing more in terms of lower body development than squatting less w/o a belt? If it is not than I agree and see no reason to use a belt while squatting.

mike456 · 03-21-2007, 02:51 PM

if your goal is athleticism, your core is important so no, you shouldn't use a belt.

**Dale Mabry** · 03-21-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelJu

Well maybe I am mistaken. How many of you feel that you shouldn't use a belt, even when you are squatting 350 or more?

Do you think it is more of a boast to your 1RM rather than a safety precaution?

I hurt my back real bad once in high school squatting without a belt, but it could have been bad form.

I think everyone should do what is important for them. If someone feels they need to use a belt, they should. However, whereas grip strength is relatively inconsequential in every day life, a strong core is integral.

Malley · 03-21-2007, 09:52 PM

Your only as strong as your weakest muscle!

Just thought it went well there. You know if you were to train without straps from the beginning you wouldnt be having this conversation.

With that said, I agree with Dale's last comment.

Rubes · 03-21-2007, 10:16 PM

should i work my abs more seeing as i dont have a choice with using a belt or not my coachs make everyone on the team use a belt for squat deadlifts and cleans.

Malley · 03-21-2007, 10:23 PM

You should always focus on your core. Weak core leads to many muscle inbalances and normally bad posture which can lead to injury.

Phred · 03-22-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubes

should i work my abs more seeing as i dont have a choice with using a belt or not my coachs make everyone on the team use a belt for squat deadlifts and cleans.

Your core is more than just your abs. So research a little bit on core strengh and work on that. To make a blanket policy on the use of belts is just CYA for the coaches in the event someone gets hurt. If they did not use the belt then the student was not following school policy. It is a way of deflecting the responsibilty and accountability. Otherwise known as blame shifting. People get hurt and some killed lifting weights (some guy in PA was found dead recently - apparently while bench pressing in a local gym). Belts will not save you from yourself (learning proper form and not exceeding your limits), just like airbags will not always save you when you exceed your driving limitations racing down the interstate at excessive speeds. Sorry for the rant, it is just that our society seems to feel the need to save us from ourselves. Sometimes I feel we need more chlorine in the gene pool.

Duncans Donuts · 03-22-2007, 11:29 AM

I haven't used a belt in a year. I miss it.

You can have a strong core and develop it with or without a belt doing squats

Phred · 03-22-2007, 02:06 PM

Sorry - Gym death was not PA but CT - Norwich Bulletin - www.norwichbulletin.com - Norwich, Conn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phred

Your core is more than just your abs. So research a little bit on core strengh and work on that. To make a blanket policy on the use of belts is just CYA for the coaches in the event someone gets hurt. If they did not use the belt then the student was not following school policy. It is a way of deflecting the responsibilty and accountability. Otherwise known as blame shifting. People get hurt and some killed lifting weights (some guy in PA was found dead recently - apparently while bench pressing in a local gym). Belts will not save you from yourself (learning proper form and not exceeding your limits), just like airbags will not always save you when you exceed your driving limitations racing down the interstate at excessive speeds. Sorry for the rant, it is just that our society seems to feel the need to save us from ourselves. Sometimes I feel we need more chlorine in the gene pool.

03-21-2007, 01:36 PM	#1
anklebreaker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 31	Is a Belt for Squatting like straps for deadlifting or a shirt for benching My primary goal is a lifter is to build up leg strength and power so I can be a better basketball player and a better athlete generally. As such, I long ago decided that my forearm development wasnt as important as my hamstrings, so I started using straps so I could deadlift heavier. Similarly, I feel that my lower back is my main weakness in the squat and when, just yesterday, I used a belt for the first time I was able to put up significantly more poundage. Did the belt take my back out of the equation and allow my glutes and legs to lift to their full potential (like someone using straps on a deadlift)? Or did my legs work just as hard as they normally do and the use of the belt just arbitrarily inflated the amount of weight I could lift (like a bencher wearing a shirt)? If my only real concern is leg development, should I be using a belt when I squat ?

03-21-2007, 01:48 PM	#3
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,426 Photos: 2	I disagree. Don't use a belt. You should have enough core strength to lift the weights you want to lift, especially if you're an athelete. Core strength is vital for athletes. If you have a bad back, I see the point, but for healthy athletes I don't.
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

03-21-2007, 02:51 PM	#7
mike456 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,284	if your goal is athleticism, your core is important so no, you shouldn't use a belt.
mike456 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,284	Journal

03-21-2007, 09:52 PM	#9
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,021	Your only as strong as your weakest muscle! Just thought it went well there. You know if you were to train without straps from the beginning you wouldnt be having this conversation. With that said, I agree with Dale's last comment.
	www.crossfit.com

03-21-2007, 10:16 PM	#10
Rubes your sisters better Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 1,144 Blog Entries: 1 Photos: 5	should i work my abs more seeing as i dont have a choice with using a belt or not my coachs make everyone on the team use a belt for squat deadlifts and cleans.
	5'7" 173lbsl squat:365x2 11/19/07 bench 225x3 1/11/08 40 time: 4.51sec march 10th 07 38" vertical

03-21-2007, 10:23 PM	#11
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,021	You should always focus on your core. Weak core leads to many muscle inbalances and normally bad posture which can lead to injury.
	www.crossfit.com

03-22-2007, 11:29 AM	#13
Duncans Donuts Stay puffed, baby. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,774 Photos: 2	I haven't used a belt in a year. I miss it. You can have a strong core and develop it with or without a belt doing squats
	"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

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