Belts vs core

[Hutchym8]

I started wearing a belt probly almost a year ago cuz i was starting to lift a lot heavier weights n I was working a realy physical job and it started fukin my back up, n i refused to quit training squats n deads n clean n presses. Anyway i prety much wear my belt when i do most lifts now, except like cable work n weights wear im not realy having a lot of presure on my back, n seated leg shit. My question is does wearing a belt make my core/ abs weaker???? I mean im still switchin my core on but the belt also is "forcing" my stomache in aswel so is that making them not work as hard?? Any you buff nuts know

 

[Double D]

Squat with a belt and then without one, that will give you your answer. I'd venture to say most people weaken their core before their legs cant squat the weight.

 

[Phineas]

Safetys belts remove pressure from the core muscles -- particularly the spinal erectors. So, in short, yes belts make it easier.

They're intended primarly for core stabality/spine safety when performing certan lifts at sub-maximal loads. Using them in the instance of an 8 RM squat or deadlift is unnessary.

Granted you have a bad back, but performing such spine-heavy lifts with your weakened area removed from the process while surrounding muscle develop is probably not the wisest idea.

I'd suggest going to a medical professional to address the problem(s) with your back, so you can begin to fix it. Even with a safety belt, a bad back isn't safe from further injury.

In fact, squats, dead, good mornings, etc, performed at higher-rep, lower-intensity could possibly be good for strengthening your lower back. Don't take that advice as solid, though. I know very little about injuries. We have a sticky in the training thread about training around back injuries. You should check that out in the meantime. But, I would seriously consider going to a doctor before you continue with the weight belt.

 

[Zaphod]

See a sports doctor. Regular doctor will just take the easy way out and tell you to stop lifting rather than fix the problem.

 

[BigBadWolf]

i do the same as the OP, i wear a belt when lifting heavy and none when im fkin with cables or lighter weights.As for the question does it make your core weaker, to an extent id assume so but i dont think it makes a significant difference,especially if you train your abs/core.

 

[Hutchym8]

Chears for the feedback boys!! much apreciated, iv recently changed jobs so my backs not realy an issue anymore i dont realy hav a bad back now but it was when i first got the belt like almos a year ago and im just use to wearing it now and i hav more confidence in realy pushin myself heavy weights with it on. I was compensating and doin abs workouts as well tryin to build my core. Rekn il just mix it up n wear it sum weeks n not the next so my core strengthens up. cheers again fellas

 

[Gazhole]

Over dependancy on a belt is going to make you more vulnerable to injury in everyday life when you don't have the belt.

Most people i see in the gym use the belt wrong anyway. They pull it so damned tight they can't actually efficiently contract their core muscles as much as they need to, and/or make breathing difficult.

Use a belt on heavy/max sets only, and use it properly - keep it a tad loose when you're walking around. It should be a little loose so that when you tense your core your abs should push against the inside of the belt so the belt is supporting them rather than taking over from them.

I made this change a while ago (the few times i wear a belt) and i've gotten a lot more out of using the belt.