Deadlifts with a belt

[scbz01602]

Deadlifts with a belt - I know it almost defeats the purpose of doing the exercise, but I'm really contemplating it.

The problem is that I tore a muscle in my back last semester, and it never seemed to heal. I've taken weeks off from deadlifting, and then went at it again for 2 weeks. Each time seemed to result in injury, and temporary minor discomfort for several days thereafter.

I do NOT have issues with my back on basically any other exercise. Today I did squats for the first time in months (really let my injury try to heal, even though I constantly worked on back routinely). My middle back is where the problem is, and I felt it slightly doing squats.

So I'm really considering buying a belt, and only using it on deadlifts. I want to do the exercise, as I feel it is the second most important lift (squats to me are number 1). Would you recommend a slightly injured back to do deadlifts with a belt? Any opinions are great.

Again I want to do deadlifts, but my back has really been an issue. Shooting pains suddently come and I know I need to stop the lift. But with a belt, I'm not sure if it can really help. I'm considering full ROM, or partials, rack-deads that is.

 

[GFR]

Deadlifts with a belt - I know it almost defeats the purpose of doing the exercise, but I'm really contemplating it.

The problem is that I tore a muscle in my back last semester, and it never seemed to heal. I've taken weeks off from deadlifting, and then went at it again for 2 weeks. Each time seemed to result in injury, and temporary minor discomfort for several days thereafter.

I do NOT have issues with my back on basically any other exercise. Today I did squats for the first time in months (really let my injury try to heal, even though I constantly worked on back routinely). My middle back is where the problem is, and I felt it slightly doing squats.

So I'm really considering buying a belt, and only using it on deadlifts. I want to do the exercise, as I feel it is the second most important lift (squats to me are number 1). Would you recommend a slightly injured back to do deadlifts with a belt? Any opinions are great.

Again I want to do deadlifts, but my back has really been an issue. Shooting pains suddently come and I know I need to stop the lift. But with a belt, I'm not sure if it can really help. I'm considering full ROM, or partials, rack-deads that is.

Takes a hell of alot longer than 2-3 weeks to heal a torn muscle...try 8-12 weeks off...and see a Doctor.

 

[CowPimp]

Yeah, I would see a doctor about that. Get an MRI and such to see what exactly the problem is.

 

[scbz01602]

Sorry, wrote it up wrong. I tore it last semester, as in around 7 months ago. Took off a month or so from heavy lifting in general, and actually didn't even really leave the dorm for over a week (missed some classes, wasn't fun).


About 3 months after the incident, I went back to deadlifting. Successfully lifted for about a months time, and then it pulled again (was sore the entire time). This was last winter, around the middle of January. Completely stopped deadlifting for a few months, and felt that I NEEDED to get back to it a few weeks ago... maybe a month or so. Went great first workout; felt awesome. The week after that, I thought I was fucked. It's been around a month, squats felt great (well decent), and I really want to get back into it.

I saw a doctor a few months back, I believe in February or March. He perscribed an anti-inflammatory, but I almost refuse to take any drugs like those. I think he thought I was in some real bad pain, which I wasn't.

Generally speaking, I'm hoping a belt will really help me out. It's literally right in the middle of my lower back, maybe 75 percent down around the lumbar section. With a belt there, I think it might work, but I have had no serious experience deadlifting with a belt.... I'm not sure if they are safe? One slip up my body of the belt and my back could really be hit hard. I don't feel unsafe when working my back... it's just mainly deadlifts. I do good mornings and think they feel great.

Have you guys attempted deadlifting with a belt? How did it feel? I know it takes away some of the work and places it in other sections...

 

[CowPimp]

Are you sure it was a tear? What was the doctor's diagnosis?

This could also be a disk herniation, spinal nerve impingment of some kind (Which often occurs as a result of a hernation), a muscle strain (Big difference from a tear), etc.

I know you just want your question answered, but it would be prudent of you to provide us with more information. Just send you off to deadlifting with a belt land with an injury that contraindicates the movement would be a bad idea.

 

[scbz01602]

Are you sure it was a tear? What was the doctor's diagnosis?

This could also be a disk herniation, spinal nerve impingment of some kind (Which often occurs as a result of a hernation), a muscle strain (Big difference from a tear), etc.

I know you just want your question answered, but it would be prudent of you to provide us with more information. Just send you off to deadlifting with a belt land with an injury that contraindicates the movement would be a bad idea.

No no, I appreciate this CowPimp. I never had any official MRI's done, or Xray or anything for that matter. So I'm technically not sure if it was a tear or not, but I described what I did exactly how it happened (took like a half an hour) and that was what he suggested. No official diagnosis, no official anything.
I hope it has not anything more serious than that.... I'm really not in major discomfort at all; only seems to come at random times such as movements where my back is not supported, i.e. cable rows.

 

[CowPimp]

No no, I appreciate this CowPimp. I never had any official MRI's done, or Xray or anything for that matter. So I'm technically not sure if it was a tear or not, but I described what I did exactly how it happened (took like a half an hour) and that was what he suggested. No official diagnosis, no official anything.
I hope it has not anything more serious than that.... I'm really not in major discomfort at all; only seems to come at random times such as movements where my back is not supported, i.e. cable rows.

When does it hurt, when you extend your spine or when you flex it?

I would get a second opinion and get an MRI if you have health insurance. This is a delicate area that you really don't want to make any worse.

 

[assassin]

i was a soccer player and i had an injury with my lower back it kept me off from playing for more than months and every time i tried to come back i had the injury.....u must visit the doctor for sure ....u really must and don't try to dead lift again untilll it heals 100% and don't use much weights just slightly increase as long as u r feeling comfortable.....

 

[scbz01602]

When does it hurt, when you extend your spine or when you flex it?

I would get a second opinion and get an MRI if you have health insurance. This is a delicate area that you really don't want to make any worse.

Hmm, it right basically whenever I began the deadlift, right when I was around just a few inches into the lift. Real sharp pain to the midsection of my back; it sound REAL bad online, hahaha.
I will get a second opinion however before I go "back" to them (get it? smooth).

 

[Pepper]

Deadlifts with a belt - I know it almost defeats the purpose of doing the exercise

Is this true? I find that hard to believe.

 

[CowPimp]

Hmm, it right basically whenever I began the deadlift, right when I was around just a few inches into the lift. Real sharp pain to the midsection of my back; it sound REAL bad online, hahaha.
I will get a second opinion however before I go "back" to them (get it? smooth).

I hope it's nothing serious and you can get back to deadlifting!

Is this true? I find that hard to believe.

I wouldn't say it defeats the purpose. However, it does reduce the effectiveness of the lift if you use one ALL the time. I'm not against using a belt if you plan on pushing past failure or you're performing a maximal effort attempt though.

 

[GoLdeN M 07]

Deadlifts with a belt - I know it almost defeats the purpose of doing the exercise, but I'm really contemplating it.

The problem is that I tore a muscle in my back last semester, and it never seemed to heal. I've taken weeks off from deadlifting, and then went at it again for 2 weeks. Each time seemed to result in injury, and temporary minor discomfort for several days thereafter.

I do NOT have issues with my back on basically any other exercise. Today I did squats for the first time in months (really let my injury try to heal, even though I constantly worked on back routinely). My middle back is where the problem is, and I felt it slightly doing squats.

So I'm really considering buying a belt, and only using it on deadlifts. I want to do the exercise, as I feel it is the second most important lift (squats to me are number 1). Would you recommend a slightly injured back to do deadlifts with a belt? Any opinions are great.

Again I want to do deadlifts, but my back has really been an issue. Shooting pains suddently come and I know I need to stop the lift. But with a belt, I'm not sure if it can really help. I'm considering full ROM, or partials, rack-deads that is.

To prevent injury to ur back when lifting heavy, tense ur abs (along with wearing a belt).

 

[Lord Denning]

Hmm, it right basically whenever I began the deadlift, right when I was around just a few inches into the lift. Real sharp pain to the midsection of my back; it sound REAL bad online, hahaha.
I will get a second opinion however before I go "back" to them (get it? smooth).

What did your second opinion come up with?

 

[Seanp156]

I usually when wear a belt when I go above 335lbs. I've gone to 375 for a single without one and was fine, but I wouldn't feel comfortable pulling any more than 405lbs x 1 without a belt.

 

[Double D]

What did your second opinion come up with?

This is old.

However since its kinda slow I want to comment on it. I dont use a belt at all. My back has been very durable. I know it only takes one time, but I just cant see doing deads with a belt. Besdies I cant afford it.

 

[Lord Denning]

This is old.

However since its kinda slow I want to comment on it. I dont use a belt at all. My back has been very durable. I know it only takes one time, but I just cant see doing deads with a belt. Besdies I cant afford it.

Ya, it's old, but could help me out. I injured my back too...now more than a year ago. The specialist I saw said that it was no disc injury, but muscular - some form of tear in the lower back.

However, even now I have to be extremely careful lifting anything and I have not lifted heavy because of the niggling discomfort/which seems to suddenly turn to pain when under a load.

Also since the injury, my hamstings are very tight and I have to perform a lot of stretching to keep a full range of motion.