Weightlifting Belts Pt. 2

[Marat]

There's another thread somewhere around here about weightlifting belts. I was going to ask about the proper way to use it but its answered here:

You have to where the belt around your stomach (between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your pelvis).

It has to be pretty tight, uncomfortably so. You should not be able to wear it throughout the whole workout or in between sets.

To make it work, you have to learn to tense up and push your abs out against the belt. This will help to increase intra-abdominal pressure and stabilize your lumbar spine.

Of course you can also learn how to valsalva and increase intra abdominal pressure without the belt, the belt just makes it easier and more optimal (i guess thats the correct word for it). It really all depends on preference and how much weight you are moving.

Chalk just dries out your hands and increases friction by decreasing the slippage (is that a word?) from the sweat.

However, I noticed that there was some talk in HeavyBomber's journal regarding the Inzer 10mm and 13mm belts. I was thinking about maybe we can discuss the differences of the two in here? I was thinking about getting one of those for deadlifting and squatting...can't find anything regarding why one would buy the 10mm over the 13mm and vice versa.

I have no particular problems with my back, but maybe 1 of 10 times it'll get a bit sore after the heavier weights. Usually after a little bit of stretching things go back to normal. Form is still fine, but I was interested if the belt is something that would help towards avoiding those bouts of soreness/stiffness. Can the belt help me out or should I looked into direct core training or something along those lines?

 

[gtbmed]

I don't see the need to wear the belt "uncomfortably" tight. I'd actually wear it one loop loose so that you can feel it tighten when you breath into your diaphragm.

The best use for a belt IMO is to help teach you how to breath and how breathing can help build a strong base for heavy compounds like squats/deads.

 

[nkira]

10mm or 13mm....just 3mm less/extra, hardly any difference. Flexibility?

May be you should ask Built & Juggernaut.....Built's got a 10mm Inzer, Jugg's about to buy the same.

 

[Perdido]

I have a Toro 11MM which I don't use much except for heavy deads. The width seams to bother me more than the thickness. Mine is a 10CM wide powerlifting belt. If I had to do it over I'd get a narrower belt.

 

[TheRhino]

when i used to lift heavy on deads and legs i used my friends inzer i think his was the 13, i will say it took two people to get it tight like i wanted,

but like gtbmed i wouldnt wear it tight enough that you cant breath which ive seen people do, i found that i wear it a lil more loose on squats becasue it was uncomfortable. but if your wanting the support and something that last a friend of mine swears by the inzer stuff

 

[Built]

Indeed, I'm really digging my Inzer 10mm Forever lever belt.

<blows kisses at nkira and juggernaut>

They bought it for me for my birthday last month, the sweeties.