Recommended Weights Lifting Belt?

thewools

After waking up this morning - my back feels stiff and sore from doing Dead lifts last night in the gym. There doesnt seem to be a belt in the gym anymore so I might just bring one myself from now on.

I am 6ft 3" ish and doing deadlifts without a belt - I have always encountered problems - even though my technique is good.

Any suggestions of a good belt and where to get one?

Al_Fernz

What sort of weight are you lifting and how long have you been deadlifting?

It's perfectly OK for your back to have DOMS in it after a good deadlifting session. However, "stiff and sore" does not necessarily mean DOMS. How do you know that your form is good? Have you been coached or videoed yourself?

I would only recommend getting a belt if you are lifting over 3 plates each side for reps. If you are not then you need to work on your form and let your back and posterior chain/core muscles develop. A belt will not mask bad form. If you are just starting out deadlifting I would say that you should concentrate on getting your form right and moving up the weights without a belt, when you reach a 3 plate plateau for reps then you may wish to consider wearing a belt for your top sets.

thewools

Al_Fernz wrote: »

What sort of weight are you lifting and how long have you been deadlifting?

It's perfectly OK for your back to have DOMS in it after a good deadlifting session. However, "stiff and sore" does not necessarily mean DOMS. How do you know that your form is good? Have you been coached or videoed yourself?

I would only recommend getting a belt if you are lifting over 3 plates each side for reps. If you are not then you need to work on your form and let your back and posterior chain/core muscles develop. A belt will not mask bad form. If you are just starting out deadlifting I would say that you should concentrate on getting your form right and moving up the weights without a belt, when you reach a 3 plate plateau for reps then you may wish to consider wearing a belt for your top sets.

I would be deadlifting over 100kg - and my 5-3-1 program has me down so a 120kg one rep which I have exceeded previously however only ever using a belt. I have deadlifted on/off for past 3 years but last night was my first in a 2 months - would this just be DOMS as it has been quite a while since my last session. However previously I never encountered DOMS when using the belt. I would also use a belt for heavy squats.

I have been coached by various instructors and have a good technique and form is good.

Was reading this on Irishlifting earlier - found it interesting.

What is a Weight Lifting Belt?

This type of belt is generally made from leather, but also can be made out of durable nylon. Belts the pros and cons

The weight lifting belt is fastened around the weight lifter?s waist and secured in a similar fashion as a normal belt. Generally, the portion of the belt that crosses the small of the back is approximately six inches in height.

Pros

Those athletes that advocate the use of a weight lifting belt during their weight training routine suggest that the weight lifting belt will protect the lumbar portion of the spinal column from needless injury. Those in favor of using the belt also suggest that the thickness and width of the belt that spans the lower back can prevent muscle injuries.

Additionally, the wearing of the weight lifting belt will remind the weight lifter not to bend or arch their back when lifting. This poor form of weight lifting could result in permanent damage being done to the discs between the vertebrae.

Also, if engaged in power lifting, this added support will provide extra protection for the small of the back. Power lifting involves weight lifting maneuvers such as the clean and jerk, squats and military press. Power lifting is done with incredible amounts of weight.

Cons

Those who do not advocate using the weight lifting belt argue that the wearing of the belt will cause needless pressure to be placed on the abdomen. In their argument they point out that this undue pressure placed on the abdomen increases the weight lifter?s blood pressure.

They also argue that the use of a weight lifting belt is counterproductive in building up the muscles of the lower back. They point out that any dependence upon the belt will weaken the small of the back rather than allow for its strengthening. The strengthening of the lower back, they point out, is one of the major reasons in taking up weightlifting. Thus, it is quite important to lift weights with caution.

So should I battle on for another few sessions and see how it goes without a belt?

Al_Fernz

If you are happy with your form, you seem to be, I would probably put feeling "stiff and sore" down to DOMS. This is probably exacerbated by the fact that you’ve never trained without a belt before on deadlifts, in addition to your long lay-off.

IMO you're not really at the stage where you need a belt and would probably make more progress lifting beltless.

Yapamillias

I defo agree with the last post, weights belts should only be used for maximum one rep or close to one rep sets according to the NSCA. If your just back to the weights then its more than likely DOMS.

Hanley

Yapamillias wrote: »

I defo agree with the last post, weights belts should only be used for maximum one rep or close to one rep sets according to the NSCA. If your just back to the weights then its more than likely DOMS.

Are you studying/recently qualified NSCA certified?

Yapamillias

Hanley wrote: »

Are you studying/recently qualified NSCA certified?

Im beginning to not like you. Sound advise is sound advise, no matter who it comes from or what they have done as long as its the truth.

Hanley

Yapamillias wrote: »

Im beginning to not like you. Sound advise is sound advise, no matter who it comes from or what they have done as long as its the truth.

If you jump down peoples throats like that I can see them not liking you too!!!

Whatever tho, ya can join the club of people who don't like me if you want. Totally up to you.

It was a simple question, I thought??

There's so many recommendations as to when to put a belt on anyway that one blanket assertation could never be right.

squod

Back to the topic!

I bought mine bluddy years ago in workout world in Dublin 1.

BELT.JPG

http://www.citikey.com/business/11007945/

I was always told to try it on before you buy it. There's all kinds to choose from.
If it helps, mine is a 'world gym' double buckle closing, 4'' powerlifting belt.
Made from velvety leather and double stitched.

When I use it, which is seldom nowadays, I bring an extra sweatshirt with me to make the belt fit better if I need to.

I also deadlift in socks, and squat in flat shoes.

Yapamillias

Hanley wrote: »

If you jump down peoples throats like that I can see them not liking you too!!!

Whatever tho, ya can join the club of people who don't like me if you want. Totally up to you.

It was a simple question, I thought??

There's so many recommendations as to when to put a belt on anyway that one blanket assertation could never be right.

Jumping down peoples throats!! WTF, im just giving advise dude, its a simple question yes, but it doesnt mean my last point was any less valid.

Hanley

Yapamillias wrote: »

Jumping down peoples throats!! WTF

Yapamillias wrote: »

Im beginning to not like you.

¬¬

bigstar

ahem, eh back on topic, anyone wanna actually recommend a good place to get a belt, a powerlifting type (or does it make much of a difference). im thinking its a good idea to get one in the next few months for heavy squats and deads and im trying get an idea of what to get.

squod

squod wrote: »

Back to the topic!

I bought mine bluddy years ago in workout world in Dublin 1.

BELT.JPG

http://www.citikey.com/business/11007945/

I was always told to try it on before you buy it. There's all kinds to choose from.
If it helps, mine is a 'world gym' double buckle closing, 4'' powerlifting belt.
Made from velvety leather and double stitched.

When I use it, which is seldom nowadays, I bring an extra sweatshirt with me to make the belt fit better if I need to.

I also deadlift in socks, and squat in flat shoes.

If a city store doesn't suit how about an online type thing?

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-power-lifting-belt.php

bigstar

i think thats store on the quays is gone actually, thanks for the link though.

im more wondering what the powerlifting guys use/recommend, i might compete next year so a decent quality belt would probably be a good investment.

squod

You could email one of these guys.

http://www.idfpa.plus.com/

Under the contacts section.

bigstar

squod wrote: »

You could email one of these guys.

http://www.idfpa.plus.com/

Under the contacts section.

em cheers but i think that might be a bit strange, like emailing trappatoni and asking what football boots to get. ill check some of the powerlifting sites and see if anyone on here has any ideas.

Hanley

squod wrote: »

You could email one of these guys.

http://www.idfpa.plus.com/

Under the contacts section.

Or he could just ask me

I get all my stuff from liftinglarge.com, great service from those guys - http://www.liftinglarge.com/tororollerbucklepowerliftingbelt.aspx

podge57

you should go with a 4" belt, one that is the same width all round - tapered belts are pretty crap

the only real differences are 13mm or 10mm thick, and whether to get a lever, single or double prong

I have a 13mm double prong apt belt, next time i would probably go 10mm though, 13 is a bit too much for me

heres two US sites which sell them and have pretty resonable shipping, and good customer service

http://www.prowriststraps.com/weight_lifting_belt_powerlifting_belt_Exercise_belt_workout_belt

http://www.liftinglarge.com/belts.aspx - i know a lot of people like the toro belt

there are also loads on amazon, ebay and there are some uk sites too

Hanley

Yeah on the 10 -v- 13mm... if you're forced to choose, 10's probably the way to go.

I've been under a 600lb squat and 10mm held up perfectly!!

bigstar

thanks, thats the kind of thing im looking for. now i just have to figure out my size, cant see myself ever having a 35" waist but you just never know

brianthebard

thewools wrote: »

I would be deadlifting over 100kg - and my 5-3-1 program has me down so a 120kg one rep which I have exceeded previously however only ever using a belt. I have deadlifted on/off for past 3 years but last night was my first in a 2 months - would this just be DOMS as it has been quite a while since my last session. However previously I never encountered DOMS when using the belt. I would also use a belt for heavy squats.

I have been coached by various instructors and have a good technique and form is good.

Was reading this on Irishlifting earlier - found it interesting.



So should I battle on for another few sessions and see how it goes without a belt?

If you haven't deadlifted in two months then you should expect the doms to be that much worse. Personally I'd say keep going for a few more sessions and see if it settles down. That doesn't mean you shouldn't look for a belt though-I have one from irish-lifting and think it works fine but haven't had it that long so don't know about longevity. there's only one type of powerlifting belt on the site too, I dunno if that bothers you or not.

thewools

brianthebard wrote: »

If you haven't deadlifted in two months then you should expect the doms to be that much worse. Personally I'd say keep going for a few more sessions and see if it settles down. That doesn't mean you shouldn't look for a belt though-I have one from irish-lifting and think it works fine but haven't had it that long so don't know about longevity. there's only one type of powerlifting belt on the site too, I dunno if that bothers you or not.

I have only ever used the one in the gyms - usually cheap York ones but they all seem to do a good job to keep my back straight when dead lifting and squating.

I am going to give it another session or two beltless and see how things go. I will be squating on Monday for the first time in a month or so too.

neilmct.com

good article by Dr Mcgill - he has about 500 studies published in journals from memory

http://www.backfitpro.com/articles/weight%20belts.pdf

BobbyOLeary

You've been deadlifting for 3 years and you've only gotten to a 1RM of 120kg? A belt is the least of your worries. I don't mean this to sound like an insult or anything now, I think you'd be better suited to working on getting your deadlift up another 30 or 40kg before even thinking about a belt.

TysonFaulkner

I just want to chock up another vote for not using a belt. If you get in the habit of using a weight belt on normal lifts, your core will loosen up and increase your chance of getting injured in the future.

But using a weight belt for doing maximums is a good thing to do

brianthebard

TysonFaulkner wrote: »

I just want to chock up another vote for not using a belt. If you get in the habit of using a weight belt on normal lifts, your core will loosen up and increase your chance of getting injured in the future.

I don't think that's true unless you misuse a belt, in which case its the same as misusing anything else or misusing an exercise. I mean I've just come from the pub where I've explained how pinching one's shoulder blades together is essential to a squat, before that the guy hadn't any idea of doing that. Same principle.

TysonFaulkner

I guess it can be hard to draw the line. I just say use a weight belt on maxes only because it could be potentially dangerous without one. However, I'm big on strengthening my core and dead lifts can be a great way to do that since you have to keep yourself so tight.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'd say listen to whatever Hanley recommends re. belts - and alot of other things around here too for that matter.

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