Belts

Frogeye

Hi Lads

I'd be interested to get peoples opinions on whether you should/should not wear a belt when squating, deadlifting,power cleaning, pressing..

I've seen some contradictions on this issue. There is a lot to be said for strenghting your core but then again these exercises strenghten your core while you work.

I'm sure this has come up before so if someone wants to direct me to the previous thread I'd be happy enough with that.

Frogeye

Transform

Frogeye wrote: »

Hi Lads

I'd be interested to get peoples opinions on whether you should/should not wear a belt when squating, deadlifting,power cleaning, pressing..

I've seen some contradictions on this issue. There is a lot to be said for strenghting your core but then again these exercises strenghten your core while you work.

I'm sure this has come up before so if someone wants to direct me to the previous thread I'd be happy enough with that.

Frogeye

no belt unless you are doing over double body weight deadlifts IMO.

Plus doing the right kind of core work is essential, not just a few rounds of crunches on the swiss ball and some planks.

brianthebard

OP using a belt won't weaken your core unless you're doing it wrong. Further being able to increase the weight you lift and learning to use the belt in general will strengthen the core in itself. Unless someone is a complete beginner there seems to be no point waiting to use a belt if you know you are going to use it at some stage, that's just silly. Going beltless for the first few sets and then using a belt on the top work sets will give you the best of both worlds.

Magic Eight Ball

brianthebard wrote: »

Going beltless for the first few sets and then using a belt on the top work sets will give you the best of both worlds.

I might start doing this. I never use a belt and regularly lift over double bodyweight.

cc87

Im after plateauing out at about 10kg under 2BW and was thinking of using a belt to help me get past it.

Transform

cc87 wrote: »

Im after plateauing out at about 10kg under 2BW and was thinking of using a belt to help me get past it.

some rack pulls or varying your rep range more and only going for a max once every 6 weeks would help more

The Guvnor

The bottom line here is very simple. if you feel like you need to wear the belt for certain lifts then by all means use it. Even if it's only mental who cares!?

You do not need to be hitting a certain weight before you can use a belt.

As was said only use the belt or wraps etcetera on your top sets, don't wear it all the time.

And as was said do work on your core.

What type of belt are we talking about?

I ask as your powerlifting belt can actually hinder some lifts due to it's rigidity.

Transform

The Guvnor wrote: »

The bottom line here is very simple. if you feel like you need to wear the belt for certain lifts then by all means use it. Even if it's only mental who cares!?

You do not need to be hitting a certain weight before you can use a belt.

As was said only use the belt or wraps etcetera on your top sets, don't wear it all the time.

And as was said do work on your core.

What type of belt are we talking about?

I ask as your powerlifting belt can actually hinder some lifts due to it's rigidity.

i agree with some of that but go to any commercial gym and you will see 9 times out of 10 guys wearing belts that do not need them or have no business using belts in the first place e.g. just lerning the basics

Frogeye

Hi Lads

Thanks for the viewpoints. One thing, everyone seems to be focusing on deadlifting, what about the others? esp squats? I assume the same story. Its up to each individual,their point in development , injury history etc.

I see lots of blokes in my gym wearing belts doing curls and such. Strange.

As for the point on the belt itself, any recommendations? I'm not powerlifting. Have a York one I got in a few years back, 20 yoyos or so , padded at the back, about 4 or 5 inch wide at the back and side, a little narrower at the front.

Frogeye

Transform

Frogeye wrote: »

Hi Lads

Thanks for the viewpoints. One thing, everyone seems to be focusing on deadlifting, what about the others? esp squats? I assume the same story. Its up to each individual,their point in development , injury history etc.

I see lots of blokes in my gym wearing belts doing curls and such. Strange.

As for the point on the belt itself, any recommendations? I'm not powerlifting. Have a York one I got in a few years back, 20 yoyos or so , padded at the back, about 4 or 5 inch wide at the back and side, a little narrower at the front.

Frogeye

what is your current squat weight and your own body weight and height?

Frogeye

Current squat weight is 60kg. I'm just coming back from a back injury this week. Physio has given the green light. To be fair I'm well capable of more but just easing into it. Focusing on technique , good depth and a tight core to support the bar. will be building it up over the weeks. so that weight isn't an accurate measure. Same story with Dlifts just on 70kg to find my feet and will build it up slowly until I get confidence back.


I'm 5 11, 13 stone but in good shape. I used to squat alot in my late teens and early 20's when I was rowing. Likewise pcleans. I was much lighter then. 10-11 stone and was easily maxing 140kg with good form so I have some experience just out of practice with proper weight training and technique since then. Always used to wear a belt for no other reason than all the senior lads used to wear one!

Frogeye

ScottStorm

Frogeye wrote: »

Current squat weight is 60kg. I'm just coming back from a back injury this week. Physio has given the green light. To be fair I'm well capable of more but just easing into it. Focusing on technique , good depth and a tight core to support the bar. will be building it up over the weeks. so that weight isn't an accurate measure. Same story with Dlifts just on 70kg to find my feet and will build it up slowly until I get confidence back.


I'm 5 11, 13 stone but in good shape. I used to squat alot in my late teens and early 20's when I was rowing. Likewise pcleans. I was much lighter then. 10-11 stone and was easily maxing 140kg with good form so I have some experience just out of practice with proper weight training and technique since then. Always used to wear a belt for no other reason than all the senior lads used to wear one!

Frogeye

With those weights I don't think there is any reason to use the belt your core should be strong enough. when you start to push yourself then the belt can come into play.

I remember one time doing a 1 rep max on the squat I am 100% confident that a belt (and squat rack) saved me from serious damage. So if your pushing yourself then wear the belt and either use the squat rack or have spotters.

Magic Eight Ball

Next question being, what belt would you guys recommend for the average lifter?

sfag31

Magic Eight Ball wrote: »

Next question being, what belt would you guys recommend for the average lifter?

Yes - none.
Esp if you are an average lifter.
They're reputed to weaken the back by encouraging too much dependancy.

The Guvnor

I would opt for one of two belts:

http://www.schiek.com/2006.html in blue or red.

Or:

http://www.inzernet.com/detail_belt.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FOREVERBELT_LEVER13

Guys will say as was said in this thread you don't need a belt for 60kg squats or until you deadlift a certain multiple of BW.

I don't buy that, never have and never will.

The reality is that if 60kg is heavy for you and near your top weight then wearing a belt is fine.

I'd buy a really good one because unless it get's stolen it will last a lifetime!

Magic Eight Ball

The Guvnor wrote: »

I would opt for one of two belts:

http://www.schiek.com/2006.html in blue or red.

Or:

http://www.inzernet.com/detail_belt.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FOREVERBELT_LEVER13

Guys will say as was said in this thread you don't need a belt for 60kg squats or until you deadlift a certain multiple of BW.

I don't buy that, never have and never will.

The reality is that if 60kg is heavy for you and near your top weight then wearing a belt is fine.

I'd buy a really good one because unless it get's stolen it will last a lifetime!

Thanks for that man.
I lift over double bodyweight on deadlift so figuring it might be a smart idea to use a belt on 1 / 2RM lifts.

podge57

The Guvnor wrote: »

I would opt for one of two belts:

http://www.schiek.com/2006.html in blue or red.

Or:

http://www.inzernet.com/detail_belt.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FOREVERBELT_LEVER13

Guys will say as was said in this thread you don't need a belt for 60kg squats or until you deadlift a certain multiple of BW.

I don't buy that, never have and never will.

The reality is that if 60kg is heavy for you and near your top weight then wearing a belt is fine.

I'd buy a really good one because unless it get's stolen it will last a lifetime!

tbh, I wouldn't recommend either of those

6" is far too wide for a belt, and tapered belts aren't really effective

With the inzer belt, 13mm is too thick for the majority of people, and 11mm is more suitable. Lever belts are also difficult to adjust, and the levers can be prone to breaking

An 11mm, buckle belt, either single or double prong, is the best option for most people out there.

The Guvnor

The 11mm would be fine as well Podge. 2mm either way is not too much. I'd get the 13mm though as it's more than 11mm and therefore better!:D

I take your point on the lever belts with regard to adjusting them, screwdriver needed.

I find them to be very relaiable though. I've had them for over 15 years now and no issues with either of them bar one of them which is now too small!:)

cardio,shoot me

Trev, get the belt in fighting fit, 50 euro one, does the job.

Frogeye

Well Lads

yeah after looking at the various opinions expressed, me thinks me needs to get a proper belt and wear it since I have some previous injuries. Obviously given my current level its not an immediate requirement but something to put on the list for when I have a few bob to spare.


Ta very much chaps

Frogeye

Sugar Free

I've found my lever belt (Inzer 11mm) can be easily adjusted with a coin.
It takes less than one minute with a bit of practise and to be honest people only sometimes need to change the tightness between squats and deadlifts.

So don't let that issue detract from a lever belt OP when you're making a decision.

VIS VIRES

I have a 13mm lever belt thats seen a fair bit of use and i've never had a problem with it.

I have to agree with podge on what size to get, 13mm would probably be too thick for most, i think i've just got used to it at this stage, if i were to get a new belt i'd go for a 11mm one...

RE when to use a belt, i only use mine when i go over 200kg on DL's which is over 2bw for me ,but i dont think there's a time when you "must " use one...

The Guvnor

MediumWell wrote: »

I've found my lever belt (Inzer 11mm) can be easily adjusted with a coin.
It takes less than one minute with a bit of practise and to be honest people only sometimes need to change the tightness between squats and deadlifts.

So don't let that issue detract from a lever belt OP when you're making a decision.

I've never adjusted mine in the gym, always at home with a screwdriver, mainly to loosen it, then I changed belts!:D

The Guvnor

VIS VIRES wrote: »

RE when to use a belt, i only use mine when i go over 200kg on DL's which is over 2bw for me ,but i dont think there's a time when you "must " use one...

LOL - Nice one mate!

VIS VIRES

The Guvnor wrote: »

LOL - Nice one mate!

podge57

VIS VIRES wrote: »

I have a 13mm lever belt thats seen a fair bit of use and i've never had a problem with it.

I have to agree with podge on what size to get, 13mm would probably be too thick for most, i think i've just got used to it at this stage, if i were to get a new belt i'd go for a 11mm one...

RE when to use a belt, i only use mine when i go over 200kg on DL's which is over 2bw for me ,but i dont think there's a time when you "must " use one...

I have a 13mm too, you do get used to it, but I don't think it has any really advantage over an 11mm. Plus they're a **** to break in!

Inspector Coptoor

I have an Inzer 13mm one and i never managed to break it in properly. must try to use it more in the future.
I should have got the 10mm one when i was buying a belt but i stupidly went for the rib cracker
I dont use a belt when i lfit except for when doing OH presses

I have another belt, an animal one that isnt too bad.
not a bad belt at all

The Guvnor

Liam Henners257 wrote: »

I have an Inzer 13mm one and i never managed to break it in properly. must try to use it more in the future.
I should have got the 10mm one when i was buying a belt but i stupidly went for the rib cracker
I dont use a belt when i lfit except for when doing OH presses

I have another belt, an animal one that isnt too bad.
not a bad belt at all

I agree with you mate. I find the belt ok for squats but I've tried it on leg press a few times and my ribs did not thank me.

I think we can all agree a good level or double prong inzer belt 10-11mm would be a good investment for anyone serious about the gym.