When to start using a belt for squatting and dead lifting?

conor678

Hello,

Basically the question is in the title. When should one start using a weight lifting belt when squatting and dead lifting?

I'm currently squatting at 120 kg and am dead lifting at 140 kg and my form for both is good. When squatting and DL at these weights I'm not uncomfortable and my core is tense and solid and the lift controlled and smooth.

Do I start to need using a belt when I start squatting and DL heavier weights?

Also at what weight did other people start using belts at?

Much appreciated!

jugger0

I dont use one and never will, who said you need one?

conor678

No one told me I need to use a belt it's just I presumed after a while and once you start lifting heavy weights you need to start using a belt.

Is it safer to use a belt when lifting or does using one allow you to neglect your core?

deadlybuzzman

conor678 wrote: »

No one told me I need to use a belt it's just I presumed after a while and once you start lifting heavy weights you need to start using a belt.

Is it safer to use a belt when lifting or does using one allow you to neglect your core?

I hedge my bets by only using a belt on my heaviest set to protect my back just in case form gets crappy towards the end of the set. All sets up to that and any sets after if theres any I do beltless so my core has to do its bit.
I use a belt more for dips and pull ups than for anything else!

Hanley

Today must be the day for questions without an answer on boards...

If you've good form and technique, and don't neglect core training, there's no reason not to use a belt. Of course in the same scenario there's no real reason to use a belt either... So if you want to, g'wan.

conor678

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

I hedge my bets by only using a belt on my heaviest set to protect my back just in case form gets crappy towards the end of the set. All sets up to that and any sets after if theres any I do beltless so my core has to do its bit.
I use a belt more for dips and pull ups than for anything else!

Thanks, I do notice my form dipping a bit towards the end of my max set. I try to focus on it but sometimes it's hard with the max set.

Do you use the belt for weighted pull ups and dips?

deadlybuzzman

conor678 wrote: »

Thanks, I do notice my form dipping a bit towards the end of my max set. I try to focus on it but sometimes it's hard with the max set.

Do you use the belt for weighted pull ups and dips?

yeah, pretty much every session ill do one or the other although the pull ups can be more of a mix of weighted and just bodyweight

kevpants

conor678 wrote: »

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

I hedge my bets by only using a belt on my heaviest set to protect my back just in case form gets crappy towards the end of the set. All sets up to that and any sets after if theres any I do beltless so my core has to do its bit.
I use a belt more for dips and pull ups than for anything else!

Thanks, I do notice my form dipping a bit towards the end of my max set. I try to focus on it but sometimes it's hard with the max set.

Do you use the belt for weighted pull ups and dips?

A belt won't necessarily prevent injury and your form will still break down on a heavy set with one on. Heavy stuff does that. It will help you lift more and you learn to "use it"rather than just wear it. Thats what differentiates a belt from wraps or sleeves. Theres technique to it.

dantes87

If you can, try a belt out actually buying one, borrow from someone for a few sets to see how it feels. Maybe you will like it maybe you won't.

First time I used one for squats I instantly felt more solid and comfortable, for deadlifts it was the opposite and didn't like it at all. I still don't like it on deadlifts but I use it for heavy sets.

Make sure it is a proper belt that you can brace your abs against.

Mellor

jugger0 wrote: »

I dont use one and never will, who said you need one?

Why are you so against one.
If you don't like how they feel thats fine, but to say you'll never use one is a bit strange.

I'm thinkign of adding one for squats, adding 10kg a big ask from a belt?

ImGettinPaper

Mellor wrote: »

Why are you so against one.
If you don't like how they feel thats fine, but to say you'll never use one is a bit strange.

I'm thinkign of adding one for squats, adding 10kg a big ask from a belt?

They have no use whatsoever. I'm with jugger0 on this one.

Hanley

Ummm they DO have a use? If your lower back is holding back your leg development cos you can't squat enough weight to get adaptation, there's a use for them. Obviously that necessitates trying to bring your lower back and core up to standard too, but I hope no one here is stupid enough to just ignore stuff like that.

And Mellor, 10kg's not unreasonable. More as you learn how to use the belt.

ImGettinPaper

Hanley wrote: »

Ummm they DO have a use? If your lower back is holding back your leg development cos you can't squat enough weight to get adaptation, there's a use for them. Obviously that necessitates trying to bring your lower back and core up to standard too, but I hope no one here is stupid enough to just ignore stuff like that.

And Mellor, 10kg's not unreasonable. More as you learn how to use the belt.

We'll agree to disagree on this one. Although I agree with the necessity of the lower back and core being up to standard before you attempt squats etc.

Hanley

ImGettinPaper wrote: »

We'll agree to disagree on this one.

No, we won't.

Like it or not, belts have a use, whether it's your opinion or not.

dave80

jugger0 wrote: »

I dont use one and never will, who said you need one?

Wats your squat and deadlift numbers?

ImGettinPaper

You might aswell tell the op to wrap clingfilm around his waist and sit in a sauna for 12 hours if you're going to say a belt will help him improve.

ImGettinPaper

Hanley wrote: »

No, we won't.

Like it or not, belts have a use, whether it's your opinion or not.

I'm gonna be the bigger man and not go back and forward on this. Just agree to disagree.

Hanley

ImGettinPaper wrote: »

You might aswell tell the op to wrap clingfilm around his waist and sit in a sauna for 12 hours if you're going to say a belt will help him improve.

Hi, straw man.

ImGettinPaper

Hanley wrote: »

Hi, straw man.

Childish.

deadlybuzzman

ImGettinPaper wrote: »

They have no use whatsoever. I'm with jugger0 on this one.

Im surprised by this-have you never found it to help stop you coming up ass first towards the end of your heaviest set?
Definitely helps me. Breathing in and pushing against it to increase stability would also be a pretty common technique

Hanley

ImGettinPaper wrote: »

Childish.

You don’t see where you misrepresented my point no? Where I said belts have a function and use, and you took that to mean that I was saying the original poster should use a belt, and that there was no point cos he may as well just wrap cling film around his waist in the sauna, thus “proving” me wrong?

Classic straw man. Don’t resort to insults if you don’t understand the point.

d'Oracle

ImGettinPaper wrote: »

I'm gonna be the bigger man and not go back and forward on this. Just agree to disagree.

You stated, categorically, that belts don't have a use.
The statement is incorrect.

There is no agree or disagree.
If I state an Elephant is the same things as a lovely cup of tea, opinion or agreement doesn't come into it because It is an incorrect statement.
Unless we are discussing Zen Buddhist philosophy.

People are free to choose if or if not to wear a belt and there is merit in both, but stating that they are useless is nonsense.

Jimmy Bottlehead

I used to use belts when I started first, but at the weights I'm lifting (110kg squat, 160kg deadlift) I don't feel they're warranted.
I'd prefer personally to lift without one - but at the end of the day, we'll all lift better once we're comfortable. If you FEEL stronger with a belt on, you'll lift more. Essentially, unless you're relying solely on it to keep your form in check, it won't do any harm at worst and it might help a little at best.

Mellor

ImGettinPaper wrote: »

I'm gonna be the bigger man and not go back and forward on this. Just agree to disagree.

What part disagreeing with?
What makes you think that they don'y have a use? I'm sure this is your opinion, but if your opinion is wrong then it doesn't matter.

d'Oracle wrote: »

There is no agree or disagree.
If I state an Elephant is the same things as a lovely cup of tea, opinion or agreement doesn't come into it because It is an incorrect statement.

I definitely think belts have a use, but you need to your opinion on elephants and tea.
Lovely elephant tea

jugger0

dave80 wrote: »

Wats your squat and deadlift numbers?

200 and 220

jugger0

Mellor wrote: »

Why are you so against one.
If you don't like how they feel thats fine, but to say you'll never use one is a bit strange.

I'm thinkign of adding one for squats, adding 10kg a big ask from a belt?

Well id never use straps either or a suit, no hate on anyone who does.

The Guvnor

There is no right or wrong time to wear a belt.

Basically if you feel like you need it wear it, if not don't.

I sometimes never wear the belt but then somedays if I am tired etc. then I might wear it.

One key point is that there is a number of ways to wear a belt - it can be snug, snugger and jesus get it off me quick etc.

Therefore it's cool to adjust as the sets go heavier.

As is said too much of anything is a bad thing and this holds true for wearing belts.

dave80

jugger0 wrote: »

200 and 220

Could be more wit a belt

deadlybuzzman

The Guvnor wrote: »

There is no right or wrong time to wear a belt.
.

.....unless the belt is the gyms and youre wearing it while doing wrist curls :rolleyes:

conor678

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm not feeling uncomfortable when squatting or DL'ing. I concentrate a lot on my core and breathing when lifting which I find helps stabalize my core. I'm going to keep going the way I am and not get myself a belt. However I might borrow one for a few max lifts and see if there's a considerable difference in what I can lift.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I enjoyed following the discussion!