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what are the advantages of a belt

  • 29-01-2014 11:57pm
    #1
    mengele
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 887 ✭✭✭


    see lads wearing belts in the gym doing squats a lot and also 45 degree leg press.
    what is the benefit and are they worth getting?


Comments

  • #2
    SPS1
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 111 ✭✭SPS1


    Google could give you absolute essays on this topic.

    In short, they give additional support to what is often weak-links in your core strength. Thus allowing you to lift heavier.

    This has benefits in that you're allowing for progressive overload if stalling, which will aid in increasing overall muscle mass in that area. But it has negatives in that, ultimately you can train the weak links up in a better fashion so your overall raw strength is increased.

    They are not essential, merely another tool to potentially make use of.


  • #3
    RidleyRider
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,783 ✭✭✭RidleyRider


    Intra-abdominal pressure.


  • #4
    Mellor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,900 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    SPS1 wrote: »
    In short, they give additional support to what is often weak-links in your core strength. Thus allowing you to lift heavier.

    That's what everyone seems to think they are used for, but its not what should actually be happening.

    Its not directly supporting your core. It shouldn't be tight against your body holding you together. Its there to provide some to brace your core off, so you can generate more force. The force/support is coming from your muscles, not the belt. It's not covering over weakness, in the same way as straps or similar.


  • #5
    SPS1
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 111 ✭✭SPS1


    Mellor wrote: »
    That's what everyone seems to think they are used for, but its not what should actually be happening.

    Its not directly supporting your core. It shouldn't be tight against your body holding you together. Its there to provide some to brace your core off, so you can generate more force. The force/support is coming from your muscles, not the belt. It's not covering over weakness, in the same way as straps or similar.

    Care to explain that a bit better? Every powerlifter & strongman in my gym has their belt painted onto them for movements involving the core (OHP, squat, deadlift etc).
    I was under the impression it acted akin to a chair to aid in holding your core strong. Thus allowing you to not fail the movement because of weaker muscles in the core giving in.

    It seems you are basically describing what i'm describing.


  • #6
    singlesnights
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭singlesnights


    Wear it very tightly and hold your arms out as you strut around the gym like a boss.

    Everyone will marvel at your awesome lats!


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  • #7
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,694 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    SPS1 wrote: »
    Care to explain that a bit better? Every powerlifter & strongman in my gym has their belt painted onto them for movements involving the core (OHP, squat, deadlift etc).
    I was under the impression it acted akin to a chair to aid in holding your core strong. Thus allowing you to not fail the movement because of weaker muscles in the core giving in.

    It seems you are basically describing what i'm describing.

    It's not on as tight as possible. There shoulkd be a little space to push out against.

    It's not tight for the lift because it's tightened that way. It's tight for the lift because the lifter is pushing out against it to create the IAP.

    The belt doesn't create the IAP - it's used to do it.


  • #8
    Mellor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,900 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    SPS1 wrote: »
    Care to explain that a bit better? Every powerlifter & strongman in my gym has their belt painted onto them for movements involving the core (OHP, squat, deadlift etc).

    I was under the impression it acted akin to a chair to aid in holding your core strong. Thus allowing you to not fail the movement because of weaker muscles in the core giving in.

    It seems you are basically describing what i'm describing.
    Lots on people do wear than tightened to the hilt. Or they wear those front tapered to protect their back. Doesn't make either right though.

    What you are describing is a belt tight as possible to restricting and bracing the core, in a similar fashion to how wrist wraps work.

    But there should be room between your body and the belt when relaxed. 1 notch looser than tight all the way. That's a key difference in function i'm describing. Before a lift, you breath into your belly (regardless of belts), this air creates pressure that assists your core muscles to support your spine. The presence of the belt allows you to create more pressure.
    It's pressing back on your core, equal and opposite actions etc


    Try this.
    Stand straight. Brace your core. Relax
    Now press your fingers into your abs. Brace your core again. Feel the difference.


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