Weight Lifting Belts

Chadderz · #1 01-29-2011, 06:37 AM

Hey there guys, I know a number of you are regular gym-goers and I was hoping you could give me some advice.

I was doing deadlifts and squats today when a guy came over and told me I should be using a belt to avoid back injuries. I'm not familiar with the use of belts at all and I don't know anyone that uses one (that could be an age thing, however).

So, what are the pros and cons of using one? And, basically, do I need one?

A little background info: 18 y/o, 130kg deadlift, 120kg squat.

All advice is welcome and greatly appreciated.

sloasdaylight · #2 01-29-2011, 07:36 AM

Why is your Deadlift less than your Squat? Are you new to it?

Sorry, ADD gone. I never used a belt when I was lifting in HS, or after, and I was doing numbers higher than that at 515 DL and 450 Squat (235kg and 205kg for you limeys). Some of the guys I was lifting with used them, and I asked them what the deal was and how they helped, tried them a few times, I never seemed to notice a difference. The most important thing though is that you're lifting with the right technique. If you're not doing that you're going to ruin your back and legs forever.

Chebass88 · #3 01-29-2011, 07:37 AM

The purpose of the belt is to provide a physical reminder to maintain a tight "core" in the exercise. A belt is not an excuse for bad form!! With poor form, you can still get hurt in one.

I'd also recommend searching on google for weightlifting belt information, particularly from the following websites: 70sbig.com, startingstrength.com, and crossfit.com (the forums).

A good weightlifting belt should be leather, and 4" all the way around the belt. The belts that range from 2-6" inches aren't so good (so says Mark Rippetoe of Starting Strength). I bought mine from http://www.prowriststraps.com/, but they order their belts from this guy: http://www.crainsmuscleworld.com/.

Hope this helps!

Chebass88

Chadderz · #4 01-29-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Why is your Deadlift less than your Squat? Are you new to it?

*facepalm* Thanks for pointing that out. It should read 130kg deadlift and 120kg squat. Teach me not to proofread my posts.

And Chebass, thanks for those links. I shall peruse them when I have a spare moment.

SoonerMatt · #5 01-29-2011, 09:02 AM

Personally I only use a belt when I first go up on weight. Typically the gym will rent out belts if you need them; I'd recommend renting one before you go out and buy one.

i_got_a_mohawk · #6 01-29-2011, 11:42 AM

Good form trumps the need for a belt IMO!

TJ55 · #7 01-29-2011, 01:35 PM

I never use a belt. If I can't confindently handle the weight w/o one, then I feel like it's too heavy to lift. Seems that they may give a false sense of security to some. As was said above, just use proper form, be patient, check your ego, and you should be fine without one.

MJ5150 · #8 01-29-2011, 01:43 PM

I'm more old school, so on the days when I do my heavy lifting, I wear a belt. It's 4" wide, a half inch thick and all leather.

At the gym I go to now, I don't see any guys using a belt. I don't think it's cool to these younger kids. But hey, all they do anyway are bicep curls and tricep extensions anyway. Maybe some cable pulls for their pecs.

-Mike

duff beer · #9 01-29-2011, 03:04 PM

You don't need a weight belt if you have good form. The only thing I use my weight belt for is to hang weights from it when I do chinups.

sloasdaylight · #10 01-29-2011, 06:14 PM

Oh, adding this in. Since you're doing deadlift, buy wrist straps. They help, a lot.

DigMe · #11 01-29-2011, 10:57 PM

I ALWAYS wear a weightlifting belt. I had all my pants custom fitted with oversized belt loops to accommodate my 4" leather belt. I love it.

I should add that I do not lift weights.

bc

Chadderz · #12 01-30-2011, 02:31 AM

Hey guys, thanks for all the input so far. The general consensus seems to be that a belt is far less important than correct technique and a strong core, which makes a lot of sense. On balance, I don't think I will get one. I don't believe the weight I am lifting is heavy enough to warrant one anyway.

duff beer · #13 01-30-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Oh, adding this in. Since you're doing deadlift, buy wrist straps. They help, a lot.

You will never improve your grip strength using wrist straps. And, unless you are showing off, there is no real benefit in being able to deadlift more than than you can hold in your hands.

sloasdaylight · #14 01-30-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff beer

You will never improve your grip strength using wrist straps. And, unless you are showing off, there is no real benefit in being able to deadlift more than than you can hold in your hands.

Maybe, but I don't really see the difference between using them and not. You're rarely going to be picking up 500lbs worth of weight unless you're dead lifting anyways, so I say use em.

iamlowsound · #15 01-30-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Maybe, but I don't really see the difference between using them and not. You're rarely going to be picking up 500lbs worth of weight unless you're dead lifting anyways, so I say use em.

Exactly. Plus if you are doing a power sport, such as wrestling, deadlifts are really important and grip strength doesn't matter as much. I know very few people that can deadlift 500lbs without straps. Heck, I can do 20 fingertip chinups, but I need straps to do anymore than 300lbs on my deadlift.

lowsound

sloasdaylight · #16 01-30-2011, 11:52 AM

Dead lift is also not a grip strength lift, so use wrist straps if you want.

TJ55 · #17 01-30-2011, 12:12 PM

Rosin? Chalk? I'm with Duff on going sans straps. I would say to lift w/o the straps until you can't hang on to the weight anymore. Add the straps only at that point so you're not completely cheating yourself out of the grip work, but you're not limiting your main lift either. Adding some extra grip work never hurt anyone either.

i_got_a_mohawk · #18 01-31-2011, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Oh, adding this in. Since you're doing deadlift, buy wrist straps. They help, a lot.

Depends on your aims with using it.

I'd rather build up the DL as much as possible without straps, I'm still using a pronated grip, and tho it is starting to be the weak point, just makes me work on grip more. May switch over to a mixed grip in the coming months, but no thanks to straps

Chebass88 · #19 01-31-2011, 04:45 AM

I need to use the alternating grip for weights above 300lb (strapless), but a strapless pronated grip works for me up to that point.

sloasdaylight · #20 01-31-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

I need to use the alternating grip for weights above 300lb (strapless), but a strapless pronated grip works for me up to that point.

That was about my switching point too. Before I hit 300-325ish, I was using the same grip for each hand, but once I crossed that barrier, it just wasn't getting it done for some reason, and I moved to alternating until I stalled out at about 400, when one of our coaches gave me grips, and in like 2 weeks I was up to 500 cause I could actually hold onto the weight.