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2004/04/02, 11:06 AM
My lifting partner and I are going to start a new mass building program on Monday that I'm really looking forward to doing. I'm a bit concerned though we'll be doing more weight and adding some excersises that could comprimise my back, (dead lifts / heavy squats), and so I thought I should get a weight belt. The last belt I used was a leather one with a 4 inch wide area in the back. I never thought it did much good but wore it anyway. When I went to the fitness folks yesterday they showed me the belt that has wide areas in back and front explaining that you need ab support to support your back. It felt good and I could tell it would be better than the one I had used before. I was supprised to see that it was $50 and from what I hear thats actually a pretty good price.
Anyway, I didn't have to make the decision right away so I thought I would wait on it, and gather some oppenions.
I've heard people argue both sides of using a weight belt. Most people say you shouldn't need one till your squating at least 200. Some say they weaken your core and you become dependent on them. What are your thoughts??
I'm thinking better safe than sorry. A injured back can really mess up your day - year - life. However, I'm having a hard time parting with $50. Your thoughts?
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2004/04/02, 11:12 AM
Me personally, I think a weight belt is smart to use as you train heavy, I mean real heavy. When I use a belt for deadlifts or squats, I don't put the belt on until I have reached my working sets weight. If you come to depend on your belt for EVERYTHING, then there is a chance you could become weaker in some areas (mainly core). If you are only using the belt for your heavy sets, I don't think you have anything to worry about.:dumbbell:
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2004/04/02, 12:32 PM
I have been told by a trainer not to use the belt at all. If you are lifting weights too heavy for the core to support, then you are building muscle faster in other areas and will not be evenly distributed. He used the analogy of a tree.. you can have the strongest root system and base of the tree (legs), but if the trunk (core) isn't as strong, the tree will topple over.
Passing the recommendation of the trainer, I would work on strengthing your core to support the heavier weights.
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2004/04/02, 02:55 PM
That is pretty much how I feel, unless you are a powerlifter, then I think they use it more like dahayz.
And I use starps because my forearms, huge as they are, cannot keep up with my lats or hamstrings. I know people say that I shouldn't do that much weight until my hands/forearms re strong enough. I do stregthen my hands/forearms and I don't uase the strapos as much as I use to, but on heavy deadlifts, it helps.
If you work your core and you feel safer with a belt, use it for your heavy sets, just don't neglect working your lower back and abdominals (all of them) and get too reliant on the belt.
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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2004/04/02, 03:30 PM
Inzer makes a real good belt and is fairly well priced.
www.inzernet.com
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I am that
which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine
now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am a beast and that is enough.
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