Lifting Belts - Should You Wear One? When | Why | How

[@NeuronActivation]

I personally like using a belt when performing curls in the squat rack, gotta confuse the body.

[@randomi38]

Whatever it takes

[@Pigmarine9000]

Right babe?

[@tylerdurden9532]

Yep

[@bobkin611]

hahahaha

[@sanield2782]

Brilliant lmao

[@shifter8207]

Ive found it very beneficial to wear a belt when pooping , the extra intra abdominal pressure produces an astounding thump into the bowel

[@Roper122]

Strain Untamed!

[@D_R757]

I found that holding my shit in for at least 4 days gives me something solid to brace against.

[@gantoniopatriarca9520]

The first time I read this I thought you misspelled bowl, but then on closer examination I discovered that the thump truly is in the bowel.

[@user-zb3lr3ke4f]

Human jetpack

[@Luke-id1cp]

Getting a sick colon pump

[@DrSwole]

The belt “slideshow” was the pinnacle of lifting education

[@mattschwensen9562]

Thanks dude. I have never had an interest in wearing a belt but when I look around in the gym I see a lot of people wearing them and I start to wounded if I’m doing the wrong thing? This vid Has helped me stay beltless. Keep up the good work my man 👍

[@madmike987655]

I've trained on and off for around 9 years now and have never put a belt on. Now that I'm increasing my workouts and looking to push strength higher, I'm interested in maximising the weight by finally deciding to wear a belt. This video came at the right time for me, thanks Alan, you answered all my questions very well as someone new to belts. Great video !

[@jasonhanson6563]

I don't even take off my belt to sleep.

[@dankdark974]

*takes deep breath*

[@korvdploeg4529]

'Im a powersleeper'

[@user-zb3lr3ke4f]

Ahh another man of culture. You have not experienced the pleasures of life until you have worn your belt while taking a shit. Feels like you're wearing a damn jetpack

[@NeuronActivation]

Gotta stay tight.

[@bmstylee]

@@NeuronActivation you kidding me? I'm way to tight for that.

[@bootsyaaron]

I don't think a belt should become a crutch but the studies clearly show that it actually improves core strength and core activation. I like to wear my belt 100% of the time but very loosely for many of my sets as a reminder to brace.

[@garysellars8914]

LOL! Ridiculous.

[@stevenranney6752]

Thanks for the 10% code. Have been considering using a belt for a while now and after a great conversation with a local coach, decided to take the plunge. Was shopping the Pioneer site recently and after hearing the discount code, committed just before your video signoff.

[@joestar3335]

Made the right choice man, the Pioneer belt feels so good

[@Ryan-gv7gy]

Great video. You do a good job. Pioneer belts the absolute best.

[@TurreTuntematon]

Agree.

[@krossxeye660]

I've got a nylon belt and the only times I actually use it is for max attempts. If I'm trying to get a new PR then yes, I wear it for squats/deadlifts, but for anything that isn't a max attempt, I rely on my core. It's a utility and an aid, but I don't like to use it as a crutch. It just gives me safety at high weight and helps me feel more confident in the weight.

[@mrford116]

I bought one of these on your recommendation years ago and it's been fantastic. Didn't even have a discount code at the time!

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

A 2 minute section on how to wear a belt... 1 hour segment on how to tie your weightlifting shoes when?

[@BluegillGreg]

Train un-shod!

[@cripacwhatup]

Alan the belt at 19:45 is made for olympic weightlifters, it supports the back but still allows greater range of motion. But i agree with you it's bad choice for others.

[@dunstonmunson8314]

Mr. Alan Thrall talkin about belts Ohhhhh yeeeahhhh..i clicked it..

[@pachayman]

I was about to buy the Rogue Premium Ohio Lifting Belt after my cheap Reebok nylon one snapped during a lift. I am totally sold on the custom Untamed Strength with the Pioneer cut. I like to eat and drink and my abdomen fluctuates all the time. I just ordered it in large so we'll see how it goes! Excited about it!

[@donhinchman7396]

Thank you. Have not been lifting long. Just recently sqatted 225 for 3x8 for the first time. First time I ever wore a belt. Lift went great no pain or discomfort. The second I took that belt off, I knew I had strained my back. Do not think I will be doing that again. Less weight and no belt from now on.

[@cameronbatko]

Always appreciate your content. Only Found you recently but appreciate your straight forward information, candid opinion, and not trying to push products.

[@user-zb3lr3ke4f]

I personally don't like to wear a belt for anything over three reps, or under 75-80% of what my top set will be, of course there are exceptions, like if my brace in warm up feels weak I might throw it on for a top set of 5, or throw it on a little earlier. For sets of 1,2, and 3 though I enjoy the way I feel with a belt so I wear it for 100% of my top sets. I do extra core specific work so I'm not too worried about development, and it feels good to wear the belt so I do

[@beastmodebuns8255]

I have an inzer lever belt and I’m stuck between settings (1 setting is a little too loose and 1 setting is too tight) and if my weight fluctuates sometimes it gets worse and then it takes a lot of effort to change it with a screwdriver (you don’t really want to do that mid workout). So like Alan was saying I would recommend the pioneer prong belt so you can adjust it accordingly. Also, I find I need my belt tighter for front squats and over head presses than I do for other movements, so not being able to adjust quickly really sucks.

[@Stang_Gang_8]

I have an inzer lever belt as well and got the pioneer adjustable lever for it about a month ago and am loving it. If you aren’t trying to buy a whole other belt I’d highly suggest buying yourself the adjustable lever.

[@TurreTuntematon]

Go with Pioneer Cut belt. It has a system with more adjustability. I love mine.

[@beastmodebuns8255]

@@Stang_Gang_8 oh cool, I didn’t know you could buy just the lever. They’re out of stock now but I’m gonna buy one when they restock. Thanks!

[@Oliers]

Just ordered your belt from pioneer. Little pricey haha. Can’t wait to get it. Thanks for the videos!

[@mattf9076]

Right now I am in the clarence0 camp. No belts and whistles. I lift 10% of what he does, so I think I am safe for now.

[@bmstylee]

Clarence is a freak.

[@nickhinton8888]

Man I love me some heavy lifting. But my only meet prep is when I marinate it over night before throwing on the grill.

[@davidreuters8509]

I hang up my belt, straps and sleeves 2 months ago and got waaay stronger. Heard Eddie hall didn't wear equipment while training for wsm 2017. That's why I tried it

[@TehSpazzmaster]

10:10 That gojira riff hitting

[@bastardsofnazareth]

That was Another World, right?

[@brandonpotts54]

I have two Pioneer belts and they are wonderful products.

[@user-wx7bs5gv9v]

first off, love the beard dude

[@Adam-M1]

This was super helpful. Thank you.

[@Garrotegarrote]

Get a belt...get the waits ups. ...love it for compound excercises baby !!

[@MBenson]

Most lever belts can be adjusted using a quarter (coin). No screwdriver needed. Also, should've talked a bit about breaking in a belt. The why and how is going to greatly help somebody who has never belted before.

[@bmstylee]

Unless you have an SBD or Pioneer's adjustable lever.

[@MBenson]

@@bmstylee They use a torx screw or something?

[@bmstylee]

@@MBenson SBD has a bunch of extra holes like a prong belt. Pioneer has a few additional places to lock into.

[@mallufitzone7645]

Thanku for the information alan

[@Anthony-dw4fl]

can you do a video on knee wraps

[@jacobhovland9770]

Great video! Thanks!

[@Timofeiuoiuiooius]

Thank you for the advice about the looseness of the belt during the deadlift I have the lever belt, and it was feeling great on the squat, but it was impossible to deadlift with it with the same width gonna try adjusting it

[@zachjohnson7654]

Great video!

[@StonedSpagooter]

I payed 125 bucks for peace of mind in all honesty once I had it I gained the balls to move up in weight knowing I had extra protection, same goes with straps, I would rather not rip my hands off just to seem hard? If using some material between my hands and the bar makes me feel like I can lift more, why wouldn't I. As someone who got into lifting on my own and not from influence its so funny to me how people care so much about belts and straps, if I moved 500 pounds I moved 500 pounds why the fuck would I use less equipment to make it harder on myself? Are we lifting weight or having a who is the bigger dumb ass competition?

[@danielswanson7742]

I wish I'd worn a belt more often on 2x+ bodyweight deadlifts/squats. Herniated a disc earlier this year.. That may be due to the fact that I wasn't taking enough days off and/or lack of good form but I just don't think it's worth it to not wear one at higher weights especially when my body is feeling tight and the potential for injury is higher. I don't think it's a substitute for bad form but it's not worth having to take months off because of a bad day where the belt might have kept me in the gym.

[@LuxAter]

wasn't there something over on barbell medicines channel about weightlifters before the 70s using belts with a wide back as literal support (or to hide actual metal pieces) to wedge in when leaning back for the clean&press? i couldn't find the video again unfortunately...

[@batsy3763]

Great video, but last I heard pioneer belts weren't IPF approved. Maybe not recommend them for competing.

[@maximusstrength157]

Yep buying a 3in for the deadlift was amazing. 4in was too much when bending over.

[@FishingForLife28]

Just found out I can never lift heavy without a belt again. Doctors order. I have scoliosis and I cant put to much strain on the lower part of my spine

[@21RedRabbit]

I bought new belt during this autumn, now with 6kgs lost I'm at the tightest hole. I started from somewhere in the middle hole...

[@joeshmoe7967]

yea, I never start in the tightest hole...everything will be over too fast....middle is good...

[@areyoutheregoditsmedave]

In Strongman, when you’re carrying something like the Hussafel stone, is it illegal to rest the implement on a weight belt buckle?

[@byRoyalty]

don't think so. people do that in continental clean and press

[@Xplora213]

Read the rules. They will say. Every competition y is different.

[@LordZiober]

I think it depends on competition and judges. I remembered watching old Polish strongman shows as I kid. It was shield carrying for as long as u can. They asked judge if its allowed. It didnt change anything, of course the distances were longer but the best won.

[@beardedbjorn5520]

Depends on the competition. I think it’s not allowed in the WSM, not sure if the Arnold’s allow it. I know that you can’t during the Axle press in any comp.

[@r1ch1o24]

What about nylon belts?

[@rustyshackleford735]

I only where a belt when I do shoulder presses, or farmers walks. I don't prefer one rest of the time

[@jordanholcombe9153]

Dimmu Borgir in the background 🤘

[@autonomous8108]

I just want something to reduce my back pain when I'm unloading trucks for work, I don't really care about lifting weights. We get a lot of heavy boxes, so I was curious if this would help reduce risk of back pains, since I come home every day looking like Quasimodo. Anyone know if this would help out, or would I just be wasting my money?

[@jenniferirr6151]

Sold!

[@intotheharshness9854]

Do you recommend a belt for someone who just trains for overall strength and not competing in any way?

[@ssholum]

I don't compete, but I like lifting heavy. I wear a belt.

[@garysellars8914]

As the other guy said even if you don't compete you do compete against your own best lifts don't you? You want your 1RM 3RM 5RM to go up so wearing a belt can help with that. That being said you don't have to wear one. Personal choice, but you can lift more with one.

[@BluegillGreg]

It might help you improve even your unbelted bracing. You can learn by pushing out into your belt on all sides while getting feedback you might not get unbelted. Do most of your lead-up sets unbelted. As you progress your loads over time, even your unbelted warmup loads will get danged heavy.

[@branominal]

Wierzbicki and belkin don't wear belts on their deadlift, belkin is one of the best powerlifters of all time and wierzbicki has pulled 502.5 beltless

[@carriepickett2687]

I have been lifting a few months and want to lift more but I am worried as a single mom (by choice, IVF) I might go too heavy and not be able to lift my toddler (the whole point of me lifting is so I can be like a strong 💪 “daddy” and carry her all over.) I can tell she feels lighter to carry now but she is growing so I want my gains to outpace her and keep lifting her easily. Any advice specifically for women? Stats are 5’9” 240lbs, 34% fat, 37 (too old to compete 🤣🤣🤣). I am thinking the 10 millimeters and four inch width will work. Will this help my confidence lifting more or will I get over confident? WDYT? Open to suggestions here. Thanks! 💪🦵🙌

[@HoaPham-wl1qe]

Why don’t you own a SBD belt? Then you can do a thorough review of the “best” belt. You’re obviously biased since you are sponsored by Pioneer. Would like an unbiased review. I own the 13MM PAL Pioneer, and thought it was the greatest belt ever. Till, I got my hands on SBD. I feel SBD is a better belt and much better lever.

[@joestar3335]

And a higher price for SBD.

[@bmstylee]

@@joestar3335 if you want to get custom on a Pioneer they can get to be as expensive as the SBD. I have an SBD. It's nothing super special outside of the lever. It's a really nice belt with a innovative lever design. I still use my Pioneer on heavy front squats. It just feels better.

[@OlMoldy]

That belt looks like Entombed!!

[@AFlyingMayMay]

Alan I love you

[@davidrtrains]

If you lift for performance but do not plan on doing competition would you use a belt?

[@gavinlittle9376]

I have never looked into it but i only use my belt with very heavy lifts e.g. 3 or 4 rep max because i assumed that it is not building the stabilising muscles in my abs and back as much. Is this just my own weird bro science??

[@IStillLikeIke]

I bought all new pants with 4” belt loops to fit my weightlifting belt. Now I never have to take off my lifting belt out of the gym

[@gainsallday4992]

That’s what I like to hear

[@abelk918]

Genius.

[@MisterHui]

@@EastonPeterson I mean who doesn't?

[@moreparrotsmoredereks2275]

Always ready in case someone needs an Amazon box picked up.

[@taylorsj13]

This is the way.

[@harryvanderark8101]

It’s 2am and I’m about to watch a 20 minute video on lifting belts

[@yodgetfit]

Thats a vibe right there

[@dankdark974]

Thats RIGHT BABY

[@ora6925]

time to get some sleep. No belt is going to make you as strong as a good night's sleep.

[@dragonfireshield1976]

Ga slapen

[@NeuronActivation]

Gotta stay tight during your sleep.

[@davidgardener4139]

I liked the part about the belts

[@vasnayapolyana7250]

When did he mention those?

[@bmstylee]

It was subtle. You might want to rewatch it.

[@ericsolis7287]

timestamps please 😫

[@martinshoosterman]

Hmm, i think we may have watched different videos

[@adrianguev1294]

I’m sorry, but this video had nothing to do with belts🙄

[@tomo9224]

Every time you said meet prep, I was thinking steak

[@Ataraxia_Atom]

Meat me outside then howboutdat!!

[@bmstylee]

But do I need a belt for reverse barbell curls in the Smith machine?

[@gregorymccoy6797]

Couldn't hurt.

[@bloodbushcraft2467]

Yes, you're gonna need all the help you can get.

[@Bravohalo]

Only with gravity boots.

[@jt6366]

Gravity boots and 200lbs on the bar- only time/setup a belt is acceptable for reverse curls in the smitty

[@RichM3000]

No, of course not, but you do need a belt for reverse barbell curls in the power rack. (Just one more week until we start seeing a lot more of that. 😔 )

[@Luke-id1cp]

Lol "when cycling steroids"

[@pyrrosdimas5798]

FINALLY HE ADMITS IT

[@Luke-id1cp]

@@pyrrosdimas5798 He's baiting for response videos

[@pyrrosdimas5798]

@kebab REMOVER AH YES WE GOT HIM. CALL THE FBI, ITS DONE.

[@rogerclarke4760]

Pre puny for a PED user lol

[@NeuronActivation]

"Hey whats up guys Coach Greg here"

[@vaanes]

When: while lifting Why: because you can How: around your abdomen Thank you for attending my TED Talk

[@bmstylee]

You missed hhhhhhwat.

[@ilyadeclerck9727]

Hotel: Trivago

[@rockyevans1584]

@@ilyadeclerck9727 guarentee the trivago guy wears a lifting belt, all day

[@senormango3758]

Had no idea the gym is a sweatshop, send help for the lady trapped in the back!

[@johnfleming4886]

You’re very right about the psychological effects of the belt. I put one on the other for the first time in about 9 months and it made me feel like I could lift a lot more

[@mistermister1366]

I love the Gadsden DON'T CURL IN ME FLAG, hahahahahaha!

[@bmstylee]

Massenomics has some pretty cool stuff. I like a company with a sense of humor.

[@Zero493]

Thanks for coming back to this topic! It's great that you revisit old content and reinforce fundamentals. It's awesome to see how your opinions evolve from your own experiences and from training your clients throughout the years!

[@alpine7313]

I’ve always done it by weight. Once I get above a certain percent of my max I’ll use a belt

[@Bylandar]

I was having a really hard time understanding what you were explaining until I started watching the cones

[@Miracleberry1]

I've just started working as a removalist and i'm going to buy a belt for work. My lifting form is generally safe, however my shifts can be long and my form starts to slack as I become fatigued. So I think a lifting belt is the play.

[@Blackshark876]

Sounds like a good idea! I know a guy that works at a fast food store and he also always wears a llifting belt because he has to stand for such a long while.

[@jordywilliams]

0:08 Hwen, Hwhere and Hwhy?

[@dankdark974]

hhhhHWHYYYYYYY

[@bmstylee]

Hhhhhhwat????

[@frankenclouds5740]

Cool whooowip.

[@dragonfireshield1976]

Hyeap drahve

[@BluegillGreg]

Just beHkawse

[@roidwizard2679]

5:58 Progenies of the Great Apocalypse by Dimmu Borgir starts playing in the background. Took me completely by surprise.

[@TheMonk111]

gonna check it out, love symphonic metal

[@BrewingWithBrandon]

Dummy Burger

[@bmstylee]

Dimmu 🤘🤘

[@rollinghazards8520]

I was wondering if anyone else recognized that. Lol

[@Duckowski]

I needed a new belt and thought I'd check out one of my favorite fitness you tuber's products. I know I'm a year late but the code still worked, thanks for all the fantastic information and I hope all is well in your world.

[@Alexor715]

In my beginner days I wore a belt like a normal trousers belt around hips. I was so pissed it's useless and doesn't help at all... 🤣

[@mazaroth7]

This is going to sound weird but wearing a belt, in addition to other things, gets me in the mindset of lifting.

[@mtherider9]

Never thought I'd be learning about Lifting Belts from Bjorn Ironside.

[@Tiger2000Lion2005]

Get an Sbd lever belt and never look back. Worth every penny in your lifting.

[@brandonhoover2120]

Or the Pioner PAL. Much better for visual appearance for the leather it can transfer to.

[@hbriem]

The SBD lever belts are fantastic. Easily adjustable and very strong. Much better than any prong belt.

[@dentheman1797]

You’ll will also find another occasion when people wear belts: when they’re filming their exercise with the intention to post it on social media or when making a selfie in the gym.

[@Deathrender]

6:00 Progenies of the Great Apocalypse is a fucking CLASSIC

[@MartOmighty]

That cycling steroids joke caught me off guard lol

[@konev13thebeast]

"Joke"

[@ahmarcamacho8404]

Tbh I never used a belt, and even though I watch these videos and consider it. I keep dodging cause I'm cheap

[@marcochavezjr9180]

Same

[@NeuronActivation]

If you're just training for general strength, you dont need it.

[@AdamIZxMiiDNIGHT]

One thing that Allen didn’t touch on is if you do plan on competing in powerlifting the IPF requires you to have certain belts. The approved equipment list is on their website.

[@rutatutut]

I have had a 3” single prong Dominion Strength belt for a year now and I LOVE it. And it matches Alan’s beard.

[@martystrasinger3801]

Ditto

[@jacobcuthbert8294]

I like my lifting like I like my sex Non existent, what you thought I was gonna say raw, dirty minded

[@Jazz-nm1kf]

At about 19:00 he mentions that bodybuilders tend to keep their belt on for the whole training session. Why is that? Is there any training reason for that?

[@별-o7d]

Pioneer belts do not have a stitch finish once the loop is turned. I've never seen a belt with such a bad finish.

[@korvdploeg4529]

I came here for the belts... Guess i missed it

[@philipgallagher69420]

I've never worn a belt in my life and don't plan on it. I've gotten plenty strong without it and hey, I don't compete I just lift 5x a week because I love it so I dont see a reason to. Belts, wraps, all of that stuff. its all personal preference. Just get out there and lift yo

[@bmstylee]

Some of the stuff is helpful later in life. I'm 40 and been lifting for over 20 years and have had doctors poking around my knee's inner workings 4 times. So a lot of the equipment is not needed but after enough time in the game it helps.

[@jfree3000]

Whatever works for you is the thing. I use a lever belt for deads because I'm getting old and hurt myself early last year doing deads. If anything it's more of a psychological tool as I was nervous to do deads after injuring myself. I never used a belt before that and there is nothing wrong not using a belt.

[@seriousandy6656]

@@bmstylee knee and elbow wraps for sure

[@bmstylee]

@@seriousandy6656 haven't tried elbow supports yet. But my knee sleeves are a godsend. 4 surgeries has taken its toll. If you listen and I'm in between songs on the stereo you hear a lot of cracking and popping.

[@samschimke5805]

I agree with what you're saying but I have a personal history of several back injuries and have found that the belt gives me such an edge of extra comfort and decreased risk to suffering a repeat injury when doing heavy squats and deadlifts that it's a no-brainer that I need to be wearing one during those lifts

[@Kurbizin]

So early that the video has less than ONE THOUSAND views.

[@nickvoelker7180]

I like to wear a belt to hold in my steroid gut when I do my fluff and pump workouts.

[@mustang8206]

Taking 8 years to learn what a lifting belt is is definitely not a flex Alan

[@anthonythompson5817]

Is there a new Pioneer discount code?

[@ammarD]

Is the SBD r e a l l y worth the 200?

[@TwoWheelNinja]

No, get just the Pioneer Cut belt

[@datglasstho]

It's a damn fine belt; my friend wears one. I spent just over $200 on a custom Pioneer though and would still go that route again. The SBD leather is top notch, but so is Pioneer. I like the SBD lever over a regular lever, but I got the Pioneer adjustable recently and it's definitely better with the micro-adjustments over SBD's tool-less convenience, as unless your weight fluctuates wildly and often you won't really need to break out the screwdriver where the micro-adjusts are great in the winter garage gym to compensate that extra 1/2" for layers. But without customization, Pioneer rings in much cheaper, and you can fully customize your Pioneer with colors, embroidery, or imagery for the same price as an SBD which comes in one color. And the guy that runs it is always active on Instagram having Q/A sessions and seems to really care.

[@bmstylee]

I own an SBD and a Pioneer. The Pioneer is pretty nice. The SBD is another level of nice. The SBD is very well made and I like my Pioneer cut. If you want a lever the SBD is head and shoulders above anything out there. The Pioneer adjustable lever is functional but kinda crude in my opinion. Plus if you get crazy customizing a Pioneer it can be more than the SBD.

[@liftingafterdark3241]

This is THE video on belts! This should be the only search result for lifting belts! Awesome video Allan!

[@chrism45]

I just can't get comfortable with a belt during deadlifts. I'll try again but it's just so annoying. Squats and overhead pressing are fine

[@BrownBarbellClub]

...............but studies say best percentage to put on belt is 69.69% of 1RM. Can you please clarify?

[@meatbucket9626]

man where was this video when I was gasping for air the first time I wore a prong belt

[@LaneStevens]

Haha first time I put my prong belt on I got STUCK

[@andrewtanczyk4009]

Ok, I’ll get the one prong deadlift belt. I liked the clip belt yet Alan makes a good point about that front part getting in the way. Thanks. Is this gymreapers 10mm-single-prong-belt-green belt any good?

[@andrewtanczyk4009]

@@johntrains1317cool. Yah. Lol I got the $120.00 gymreapers belt. Both the one pronged belt and the lever belt. They both have helped me greatly.

[@andrewtanczyk4009]

@@johntrains1317 ☝️ I got two belts. Both from gymreapers the lever belt and the one prong belt.

[@mickeyreyes9962]

Clarence0

[@ballelort87]

"Now, lets talk about THIGHTNESSS" 😎💪