The Truth About Lifting Belts

[@christianfidanza6712]

There's a group of guys at our local gym we call the belt brothers. Training legs? Belt. Training arms? Belt. Cardio? Belt. Sauna? Belt.

[@Nobodyyoucarabout]

Gloves too?

[@christianfidanza6712]

@@Nobodyyoucarabout well belt of course.

[@memyselfi9576]

Putting on pants? belt. Material of the belt? Felt.

[@hunnersahings7375]

They sound like belters!

[@NicHasegawa]

On shoulder day they work their anterior, lateral and posterior belts.

[@ridingwithsam]

I only use a belt when on my heaviest sets for Squats. Find it more comfortable and supportive. However, I do not wear it during the warm up sets so I don’t end up purely relying on it.

[@gr33n.]

The same here!

[@tetsuocomales]

Same here, brother.

[@Keviekev115]

Deff helps the squats with balance and form

[@mattl7424]

Usual explanation. Seems legit

[@brycethalackal890]

Adam really making sure everyone sees those off white prestos 😂

[@cw3482]

It’s a tool like supplements. Not required but can be beneficial when used properly.

[@georgeharrod7805]

Guys at my gym don't always bicep curl in the squat rack but when they do they're wearing a belt.

[@moneybagz82]

As a man with lower back problems as I got older. Man a belt HELPS!!

[@spencergsmith]

The belt only helps your lower back pain because you’re engaging your core better when you wear it.

[@ThugLife_Ninja]

Thank you for answering this one.

[@Hudson4426]

Every time I’ve used a belt I ended up hurting myself. Since ditching the belt I dialed back the weight and slowly worked my way back up. Now I’m far past where I was in weight and not using a belt

[@bdc4081]

If your goal is purely strength there is not reason to not wear a belt. You can lift more weight. You get no reduction in core engagement while using a belt. Use a belt on heavy working sets.

[@saldistefanomaps]

Not less engagement but you get a different recruitment pattern. Want a strong stable core without a belt then train without one.

[@MidKnight4139]

I feel that lifting straps and belts have their place simple as that, if the goal is to work on grip strength and core strength then do excersices specific for that, in a practical sense people will use a belt for deadlifts which work the lump ar spinal electors and hamstrings with the secondary assistance of lats core and grip strength, I can agree that if your goal is just pure natural strength, if the goal is to just lift and train that do what you want

[@reese3407]

When you lift heavyweights your core expands. If you want a thick waist and big abs don't use the belt.

[@NB-sq7ui]

People wear the belt to lift heavier, not to protect the back..

[@hockeyandsoccer4ever]

1:35 how would lifting more not make a difference in muscle development…?

[@limitisillusion7]

I never plan to wear a belt. If I can't lift it without the belt then I've no need to lift it with one.

[@ecwilliams777]

Same bro, I don't like the idea of one part of my body being too strong for another part of my body. Kinds like when you beef up the horsepower on a car but don't do anything for the other systems that will have additional strain put on it. You're asking for something to break. I use no lifting equipment, never have, never will

[@ssjmiggs6317]

I’m training to get a belt one day

[@Wayf4rer]

If you can't lift safely without a belt, you probably shouldn't lift with one.

[@tumbleweedconnection7906]

I wear a belt on squats, deads, ohp and bb rows. Just feel more comfortable on those moves with a belt. I'm also mid 40s so there's a bit of a safety part if it too. And I love straps for most pulling movements. When I'm training my back I could care less about grip strength and don't want to fail bc of my grip. Also wrist wraps on ohp help too.

[@theshield4750]

Are u serious my brotha

[@jacobsobelman3923]

I feel you on wearing straps with rows. If my back is stronger than my grip strength, why should I let me grip determine how much I use to train my back?

[@lolwutno]

Belts provide something to brace against. If you don't understand bracing or you don't think lifting more weight will help you develop more in your training, then don't use one.

[@NSAKEY]

For some people with back problems, a belt may be a good choice.

[@tetsuocomales]

I use it only when I squat and deadlift because of a back injury.

[@NSAKEY]

@@tetsuocomales Yes. I am surprised that they did not mention this. They are usually pretty thorough when they talk about things like this.

[@LL-jw4pt]

Thank you... really looking for answers on here

[@Leo31291]

Never worn one. But I can see the need for it if you're doing a lot of volume of things like deadlifts and squats. Your core is going to tire out before your legs.

[@limitisillusion7]

Train core everyday and your core will last longer than any other muscle group.

[@jacobsobelman3923]

@@limitisillusion7 what do you do to train your core every day? One of those traditional bodyweight HIIT workouts that are common on KZbin?

[@limitisillusion7]

@@jacobsobelman3923 you can use one of those. I made my own that's similar. I run through a circuit 3 times with hanging leg raises, ab wheel outs, ab tucks with dip bars and woodchoppers with holds. I might pick something random as a burnout at the end. It takes ~12 minutes. If you do pick one of those generic ones on KZbin make sure it challenges you and hits your whole core. My routine is based around a bottom up exercise, an anti-extension exercise, a rotational exercise and an anti-rotational exercise. Try to choose routines that allow for progression too. Focus on good time under tension and form, not reps.

[@Maynardd]

No, your core does not tire before your legs when wearing a belt. You’re talking about two different things. When you’re wearing a belt for example, let’s say squats or deadlifts. Your core is not under a load, but your legs certainly are. Even though you’re engaging your core to use the belt correctly, it’s completely different than if your core was under a load. Sure it’s tiring, but I’ve never seen or heard of anyone’s core tiring out first.

[@mateomartinez9870]

@@limitisillusion7 bs

[@mc365mc]

I use straps but not for reasons of strenght. My hands are very supple to be man hands. The knurling becomes painful with deadlifts. So much so that after deadlifts hold any barbell or dumbell is uncomfortable. It's like I've burned my hands then rubbed them with sandpaper.

[@yeti_369]

If you’re going to use a belt, don’t use it regularly. Just like if you constantly use wrist wraps, you’re prone to developing weaknesses, potentially leading to injury.

[@Isaiah-ft5nx]

Using belts makes me feel less stable. I’m not that strong, but I also don’t have that giant power belly from pushing out on a belt all the time.

[@LostKatamori]

That's not how it works

[@nickchristian3490]

U can't stop what you're doing and throw your belt or straps on in the real world in a situation where you need it.

[@ecwilliams777]

My exact same opinion on it

[@brianforrester9670]

Let us know when you find yourself in a situation, in the real world, where you have 405lbs across your shoulders and you have to squat down and back up.

[@yomomma7418]

Never used a belt and never needed one.

[@jesserodriguezjr.1962]

I find wearing a belt very beneficial for me personally for sculpting my waistline and stability, for my lifts I go hard every time I'm in the gym, I only lift light to warm up End the day , different strokes for different folks 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@songanon]

Belts are only really helpful for guys who have a very minor hernia or who have had surgery for a hernia. It had another layer of protection helping push on your abs where the tear is allowing your insides to stay inside lol.

[@sergiosantana7103]

Dumdass logic: Lifts 500lbs dead lift Oh cool but can u lift it without a belt.. I ran a marathon Oh cool can you run it without shoes...

[@pronewbofficial]

There is actually some logic here. Running barefoot coerces you to use different form and take the time to build up muscles, skin, etc. in your feet. Lifting without a belt requires you to use different form and build up muscles like your transverse abdominus. In both cases, you have to take a step back and work to get to where you were with assistance. However, once you get there, your body is happier and healthier than when you were there before. Relearning how to run fixed my shin splints, knee pain, etc. I deadlift and squat barefoot, too. Heck, I barefoot water ski, too! 😄

[@maze7207]

I thank the best Thang I ever done was start squatting barefooted now I only train barefooted what yahll thank?

[@ecwilliams777]

Yes. I use the vibram 5 fingers, so very close to the same thing. People don't realize how many muscles and functional joints are in your feet that regular shoes completely negate. Train as close to natural as possible imo

[@unknownsource4359]

I train with some flat converse chuck taylors. I feel more stabilized and grounded using flat shoes. I wish I can train barefooted but my gym would probably tell me something

[@maze7207]

@@unknownsource4359 man I have some I'll try it out thanks

[@abderrahmanemoukhlis3779]

Can you please put your foot down 👇