When did you start wearing a belt?

Chicken

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I am taking a poll, at what point people felt that they should start wearing a belt. I know there are mixed feelings on this stuff as it is not necessary in the beginning such as strapping to early is not good either.
I will start, today will be my beginning with a belt. I can confidently do multiple sets of squats at 225. I feel that to go much higher then my body weight without a belt could be dangerous. Thats my take on things whats yours?:cheers:
 
Jayhawkk

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I still haven't wore one other than on one occasion. I never went high enough on the weights to put one on :) I think when the weight is close to your max and/or your core isn't too far behind. Personally I think it's a choice that one has to make themselves. In the end safety is something only you can be held accountable for.
 
poopypants

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i have only currently progressed to 225 myself on squats but i notice ALOT more pressure on my lower back and my knees pop like crazy every squat (ive blown out the fluid sacs in both my knees caps twice snowboarding).... i was actually wondering the same thing since i figured i should prob start wearing a belt if i continue gaining leg strength at this rate....
 
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PumpingIron

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i used to use them above 225...i think that was a bit part of the problem that i ended up with...my lower back wasn't strong enough...

so that it is finally getting better...I'm thinking somewhere in the mid 3's is where I'll start..

I actually did 615 on the smith machine for calf raises today. Granted that isn't the same, but the weight still felt good...
 
ShakesAllDay

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I never wore a belt. Ever. Until...

January '07. I was on my 3rd set of BB squats @225. Around my 6th rep, I heard and felt a *pop* in my lower back. I buckled like a little girl and the weight came crashing down onto the pins (which luckily I had raised to a higher notch) and I crashing down onto the floor.

This was all followed up 5 couch-bound days and $400 in chiropractor bills.

I am still scared to step back into the squat rack, even though it was my favorite thing to do (even my wife would joke, "What are you gonna do today? Squat?").

Now, I wear a belt on BB bent row, BB overhead press, and BB shrugs.

Of course, I must add that I've always had lower back issues (genetics... thanks dad) and have been bed ridden before. So, I should have been wearing a belt to begin with.

I would recommend it. IMO, I would spend time directly and deliberately working your core. Don't plan on working it w/ 200+ lbs. over your head.
 

StellaArtois

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same here did a set of of deadlifts, on the last set last weight, pulled my lower back.

for the last set i will use belt from now on
 
Rodja

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After I herniated a disc in my back doing deadlifts when I was 19. Took me over a year to get my lower back strength to where it was at the time.
 
RugbyHooligan

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I don't wear a belt when doing squats at all, but when I go heavy on deads I do wear one.

The chance for injury doing heavy deads is too great to risk it.

I hurt my back when I was younger doing a dead at 650 with no belt (was a big proponent of no-belt lifting for a long time) and ever since then decided to wear one when going heavy.
 
MentalTwitch

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I used a belt awhile ago on my Deads. once. dint like it so ditched it. Never used one on my squats. I dont think i will ever use a belt if i can avoid it. If your body can handle the weight no biggie. I pulled my Dead PR at 405 without a belt, just straps.
 
neoborn

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What is the true purpose of the belt? ( other than to hold pants up :p )

So would we agree to say that:

1. People need to work hard in the core work to not use a belt otherwise they are at risk from injury

2. All depends on how heavy the weight.

3. Always use good form?

4. You should not go heavy / use a belt if you have a weak core, so you should not be going heavy unless your core is strong, and if so how do you judge strength.
 
BigCasino

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I hurt my back when I was younger doing a dead at 650 with no belt (was a big proponent of no-belt lifting for a long time) and ever since then decided to wear one when going heavy.
This is me right now, minus the injury.

I don't ever wear a belt anymore, but I worry something like that could happen. I feel like ever since I stopped wearing one my lowerback has just gotten so much more solid, the muscle down there just feels like steel cables, but I guess even cables can snap.....
 
Chicken

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Wow alot of people feel strongly about this. I am probably still going to warm up without a belt, but above 65% of my max I will belt up. The last thing i want is to herniate anything.
 
Travis

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Dont really ever use a belt....I think it can be applicable if your maxing. I seem to be able to get a lot of weight out of a belt.
 
Ubiquitous

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Dont really ever use a belt....I think it can be applicable if your maxing. I seem to be able to get a lot of weight out of a belt.

It's purpose is not to be able to lift more.

It's to be able to lift maximal weights safely.
 

PumpingIron

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It's purpose is not to be able to lift more.

It's to be able to lift maximal weights safely.

True. There is a big difference between 585 with a belt and 585 without. I've never seen someone with that much weight on thier backs without a belt, but have seen a few with one.

The belt serves a purpose as to keep your vertabratein line. Basically so the interlocking bones done move.

Core strength is important but there is a point in which leg strength should out do your core.
 
Travis

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True. There is a big difference between 585 with a belt and 585 without. I've never seen someone with that much weight on thier backs without a belt, but have seen a few with one.

The belt serves a purpose as to keep your vertabratein line. Basically so the interlocking bones done move.

Core strength is important but there is a point in which leg strength should out do your core.
So would you think I have some sort of imbalance b/c I find the weight easier to do with a belt? I would think that my core strength is not at the level of my leg strength. I rarely if ever use a belt though so my core strength should be up there I would think.
 

PumpingIron

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So would you think I have some sort of imbalance b/c I find the weight easier to do with a belt? I would think that my core strength is not at the level of my leg strength. I rarely if ever use a belt though so my core strength should be up there I would think.

No. I think you are mistaking where the strength lies. Your legs are strong enough to lift the weight with or without the belt. Your back isn't.
 
Travis

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Gotcha, thanks. What lifts could I do to improve core strength? I already do a lot of low bar squats, sumo squats, conventional deads, and sldl's. I would think these are all core related.
 

PumpingIron

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Yup...I love good mornings also...

But your core isn't only you lower back...it's your obliques and abs as well...

Have a complete core helps in so many ways, such as breathing more easily, better posture, have girls sweat your nutsack, etc.
 
TeamSavage

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So basically, what you all are saying, is that the guy in my gym who wears the belt while he does curls and bench press is a giant douche?

I don't wear one, but I'll probably start soon for deads.
 
neoborn

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When my stockings.....er trousers kept falling down, yeah that's it....pff .
 
Ubiquitous

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So basically, what you all are saying, is that the guy in my gym who wears the belt while he does curls and bench press is a giant douche?

I don't wear one, but I'll probably start soon for deads.

Some big benchers wear a belt.
 
Stavross

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I don't use one I find them very restrictive. My lower back and abs/obliques are my strogest part.

When i first started lifting i thought you needed a belt for everything... I was so cool with my belt on doing bench presses with 25kg...

YEAH BUDDY!! AIN'T NUTHIN BUT A PEANUT!!
 

Nullifidian

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I use a belt on:

1) Squats at or above 315
2) Deadlifts at or above 315
3) any form of shoulder press
4) leg press at any weight
 
TeamSavage

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I use a belt on:

1) Squats at or above 315
2) Deadlifts at or above 315
3) any form of shoulder press
4) leg press at any weight
What's your reasoning behind using a belt on shoulder press? I can see why it would be helpful if doing standing BB presses, but I'm not sure how it would help on, say, a seated DB press.
 
John Smeton

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I use a belt on:

1) Squats at or above 315
2) Deadlifts at or above 315
3) any form of shoulder press
4) leg press at any weight
Ive heard of using a belt of the leg press but never have . Ill have to try this. What is the purpose for a belt on the leg press? My back really seemed to not have any problems with the leg press. Ive gone all the way down to where my feet are almost touching my abs
 

Nullifidian

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What's your reasoning behind using a belt on shoulder press? I can see why it would be helpful if doing standing BB presses, but I'm not sure how it would help on, say, a seated DB press.
Same reason as for standing; to make sure my back remains stable. Just because I'm sitting down doesn't mean my back doesn't risk being tweaked. My butt could slide forward accidentally for example. And has. Many times.


Ive heard of using a belt of the leg press but never have . Ill have to try this. What is the purpose for a belt on the leg press? My back really seemed to not have any problems with the leg press. Ive gone all the way down to where my feet are almost touching my abs
Wow, you can touch your FEET to your abs? Where are your knees at this time? :lol:

Just messing with ya.

Anyway, there are several reasons I use a belt on leg press. First is because on heavy leg press, I've noticed my lower back bending off the pad. Not good. Second because I don't want to blow out my belly button.
 
Nabisco

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Only time a use a belt is when I'm maxing on squats or deads to get an idea of where I'm at.

Just the other day I maxed squats to put into my chart and I belted up just for safety because my lifting partner isn't the best spotter. (Another safety hazard)

But other than maxing, I never use a belt. I've just really focused on core the past 6 months and my deads and squats have followed.
 
pistonpump

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Ive heard of using a belt of the leg press but never have . Ill have to try this. What is the purpose for a belt on the leg press? My back really seemed to not have any problems with the leg press. Ive gone all the way down to where my feet are almost touching my abs
do you have lower back problems right now with any other exercises or just normally? If you dont then your fine. Recently my back has really been off, probably due to my aging, job, and lack of use w/belt....I Leg Pressed the other day, damn it really put alot of stress on my lower back but you know what? I just suck it up and push the fvcker!
 
nycste

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ive had lower back issues for 5years now.

lots of things hurt it. working out usually doesnt but bending over to touch my toes or put on sneakers sometimes hurts a lot or is really hard yet my back doesnt bother me on any workouts besides squats sometimes

ive been using a belt on almost all my exercises that go above 225 lately i also do lots of diff exercises for back strength but recently started doing ab roller things for abs and obliques hoping my core gets stronger

used a belt on last day of leg presses felt more sturdy and i think i hit some PRs or something i dont recall

THREAD BUMP
 
pistonpump

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i still have yet to use a belt. lower back hypers have helped alot with keeping my lower back G. i still need to get a belt for squats and deads tho, at the very least.
 
nycste

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i still have yet to use a belt. lower back hypers have helped alot with keeping my lower back G. i still need to get a belt for squats and deads tho, at the very least.
keeping your lower back G? (good?)

yea well im about to get insurance so im gonna setup a meeting to get all my issues looked at hopefully within the month

squats today hurt my back a bunch. gave up zerkers tried fronts and hurt my back too so i went normal sumo and just tried to knowout 20reps at 135 got 18 grrr
 

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