When did you start wearing a belt?

[Chicken]

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?

[Jayhawkk]

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.

[Ubiquitous]

heavy deadlifts, heavy squats.

[poopypants]

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....

[PumpingIron]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[hack]

When my pants got to loose.

[neoborn]

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]

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.....

[John Smeton]

heavier squats and deads

[Chicken]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.