When Deadliftin..

BigT4040

BigT4040

Member
Alright so I was deadliftin last wednesday. I dont use a belt as I hav yet to find a good one, and once in a while I'll use wrist straps on my last set. I dont lift too heavy since only about a month ago I incorporated deads into my workouts. I work my way up and do a few sets @ 275 with high reps to get my form better before I go heavier. But anyway between sets some guy came up to me and yelled, "Boy you crazy? Your gona break your spine if you dont use a belt. And whats those pieces of string you got round your wrists?"

Needless to say I was pretty pissed off some guy was sittin there yellin at me, he didnt seem to be all there if you know what i mean. However it made me wonder, whats everyone's opinion on using belts and straps when deadliftin?
 
I've never used either. My ortho, who also happens to be the ortho for Minnesota Twins and Wild says not to use a belt unless you are already dealing with an injury. Lifting without a belt allows the body to more fully develop the stabilization and abdominal muscles that are important for every aspect of life, including dead lifting. If you were lifting competitively, that might be a different story.

Only use straps if you want to go bigger and don't care about forearm size. My forearms are only .6 inches smaller than my biceps and it's because I've never used straps. Plus, it's pretty BA to be able to say that your grip can withstand 500lbs.
 
I use a belt on my heavy sets. I go up to 315 without a belt. I don't use straps on dead's. example tomorrow(if my body feels like it, its pretty beat from friday) if not tueday I'm doing 380 on deads for reps and will use a belt.
 
Rugger1 said:
I've never used either. My ortho, who also happens to be the ortho for Minnesota Twins and Wild says not to use a belt unless you are already dealing with an injury. Lifting without a belt allows the body to more fully develop the stabilization and abdominal muscles that are important for every aspect of life, including dead lifting. If you were lifting competitively, that might be a different story.

Only use straps if you want to go bigger and don't care about forearm size. My forearms are only .6 inches smaller than my biceps and it's because I've never used straps. Plus, it's pretty BA to be able to say that your grip can withstand 500lbs.
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I pretty much agree with Rugger here. I don't use a belt or wraps, all I use is chalk, and I do over 600lbs 1 RP Max, and 475 x 10. I've never hurt myself deadlifting, just squatting.

Now, I am going to have to get used to using a belt and a suit, because I plan on competing soon, but I am also going to do some RAW competitions it was not all for naught.

That said, Rugger you are very lucky with your forearm situation there brother. I deadlift like mad, and train my grip using Captains of Crush, and my forearms still don't look THAT special. I've always wanted ballistic forearms, but it probably won't happen until I start pinning IGF-1 & AAS :-\
 
If doing sets of <5 reps, then use a belt. Better safe than sorry and make sure to do lots of heavy core work as well. This helps with stability, lessens chance of injury, and increases the amount you can pull.
 
Rodja said:
If doing sets of <5 reps, then use a belt. Better safe than sorry and make sure to do lots of heavy core work as well. This helps with stability, lessens chance of injury, and increases the amount you can pull.
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Good call. Freshman-Junior year of highschool if i ever did squats, which rarely happened(got caught up in the whole 'the more u bench the tougher you are') i used a belt on every set. then come senior year and since, i haven't used one, its crazy how much stronger my core feels. even just walkin around i notice it. In august i hav to do 1rm dead, squat and bench, for football. idk bout you guys but i hate doin 1rm. especially for squat. rather would do 3 or more like 5 rm.
 
I wear a belt when i get over 500lbs. It allows me to lift heavier weights and i have had deads get away from me, especially when using chains, where the strain may have ended up worse had i not worn a belt. But that being said, if i was just deadlifting as part of my workout doing reps and was not concerned about the weight i would not be wearing a belt, i rarely wear it squtting until i put equipment on.
 
I wouldn't wear a belt unless you are going pretty heavy (<5 reps). And, I wouldn't start out w/ straps. Maybe in the later sets when your grip starts failing before the rest of your body, but not from start to finish. I wouldn't cut my deadlift workout short from lack of forearm strength.
 
I am going to go against the grain here on straps, if i were not competing in the deadlift i would be using an double overhand grip and wearing straps.
 
jcp2 said:
I am going to go against the grain here on straps, if i were not competing in the deadlift i would be using an double overhand grip and wearing straps.
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I do this when I start getting into the single and double territory. Alternating puts a lot of strain on my bicep and the medial epicondyle in my elbow.
 
I say use a belt only for max weight at 5 reps, the belt helps and hinders at the same time. It takes stimulis away from the erectors and obliques. If you want a crazy christmas tree, go without the belt. Keep those abs tight.
 
I've always had success with under/over and over/under, alternated for max grip. Than again most I've done is 415. with a 435 attempt. Maxing in the next week or two , if everything goes as planned.
 
BigT4040 said:
Alright so I was deadliftin last wednesday. I dont use a belt as I hav yet to find a good one, and once in a while I'll use wrist straps on my last set. I dont lift too heavy since only about a month ago I incorporated deads into my workouts. I work my way up and do a few sets @ 275 with high reps to get my form better before I go heavier. But anyway between sets some guy came up to me and yelled, "Boy you crazy? Your gona break your spine if you dont use a belt. And whats those pieces of string you got round your wrists?"

Needless to say I was pretty pissed off some guy was sittin there yellin at me, he didnt seem to be all there if you know what i mean. However it made me wonder, whats everyone's opinion on using belts and straps when deadliftin?
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When are people in the gyms going to learn to keep their opinions to themselves. If you wanted help, I am sure you would have ask for it.


My best deadlift in the gym was 800 lbs. I officially pulled 775 in a meet at 275. I never put on a belt until I was over 600 lbs. I have yet to have a back problem. I also never put on a belt while squatting until I got over 600. My best squat was 850.

The over use of bests is the biggest cause of injury IMHO.
 
A little off topic here, I just started doing SDL, and I still trying to get the form correct. I know I am supposed to keep my back straight, but it seems when I do, I can't go deep at the bend without losing form (cat back). Any advice guys? My knees hurt real bad, so I have to rely on DL's until I can squat again.
 
I rarely use a belt or straps when deadlifting. I will never use a belt unless Im maxxing. The only time I would is if my back is getting a little squirrely and even then, I usually just stop at that point because its so weak, injury at the weight I end up doing is pretty likely. Straps I only use if I cant complete the set without them. There is no point in penalizing your body if your grip has given out and cant keep up. I personally like both underhanded with straps, mixed without.
 
I dont use belt or straps for squats or deadlifts. I like to start off with two or three good warm up sets with lower weight and high reps, and then slowly build up weight, and reduce reps. This is a good way to improve form and strength without using crutches ( i.e. belts or straps)
 
Rodja said:
I do this when I start getting into the single and double territory. Alternating puts a lot of strain on my bicep and the medial epicondyle in my elbow.
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this may been what cause mine. doing rack deads sumo rack deads and deads...

anyways its over from now on for me.
 
I would not worry about breaking your back, I have had a broken back and do not use a belt. Granted I only use 175 pounds or so.
You do not need to go real heavy to achieve good gains.:dl:
 
smeton_yea said:
you need to go heavy to get bigger. thats basics 101 friend
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No. That is not completely true. I see far too many people with the "more is better" mind set.

On another note, I don't use straps at all. I use a belt if I go below 5 or 6 reps, but other than that it's belt free.
 
less volume..more weights equal more intensity. yes it is entirely true. ask any powerlifter, powerbuilder and you'll get the answer to get larger you must get stronger.

dead 225 the rest of your life you wont grow

dead 425 youll be bigger

and so on...

625 bigger

725 bigger...

its very simple brutha
 
i feel straps and belts are unnecessary, your only hurting yourself and missing out on the benefits if you use them IMO
 
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