When to start using a belt...?

[Go Away]

You see the tiny guys wearing them doing cheated curls...
The old men wearing them going deep on squats...
And some powerlifters sporting them during bench sessions.

At what point did most of you start using a lifting belt?

Was it after your lower back was injured too many times?

Was there a weight limit criteria you reached?

Was it an advantageous decision on your part to start wearing a belt?

(I'm thinking of the long term benefits and setbacks rocking a belt would give...)

 

[jandj0821]

I would wear a belt once you get to 70% of your 1rm on Deads and squats. Bench is generally going to be if you go shirted! People wear a belt too often. You want your lower back to get stronger and wearing a belt all the time will crate a dependence on it and u will have a weak lower back.

 

[PillarofBalance]

I try not to wear a belt ever... If my back is very tired and I have to keep squatting I will wear it. It helps to stabilize the core by pushing your abs against it while holding your air.

On deads I have no use for it. And on bench I find it's a hindrance.

 

[Go Away]

Lower back weakness is why I've never even tried one on before. My shit is messed up as is, so I want it stronger for the long haul.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[PillarofBalance]

Lower back weakness is why I've never even tried one on before. My shit is messed up as is, so I want it stronger for the long haul.

Appreciate the feedback!

Good mornings... They'll strengthen the low back very quickly

 

[Go Away]

Good mornings... They'll strengthen the low back very quickly

Sheiko is about to beat me down with those this week...

 

[Rottenrogue]

I didnt wear a belt for years when training. I am slowly starting to use one but only on heavy sets. If the yoke is above 500 and if my squat is above 275 . Not sure what that is percentage wise. I am with POB and dont get anything but a bad attitude out of it on deadlift.

 

[69nites]

No belt for me. Maybe some day when I'm an old fart.

 

[prime]

belts keep you from getting hernias as well. It's not all about the low back. It's a preventative thing. It's like wraps and stuff. Why hold yourself back by not wearing a belt? Keeps you stable on your big lifts and keeps you from seriously injurying yourself.

 

[porky little keg]

For me it depends on how beat up my lower back is and what I am trying to train.

With a healthy lower back I have pulled over 700 without a belt. Right now I am working through a tweak in my lower/mid back so I belt up over 500.
When I squat heavy or whenever I squat in gear I also use a belt to give my abs something to push against. A thin belt just to hold my bench shirt down too.... but never benching raw.