getting the most out of your belt.

[Terrymundo]

Using a belt is something i find myself doing more and more. used to just use them for heavy deads and squats but i now find myself grabbing the belt for many exercised due to the added support i feel i get.

however I never really thought about using a belt in the most beneficial may. I feel i do my best numbers with a belt but am sure i can more out of one. Currently (regardless of movement) i just suck my gut in, and get that belt on as tight as possible and blow my gut back out when lifting. what advice do you big lifters have for getting more out of your belt in terms of placement, tension, and how the pressure you put back into the belt?

[drizzt]

I used to have it tight-as like you describe, but was subsequently taught to have it loose enough that you can stick a hand down the front of it. From there, you should be able to suck a breath in hard enough to the diaphragm that the belt is then really tight against your gut. Takes some getting used to, but teaches you to breathe into your stomach, solidifying your base (core) rather than your chest. This gives you a stable core to lift from, and I believe helps solidify the area around your lower spine lowering your risk of injury there (I'm speaking mainly from the bro-side here as opposed to any real knowledge :shifty:)

There's a video floating about somewhere of one of the big fullas talking about how to "properly" use a belt, and I'm sure he says something along those lines (Chad Aichs possibly?).

[drizzt]

Here's the link to the Chad Aichs video I was talking about (sorry, failed at embedding it):

http://bcove.me/2tqqbjxd

[Terrymundo]

primo just what i was looking for.

100lbs added to your squat he reckons with a belt. :shock:

[thatwaslight]

primo just what i was looking for.

100lbs added to your squat he reckons with a belt. :shock:

i think he is referring to a geared lift?

[steak]

Here's the link to the Chad Aichs video I was talking about (sorry, failed at embedding it):

http://bcove.me/2tqqbjxd

repped 8)

"all you little six pack guys"

[BeastBuilder]

I used to do the same thing with my belt, had a bodybuilding style, flimsy little thing that i would do up as tight as possible and say I was keeping my core tight and back safe... Boy did I get a slap back into reality when I went to Eastside and sort my Squats and Deads out from the fear of looking weak :pfft:

I now have a nice Outback Powerlifting belt that is awesome ! I use it just on Squats and Deads, and definitely find that the whole have it looser Eg what Drizzt said, and then when lifting bracing the core and breathing into the Diaphragm, works wonders ! Definitely feels better now than the old way I used to use the belt :nod: