belt use for squat/deadlift

[hhhh1]

ok, never used a belt for anything, but thinking about it for squats so i can go heavier (and maybe deads). can get 140kg 10 reps feels fine, but when i go to 150kg start to feel it in my back a bit. was thinking of adding belt here but not sure since my mate does 180kg with no belt. so should i just harden up and hope my back gets stronger or should i use the belt?

what sort of weight you guys start to use a belt for these excercises? (or reccomend using it)

cheers

[M.T]

There's no doubt your back will get stronger with a belt as you get used to the heavier weights. The way I think about using a belt or even knee wraps is longevity the safer you can shift heavier weights the longer you will stay in the game.

My 1st belt was a cheapo off TM and still serves me well have seen a few of the guys using the Toro belts sold from Titan or most good online shops worth spending the pennys on that brand.

So my 5c is get a belt and watch the weights rise.

[soundsgood]

I used to think using Belts would weaken my core. So I never used one for Squats, Deads or anything. I was squatting 260kg raw and deadlifts were not far behind. I would get chronic back pain the day after squats or deads though and I didn't put 2 and 2 together :doh:

The turning point for me was when I tore my Glute a couple of years ago deadlifting. Once I had recovered I found using a belt put a lot less pressure on my spine. This helped me push through and as well as my weights increasing I was not getting the chronic back pain anymore.

I start using a belt as soon as I go over 3pps on Squats, dead and even barbell rows, shrugs etc. My advice is don't be a hero. Use a belt :grin:

[drizzt]

It's not so much having the belt and letting it do the work for you, it's learning how to use the belt properly - bracing your midsection against it, and learning to breathe into your diaphragm.

I see a lot of guys crank the belts real tight up against a cage/rack, and I wonder if it's limiting them - I can't breathe effectively with it cranked so hard, but my numbers go up when it's a notch looser, leaving me feeling less restricted and allowing me to take a bigger breath into my diaphragm/brace the abs harder.

As for when you should start using it, I like to practice bracing my abs without the belt as much as I can to strengthen them, so I'll go fairly far into my warmups without belting up (usually for me I'll belt up over 200kg for squats). I'll probably do all of my deadlift warmups without a belt, and chuck it on from the first working set.

In saying all of the above, I can certainly get about 10kg onto my lifts with a belt, as it helps the aforementioned bracing, and strengthening of the midsection.

I've posted this link before, but here's one from Chad Aichs on how to use a belt properly:

Instant Strength and Power.

[hhhh1]

cheers for the replies

do you think you would still be able to do those higher weights without the belt now soundsgood? just sort of worried that if i use a belt then go back to not using it, my back will be weaker

[Android]

It looks like Chad has a lot of advice on other things...wtf is this for real?

Should I be popping ammonia caps for my PBs?

http://chadaichs.com/Articles/ammonia_page1.htm

[drizzt]

Should I be popping ammonia caps for my PBs?

http://chadaichs.com/Articles/ammonia_page1.htm

Heck yeah, you should be popping caps before you drive, before you shower... I popped a couple before bed last night. Got me amped up to sleep :gunfire:

[Android]

Should I be popping ammonia caps for my PBs?

http://chadaichs.com/Articles/ammonia_page1.htm

Heck yeah, you should be popping caps before you drive, before you shower... I popped a couple before bed last night. Got me amped up to sleep :gunfire:

not sure if srs but don't wanna miss out on a good thing...where, when, how much, how often :pfft:

[drizzt]

Haha not completely serious, is a good little kick before max attempts though. If you're serious, you can get smelling salts from pharmacies (some have to order in, just ask), or order the caps from lifting websites, most stock them!