Deadlifting with/without a belt

[maccaz]

Keen on some input on this, i've already talked to a couple guys off here about this but may as well make it public for more input because im getting pretty sick of deadlifting with a belt.

 

I find it uncomfortable setting up with a belt on. when I try and hold a big breath and bend down to grab the bar with belt on properly i find it difficult, like the airs gonna be pushed out of me. easy answer is lose some gut which I will do, but i see guys a lot fatter/bigger midsection than me that don't seem to have this problem. 

 

I reckon a bit more hamstring mobility will help too, so i can bend down and grab the bar more comfortably without bending my knees. 

 

I can't keep rushing my setups as it cost me 250kg deadlift when i gripped it too quick in my fingers rather than deep in my hand. ideally I want to be able to bend down and hold the bar for 10 seconds if i need to (hypothetical) while holding in a deep breath. feel as though im missing something or more people would complain of this problem?

 

thanks in advance for any input

 

[Skeletor]

You ever tried using a 3 Inch belt at all? I get that problem setting up in a four inch belt so got a 3 and it's been perfect.  I can crouch over the bar for ages without any trouble. 

[maccaz]

28 minutes ago, Skeletor said:

You ever tried using a 3 Inch belt at all? I get that problem setting up in a four inch belt so got a 3 and it's been perfect.  I can crouch over the bar for ages without any trouble. 

nah man good idea there is a spare one at gym i will give it a try, come to think of it i never did have that problem with that belt before i bought mine.

cheers

[Wookie]

I experimented with various positions, I usually go a tiny bit higher with the belt on deads vs squats.

[GyzzBrah]

Yo I think george leeman has a few videos explaining this problem, and explains why he always has a really high belt position.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g34sOXro0s

[BeastBuilder]

Tbh setting up properly for any of the big three is uncomfortable tightness wise etc.

But in terms of belt on Deads have you tried not tightening up till you've already grabbed the bar ?

I have a process I go through every deadlift I do whether it's 60kg or 320kg. It's habit now.

I grip with my left hand over lightly then right hand under lightly both slightly over exaggerated. I haven't taken a breath at this stage I'm just bent over the bar unco as f*ck. Then as I tighten my grip and rotate each hand to tighten it more against each other I tighten my lats down, try pull my chest through and pull my hips down  while taking a big breath against my belt and then pull. Makes it a lot comfier to set up as yea I doubt if I took a breath at the top I could set up properly, I would be too tight to get into the right position haha

[BeastBuilder]

Also soz I forgot to say the one thing that helped me more than anything else with how uncomfortable a belt on deads felt.

Have you tried turning your belt around ?

If you watch any of my Deadlift vids you'll see my belt is on backwards. So this means the buckle doesn't dig in like a bitch etc, I used to absolutely hate that but now it's mint.

Just put belt on and then suck in a bit and spin belt around so buckle is at the back before you chalk your hands.

Trust me on this, it sick.

[Bigken1985]

Personally I like my belt way up high on dreads. So it's over the upper half of the gut. Could say its a la George Leeman . Also i dont like it too tight either otherwise my preworkout starts spraying and I vomit shit everywhere 

[maccaz]

4 hours ago, BeastBuilder said:

Also soz I forgot to say the one thing that helped me more than anything else with how uncomfortable a belt on deads felt.

Have you tried turning your belt around ?

If you watch any of my Deadlift vids you'll see my belt is on backwards. So this means the buckle doesn't dig in like a bitch etc, I used to absolutely hate that but now it's mint.

Just put belt on and then suck in a bit and spin belt around so buckle is at the back before you chalk your hands.

Trust me on this, it sick.

 buzzy how tight/loose do you have it on deads? do you have it looser than for squat?

the way i have it on when its buckled theres no way its spinning it round lol maybe thats where im going wrong. 

i have an exactly perfect comfortable tightness for squat and go 1 notch looser for deadlift, maybe its still too tight if you're able to bloody hula hoop it once its on lol

[BeastBuilder]

6 hours ago, maccaz said:

 buzzy how tight/loose do you have it on deads? do you have it looser than for squat?

the way i have it on when its buckled theres no way its spinning it round lol maybe thats where im going wrong. 

i have an exactly perfect comfortable tightness for squat and go 1 notch looser for deadlift, maybe its still too tight if you're able to bloody hula hoop it once its on lol

Lol I definitely have it looser on Deads than Squats but I don't really have it tight as on either. More something to push against than to do the work for my back/core.

Maybe a bit looser will do you good, your abs will grow and will look like a turtleshell when you're lean but yolo flat stomachs are for females hahaha

[Spencer Lavill]

I have always pulled conventional without a belt because i really hate the feel of it when setting up. For the few times ive pulled sumo i have worn a belt. I wear my belt just below my sternum for squats and sumo pulls. I just have to get use to it with conventional. I suppose dropping the weight and retraining your breathing and body to deal with it might help. I know thats what Ill be doing after Smolov.