Weight belt for squats, deadlifts - yes or no?

[1day]

i personally wont use them as id like to build up and rely on my core to be strong enough to handle what i lift, so if ever out somewhere and need to lift (ie a car off an old lady :roll: ) i know i dnt have to go back to the gym to get my belt first. :pfft:

[Dragon]

I don't own a lifting belt. But grip straps! I love them

[ambi3nce]

I always train heavy as an HIT advocate,

So yes my working sets where applicable I always wear a belt, when you only do one max effort working set you want to eliminate all distractions, eg, belt and straps so you can concentrate on putting EVERYTHING into the muscle that matters.

EDIT : Also for someone my height with a long back squats tend to put alot of strain on lower back due to leverage and the length of my legs makes it tough to stay upright while hitting depth, so i always use a belt squatting for this reason too.

[Luigi]

Yep, there was some good advice in there...I'd been holding off buying one on account of how my lifts were all so damn pissy it would have been "all the gear, no idea".... so until now folks don't know I've got no idea!

But, if I set the right goals for the year, I should end up with some respectable weights by Xmas. So, maybe I'll go look for one - any advice on better brands/ things to avoid?

Those weightlifting belts you see at Rebel sport etc. do nothing for my core stability. Get one of these (http://www.adastreet.com.au/content/cms ... ING_/2249/)

It will keep your back safe under the heavy weights. OB sells them if you're interested.

same belt iv got, pretty good imo

[aaa]

does it make any difference what type you use theres the leather ones and the softer fabric ones.

ive got a fabric one and it seems to do the trick.

[Old Bull]

does it make any difference what type you use theres the leather ones and the softer fabric ones.

ive got a fabric one and it seems to do the trick.

Long as the fabric one has a buckle

[HQ308]

Like this one ...

[genetic freek]

The age old debate wether to use a belt or not.

At the end of the day it is nor right or wrong to wear one. I agree with bigMd if you are going really heavy it pays to slap it on. More so on squats as it keeps thing more tight and alows more control.

I do know people who have got hernias from using them

But I have not yet seen a training video without a pro wearing one...

[SamWelly]

I only really use mine on squats 180kg+, and Deads 260+.

I find the belt limits your rep range a little otherwise.. They work well tucking in a big gut and giving a temporary V Taper tho hahaha

[Sportsgirl]

Rarely. I've never used one for squats. I've used one twice in my life for deadlifts - once in the gym and once when I did a PLing meet.