Anyone use a weight belt?

[saudades]

I believe the jury is still out on this one. Does anyone use a belt?

 

[h8tr3d]

sometimes for squats and deads

 

[klowndog]

Yes, same as h8, squats & deads. If I don't my stomach pinches and feels like my guts will bust out of my body, right above the pelvis. In the mags, I see the pros wear belts even when doing inclines, military, etc. I guess when you throw that much iron around you need some backup.

 

[irishpride]

i use one for deads and squats and if my back bothers me i will wear it for other heavy lifts for the support both mentally and physically

 

[klowndog]

i use one for deads and squats and if my back bothers me i will wear it for other heavy lifts for the support both mentally and physically

Yeah mentally it's like a placebo effect.

 

[faigelsgate]

belts are garbage IMO, they take stress off the lumbar part of the spine and put it up on the thoracic part, which will eventually create weakness in the lower back if used all the time

 

[BiggerStronger]

I stopped using belts long ago after I screwed up my back when I used to wear one often. I only do weight that I can lift for quite a few reps. Although now it feels like I have a hernia or two in my lower stomach and my back is screwed up so I need to be very careful when doing lower back work. I have several herniated discs and nerve issues around the L4/5-S1 area. Possibly a mild case of sciatica and I'll probably end up with DD (degenerative disc disease) if I don't already have it. I try to avoid really heavy weight with squats and dead lifts.

I don't want to end up crippled by the age of 30.

 

[mcgaret]

Hey bigger - a hernia?? Shit, Thats one of my paranoia's. Dont you feel it strain
when you lift??

 

[Matt76]

I used to until I threw out my back the last 4times I wore one. I actually used to be a gear whore but now I don't use anything other than some wrist wraps on heavy bench and push presses

 

[Crazymank]

I think i over use mine a lot. Cause i wear it almost every day

 

[hongkongguy]

no...it just make your lower back weaker and weaker......it's good for those have lower back problem........

 

[dreww]

I do think it makes your back weaker, but I also think it does help if you dont overuse it.
I started using one years ago for deadlifts and squats only. A couple of guys recommened it after I talked to them in the gym and said my back hurt doing these exercises - hurt to the point that my back gave out before the targeted muscle. My back still hurts some, but not debilitating. Regular chiro visits help too.

Just listen to your body. Now using it on bench and curls and shit is ridiculous. But say you're doing STANDING heavy military presses - yeah, it could definitely have its uses there as well.

 

[dorian123]

only on deads on and yates rows

 

[Get_Swole]

i quit using mine all together i get a weaker lower back if i use it. I leave it at home.

 

[mcgaret]

Havent used one in years - dont miss it. There is a chick on the job I'm on - she is
a sheetrocker putting up the metal studs. She wear's one all day. She isn't lifting
anything over 10 lbs. I think it is just to show everyone she "works out". She walks
around with her arms flaired out like her back is HUGE!! (it's not) Yesterday she
asks me if I worked out cus I was 'buffed' - I always wear something baggy - usually
all that shows is my forearms so I was kind of surprised. I laughed and gave her my
usual answer - "No, but I used to". Oh, I left out - she said "For a older gentelmen
I was buffed". LOL (bitch!!!)

 

[Azmodeus]

I used to wear it all the time, now only for deads and squats. If you ever see me in a gym somewhere on leg day you'll know it's me cuz it's one of those Cardillo belts with "Azmodeus" embroidered on the back! Come up and say "hi".

 

[BiggerStronger]

Havent used one in years - dont miss it. There is a chick on the job I'm on - she is
a sheetrocker putting up the metal studs. She wear's one all day. She isn't lifting
anything over 10 lbs. I think it is just to show everyone she "works out". She walks
around with her arms flaired out like her back is HUGE!! (it's not) Yesterday she
asks me if I worked out cus I was 'buffed' - I always wear something baggy - usually
all that shows is my forearms so I was kind of surprised. I laughed and gave her my
usual answer - "No, but I used to". Oh, I left out - she said "For a older gentelmen
I was buffed". LOL (bitch!!!)

To answer your other question about the hernia is yes I do feel like it is stressing. Especially if I have been using my back for anything. I can't sweep a floor. vacuum, or stand for long periods of time because my back is so messed up. However, I can still do dead lifts and squats because I always use good form. Anything that stresses my back in a strange manner will mess me up bad.