wearing a belt

[rbethel]

I've watched my share of bodybuilding videos and in most of them I noticed most guys wearing a belt when they bench or a belt to do most things upper body that they wouldn't otherwise normally need one for....i've heard one explanation by dexter jackson was to keep his waistline a little smaller and he also uses a smith machine for deadlifts as does darrem charles so that there isnt excess strain on the obliques by balancing the weight thus giving you a wider waist appearance....im a little confused about that tho cause i rarely use a belt only for deadlifts or military press at times.....

 

[saudades]

I've always been told that you'll become dependent on the belt if you wear it too much. Typically, you only need it on the more heavier lifts.

 

[LeatherHead]

I agree. I haven't even seen my belt in years.

 

[BiggerStronger]

I don't like wearing belts as they get in the way of lifting of a proper fluid movement. If you focus on keeping proper form and don't lift over your limit then you shouldn't really need one.

 

[sponger246]

I only use mine when I am doing a strength cycle including heavy weight low reps. It is rare that its even with me on a typical day/

 

[dreww]

i use one more and more due to lower back problems. i use it for any type of squat or deadlift. i dont use for most upper body since those lifts dont hurt my back.

 

[dorian123]

I've heard a lot of pros say that they wear it constantly as an effort tohelp reduce their waist line-not sure if that would work or not

 

[Get_Swole]

I never wear a belt anymore i used to wear it when squatting heavy or d/ling really heavy but not anymore. I just get warmed up really good and im usually fine. I see newbs at my gym all the time wearing them while curling i just think it looks funny.