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Weight Belt: Should You Wear One?
By Chris Bumstead
Four-Time Classic Physique Olympia Champion
Wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area.
I wear a belt when I train, for a couple of reasons. One is for the same reason a lot of guys do – it gives you an instant X-frame by making your waist look smaller and making your shoulders look juicy. That’s great for videos or photos. But the main reason is spinal support. Some people even claim wearing a lifting belt makes your waist shrink. I’m not sure about that. I do think wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area. For those who compete, it’s critical to hold your stomach in the entire time you’re on stage. This gives you the illusion of a smaller waist. Most guys can’t keep their gut sucked in for very long, which is why they end up showing a “bubble gut” when it’s relaxed.
I use two different types of belts. The first is the average, everyday belt that’s thinner in front and wider in back.
I have a Cardillo custom belt like this and use it for exercises like barbell rows or seated military presses. My other belt is a much thicker Inzer powerlifting belt that closes with a steel lever. That one is the same width all around. The first few times you wear a belt like this, it will hurt, and you might even get a little bruising from the edges of it digging into you. The whole point is to create intra-abdominal pressure so that your spine is protected from the inside and outside. I always use this belt for heavy squats and deadlifts. That means I don’t put it on until I get to the heaviest weights. For example, if I am going to finish with six plates a side on the deadlift, I don’t start using the belt until my last two sets with five and six plates.
With all that said, I don’t think it’s mandatory to wear a belt when you train. If you’ve never worn one for years and you’re doing fine, don’t bother starting now. Also, if you’re an athlete and need a lot of core strength, don’t wear a belt unless you’re able to wear one playing your sport. I also wouldn’t bother wearing a belt if you think it’s going to shrink your waist. I never saw any difference, and I’ve had periods of as long as a year when I didn’t wear a belt. Your waist size is mainly a result of your genetics, though you can make it bigger by building up your obliques.
Instagram @cbum
cbumfitness.com
Twitter @c_bumstead
YouTube @ChrisBumstead
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Weight Belt: Should You Wear One?
By Chris Bumstead
Four-Time Classic Physique Olympia Champion
Wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area.
I wear a belt when I train, for a couple of reasons. One is for the same reason a lot of guys do – it gives you an instant X-frame by making your waist look smaller and making your shoulders look juicy. That’s great for videos or photos. But the main reason is spinal support. Some people even claim wearing a lifting belt makes your waist shrink. I’m not sure about that. I do think wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area. For those who compete, it’s critical to hold your stomach in the entire time you’re on stage. This gives you the illusion of a smaller waist. Most guys can’t keep their gut sucked in for very long, which is why they end up showing a “bubble gut” when it’s relaxed.
I use two different types of belts. The first is the average, everyday belt that’s thinner in front and wider in back.
I have a Cardillo custom belt like this and use it for exercises like barbell rows or seated military presses. My other belt is a much thicker Inzer powerlifting belt that closes with a steel lever. That one is the same width all around. The first few times you wear a belt like this, it will hurt, and you might even get a little bruising from the edges of it digging into you. The whole point is to create intra-abdominal pressure so that your spine is protected from the inside and outside. I always use this belt for heavy squats and deadlifts. That means I don’t put it on until I get to the heaviest weights. For example, if I am going to finish with six plates a side on the deadlift, I don’t start using the belt until my last two sets with five and six plates.
With all that said, I don’t think it’s mandatory to wear a belt when you train. If you’ve never worn one for years and you’re doing fine, don’t bother starting now. Also, if you’re an athlete and need a lot of core strength, don’t wear a belt unless you’re able to wear one playing your sport. I also wouldn’t bother wearing a belt if you think it’s going to shrink your waist. I never saw any difference, and I’ve had periods of as long as a year when I didn’t wear a belt. Your waist size is mainly a result of your genetics, though you can make it bigger by building up your obliques.
Instagram @cbum
cbumfitness.com
Twitter @c_bumstead
YouTube @ChrisBumstead
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE
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Click here to view the article.
By Chris Bumstead
Four-Time Classic Physique Olympia Champion
Wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area.
I wear a belt when I train, for a couple of reasons. One is for the same reason a lot of guys do – it gives you an instant X-frame by making your waist look smaller and making your shoulders look juicy. That’s great for videos or photos. But the main reason is spinal support. Some people even claim wearing a lifting belt makes your waist shrink. I’m not sure about that. I do think wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area. For those who compete, it’s critical to hold your stomach in the entire time you’re on stage. This gives you the illusion of a smaller waist. Most guys can’t keep their gut sucked in for very long, which is why they end up showing a “bubble gut” when it’s relaxed.
I use two different types of belts. The first is the average, everyday belt that’s thinner in front and wider in back.
I have a Cardillo custom belt like this and use it for exercises like barbell rows or seated military presses. My other belt is a much thicker Inzer powerlifting belt that closes with a steel lever. That one is the same width all around. The first few times you wear a belt like this, it will hurt, and you might even get a little bruising from the edges of it digging into you. The whole point is to create intra-abdominal pressure so that your spine is protected from the inside and outside. I always use this belt for heavy squats and deadlifts. That means I don’t put it on until I get to the heaviest weights. For example, if I am going to finish with six plates a side on the deadlift, I don’t start using the belt until my last two sets with five and six plates.
With all that said, I don’t think it’s mandatory to wear a belt when you train. If you’ve never worn one for years and you’re doing fine, don’t bother starting now. Also, if you’re an athlete and need a lot of core strength, don’t wear a belt unless you’re able to wear one playing your sport. I also wouldn’t bother wearing a belt if you think it’s going to shrink your waist. I never saw any difference, and I’ve had periods of as long as a year when I didn’t wear a belt. Your waist size is mainly a result of your genetics, though you can make it bigger by building up your obliques.
Instagram @cbum
cbumfitness.com
Twitter @c_bumstead
YouTube @ChrisBumstead
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMSSUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFFVISIT OUR STORE
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
Weight Belt: Should You Wear One?
By Chris Bumstead
Four-Time Classic Physique Olympia Champion
Wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area.
I wear a belt when I train, for a couple of reasons. One is for the same reason a lot of guys do – it gives you an instant X-frame by making your waist look smaller and making your shoulders look juicy. That’s great for videos or photos. But the main reason is spinal support. Some people even claim wearing a lifting belt makes your waist shrink. I’m not sure about that. I do think wearing a belt forces you to hold your stomach in and control your breathing. The belt makes it uncomfortable to relax your stomach and let it hang, which in turn helps you get better mind-muscle connection over that area. For those who compete, it’s critical to hold your stomach in the entire time you’re on stage. This gives you the illusion of a smaller waist. Most guys can’t keep their gut sucked in for very long, which is why they end up showing a “bubble gut” when it’s relaxed.
I use two different types of belts. The first is the average, everyday belt that’s thinner in front and wider in back.
I have a Cardillo custom belt like this and use it for exercises like barbell rows or seated military presses. My other belt is a much thicker Inzer powerlifting belt that closes with a steel lever. That one is the same width all around. The first few times you wear a belt like this, it will hurt, and you might even get a little bruising from the edges of it digging into you. The whole point is to create intra-abdominal pressure so that your spine is protected from the inside and outside. I always use this belt for heavy squats and deadlifts. That means I don’t put it on until I get to the heaviest weights. For example, if I am going to finish with six plates a side on the deadlift, I don’t start using the belt until my last two sets with five and six plates.
With all that said, I don’t think it’s mandatory to wear a belt when you train. If you’ve never worn one for years and you’re doing fine, don’t bother starting now. Also, if you’re an athlete and need a lot of core strength, don’t wear a belt unless you’re able to wear one playing your sport. I also wouldn’t bother wearing a belt if you think it’s going to shrink your waist. I never saw any difference, and I’ve had periods of as long as a year when I didn’t wear a belt. Your waist size is mainly a result of your genetics, though you can make it bigger by building up your obliques.
Instagram @cbum
cbumfitness.com
Twitter @c_bumstead
YouTube @ChrisBumstead
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
YOUTUBE
Click here to view the article.
