weight lifting belts?
- Thread starter fitat49
- Start date
Hi fitat49,
I use a weight belt, but I lift heavy, heavy -- like squatting 200 lbs. in a power rack or with spotters. If you're just deadlifting or squatting little ol' weights -- basically, just what you can lift over your head -- then you don't need a belt.
That said, Inzer (http://www.inzernet.com/) makes great, great belts. I've got the single-prong, Forever Buckle Belt 10 MM -- in pink! They're not easy to get into, and you might need some help at first cinching it up, but it's awesome if you are serious about heavy weights.
Katie
P.S. Those thin belts you buy at retail stores aren't worth the money you pay for them. They give no support, so you might as well save the bucks and buy another Cathe DVD!
I use a weight belt, but I lift heavy, heavy -- like squatting 200 lbs. in a power rack or with spotters. If you're just deadlifting or squatting little ol' weights -- basically, just what you can lift over your head -- then you don't need a belt.
That said, Inzer (http://www.inzernet.com/) makes great, great belts. I've got the single-prong, Forever Buckle Belt 10 MM -- in pink! They're not easy to get into, and you might need some help at first cinching it up, but it's awesome if you are serious about heavy weights.
Katie
P.S. Those thin belts you buy at retail stores aren't worth the money you pay for them. They give no support, so you might as well save the bucks and buy another Cathe DVD!
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Sonya Arellano
Cathlete
I use a lifting belt every time I do my leg workout. I purchased mine at Sports Authority and I think it was definitely worth the purchase. IMO it makes a huge difference.
LauraMax
Cathlete
Really? Hmmm. I got rid of mine about 16 years ago--I still remember it, I spilled a diet coke on it & it got kind of stiff. 
I squat about 200 lbs now without a belt, it makes me wonder how much more I'd squat with one.
Anyway, I've always been kind of a minimilist when it comes to exercise. I don't even like to wear gloves, they get so nasty & sweaty. The only things I've found to be absolutely necessary are lifting straps & a towel.
I squat about 200 lbs now without a belt, it makes me wonder how much more I'd squat with one. Anyway, I've always been kind of a minimilist when it comes to exercise. I don't even like to wear gloves, they get so nasty & sweaty. The only things I've found to be absolutely necessary are lifting straps & a towel.
LauraMax! You need to find someone with a belt to borrow and see how you do! I was skeptical when I first put one on that it was going to do anything, but it really does help you stabilize your core. When you have it on, you should push as hard as you can with your tummy against it, and you won't believe how stable you feel.
I've always been told that belts are only needed for 'maximal' lifts. The number they throw around in the power gyms is that if you can do more than five reps at a certain weight, then you realy don't need a belt. And then there are folks who say, as LauraMax mentioned, that if you are using the belts at much lower weights, you're probably doing yourself a disservice by not strengthening your core.
Katie
I've always been told that belts are only needed for 'maximal' lifts. The number they throw around in the power gyms is that if you can do more than five reps at a certain weight, then you realy don't need a belt. And then there are folks who say, as LauraMax mentioned, that if you are using the belts at much lower weights, you're probably doing yourself a disservice by not strengthening your core.
Katie
LauraMax
Cathlete
Hmmm now I'm thinking about this a little more, b/c one of the reasons I didn't replace my belt was b/c a few trainers told me going belt-less strengthens your back.
But what it's making me think more about is the other threads that keep popping up about heavy squats thickening the waist, which def. happens to me. I'm wondering if using a belt will let me squat more without making my waist thicker.
Always something new to ponder from our forum members.
Sonya Arellano
Cathlete
There are other exercises to strengthen your back. I use my belt to prevent injury.
I suppose it is all a matter of preference as well.
I suppose it is all a matter of preference as well.
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