How to train with a belt

[BFGUITAR]

Im curious to know how you guys use belts. Do you lift with it all the time? Only when going for PRs? Only in competition/preparing for competition?

After reading a thread about PL gear this question popped into my head. I assume belts are more standard than suits and such?

[deeder]

The program I am on right now has me wearing a belt once a week when I put my knee wraps on. My warmups might look like this:
135lbs x 10
225lbs x 5
275lbs x 3 -- add belt on really loose setting
315lbs x 3 -- tighten belt one notch
working sets -- belt is tight.

Wearing a belt adds a lot to my squat and deadlift because I've learned to use it properly. I am a big fan of lighter sets with the belt on loose. This teaches you to push your gut out.

[BFGUITAR]

What lift is that for? haha

[90kg_pwrlftr]

I usually add a belt at around 400. I have a lever belt and I love it.

[Ben Moore]

I usually add mine for the working sets after my warmups. It's a tool and should be treated as such. I hate seeing people wearing them all the time.

[RedSpikeyThing]

I use mine for max/near max lifts only. If I'm going for a PR I'll use it for my last warmup to get a feel for it.

[arnoldsclone]

belt= pansy

[RedSpikeyThing]

belt= pansy

ummmmm......no

[deeder]

What lift is that for? haha

Squat Sorry...

belt= pansy

Umm.. You know you're in the powerlifting section right?

[minotaur70]

I have found i have to learn to use my belt, pushing against it and stabilising my core. I wear it for bench, squats over 400 and deads over 500. I compete in a belt, so I wear a belt.

[arnoldsclone]

Squat Sorry...



Umm.. You know you're in the powerlifting section right?

oooops i just don't get the point of the belts and all the shirts and girdles etc. if your own body can't do it, why throw on all the crap to begin with??

[Detard]

oooops i just don't get the point of the belts and all the shirts and girdles etc. if your own body can't do it, why throw on all the crap to begin with??

If you dont understand then dont post your opinion...

I usually throw my belt on for for anything 85% and up. Except bench.

[JHarris]

I never throw a belt on, but I'm not a powerlifter. If you are powerlifting, you are stupid not to throw on whatever gear is allowed in your federation. You'd just be setting yourself up to be less competitive.

So it depends on what you are training for. If its for Olympic lifting, I'd highly recommend not using one. If its for general sports training, I'd still recommend not using one. If you are powerlifting, you are dumb not to use one.

[deeder]

oooops i just don't get the point of the belts and all the shirts and girdles etc. if your own body can't do it, why throw on all the crap to begin with??

If you want to argue it start another thread and we can discuss the history of powerlifting gear and how it evolved into what we have today. It's a part of the sport just like cleats are a part of football and skates are a part of hockey.

[arnoldsclone]

If you want to argue it start another thread and we can discuss the history of powerlifting gear and how it evolved into what we have today. It's a part of the sport just like cleats are a part of football and skates are a part of hockey.

hey I'm not trying to argue OR hijack a thread here.... I've just always been interested in the belts/gear that people use for powerlifting. If I powerlifted I'd use anything to help, I'm just saying isn't it dangerous to make your body go past its own limits???????

[Detard]

hey I'm not trying to argue OR hijack a thread here.... I've just always been interested in the belts/gear that people use for powerlifting. If I powerlifted I'd use anything to help, I'm just saying isn't it dangerous to make your body go past its own limits???????

Thats the whole idea behind supportive gear... To aid you so you dont injure yourself.

[jtteg_x]

hey I'm not trying to argue OR hijack a thread here.... I've just always been interested in the belts/gear that people use for powerlifting. If I powerlifted I'd use anything to help, I'm just saying isn't it dangerous to make your body go past its own limits???????

you should go to the Q&A over at EFS and ask them. you may get a sarcastic response, maybe even a honest legit one. http://asp.elitefts.com/qa/

[arnoldsclone]

Thats the whole idea behind supportive gear... To aid you so you dont injure yourself.

now it all makes sense! so basically does the gear put your joints in the optimium position to exert maximal force or what??

[Lones Green]

hey I'm not trying to argue OR hijack a thread here.... I've just always been interested in the belts/gear that people use for powerlifting. If I powerlifted I'd use anything to help, I'm just saying isn't it dangerous to make your body go past its own limits???????

powerlifting is about moving as much weight as possible. end of story. i'm glad to see you're asking questions instead of sticking with the first post you made...

[chinaz]

Whenever i need it.
( all the time. )

[BFGUITAR]

One day ill compete which is why im thinking of learning how to use a belt. There was a site you guys gave me with belts for sale im going to check it out again!

[Detard]

One day ill compete which is why im thinking of learning how to use a belt. There was a site you guys gave me with belts for sale im going to check it out again!

Bryan just go to dotmar (dixie and dundas). Joe will hook you up cheap if you tell him your a friend of mine.

[BFGUITAR]

Its Ryan BTW :P

[Detard]

Meh, bryan and ryan. You guys both have the same name lol.

[drew]

The belt is used as an aid to push your abs out against while lifting weight. It will help you expand and tighten your core which will make your whole body tighter, giving you a more solid base and thus put you in a stronger position to move the most weight.

I use a belt on bench with my shirt only (because I only compete in a shirt). I use it for my heaviest sets on squat and I don't use it for Deads.