To belt or not to belt

[TheJimi]

Right I need some help.

Basically I feel like I'm stagnating a bit and my general mojo on the deadlift has gone south

I have a belt, a decent strength shop one, but I've never really used it because I have a fear of ending up relying on the belt. Essentially, I've always taken the view that if I can't lift a given weight without the belt, then I can't really lift it.

However, now I'm giving serious consideration to starting training with the belt, for both highbar squats and my deads.

Should I do it? I'm probably over thinking this, but I don't want to end up going backwards!

Do you use a belt? How does it work for you?

[didelydoo]

TheJimi said:

Right I need some help.

Basically I feel like I'm stagnating a bit and my general mojo on the deadlift has gone south

I have a belt, a decent strength shop one, but I've never really used it because I have a fear of ending up relying on the belt. Essentially, I've always taken the view that if I can't lift a given weight without the belt, then I can't really lift it.

However, now I'm giving serious consideration to starting training with the belt, for both highbar squats and my deads.

Should I do it? I'm probably over thinking this, but I don't want to end up going backwards!

Do you use a belt? How does it work for you?

Sometimes, yes. I go through phases of belted, and unbelted work- belted deads definitely reduce the likelihood of glute pain for me, so I'll belt up for those. Squats, it depends on my mood, a belt lets you lift more, but can be detrimental to form sometimes, so can be a trade off.

Training with a belt won't make you go backwards, so don't stress about that! - do a training cycle with a belt and see how it goes.

[rog007]

If you can lift 120kg with a belt and only 110 without, then that's just a fact.

If a belt keeps you injury free then that may be a good thing.

My own experience was that I got less back problems once I ditched the belt for training.

Should I be going for a single heavy attempt, then I may consider the belt from a safety issue and to maybe add a few extra kilos. But if not competing, I'd not do that too often.

[RDMcG]

My trainer is dead against belts...believes that it simply encourages risky behaviour and does not allow you to make the right lift in the right way. He often points out people in the gym who are wearing belts and why they are making life harder for themselves in the long run.