weight lifting belts

[billb]

I have a bad lower back ( had crushed an fractured lower vertebrae in the past ). I go to the gym and need a new weight ligting belt but am thinking now do I need one.

ie should i have one to protect my back or not have one otherwise my back will never get strong?

any advice?

[AlexH]

Most of advice I've ever heard has come down pretty strongly against them, for the reason you've guessed. Concentrate instead on strengthening your core muscles and maybe even consider a pilates course before you start hitting the weights.

[bga]

I've not done heavy lifting for a while but I used one for heavy squats & deadlifts.

If & when my lower back is well enough to start lifting again, I will use one for peace of mind.

A few of the guys I trained with didn't use them as they felt that using the belt to support was not good for allround strength, the trainer said for normal gym stuff just go with what you are comfortable with. If you are worried about your back you won't be able to concentrate on form properly & will just hurt yourself. I doubt you can do much harm if you don't use one but start off very light & concentrate on form.

I've found the best thing for my back is pilates, I've ached more after a 45 min session of that than the same of targetting back muscles in the gym