What do you wear a belt for ?

[Hard Gainer]

Last 3 months or so I've been lifting really heavy. I've always worn a belt when I do squats but what other times do I need to wear it ? I've seen people wearing em for bench, shoulders, leg presses, so what's the story ? I'm young enough now where I recover quick but I certainly don't want to set myself up for failure later in life. Thanx.

[Cman34677]

I use them for any excercise that I have to hold heavy weights without any back support because it helps to keep my obliques tight....mine grow easily, so I use a belt most of the time in the gym

Cman

[Onerepmaximum]

I don't wear a belt. I just make sure that I don't try to lift more than I can do with perfect form. I think a person can become too heavily reliant on a belt and not get the core strength they other wise should if they didn't wear one.

Originally Posted by onerepmaximum

I don't wear a belt. I just make sure that I don't try to lift more than I can do with perfect form. I think a person can become too heavily reliant on a belt and not get the core strength they other wise should if they didn't wear one.

I agree with this statement 100%. I do wear a belt though when squatting or deadlifting more than 500lbs, just for piece of mind.

[hanuri]

On line withe fellow bros. Use it only on heavy deads or squats. If u use one all the time u get used to it and actually u are weaker in the core area as a result. Instead make sure u work the ´core hard( abs !!!) . That is an investment that will carry u on as yrs go by.
I Don´t use one at all ( can´t squat or deadlift anymore ). Quess it´s like wearing straps , use them long enough and u can´t do any serious back work without them( grip fails). Take it from me . I made the mistake long ago and now I must use them every back workout. See the point...?

[WannaBBIG]

The ONLY times that I wear a belt is:
Cradle and Bar Bell shrugs - Over 400lbs
Deads
Squats - all forms of

[Janus]

only when I have back pain.

[Hard Gainer]

Thanx for the input guys. My core is solid and I'm young enough where "I'm still invincable". :thumbsup I'm gonna go pick one up, and throw it in the gym bag. If I think I want it , it'll be there.

I started wearing lifting straps a couple years ago. I actually have arthritus in my hands so they just hurt sometimes. Since wearing them I'm been able to give my traps a heavy workout.

[Onerepmaximum]

I left my straps in the US and I don't intend to buy another pair. My back training doesn't seem to be suffering from it. Time to let my puny forearms start doing some work.

Originally Posted by onerepmaximum

I left my straps in the US and I don't intend to buy another pair. My back training doesn't seem to be suffering from it. Time to let my puny forearms start doing some work.

The best advice I ever got was to not replace the straps that I lost.