At what weight do you start wearing a belt? - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

gadgesxi · 02-12-2005, 07:39 AM

I knackered my back last night (walking around like quazzie modo), i was doing squats without a belt. My final set was 100kg and it was then when my back went.

So i'm wondering when should i start wearing a belt? now?

the_gre8t_1ne · 02-12-2005, 09:27 AM

Umm, i think you should wear a belt regardless, just so you dont strain your lower back, but now would be a good idea!

DB · 02-12-2005, 10:54 AM

i never wear a belt anymore.. train the way god intended mate!!!!

trickymicky69 · 20-01-2006, 07:04 PM

imo you should never ever wear a belt. if you cannot maintain good form without a belt then the weight is too heavy. never sacrifice good form-its counter productive

**big** · 20-01-2006, 08:16 PM

I use a belt for my heavier sets on squats and deads, and sometimes on bench too if I'm trying for a new 1rm.

IMO while it's admirable to try to get stronger without a belt, one false move and you could be ****ed for life.

I tend to do a few of my lighter warm-ups without a belt though.

**Aftershock** · 20-01-2006, 11:37 PM

:withstupi Just use the belt on the heaviest set.

The trouble with belts, wraps etc is that if you use them all the time they can give you a false sense of security and you can slip into using sloppy form.

mick armstrong · 21-01-2006, 12:20 PM

i never wear a belt just keep a strict form and don,t go too heavy for yourself plus i don,t think a belt helps your back that much they just stop you getting a hernia in your stomach when you strain to much

crazycacti · 21-01-2006, 07:12 PM

i wear a belt on my last one or two sets of deads/SLDLs and Squats...

imo if your training on the principle of intensity (in relation to weight) not volume training its a good idea on your working sets

Jnr Mr Plymouth · 21-01-2006, 08:32 PM

I only wear a belt when I squat........I dont do deads. Squats and deadlifts I would definatly wear a belt but only on your heaviest set. But we have to determine the word heavy in this situation. To some people a plate a side on the squat is heavy so should they wear a belt...........maybe yes. Some guys warm up with 3 plates a side of the squat so they probably dont wear a belt. If 100-120kg is heavy for you then I advise wearing a belt.

When I first started squating 40kg was heavy to me so I wore a belt......now I do like 100kg for a warm up so I dont bother. I dont have any back injuries.......yet. If you are using perfect form on everything you could even get away without using a belt. Go with instinct...........if it feels heavy and you think you need a belt then put one on.........even on warm ups if you wish.........its better to be safe than sorry I guess.

**Pscarb** · 21-01-2006, 11:29 PM

i never wear a belt as it can weaken your back

trickymicky69 · 22-01-2006, 10:54 AM

a quote from this months mens fitness magazine. "things that you should not bring to the gym: mobile phone, book, Mcdonalds. And another thing to avoid is a weight belt. This is not something to keep your pants up, it's a thick strap that goes around your lower back to protect it when you're lifting weights. Unless you're a professional weightlifter, it's largely useless-it doesn't help prevent injury, it encourages you tol lift heavier weights than you normally would(usually at the expense of correct form) and it makes you look like one of those scary Greek women who grunt their way through the clean and jerk at the olympics"

crazycacti · 22-01-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trickymicky69

a quote from this months mens fitness magazine. "things that you should not bring to the gym: mobile phone, book, Mcdonalds. And another thing to avoid is a weight belt. This is not something to keep your pants up, it's a thick strap that goes around your lower back to protect it when you're lifting weights. Unless you're a professional weightlifter, it's largely useless-it doesn't help prevent injury, it encourages you tol lift heavier weights than you normally would(usually at the expense of correct form) and it makes you look like one of those scary Greek women who grunt their way through the clean and jerk at the olympics"

last bit... quality! Although i would say that if your getting to the weights that need a belt you should have nailed form already and know exactly what your body allows, in terms of weight...

we all train differently.... if volume training you won't use half the same amount of weight than if your only doing one working set

trickymicky69 · 23-01-2006, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycacti

last bit... quality! Although i would say that if your getting to the weights that need a belt you should have nailed form already and know exactly what your body allows, in terms of weight...

we all train differently.... if volume training you won't use half the same amount of weight than if your only doing one working set

very true although my missus tells me i still dont know how to shag and i must have done her at least four times in the last three years

Lee · 26-01-2006, 11:26 AM

I use a belt doing shoulders and back, i just like the extra support.

This one is really down to the individual i reckon.. I trained for years without one.

bdc · 30-01-2006, 09:56 AM

i would prefer to have a strong enough core to train without it, but I would use a belt when attempting a max squat or dead, something for the ego

02-12-2005, 07:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
gadgesxi Natural Heights Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Liverpool Posts: 215	At what weight do you start wearing a belt? I knackered my back last night (walking around like quazzie modo), i was doing squats without a belt. My final set was 100kg and it was then when my back went. So i'm wondering when should i start wearing a belt? now?

02-12-2005, 09:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
the_gre8t_1ne Your Friendly neighbourhood pusha! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Ghetto (West, London) Posts: 4,065	Umm, i think you should wear a belt regardless, just so you dont strain your lower back, but now would be a good idea! __________________ Know your role and shut your mouth! or I'll layeth the SMACK DOWN on your Candy ASS!! If you smelalalalalalooouuuu To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. the gre8t 1ne.......is cooking!? To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. also find me at To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-12-2005, 10:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
DB UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SW London Posts: 11,412	i never wear a belt anymore.. train the way god intended mate!!!! __________________ DB To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. often imitated never duplicated To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DB sleeps with a night light. Not because DB is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of DB. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

20-01-2006, 07:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
trickymicky69 straight talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: sunnyside up Posts: 1,521	imo you should never ever wear a belt. if you cannot maintain good form without a belt then the weight is too heavy. never sacrifice good form-its counter productive __________________ 'those who look but do not see, go away no wiser than whence they came"

20-01-2006, 08:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
big UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The only side effect of steroids is GREATNESS Posts: 5,406	I use a belt for my heavier sets on squats and deads, and sometimes on bench too if I'm trying for a new 1rm. IMO while it's admirable to try to get stronger without a belt, one false move and you could be ***ed for life. I tend to do a few of my lighter warm-ups without a belt though. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

20-01-2006, 11:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aftershock UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,021	:withstupi Just use the belt on the heaviest set. The trouble with belts, wraps etc is that if you use them all the time they can give you a false sense of security and you can slip into using sloppy form. __________________ "You are what you eat you can't possibly be anything else" or put another way "eat sht look like sht!!" Aftershock

21-01-2006, 12:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
mick armstrong Newbie Trainer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: midlands uk Posts: 53	i never wear a belt just keep a strict form and don,t go too heavy for yourself plus i don,t think a belt helps your back that much they just stop you getting a hernia in your stomach when you strain to much

21-01-2006, 07:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
crazycacti Fat and bulking... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Isle of Man/Newcastle Posts: 1,417	i wear a belt on my last one or two sets of deads/SLDLs and Squats... imo if your training on the principle of intensity (in relation to weight) not volume training its a good idea on your working sets Last edited by crazycacti; 21-01-2006 at 07:20 PM.

21-01-2006, 08:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jnr Mr Plymouth Newbie Trainer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Plymouth, England Posts: 64	I only wear a belt when I squat........I dont do deads. Squats and deadlifts I would definatly wear a belt but only on your heaviest set. But we have to determine the word heavy in this situation. To some people a plate a side on the squat is heavy so should they wear a belt...........maybe yes. Some guys warm up with 3 plates a side of the squat so they probably dont wear a belt. If 100-120kg is heavy for you then I advise wearing a belt. When I first started squating 40kg was heavy to me so I wore a belt......now I do like 100kg for a warm up so I dont bother. I dont have any back injuries.......yet. If you are using perfect form on everything you could even get away without using a belt. Go with instinct...........if it feels heavy and you think you need a belt then put one on.........even on warm ups if you wish.........its better to be safe than sorry I guess.

21-01-2006, 11:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pscarb UK-Muscle Moderator and NABBA Champion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10,497	i never wear a belt as it can weaken your back __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Admin at To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Sponsored by Extreme Nutrition - Almost an unfair advantage

22-01-2006, 10:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
trickymicky69 straight talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: sunnyside up Posts: 1,521	a quote from this months mens fitness magazine. "things that you should not bring to the gym: mobile phone, book, Mcdonalds. And another thing to avoid is a weight belt. This is not something to keep your pants up, it's a thick strap that goes around your lower back to protect it when you're lifting weights. Unless you're a professional weightlifter, it's largely useless-it doesn't help prevent injury, it encourages you tol lift heavier weights than you normally would(usually at the expense of correct form) and it makes you look like one of those scary Greek women who grunt their way through the clean and jerk at the olympics" __________________ 'those who look but do not see, go away no wiser than whence they came" Last edited by trickymicky69; 22-01-2006 at 10:57 AM.

30-01-2006, 09:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
bdc Newbie Trainer Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 64	i would prefer to have a strong enough core to train without it, but I would use a belt when attempting a max squat or dead, something for the ego