TypeR

i hardley ever use a belt or wraps but i see a lot of people do...thay even were the belt on the tredmill and seated shoulder press.

i have never sufferd from any pain or back pain until today squating i did use to use them on big lifts but found it to restrictive (might have something to do with the gut).

so how many of you wrap up? ;)



Ben

GINGER-GOAT

i use a belt on compound movements thats it,straps for deads.wearing a belt all the time gives you a week back.

Toregar

I agree with Goat here. I use a belt for squats/deads ... If you wear a belt ALL the time, your back may become susceptible to injury becaues of its dependency on it.

I just read an article yesterday in Ironman, page 46... Stating that "intra-abdominal pressure is 25-40 percent greater when subjects wear a lifting belt during heavy squats. Which means the spine is more stable and there's less chance of spinal compression." Also, muscle activation in the quads/hams increased due to wearing a lifting belt. Which may have been due to the subjects feeling more confident or whatnot, but nevertheless ... More muscle is always a good thing :P

invisiblekid

I never used a belt until I got injured. I was deadlifting heavy and popped something in my back. So as the other guys say, I use for compounds. As for belts giving you a weak back I read a good article suggesting that may not be true. It can help strengthen the back and abs. Not sure how acturate the article is, but I'll try and dig it out for you guys to read. I believe it was due to the force of pushing against the belt.

__________________
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TypeR

yeah if you could mate..thanks

Ben