Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

[Yohimbe]

What kind of belt do you guys use? There are so many different types out there now days though. Velcro, one that reminds me of a ratchet lol, etc.. What kind of belt do you guys use?

I'm old school and use a double prong leather belt. Don't know why, but that's the only kind I trust. I actually still have my very first lifting belt from when I first started getting into bodybuilding waaaaaaay back in my late teens. Doesn't even come close to fitting me anymore, but always cool to look at and think about how far I've come.

[rocky83]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

This is just a little tip I want to give and you can agree or disagree, but I train to ensure that I don't depend on belts or wraps when lifting unless I am maxing out. The reason for this is because if you use something like a belt for all exercises that have to do with bending over or squatting then say on a regular day at work or at home when you're not wearing that belt and you bend over to pick something simple up and you strain your back or worse. The reason for this is because your muscles have memory and start to depend on the artificial support so when its not there then this can cause complications and injury. Just a little insight.

[Yohimbe]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

Totally agree with you brotha. I use my belt like I do my straps and knee wraps, only when I really need it. Typically with heavy deadlifts, or squats. I've always seen a lot of guys over the years using their belts while benching, but I can't. It just throws me off for some reason lol.

[Dzone]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

I used to use the double pronged leather powerlifting belt for squats, bench, deads, etc etc. Then a few years I quit cold turkey for reasons mentioned by rocky83. I havent used a belt in years and go moderate heavy deads etc with no problems. I prob might use a belt if I started going super heavy again,. Anything over 500 lbs squat and 600 deads and I would want the security of a belt

[6p6]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

I use a belt on deads, squats and bent rows. Nothing else.

Believe it or not I have an old reebok pump black suede leather belt I still use to this day. I bought a solid thick belt years ago but never took to it.


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[Yohimbe]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

Yeah I use mine primarily for heavy deads and heavy squats. I like the leather belts also because they're inexpensive. I constantly forget it at the gym lol.

[guns01]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

i have a cardillo double prong bodybuilders leather belt. my wife uses a sweet ratchet belt. i dont like the one size all the way around like her's but she loves it

[guns01]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

This is just a little tip I want to give and you can agree or disagree, but I train to ensure that I don't depend on belts or wraps when lifting unless I am maxing out. The reason for this is because if you use something like a belt for all exercises that have to do with bending over or squatting then say on a regular day at work or at home when you're not wearing that belt and you bend over to pick something simple up and you strain your back or worse. The reason for this is because your muscles have memory and start to depend on the artificial support so when its not there then this can cause complications and injury. Just a little insight.

i agree and disagree with you on this one rock. google up proper bracing. it is almost 100% impossible to brace without wearing a belt and each and every single set on squats should be done with proper bracing. i hate to admit it but i just learned how to do this 100% correctly in the past couple of years. i was actually doing it backwards haha.

[Yohimbe]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

i have a cardillo double prong bodybuilders leather belt. my wife uses a sweet ratchet belt. i dont like the one size all the way around like her's but she loves it

I can't do the one size all the way around either. Messes with me for some reason, especially when doing squats.

[guns01]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

I can't do the one size all the way around either. Messes with me for some reason, especially when doing squats.

yep, it always seems to find a way to bite into my hips

[rocky83]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

i agree and disagree with you on this one rock. google up proper bracing. it is almost 100% impossible to brace without wearing a belt and each and every single set on squats should be done with proper bracing. i hate to admit it but i just learned how to do this 100% correctly in the past couple of years. i was actually doing it backwards haha.

On heavier weight I believe this to be true. Don't think 135LB or 225 LB causes incorrect posture for me.

[Rake]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

Just a cheap golds leather belt I use on heavy leg days. I think it is more important that you wear your belt high then what kind. Some people seem to think it belongs just above your hips so their waist looks small.

[DethKlok]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

i have a cardillo double prong bodybuilders leather belt. my wife uses a sweet ratchet belt. i dont like the one size all the way around like her's but she loves it

cardillo makes a great belt imo.

I am using ARD double prong 4 in. bodybuilding leather belt.

[guns01]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

On heavier weight I believe this to be true. Don't think 135LB or 225 LB causes incorrect posture for me.

i would also have agreed with you 10 years ago haha. honestly after doing tons of research talking and reading we have all been doing it wrong when i comes to squatting and deads. every time you get under the bar or step up over the bar regardless of the weight is about movement pattern and setup. the way you setup for a 135lb squat or 800lb squat needs to be identical with the motor firing patterns. didnt make a whole lot of sense to me but after talking to a pt that was a power lifter and watching some videos and reading some papers it finally clicked in on me. one small slight change between your moves up to your working sets can impact the firing pattern of your entire chain of work. so while we think we are doing it correctly and warming up what we are about to do, in reality a minute shift of patterns can shift the way it is firing and change up everything. idk, in my early years i only threw mine on for my heavier end work. now before i get into squats deads or anything bent over, i put the old belt on the exact way i will wear it for my heaviest sets. i have far less issues with my back since doing so and my back is screwed lol.

[MOUNTAIN-MAN]

Re: Lifting belts -- What kind do you use?

Don't use one they hurt my back I use a back brace made of Velcro u get at walmart and it gets me threw most workouts