Weight Belts - to useor not to use

[Guest guest]

I was recently told that using a weight belt can do more harm than

good. The reason I was given is that the weight belt takes the strain

off the lower back when we use it.(Yeah as it is designed) What is

wrong with this is that we become accustomed to this " support " and

don't develop the complimentary support of the back muscles as we

should when lifting. So the problem comes into play when we go to

lift something in every day life. BAM...we hurt our back becuase

we " don't " know how to lift without the support of the belt.

The logic given makes sense to me. I am curious about what You all

think. Thoughts on this?

-j

> I think I would tend to go lighter. Try maybe 70%*(300lbs -

bodyweight)

> because the technique and form is important and you want to get

that dialed

> in first. After you feel comfortable with the movement up the

weight. Oh

> yah... make sure you use a belt.

>

> Albuquerque, NM USA

> Yahoo Messenger: brianinabq

> C3 minus 5 days and counting

>

>/

[Guest guest]

Only time I think it's necessary to use a weight belt on a regular

basis is if there is an underlying lower-back injury such as a

bulging or herniated disc. However, the activities that would require

a weight belt for stabilization should probably not be performed by a

person with an underlying condition such as that anyway! I worked

for a chipractor/sports physician for 6 years and he never

recommended weight belts for precisely the reason you stated,

. It takes the stabilizer muscles out of play and therefore

might actually *cause* an injury during normal activities. A person

might have to go lighter on weights for a while until the stabilizing

muscles catch up, but they *will* catch up eventually, leading to a

more well-rounded training approach in the end. JMNSHO

Jen B.

> > I think I would tend to go lighter. Try maybe 70%*(300lbs -

> bodyweight)

> > because the technique and form is important and you want to get

> that dialed

> > in first. After you feel comfortable with the movement up the

> weight. Oh

> > yah... make sure you use a belt.

> >

> > Albuquerque, NM USA

> > Yahoo Messenger: brianinabq

> > C3 minus 5 days and counting

> >

> >/

[Guest guest]

jennifer wrote:

I was recently told that using a weight belt can do

more harm than

good. The reason I was given is that the weight belt

takes the strain

off the lower back when we use it.(Yeah as it is

designed) What is

wrong with this is that we become accustomed to this

" support " and

don't develop the complimentary support of the back

muscles as we

should when lifting. So the problem comes into play

when we go to

lift something in every day life. BAM...we hurt our

back becuase

we " don't " know how to lift without the support of the

belt.

The logic given makes sense to me. I am curious about

what You all

think. Thoughts on this?

_________________________

People do rely on belts waaaay to damn much. I love

seeing people put on belts and then do bench press.

In my opinion it's only really needed during heavy

sets, like brett doing 3-400lbs. THAT is when you'd

need a belt. If you use it for really low weight then

you're not letting your lower back and abs strengthen

up. The abs are supposed to be a natural back support

belt anyway.

Matt

=====

I strive for the impossible, to be the best possible. - King Kamali

There is nothing I cannot accomplish, nothing that can ever be denied me! -

Norman Osborne aka The Green Goblin

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I agree with Matt. The only time I will use my belt (and I am very

proud of the LSU colors of my belt) is for squats, deadlifts and

barbell lunges. Those are the exercises that I have found that I

need the extra back support and protection. In my opinion, belts

serve no real purpose in any other exercises.

Kurt

>

> I was recently told that using a weight belt can do

> more harm than

> good. The reason I was given is that the weight belt

> takes the strain

> off the lower back when we use it.(Yeah as it is

> designed) What is

> wrong with this is that we become accustomed to this

> " support " and

> don't develop the complimentary support of the back

> muscles as we

> should when lifting. So the problem comes into play

> when we go to

> lift something in every day life. BAM...we hurt our

> back becuase

> we " don't " know how to lift without the support of the

> belt.

>

> The logic given makes sense to me. I am curious about

> what You all

> think. Thoughts on this?

> _________________________

>

> People do rely on belts waaaay to damn much. I love

> seeing people put on belts and then do bench press.

>

> In my opinion it's only really needed during heavy

> sets, like brett doing 3-400lbs. THAT is when you'd

> need a belt. If you use it for really low weight then

> you're not letting your lower back and abs strengthen

> up. The abs are supposed to be a natural back support

> belt anyway.

>

> Matt

>

>

> =====

> I strive for the impossible, to be the best possible. - King Kamali

>

> There is nothing I cannot accomplish, nothing that can ever be

denied me! - Norman Osborne aka The Green Goblin

>

> __________________________________________________

>