4″, Double Buckle, Leather Power Weight Lifting Belt: Color-Black, Size-M $36.95
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$24.99
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Schiek 2006 Black Contoured Lifting Belt 6in Large $49.95
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Many lifters choose to use a weightlifting belt, but many other choose not to. Which choice is best for you will depend on your personal preferences and what your weightlifting aims are. There are good reason on each side to use and not to use weight belts for lifting.
Most people use weight lifting belts because they decrease the chance of a lower back injury. For people who have previous injuries. Not only is it important for people that have back injuries, wearing a belt is also important for people that are doing heavy (1-4 reps) powerlifting movements. It keeps their back in line and makes sure that they keep good from while they are moving heavy weights. If you’re lifting heavy weights, wearing a belt also might give you the confidence that you need to tackle some heavier weights that you might not otherwise wanted to try.
However, against these positives, there are a few negatives to wearing a weight belt, and while they don’t mean you shouldn’t wear one, it does mean you still need to be careful. First, while wearing a belt will decrease your chances of a back injury it doesn’t mean it will prevent one completely. In fact, if you use a belt all the time and never develop proper form, you can put yourself in line for a more serious back injury down the road. The belt also takes some of the stress off your core and those muscles will end up staying weaker than your other muscles.
Belts Help with Powerlifting and Olympic-style Lifts
A weight lifting belt is a great tool in the arsenal of anyone who’s doing deadlifts, squats, military presses and other Olympic weight training. However, you have to use it properly and understand it’s limitations. While you’ll want a belt on your heavy days to keep your back in line, don’t wear it every day. Doing this will help you develop lazy form and keep your core weaker than the rest of your body, which could result in an injury.
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