When Should You Start Using a Lifting Belt?
Is a lifting belt going to make me much stronger? Is it cheating and will wearing one weaken my core? When should you use a belt when lifting? If you are into strength training, a belt should be something you use to enhance performance and reduce injury risk. We delve into what a belt does and who should be using one.
When Should You Use A Belt When Lifting?
It is firstly important to clarify what the purpose of a lifting belt is. Lifting belts are used in Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting and maximal strength training. People often think a belt is used to protect a lifter's back. When worn properly, a belt is actually reinforcing a proper brace and working with our core muscles to create more pressure. This pressure is called intra-abdominal pressure and is an extremely important aspect of weight training. We require pressure around our abdomen to create more stability in order to help protect our spine and lift more optimally. The belt works as our core muscles have something to push against and the effect of that is creating more stability in the torso. By pushing against the belt the pressure is higher than if you were to just contract your abdominal muscles. A lifting belt is, therefore, more effective because it reduces the risk of injury and helps enforce proper form. Lifting belts can be used by both men and women, considering the width of the belt is important as comfort is required to get the most out of a belt. Generally, women will need a belt that is smaller in width and length.
But what does this mean for the recreational gym goer who just wants to get a little stronger and feel healthy? When should you use a lifting belt? If someone is training for maximal strength or specific strength sports then it is necessary to wear it when lifting. If someone is training for general strength, a belt is not necessarily needed but someone can choose to wear one. The main lifts when a belt is required are squatting, deadlift and overhead pressing. A belt should not be used when using free weights or machines because we don’t require assistance in creating stability, our core should be working hard to build strength during these types of exercises.
When performing a squat and deadlift, a belt should be used when you are going above a certain intensity threshold which means your form could break down, exposing you to potential injury. There is no definitive point where you should be using a lifting belt, it is very much up to the lifter to decide when. A lifting belt should not be relied on because we still want to build a strong core, so it shouldn’t be used at lighter weights. Generally speaking, you do not want to rely on a belt and lifters should start thinking about using one when core strength is the limiting factor and not larger muscles in your legs and back.
Who Should Use A Lifting Belt?
Beginners Lifters
People who are starting out in weight training do not need to be concerned with using a lifting belt. A belt only needs to be worn when performing heavy lifts, or high volume lifts in the squat, deadlift and overhead press. A beginner will not be lifting heavy enough in the beginning to require the use of a belt. The focus for a beginner needs to be on correct movement patterns, balance and how to breathe and brace correctly. They should be learning to use their core and back muscles and train to build strength in these areas.
Intermediate Lifters
You need a belt when you start to become more experienced and your training goal is maximal strength. After training for a few months without one to properly use your core and learn the basics, a lifter may want to consider a belt. Lifting weights relative to body weight is a good marker of when someone should start using a belt. Starting to use a belt will depend on the person but usually, once you're able to lift 1-1.5x bodyweight you are lifting heavy enough to get benefits from using one.
Advanced Lifters
Advanced lifers should be using belts when they go above 80% of their 1 rep max (1RM) in a squat or deadlift, or they are doing high volume at heavier weights when form is likely to start to break down. It is a very individualized decision on when the lifter starts wearing one in training and some prefer to train heavier without the use of a belt. There are no specific rules on when an advanced lifter should start wearing one.
Why Is Wearing A Lifting Belt Important?
What is the use of a weightlifting belt?
Wearing a belt is going to help improve performance in the gym. A weightlifting belt is used to give a lifter the cue to squeeze and tighten the core muscles to create more pressure in the torso. More pressure creates more rigidity in the torso which helps reduce the risk of injury and promotes good form.
Why is wearing a belt for weight lifters important? How important it is.
Core muscles are likely to fatigue quicker than the bigger muscle groups in our bodies. Our core is flexible and allows us to do all the daily bending and twisting we need to do. When it comes to lifting heavy weights, we do not want our core to be loose. We need rigidity when lifting in order to protect our spine therefore if you lift heavy it’s important to use one.
How does it help and how does it benefit them?
As discussed, the core is a flexible part of our body and it is weaker compared with other parts of our body we use to lift. When a lifter has something to push against when they brace more effectively for a heavy lift. They create more pressure and therefore a more rigid torso which is essential for protecting the spine. It also allows for slightly more weight to be lifted than without. This comes from better bracing, better form and the confidence a belt can provide. A lifting belt should not be relied on and it is important that this is not a replacement for training the core.
Different Types of Lifting Belts
There are a few different types of weightlifting belts on the market and it’s important to get the one right for you. Your choice will depend on performance and comfort.
There are nylon/velcro belts which tend to be a cheaper option and then there are leather belts that have a lever. Apart from the difference in material and clasps, they come in different widths, thicknesses and lengths. Leather belts will tend to be bulkier and favored by Powerlifters due to more support offered by a leather belt. If Olympic Weightlifting is your thing, a nylon belt tends to serve better as it they are not quite as bulky.
Conclusion
Many people who strength train may question why use a lifting belt? It can be seen as cheating or it creates a weaker core. A belt should be considered as an aid that is going to enhance performance and improve bracing technique to help minimize injury risk. Not everyone needs one but if you want to lift more it will definitely help your numbers.
