Weight Belt Use

[Jimbo]

I have a history of low back injury. (usually doing DL's) If you looked at the thread thanking Mike Robertson you know that I already feel I have a better understanding of why..

That said, I have been considering, as an additional preventative measure, purchasing and using a weight belt. But it would seem based on my little bit of research that this might be a waste of money. Look at this study: http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article...eightbelt.html

I was wondering what are the prevailing opinions of using a weight belt?

[Matthew]

I have one and never use it. As far as I know, if you use it during every session you'll eventually detrain your core. If you do a lot of other work to prevent that from happening, then go for it.

You could just use one for max lifts, if you test them or incorporate them into your training. That way all your other work is still strengthening those muscles.

What kind of low back injuries are we talking about here?

[rgv]

Originally Posted by mAtThEw

You could just use one for max lifts, if you test them or incorporate them into your training. That way all your other work is still strengthening those muscles.

This has been my take on it as well.

[Jimbo]

Pulled muscle in my lower back doing heavy deads. Was a bad one. First day afterwards I was unable to get up. 2 days afterwards able to walk with a cane...took 4-5 days to be able to walk without a limp. Bad pull.

So I want to avoid that going forward.

I've pulled it twice before that but not as badly. This last time was horrible.

I may just continue without one and just not lift heavy for a good while. Like..a year. Keep doing DL's at around the 8rep max range.

[gobbla]

stop doing them man...for the love of god, take the hint!

[Blackjack]

Using a weight belt will simply keep those muscles weak. If that's your goal, go for it. Although I would suggest working to strengthen those muscles instead. Need to make sure you're using good form and warming up properly (not necessarily in that order).

[Lisa~]

For the definitive answer read On the Use of Weight Belts by Stuart McGill.

Here's a quote from the article:

Many people adopt belts in training for one of three reasons:

• They have observed others wearing them and have assumed that it will be a good idea for them to do so.
• Their backs are becoming sore and they believe that a back belt will help.
• They want to lift a few more pounds.

None of these reasons are consistent with the objective of good health. It would appear that if one must lift a few more pounds, wear a belt. If one wants to groove motor patterns to train for other athletic tasks that demand a stable torso, it is probably better not to wear one. Instead individuals are encouraged to train the core musculature and to perfect lifting technique.

[Lisa~]

Eric Cressey also addresses this topic in Debunking Exercise Myths, Part I. Here's Eric's summation of his discussion on belt use:

With all this in mind, here are four broad recommendations for belt use:

1. Gym-goers with purely physique benefits in mind have little to no use for belts.

2. Powerlifters and those most interested in optimizing strength should use belts as a means of increasing spinal stability only on their heaviest attempts. A noteworthy exception is when the belt is used to hold other equipment (e.g. squat suit, bench shirt) in place.

3. When used, belts should be coupled with natural methods of increasing IAP.

4. Use belts for winning competitions, not improving core strength.

[Matthew]

Good posts Lisa, thanks.

For anyone who doesn't know, IAP = intra-abdominal pressure

[duff beer]

I got one as a gift from someone who doesn't exercise. The only thing I use it for is to hang plates off it while doing chinup/pullups.