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Weight lifting Belts

Many people who weight lift train with a weight lifting belt to reduce the stress on the lower back. The main people to use a weight lifting belt are those that carry out powerlifting, weightlifting and Olympic lifting.

You will see many people using weight lifting belts for a variety of uses and also using weightlifting belts of different types. To give further insight into the uses of weightlifting belts we have collated a wealth of information.

Main reason for using a weight lifting belt

As mentioned above the weight lifting belt reduces the stress on the lower back so reduces the risk of injury. The belt achieves this by increasing intra-abdominal pressure.

There is evidence to suggest the belt also increases a person’s awareness of their form so they are also more likely to decrease lumbar hyperextension which can reduce the cause of injury.

The reason why people become more aware of their form while wearing a belt is because the belt is a physical presence against the back that sends sensory information to the brain providing additional information on a lifters body position.

Using a weight lifting belt correctly

When using a weight lifting belt it is important that the belt is put on very tightly, if it is not tight it is not doing anything to support you.

The belt should also have the fastening point at the front of the abdominals in the same manner as an ordinary belt, this way you know you have the belt positioned correctly.

Keeping a weight lifting belt on for long periods of time is not ideal because of the effect on a person’s blood pressure and abdominal cavity. When using a belt it should also be loosened between sets.

Weight lifting belts are only for using when carrying out lifts that have an impact on the lower back such as the deadlift, squat, clean and jerk or the military press. There is no reason or need to use a weight lifting belt when carrying out exercises that does not include the use of the lower back as it could become a hindrance rather than a help.

Types of weight lifting belts

There are two main types of weight lifting belts. These are the traditional weight lifting belt and the powerlifting belt.

Traditional Belt

The traditional belt is traditionally made of leather although you can now get these in other materials.

The traditional belt is wider at the back and narrower at the front, this is to give support to the back and narrower at the front so the front does not impede the user when carrying out front lifts such as the clean and jerk.

Powerlifting Belt

The powerlifting belt has not been around as long as the traditional belt and is not normally made of leather.

The powerlifting belt is usually less flexible than traditional belts and is one width all around.

The reason why the powerlifting belt is stiffer and also one width is because a powerlifter does not carry out front lifts like the clean and jerk for which the traditional belt was created.

Reasons against using a weight lifting belt

Some people say that using a weight lifting belt can actually have a negative effect on training for one reason.

When using a belt it reduces the stress on the smaller stabilizer muscles that support in the larger lifts, but by doing so the belt is also reducing the benefits the stabilizer muscle receive in the lift.

When lifting with a belt the stabilizer muscles will not be engaged as much as without a belt meaning that they do not get the same workout as other muscles and could therefore become inferior in size and strength to the rest of the body over time.

There is no definitive evidence for or against this but it is one reason many people neglect to use a weight lifting belt or only use one for their heavier lifts.

Another reason against using a weight lifting belt is that wearing a tight belt while exercising can increase a person’s blood pressure. For this reason if someone does decide to use a belt they should not wear it for long periods of time.

Other uses for weight lifting belts

As well as using weight lifting belts for the big compound lifts in training many people have new and innovative ways of using weight lifting belts.

One of these other uses is to strap a weight to the front of the belt when doing bodyweight exercises such as Triceps dips and long arm pull ups.

By doing this it will give the lifter added weight on top of their bodyweight to improve further without requiring their own bodyweight to increase.

Buying a weight lifting belt

When thinking about buying a weight lifting belt it is important to think about the reason why you want one. If you’re looking for support in your deadlift and squat then a powerlifting belt may be more beneficial, but if you are looking to improve your military press, snatch or clean and jerk then a traditional weight lifting belt may be the way to go.

When purchasing your chosen belt always review the sizes available and ensure that it is the right size for your waist. The last thing you would want is to get a belt that is too loose or too tight for you as it will be useless to train with.

Summary

Weight lifting belts are useful for extremely heavy lifts to support the lower back of a person and ensure no damage can occur. This being said they should only be used for short periods of time for lifts that require the use of the lower back.

One of the great things about a weight lifting belt is that they are relatively low in cost, especially when you weigh the cost against the health aspect of using one.

Many people purchase and use weight lifting belts for other uses than protecting their lower back such as adding weight to bodyweight exercises.

Again this is a great way of supporting your training at relatively low cost, you can attach up to twenty kilograms (forty four pounds) of weight with no problem on a good, strong belt. With this added capacity on your bodyweight exercises you can see some great strength increases.

To purchase one of the highest quality belts avaiblable try Schiek's Lifting Belts Model 2004 and 2006
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