I grew up a pretty big kid. Wasn't athletic or even mildly sporty, and despite going to the gym for nearly three years prior I'd barely trained legs and never picked up a barbell until I was 16. Squatted 130kg first time I ever tried the movement. Guess my legs are just naturally strong.
Be like a guy at my gym. Wear your belt every day no matter what your workout is, and make sure never to take it off! It especially helps when you're doing lightweight seated hammer curls :)
Waterpae Yeah but you gotta make sure to put chaulk first on your hands, then put gloves one and ad some more chaulk on the gloves. Gives great grip on the smith!
Only if you promo call out your work out partner, refer to him as brother, every set you have to mime duck through ropes, and dive off the top rope when finished.
Hmm roughly I guess depends how long you've been lifting for. Eg I'm 85 kg ( 6ft1 ) I don't put a belt until about 110-120kg on deadlift. That works for me
I skip the intro every time because otherwise, it's in my head for 3 hours. Example: See an Alan Thrall video... 2 hours later Taking a dump: - Alan Thrall Intro.
Hi Allen. I just got back into squaring after tearing my supraspinatus last January. I also got back into UA-cam training videos. Anyway I worked hard doing 5x5 for a year and I always thought that it was my chicken legs that were failing me when i plateaued. However, after watching one of your videos and fooling around in the gym, I figured out that it is actually my midsection that was failing and causing me to fall foreword and fail weight. So I'm working on my core strength and breathing and bracing and it is helping a lot. Love your videos, thanks for putting them out. Great job!
This was extremely helpful, I'd say I was an intermediate level lifter. Seeing the different programing is what helped the most. I've been beltless training heavy for about three months now. I'd like to do my first powerlifting meet this year, so the belt advice was much needed. if you have any suggestions I'm open to all! thanks Alan!
Maaan, been training bodybuilding for some time, but now i'm taking my time to develop my true strenght,. I'm really new with the powerlifting world and with all Alan videos i realise i have SO much to learn. Thanks Alan, always with the good stuff. Greets from Argentina
Alan, you are awesome. I'm doing stronglifts 5x5 program. For all of my questions, there is a video from you with an answer. Cant appreciate your help enough. Thank you for every video you put out.
It's 4 year old video, but in my case, I sum it this way : I use belt when I approach 1RM attempt OR when my core gives up and I want to give a boost, so I can work more on other part of my body, for example if I squat and my legs feel fine, but my back, especially lower back is not holding the weight, I will put belt to support upper part of my body and be able to work harder with my legs.
I always wear my belt when I walk to the gym the days I am going to squat. I wear it at my chest when I do cardio for maximum heart activation. I also wear them at home when I perform seated couch sitdowns.
My strategy while on the Texas Method is this: Volume Day: Use a belt as little as possible, but if you think you need a belt for a set to finish your volume for the day, that take's priority. As the months go by I tend to go from no belt to all sets with a belt. Once I stall and go to 8x3 and then 3x3 just before peaking it's pretty much all belt all the time. Recovery: Never use a belt. If you need a belt for this day your volume day is waaaaay too hard. Intensity: No belt until the last single before your 5RM just to get use to it for that day prior to going for your max. Belt up for the 5RM obviously.
I find the belt helps more for farmers carries than anything because of the need to keep the brace but for squatting your abs get a stretch and can take away the tension on the belt which might distract the lifter. Still, a great tool to keep the cue to brace constant, but can distract you from focusing on the main muscle movers in each lift
This is actually a really good video, I'm new to lifting and making good progress and i always saw the experienced guys wearing belts and i had no idea what they do.
Powerlifting Princess, lol. I'm a new lifting, 1 month into my first 5x5. I started wearing a belt at 110kg because I simply don't know what my max or limit is. The cool thing about the belt for me is that I never forget to brace my core. Still figuring out where the most comfortable spot is though. I have a bit of a natural anterior pelvic tilt. (No pain at all with squats or deadlifts or anything like that.) Thanks for the video!
I started using a belt when I was working out with 275 on squad. I could only do 300W but could do it about four times with the belt. It’s kind a like using the restrooms for dead lifting it’s not a grip work out necessarily that allows you to do the weight that the main movers are strong enough to do without little things holding you back.
5:55 is exactly what I did and it worked wonders for me. If core strength is the limiting factor then I’d rather use a belt and keep progressing than de-load. All serious power lifters have to use a belt sooner or later, so I don’t see the point in stunting my LP.
This is very helpful, Alan. I didn't even buy a belt until after going trying out a couple of different programs in a span of 1.5 years. Unfortunately, I also bought the belt because I had to get hernia surgery and some guy at my gym told me a belt would help. I only use the belt for 85% or higher of my 1 rep max.
9:00-9:15; realized my mistake, wish I paid attention to how I programmed, train without a belt but went for a pr with a belt and entered the pr weight as my 1 RM while doing program completely beltless.
Oddly enough for me, my favorite lift to use a belt on is bench. I never use it for deadlifts because it changes my form, and I am indifferent to it with regards to squatting because it tends to pitch me forward out of the hole (but it definitely lets me lift heavier). However for bench I feel so much more tight, it gives me something to push my lats against, and it also keeps me from arching my back too much if I have to grind a rep.
I throw on a belt anytime I get over 300-350lbs to help negate any risk of injury. Also, after 350 you’re entering competition weight in which you’ll have one on and it helps to be prepared for the entire lift.
I use my belt only in emergency situations when either I fail a lift without it, so I try again with a belt, or when my lower back is already really sore so I use it for more safety. Other than that I never use the belt, not even in my heaviest lifts, because I want to train my abdominal area to brace as tightly as possible, not getting dependent on accessories like the belt. For that I'm maxing out on weighted ab-exercises and doing vacuums once in a while. I see the belt as an assistance when I really need it, but not as a piece of standard equipment that I always use (much like wrist-wraps). I dislike relying on all that stuff, although I know that might increase risk of injury, so this may sound stupid to some people. Just my take on it. Clearance Kennedy agrees, because he thinks all that stuff looks kinda ridiculous. :)
I'm one of the guys who use a belt because of a lower back sports injury. BUT I usually only use the belt when weight gets heavy, towards the top sets.
so true about the people who whine when forgetting gear. my coach says that we should not think about using a belt or sleeves until 80% 1RM and frequently has me squat most sessions with no sleeves or belt
my general rule is ill slap on a belt once i hit over 85-90% of my current 1rm. didnt start using one until about 6 months into training. works for me.
I'm gonna start doing that and just not use it on my warm up sets since I'm doing 5x5 and every set is technically 85% of my 1rm but I don't want to not be able to go beltless
Never once used a belt, just my preference. Like I'm open to it but since I'm not a powerlifter I don't really care about what I can do with the assistance of a belt. Although I don't play football anymore, I still have that mindset of, I'm not gonna have this on the field so why have it in the gym.
Never really used a belt when lifting before. Watching this because my lifter granddad got me a belt and I want any excuse to use it and make him proud.
Hey, they allow them at powerlifting. I only use them for injury prevention otherwise I wouldn't wear them. But the only time I don't use one is when I work out at the public gym cuz I don't have a belt. Same goes for knee sleeves. And I don't use straps even though it's allowed.
The one way I think of it is overuse teaches you to brace by pushing into the belt rather than pulling your muscles into you core to create pressure. Everything is ok in moderation.
You will never be on infinite elgintensity in your life. Great videos, I try to take stuff from them and learn when I go to lift weights and it has helped. I just need to sit down one day and get a good program.
I was told by a physical therapist that deadlifting with straps could damage the shoulders and if you can't grip the weight, it's bad to lift it. Could you please shed some light on the subject?
I made a significant personal decision tonight...I decide to educate myself about deadlifting and proper form by watching your videos instead of playing video games...
Back in pre-industrial days, when men and women worked REALLY hard, what did you see them wearing? Belts. BIG ones. Whether they were a farmer, housewife, fighting man, whatever. It’s like armor. It protects your spine and your vulnerable midsection. It’s stupid to think that wearing a belt is cheating or counterproductive. Cheating what? Life?
I wear one for lower back support. I lift nothing compared to some people - 100k squats. but it keeps things tight for me and seems to negate any back problems. damaged my back in my late teens and I try take precautions.
I'm doing the 5x5 SL program. I would like to buy a belt to see what I can push my 1rms to. Got a 170kg deadlift raw yesterday, don't want to use it in everyday training because I want everything from the exercises, just as I don't use my lifting straps when I am doing deadlift sets, as I want to build grip strength.
As someone who competes in classic physique, a belt is a neccessity. Reason being is you can suck your stomach in and putting the belt on keeps your stomach in. Having a blocky, thick waistline does no good for your aesthetics on stage, particularly if you have a good stomach vacuum like I do.
im still unsure what to do. i only deadlift 220lbs and squats 176lbs but my lower back is hurting in a "bad" way from an older injury. never used a belt before, and never seen anyone where i train use one. ^^ should i bite throught the pain or try a belt
Train your core (abs, obliques, lower back), use the valsalva technique of breathing, and be sure your lifting correctly. Check the ego at the door, lower the weight until it's 100% done correctly and in full range of motion. Then go on to progression. See if that helps. I had lower spine surgery and all of the above helped me. I don't need a belt yet.
Honestly I just wear belts when my squats get a little heavier and my form is starting to sort of break down. And then I wear the belt to help with my form.
Imo going over 80% or more is the time when ppl should start wearing the belt. We try to be perfect for all the reps and we should but that's hard to keep it up as the reps go on especially after the lifter gets exhausted somewhat, and the belt can help with that.
Texas method 5x5 can be pretty gnarly later on in the program ..I'd definitely recommend using a belt if need be ...but the recovery day I don't see the need at all :)
5/3/1 method is about the same as a 30 yr. old (back in the mid 1980s people!) system called BFS (Bigger Faster Stronger) that I started back in high school football. It was a 5x5, 3x3, 54321 rotation with a 4th week of higher reps 10 to 12 all to failure. The 531 is probably better than 54321, because the 4 and 2 rep are probability a waste; 54321 is probably too many sets on a max day? And I will let everyone argue over whether or not to have a 10 to 12 rep week, I like it, but I know people like to argue over doing a 10 to 12 rep. So, have at it!
Since I am an older athlete, I want to invest in a belt for added protection. I will use the belt only for training rather than competition. If I purchase a 6 inch belt for overhead squats, split jerks and other overhead exercises, do I also need a 4 inch belt for squats, deadlifts, bent over rows etc?
Thank God dude. A belt is not cheating. Just like you said, it's just going to help with intra-abdominal pressure that then leads to spinal support. Either side of this argument is wrong (always use a belt / never use a belt). However, if you're smart about it, a belt is a great training tool.
I usually wear my WWE champion belt to the gym, although I only do cardio.
Prince Benny well naturally.
how else would people know
One unicorn at my gym wearing belt on Nautilus
😂😂
With both middle fingers up haha
"I've seen beginners squat 300 on their first day."
Holy shit! must have been a farmer.
John e I’ll second that. Cornfed boys come to the game they’ve been playing all their lives.
Nuckols pulled 400 first time touching a barbell at 14.
@@commentconnoisseur1001 I squatted 900lbs for 36reps when I was 5
@@matthewgonzalez9537 amateur hour over here....I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home
I grew up a pretty big kid. Wasn't athletic or even mildly sporty, and despite going to the gym for nearly three years prior I'd barely trained legs and never picked up a barbell until I was 16. Squatted 130kg first time I ever tried the movement. Guess my legs are just naturally strong.
As I'm sure Alan would agree, a weightlifting beard is way more important than a weightlifting belt.
honkblarg339 i gotta get me one of those
Where does one purchase a weightlifting beard? Is the a major difference in the different types of weightlifting beards available?
His beard so strong he doesn't need a belt
Be like a guy at my gym. Wear your belt every day no matter what your workout is, and make sure never to take it off! It especially helps when you're doing lightweight seated hammer curls :)
Waterpae Yeah but you gotta make sure to put chaulk first on your hands, then put gloves one and ad some more chaulk on the gloves. Gives great grip on the smith!
But the smith machine is hardcore stuff man. That's where real boys are made.
Waterpae that's the stuff of nightmares
Hahah, I see constant belt wearing douchenozzles daily
@@grahamvandyke don't forget to have at least three spotters on the smith machine too and f*ck the safeties!!!
I thought the belt was to pretend you were a WWE Champion, therefore boost confidence.
URSkrub good one
URSkrub wearing it over your shoulder is a proven way to boost testosterone
Jesse Cavalier wearing it around your neck*****
😂😂
Only if you promo call out your work out partner, refer to him as brother, every set you have to mime duck through ropes, and dive off the top rope when finished.
I wear my belt when I do my seated triceps exstensions.
Smart man
its not the same amount of pressure in a smaller container. its the same amount of air in a smaller container, meaning more pressure
True
Hey guys, I found the engineer.
OpiatedBliss
lol no. I was referring to Ricky Krajewski
check out the big brains on Ricky
you got erectile problems from it and it never goes away ever again? damn, that a bummer for you.
Dude, I loved the balloon analogy! Really, really great tips here!
People in my gym wear belts for curls... FFS!
Chris RockOn whaaaa...?
Chris RockOn only time I can understand that is if it's quite heavy weight and they have a weak core stability 😂
i wear a belt when doing abs workouts,wrist wraps when squatting, and knee sleeves when benching
Gotta brace the abs when doing curls to confuse the muscle, right babe?
I wear a belt on each bicep when I curl to contain the shear power....
I put the belt on my head
"...to increase intracranial pressure. Remember, the less you can think the better spotter you will be."
NEVER skip head day
Thank God......I thought I was the only one.
Jared Young thought I was the only one
My bro science told me to start wearing a belt once you start lifting over your bodyweight.
Hmm roughly I guess depends how long you've been lifting for.
Eg I'm 85 kg ( 6ft1 ) I don't put a belt until about 110-120kg on deadlift. That works for me
My usual rule is 100kg. That's the intensity sweet spot for me.
@@popcornto6032 I always put in on my working sets. Mainly I'm trying to prevent injuries and not becoming a world champion
@@supernoodles908 I am 100kg (6ft) and I don't even where a belt for 195kg
@@hippo6billion811 oh how times change :) I now don't wear a belt also definitely not 85kg anymore lol
I skip the intro every time because otherwise, it's in my head for 3 hours.
Example:
See an Alan Thrall video...
2 hours later
Taking a dump:
- Alan Thrall Intro.
jnandreas Tru dat!
UnTaMeD
SHIT UNTAMED!!
Alan, I have a question, though. How does it feel to be the man?
jesus*
It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.
+PorterPickUp the chosen one
feels good man
Fede de Ugarriza how does it feel to be THE MAN, huh?*
i have severe buttwink and a belt seems to fix this because im able to brace harder, main reason why i use belt
Hi Allen. I just got back into squaring after tearing my supraspinatus last January. I also got back into UA-cam training videos.
Anyway I worked hard doing 5x5 for a year and I always thought that it was my chicken legs that were failing me when i plateaued. However, after watching one of your videos and fooling around in the gym, I figured out that it is actually my midsection that was failing and causing me to fall foreword and fail weight. So I'm working on my core strength and breathing and bracing and it is helping a lot.
Love your videos, thanks for putting them out. Great job!
9:36 - Nothing "wishy-washy" about this video. You explained exactly when you think I should use my belt and your videos are always helpful!
I ordered a powerlifting belt and this video pops up... What kind of sorcery is this?
dude! same here! but he does have an older video where he mentions using "your God given weight belt"
MrChicken187 Elliott Hulse said something similar :D
Nice!
What did he say?
***** thanks to that invisible matter which helps us all!
your intro is one of those you never want to skip
*clarence kennedy has left the chat*
LMAOOOO
This was extremely helpful, I'd say I was an intermediate level lifter. Seeing the different programing is what helped the most. I've been beltless training heavy for about three months now. I'd like to do my first powerlifting meet this year, so the belt advice was much needed. if you have any suggestions I'm open to all! thanks Alan!
Maaan, been training bodybuilding for some time, but now i'm taking my time to develop my true strenght,. I'm really new with the powerlifting world and with all Alan videos i realise i have SO much to learn. Thanks Alan, always with the good stuff. Greets from Argentina
Alan, you are awesome. I'm doing stronglifts 5x5 program. For all of my questions, there is a video from you with an answer. Cant appreciate your help enough. Thank you for every video you put out.
It's 4 year old video, but in my case, I sum it this way : I use belt when I approach 1RM attempt OR when my core gives up and I want to give a boost, so I can work more on other part of my body, for example if I squat and my legs feel fine, but my back, especially lower back is not holding the weight, I will put belt to support upper part of my body and be able to work harder with my legs.
Yours is probably one of the few intros I never skip.
I am a fetus years old and I squat 100000lbs and deadlift 99999999lbs, Do I need to use a belt?
Those are rookie numbers you got no use of a belt until you can dead lift atleast 15 million.
Kgs.
@@researcher_21c72 Tons*
I always wear my belt when I walk to the gym the days I am going to squat. I wear it at my chest when I do cardio for maximum heart activation. I also wear them at home when I perform seated couch sitdowns.
Wear a bealt when you're doing Curls in the squat rack
I thought this was a myth btw, until I saw people actually doing this
Maybe they were squatting before and theyre just being lazy about taking it off? Idk
Sometimes if i do heavy cheat curls with the bar I use a belt but I don’t do it in the squat rack
@bill lamook I definitely feel a different.
I only wear a belt when I do cardio to increase the intra-abdominal pressure and improve my performance.
Should I use a squat plug for heavy squats?
My strategy while on the Texas Method is this:
Volume Day: Use a belt as little as possible, but if you think you need a belt for a set to finish your volume for the day, that take's priority. As the months go by I tend to go from no belt to all sets with a belt. Once I stall and go to 8x3 and then 3x3 just before peaking it's pretty much all belt all the time.
Recovery: Never use a belt. If you need a belt for this day your volume day is waaaaay too hard.
Intensity: No belt until the last single before your 5RM just to get use to it for that day prior to going for your max. Belt up for the 5RM obviously.
So lucky to have you Alan. Much love buddy.
i thought belts were for protecting your back when under heavy load
Nope. That’s myth understanding
no you protect your back by using good form and not ego lifting
I'm not sure why but i'm impressed how good the whiteboard drawing of the lifting belt looks.
I find the belt helps more for farmers carries than anything because of the need to keep the brace but for squatting your abs get a stretch and can take away the tension on the belt which might distract the lifter. Still, a great tool to keep the cue to brace constant, but can distract you from focusing on the main muscle movers in each lift
I really enjoy watching your videos the help me a lot in my training!
Thanks for the mention Alan!
This is actually a really good video, I'm new to lifting and making good progress and i always saw the experienced guys wearing belts and i had no idea what they do.
Powerlifting Princess, lol. I'm a new lifting, 1 month into my first 5x5. I started wearing a belt at 110kg because I simply don't know what my max or limit is. The cool thing about the belt for me is that I never forget to brace my core. Still figuring out where the most comfortable spot is though. I have a bit of a natural anterior pelvic tilt. (No pain at all with squats or deadlifts or anything like that.) Thanks for the video!
I say it over and over, its a remedial tool. Like a slingshot. When I need to push through on a squat or DL, put on the belt.
I started using a belt when I was working out with 275 on squad. I could only do 300W but could do it about four times with the belt. It’s kind a like using the restrooms for dead lifting it’s not a grip work out necessarily that allows you to do the weight that the main movers are strong enough to do without little things holding you back.
watching you for the past couple of years, its gotten to the point where i upvote your videos before even watching them xD Alan you dah man!
You put out great information keep it up.
This video was phenomenal. I'll be referencing all my friends to watch it when they ask me all these belt questions.
Well said brotha, "power lifting princess". Priceless
5:55 is exactly what I did and it worked wonders for me. If core strength is the limiting factor then I’d rather use a belt and keep progressing than de-load. All serious power lifters have to use a belt sooner or later, so I don’t see the point in stunting my LP.
This is very helpful, Alan. I didn't even buy a belt until after going trying out a couple of different programs in a span of 1.5 years. Unfortunately, I also bought the belt because I had to get hernia surgery and some guy at my gym told me a belt would help. I only use the belt for 85% or higher of my 1 rep max.
Great video as usual Alan. Keep up the awesome work!
9:00-9:15; realized my mistake, wish I paid attention to how I programmed, train without a belt but went for a pr with a belt and entered the pr weight as my 1 RM while doing program completely beltless.
Oddly enough for me, my favorite lift to use a belt on is bench. I never use it for deadlifts because it changes my form, and I am indifferent to it with regards to squatting because it tends to pitch me forward out of the hole (but it definitely lets me lift heavier). However for bench I feel so much more tight, it gives me something to push my lats against, and it also keeps me from arching my back too much if I have to grind a rep.
I only wear a belt when I’m doin tricep kickbacks, really helps with stability.
I just love his videos. Very informative, positive and funny.
I throw on a belt anytime I get over 300-350lbs to help negate any risk of injury. Also, after 350 you’re entering competition weight in which you’ll have one on and it helps to be prepared for the entire lift.
This video gave me the answer I needed. Thank you, knew I subbed for a reason.
You should probably use a belt when overloading as well. That includes the "joker" sets in the modern version of 5/3/1 as described in "Beyond 5/3/1."
I use my belt only in emergency situations when either I fail a lift without it, so I try again with a belt, or when my lower back is already really sore so I use it for more safety. Other than that I never use the belt, not even in my heaviest lifts, because I want to train my abdominal area to brace as tightly as possible, not getting dependent on accessories like the belt. For that I'm maxing out on weighted ab-exercises and doing vacuums once in a while. I see the belt as an assistance when I really need it, but not as a piece of standard equipment that I always use (much like wrist-wraps). I dislike relying on all that stuff, although I know that might increase risk of injury, so this may sound stupid to some people. Just my take on it. Clearance Kennedy agrees, because he thinks all that stuff looks kinda ridiculous. :)
3:49 A Strongman's Message to Powerlifters :)
I'm one of the guys who use a belt because of a lower back sports injury. BUT I usually only use the belt when weight gets heavy, towards the top sets.
So damn true... you shouldn't have to use a belt or straps to lift. They are simply to assist the movement. Good stuff alan
you can really do what you want. Alan is strong but for someone like me who can't squat 3 plates yet... I wanna get there asap
I also prefer a belt for the volume days. I think it helps keep my brace for the final reps. I don't belt for light loads or my warm ups.
I am for using a belt but most lifters not getting the most out of their belts due to lack of bracing/wearing the belt to tightly
I started with a 310 pound deadlift on my first try, although not much but still felt happy.
Alan I enjoy watching your videos
You make so much sense when you explain things! Thank you!
I actually had situation where my belt squat went up ~15kg while beltless stayed to same. this was because without belt I kept collapsing forward
escobari stop having boners at the gym for goodness sake!
i literally searched that question on the internet an hour ago. thanks!
so true about the people who whine when forgetting gear. my coach says that we should not think about using a belt or sleeves until 80% 1RM and frequently has me squat most sessions with no sleeves or belt
my general rule is ill slap on a belt once i hit over 85-90% of my current 1rm. didnt start using one until about 6 months into training. works for me.
I'm gonna start doing that and just not use it on my warm up sets since I'm doing 5x5 and every set is technically 85% of my 1rm but I don't want to not be able to go beltless
Doing squats without a belt got me a low back injury that kept me out of the gym for 2 months.
Damn that sucks I've squatted my whole life beltless and injury free
That's because you probably went too heavy and your form broke down.
Never once used a belt, just my preference. Like I'm open to it but since I'm not a powerlifter I don't really care about what I can do with the assistance of a belt. Although I don't play football anymore, I still have that mindset of, I'm not gonna have this on the field so why have it in the gym.
Thank you for the insight. I to am a fan of variability, but had no idea if I should buy one yet.
Never really used a belt when lifting before. Watching this because my lifter granddad got me a belt and I want any excuse to use it and make him proud.
I use belt for shoulder and biceps aswell, help to focus more on the muscle and help against cheatreps (for me).
The balloon analogy was genius
Great video - I'll make sure I apply to your basic program I just got going a few weeks ago!
Hey, they allow them at powerlifting. I only use them for injury prevention otherwise I wouldn't wear them. But the only time I don't use one is when I work out at the public gym cuz I don't have a belt. Same goes for knee sleeves. And I don't use straps even though it's allowed.
My starting squat was 95 lbs, and a year later its at 265. I dont think a belt is necessary until you’re an intermediate and above lifter
The one way I think of it is overuse teaches you to brace by pushing into the belt rather than pulling your muscles into you core to create pressure. Everything is ok in moderation.
You will never be on infinite elgintensity in your life. Great videos, I try to take stuff from them and learn when I go to lift weights and it has helped. I just need to sit down one day and get a good program.
i wear my oly belt as often as girls wear yoga pants.
I was told by a physical therapist that deadlifting with straps could damage the shoulders and if you can't grip the weight, it's bad to lift it. Could you please shed some light on the subject?
I think u should wear a belt after determining whether or not to wear a belt after watching this video
The only exercise I always use a belt on is the barbell shoulder press. I'm not trying to crush my lower back.
I made a significant personal decision tonight...I decide to educate myself about deadlifting and proper form by watching your videos instead of playing video games...
Back in pre-industrial days, when men and women worked REALLY hard, what did you see them wearing? Belts. BIG ones. Whether they were a farmer, housewife, fighting man, whatever. It’s like armor. It protects your spine and your vulnerable midsection. It’s stupid to think that wearing a belt is cheating or counterproductive. Cheating what? Life?
When he draws those red and green arrows I feel like that meme of the golden retriever who is trying to understand lots of maths.
my 2 years son was laughing when you said train untamed xD
keep up the good work Allan
I wear one for lower back support. I lift nothing compared to some people - 100k squats. but it keeps things tight for me and seems to negate any back problems. damaged my back in my late teens and I try take precautions.
I'm doing the 5x5 SL program. I would like to buy a belt to see what I can push my 1rms to. Got a 170kg deadlift raw yesterday, don't want to use it in everyday training because I want everything from the exercises, just as I don't use my lifting straps when I am doing deadlift sets, as I want to build grip strength.
I wear my belt for seated calf raises
I typically would use a belt going heavy because for me squatting it keeps me more upright and prevents me from goodmorning the weight
As someone who competes in classic physique, a belt is a neccessity. Reason being is you can suck your stomach in and putting the belt on keeps your stomach in. Having a blocky, thick waistline does no good for your aesthetics on stage, particularly if you have a good stomach vacuum like I do.
I would suggest 90% + of your 1rm if your going for reps.
im still unsure what to do. i only deadlift 220lbs and squats 176lbs but my lower back is hurting in a "bad" way from an older injury. never used a belt before, and never seen anyone where i train use one. ^^ should i bite throught the pain or try a belt
Train your core (abs, obliques, lower back), use the valsalva technique of breathing, and be sure your lifting correctly. Check the ego at the door, lower the weight until it's 100% done correctly and in full range of motion. Then go on to progression. See if that helps. I had lower spine surgery and all of the above helped me. I don't need a belt yet.
Honestly I just wear belts when my squats get a little heavier and my form is starting to sort of break down. And then I wear the belt to help with my form.
Imo going over 80% or more is the time when ppl should start wearing the belt.
We try to be perfect for all the reps and we should but that's hard to keep it up as the reps go on especially after the lifter gets exhausted somewhat, and the belt can help with that.
The balloon analogy has me wondering if the added pressure on the abdomen isn't bad for the organs inside. I mean it's obviously not natural
Texas method 5x5 can be pretty gnarly later on in the program ..I'd definitely recommend using a belt if need be ...but the recovery day I don't see the need at all :)
5/3/1 method is about the same as a 30 yr. old (back in the mid 1980s people!) system called BFS (Bigger Faster Stronger) that I started back in high school football. It was a 5x5, 3x3, 54321 rotation with a 4th week of higher reps 10 to 12 all to failure. The 531 is probably better than 54321, because the 4 and 2 rep are probability a waste; 54321 is probably too many sets on a max day? And I will let everyone argue over whether or not to have a 10 to 12 rep week, I like it, but I know people like to argue over doing a 10 to 12 rep. So, have at it!
Since I am an older athlete, I want to invest in a belt for added protection. I will use the belt only for training rather than competition. If I purchase a 6 inch belt for overhead squats, split jerks and other overhead exercises, do I also need a 4 inch belt for squats, deadlifts, bent over rows etc?
Thank God dude. A belt is not cheating. Just like you said, it's just going to help with intra-abdominal pressure that then leads to spinal support. Either side of this argument is wrong (always use a belt / never use a belt). However, if you're smart about it, a belt is a great training tool.