Should you use them (deadlifts, squat etc.)
won't this result in weaker abdominal area muscles?
Lifting belts
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
Lifting belts only help on the following conditions:
1. Axial compressive stress. That is stress with the back straight and not bent over. Presses, clean and jerk, squats, curls and dead-lifts can benefit. Rows and other bent over exercises will not benefit.
2. The belt has to be really, really tight to help. If you don't feel compelled to loosen the belt after each set, then it is too lose to help. It needs to be so tight that breathing can be difficult.
In most cases that I've seen the 2nd requirement is not met and the belt is merely an adornment.
If you depend upon your lifts for your torso strength, then the belt will work against that goal. But there are other exercises to strengthen the torso that you can (and should do) so this is usually a moot point.
1. Axial compressive stress. That is stress with the back straight and not bent over. Presses, clean and jerk, squats, curls and dead-lifts can benefit. Rows and other bent over exercises will not benefit.
2. The belt has to be really, really tight to help. If you don't feel compelled to loosen the belt after each set, then it is too lose to help. It needs to be so tight that breathing can be difficult.
In most cases that I've seen the 2nd requirement is not met and the belt is merely an adornment.
If you depend upon your lifts for your torso strength, then the belt will work against that goal. But there are other exercises to strengthen the torso that you can (and should do) so this is usually a moot point.
