Do you need a (weight) training belt?

When you have just started weight training, there are many things you wonder about when you look around the gym at all the others who are training. For example, you see many who use a weightlifting belt for various exercises.

If you have never been to a gym before and know nothing about weight training, it can be hard to understand what a weightlifting belt is used for. But we will change that now. We will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of using a weightlifting belt, and how to use the belt correctly if you decide to make use of this tool.

Does everyone need a weightlifting belt?

When you are new to weight training, there are many things you might wonder about when you see others in the gym. One of the tools that often catches the eye is the weightlifting belt, which many use during certain exercises.
If you have never trained before and do not know much about weightlifting, it can be hard to understand what a weightlifting belt actually does. We will now make you wiser on this. We will go through both the advantages and disadvantages of a weightlifting belt and explain how it should be used correctly if you choose to use it.

Is a weightlifting belt necessary for everyone?

First and foremost, it is important to state that a weightlifting belt is not a requirement for doing weight training. Many mistakenly believe that a belt is necessary to avoid injuries – especially during heavy exercises like squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses. This is not true. It can even be an advantage to avoid using a belt, especially if you have just started weight training. Why this is so, we will return to later.

How does a weightlifting belt work?

The purpose of a weightlifting belt is to increase the pressure inside the belly, which means it helps stabilize the body during heavy lifts. When you do exercises that require a stable core, it is important to tighten the stomach and lower back. This reduces the risk of injuries and increases your ability to lift heavier weights.
Many believe the belt should be tightened extremely tight, but that is not the intention. The belt should give the stomach muscles something to press against, and this is best achieved by having it tight, but not so tight that it feels like a corset. When it sits correctly, you can push your stomach muscles out against the belt, which increases stability and allows you to lift heavier weights. In fact, the pressure inside the belly can increase by up to 25%, which means that in some exercises like squats, you can lift 5-15% more than without a belt.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a weightlifting belt

Advantages of a weightlifting belt:

1. Lift heavier weights: The increased pressure inside the belly provides better stability, so you can lift heavier weights, which promotes muscle growth and strength.
2. Reduces risk of back injuries: Increased stability in your core reduces the risk of injuries to the back during heavy lifts.
3. Better body control: A weightlifting belt helps you feel if your body moves incorrectly, which can prevent overstretching of the back during exercises like overhead presses.
4. Enhances specific training for contests: If you participate in sports like powerlifting or weightlifting, where a belt is used during contests, it can help improve your performance by training with the belt.
5. Keeps the lower back warm: The belt can help keep warmth around the lower back, which can reduce the risk of injuries.

Disadvantages of a weightlifting belt:

1. Potentially hindered core development: There is a belief that a weightlifting belt can weaken the development of the stomach and lower back muscles because the belt provides support. Although some studies show that the core muscles can become stronger with a belt, you can also develop a different recruitment pattern in the abdominal muscles. This means the muscles work differently when you do not use a belt.
2. Stability problems without the belt: If you always train with a belt, it can lead to problems creating stability when you one day have to lift without it.
3. Increased blood pressure: Training with a belt can increase blood pressure due to the higher pressure inside the belly. This can be a problem for those with high blood pressure.

How to use a weightlifting belt in the best way?

If you choose to use a weightlifting belt, it is important to use it strategically to minimize the negative effects. Many tend to use the belt all the time, but that is not necessary. It should only be used for exercises where you really need it, such as squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses.
Furthermore, there is no reason to use the belt during warm-up sets or lighter weights. A good rule of thumb is to only use the belt for sets that are over 85% of your maximum weight (1RM). That way, you get the benefits of the belt during the heavy lifts but let your muscles work freely with lighter weights and build the necessary stability without the belt.

Conclusion