WEIGHTLIFTING BELTS

It's impossible to speak to why someone would wear a belt when they are not doing lifting exercises (I carry mine with my lifting shoes in a brightly colored bag so I would notice if someone tried to walk off with it).
But I must take issue with the deeply incorrect information in some of the answers above.
The most common misconception about weight lifting belts is that it passively supports the spine. This just isn't true.
The way a lifting belt supports the spine is by providing stimulus and resistance for the abs, the muscles that support the spine and by extension all the muscles of the intra-abdominal cavity.
Proper use of a weightlifting belt is:
-Wear it tight
-Before beginning the lift take a deep belly breath and "bare down" pushing the abs against the belt to create maximal intra-abdominal pressure. (The "pushing the truck breath", the "constipation breath", the "giving birth breath" whatever picture works for you.)
-Hold that breath the entire time you are in motion. Breathe only when in the most stable position i.e. the top of the Press, the top of the Squat, the top of the Deadlift, between the Clean and the Jerk.
-Anyone who has used a Belt correctly with tell you IT DOES NOT MAKE THE ABS LAZY. It makes the whole mid body stronger. It is particularly useful with a new trainee who does not have as much control over their spine and again when a trainee is strong and trying to make consistent gains.
Wearing a belt passively serves little to no purpose and may induce a trainee to be lazy about form thinking that canvas or leather will take car of them- that is the only way a belt can do harm.
Good luck with your lifting!!

Michael, perhaps is something aesthetic. Especially, if they are not lifting heavy loads.

You might be on to something. 8))

People wear weight lifting belts to support the back by increasing intra abdominal pressure during maximal lifts (as powerlifters do). However, their use by every day exercisers is probably unnecessary. High blood pressure can result, as well as abdominal muscle weakness caused by relying on a belt. So unless they are hiding their stomachs (pretty funny), they are probably not helping themselves.

I agree with both Joanne and Janet. Unless there's an underlying physical/medical reason for wearing the belt during "non-maximum" lifts, and particularly in the situation that you describe Michael (where the exerciser is using the belt irrespective of what exercise they are doing or body part that's being worked), then it may be simply cosmetic (e.g. looking cool) or psychological (e.g. thinking it helps).

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com

They probably do themselves more harm than good. I believe there are studies that demonstrate that weight lifting belts actually create more abdominal weakness because their constant use teaches the body to rely on an external device for stabilization.

As other said before, there is a place for them in power lifting, else I would strongly advise against them.

We teach our bodies to brace the spine by properly engaging the pelvic floor muscles and the transversus abdominus. These muscles hold our internaal organs in place and assist the body in creating the intraabdominal pressussure which braces the spine. Weight belts circumvent those mechanisms and our bodies, as has been stated earlier in this thread, become used to this external support. We should train (our) bodies to function correctly and use weight belts only those super max heavy lifts (which most people do not do anyway).

This depends on how they are wearing it more so than when they are wearing it. If they have the belt cinched down nice and tight for daily use then they are obviously newbies. If they are wearing it loosely then they are probably trying to hide love handles and/or belly fat. I only wear my belt snug on leg and back day. There are occasions where I will wear it loose for show because I am an amatuer bodybuilder and my name is embroidered on the back of my belt.

Depends who's training, what their goals are.

Good for bodybuilders or strength oriented athletes who want to maximize the strength of their back, leg and shoulder muscles. Because they are serious enough to work with a belt, they most likely are taking into account core exercises and power work to increase abdominal strength and balance.

For the 3 times a week person going for health or weight loss? Definitely not. They will not have the strength or endurance to put up heavy loads of weight. They will also want to engage their abdominal, obliques and back muscles to stabilize the body.

Unless you are a power lifter who uses "gear" (squat/deadlift suit) performing maximum effort squats or dead lifts you shouldn't need one. Lifters fill their lungs with air and force their stomachs against the belt for stability and rebound out of the lift. Many power lifters will wear belts to keep their bench shirt pulled down during the bench press. Like gloves they can be a security blanket for some people. The belt should be worn a tad loose.

I'm old school on this point and am not anything close to a power lifter. Therefore, I speak for the average Joe in the weight room who is looking to improve quality of life. If the weight is too much for you to lift without compromising your back than you shouldn't lift it. Strengthen the muscles that support your core and try a manageable weight. A weight belt kicks in to support the muscles in the back just like a cast supports an injured region. I work with a clientele that needs those muscles to engage on their own and not rely on an external apparatus to move a load.

Hey Buddy! Great to finally see you hear!

It always seemed a bit odd to me. If you need a belt you shouldn't be lifting so heavy.

I often tell people to avoid using the belts whenever possible. If a person cannot perform a squat or a dead lift with proper form without the belt then they shouldn't be performing those exercises, at least, not yet. I tend to think of things like the weight lifting belt as sort of a crutch; by practicing with it people practice poor, incorrect movement patterns.

Hi Michael,

Good question. I have never used any belts, but then again I don’t lift very heavy weights. I prefer to use my own body to do the work and using belts or any other type of external support equipment it means you either lifting too much weight or your form have been compromised and you also not using the full potential of your body to do the work. This could lead to an injury down the road and some type of muscular atrophy. Maybe an exception can be made for the professional power lifters due to the heavy weights they are working with, but not for the amateur, begginer or so-called weekend warrior :-).

Best,
Harris

The weight lifting belt is the single most overrated piece of training equipment on the market. You should teach yourself how to contract your abs to maintain postural alignment and produce force with every exercise you do. Wearing a belt robs your body the ability to do this properly which can lead to weakness in one or more areas. It might make a good Halloween prop, but other than that, leave it alone.