Comments on: Do I Really Need a Weight Belt?

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:24:14 +0000

Sean- Sounds like you’re keeping your head on your shoulders and using a belt in the right kind of situations, and I would agree that the mental benefit of knowing you’re safer can work in those situations.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:26:56 +0000

Belts have their place and can be very beneficial when used correctly. When going for heavy 1RMs on squats or dead lifts I always use a belt. But when doing work sets I’ll train without one. Sometimes you just need that added safety and security when entering new poundage territory.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:54:34 +0000

Jeff- That’s not necessarily true, but it can be true if some other factors are negatively influencing your lift. Holding your breath does increase the intra-abdominal pressure.

This can lead to hernia if combined with bad form. One of the biggest culprits is to round your back on a squat/ deadlift. This essentially folds your abdominal cavity somewhat and decreases the space, and combined with heavy pressing can cause the intestines to protrude through the abdominal wall.

Rounding of the back can be reduced by increasing the flexibility of the hamstrings, because tightness can pull the lower spine out of it’s correct position at the bottom of a movement. Go lighter for a while, work on flexibility in the hips and hams, and consider taking a 90% full breath instead of a 100% full, rib-busting breath if it’s ever a problem. Good thing about your breath is you can easily adjust it to get the right amount of pressure so that there’s never an excuse for a hernia.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:11:11 +0000

I have a friend who says to always breathe while you’re doing a rep on deadlifts because not breathing creates too much pressure and can give you a hernia. Is that true?

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:53:05 +0000

Lauren- You’re point about using them only for competition is a good one, because a competitor will try to maximize the amount of weight that can be lifted. For those of us who train for health, looks, or lifestyle, lifting the greatest weight possible at all costs isn’t necessary, and training without a belt is best.

oi_joe- Hey, thanks for coming by. I 100% agree with you that the deep breath is a great way to keep the pressure on, as mentioned briefly in the article. This also forces your abs to be more secondarily involved in each movement and receive the benefits of such.

By: oi_joe

oi_joe — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:22:28 +0000

hey just glanced through, you can just take a deep breath and hold it whilst doing the rep, that puts the force needed on the inside of your back.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:54:31 +0000

Great article Jason. I agree with you completely. Weight belts should be put aside unless you are competing. Teach your muscles to do the work, then you will be stronger in the long run. They are good in Rehab to help awareness, but if you are healthy, your have your own internal weight belt!