We all know that a belt generally helps you move more weight... this article is fairly interesting especially stating that the research shows increases in activation in quad and hamstrings with a belt vs without.

http://gregnuckols.com/2013/12/04/should-you-wear-a-belt-or-not-study-write-up/

Thanks for the article. I have always gone belt-less, but have been curious about using a belt. I wonder if the same principals apply to deadlift.

ty, good read.

I still haven't purchase a belt. Sure, it can make me push more weight. But since it doesn't make me stronger, I don't really see the value.

The belt doesn't make your legs stronger.

The belt provides your abs something to press against, supporting your spine.

You're stronger than you think, you just don't push yourself. A belt gives the support and the confidence to push yourself.

I highly recommend it since you compete and since 99% of others competing will use one too

Belts DEFINITELY help deadlift but in terms of activation of the VL and biceps femoris I'm not sure... but having the belt to push your abdominal wall on definitely helps. I went from 455 to 475 in 2 weeks using a belt. May not seem like a lot but a 20 pound increase from just adding a belt is HUGE - had never used one prior to this several months ago.



Nothing besides lifting heavier weights makes you stronger. The belt gives you a method to increase work capacity which in turn makes you stronger. Food doesn't make you gain weight, a surplus of energy makes you gain weight. Same concept.

I compete but I don't do so to beat others. I compete against myself. It helps to monitor my own progress as well as keep myself accountable. Maybe this won't make sense to a lot of people, feel free to tell me how ridiculous I am if so



Hmmm, though I think what's in bold is not true, I know what you mean/meant and that does make sense to me. However, I'm not sure if the additonal gains from the belt are actually significant.

Could one could argue that you should then squat with knee wraps as well to increase weight by that logic? Or the belt helps in different ways than the the wraps so it's not a fair comparison?

I guess all that I really care about it, if I were to squat with a belt, in the end, would I be able to squat heavier beltless than if I had never used a belt? I thought I read there was greater leg activation beltless.

This post was edited by juicetoocool17 on Oct 20 2014 07:17pm