How Weightlifting Belts Make You A Better Lifter

Weightlifting belts are a very helpful tool when lifting weights, but many weightlifters don't even know what a weightlifting belt is or how it should be used. There are several ways that weight belts can help you improve your workout.

Weightlifting Belt Misconceptions

A common misconception is that a weightlifting belt acts as a crutch and that those who wear a weightlifting belt are less likely to work out their core. However, wearing a weightlifting belt will actually increase the muscle activity in the core.

Stabilizing Your Spine

You're less likely to injure yourself when wearing a weight lifting belt. The belt stabilizes the spine and places less strain on it. It does so by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. It also reduces pressure on the intervertebral discs. This allows for pressure outside to stabilize the spine. It's not the belt itself that provides support, but the way in which the body responds to the belt that does so.

Increasing Power

Stabilizing your spine will not only allow you to lift weight more safely, but will also allow you to lift with more power. By being able to lift more weight, you'll also reap more of the benefits of placing strain on your muscles as you lift weights. The belt gives your stomach something to push against.

Weightlifting Safety

Wearing a weightlifting belt can also help you lift weights more safely because you will be more aware of the position of your back. This will help you better understand which muscles you need to flex to maintain a good posture. Many lifters feel more confident when they are wearing custom weightlifting belts.

Lifting with Your Legs

Weightlifting belts force you to lift with your legs. Normally, you'll want to place weight on your legs rather than on your back. When you flex the muscles in your back to lift weight, this can increase the risk that you'll injure your back muscles. You'll want to lift with your legs based on the biomechanical position that a weightlifting belt will place you in. Weightlifting belts are especially useful when you are performing a squat or a deadlift.

Weightlifting belts are best used when you are performing lifts that are your one rep maximum. When you are able to perform a particular weightlifting motion only once, this would be your one rep maximum. These are the types of lifts in which stability is the most important.