Pro tip: I was using the wrong weight belt for months

2 comments

2 Comments

Okay so you said "wrong weight belt" but I think you might mean the wrong size or type of belt, not literally using one that's defective or for a different exercise. Like were you using a thick powerlifting belt for deadlifts when you're a beginner or something? Because that's actually pretty common, a lot of new lifters grab a 13mm belt when a 10mm would work way better. Or maybe you had it too loose, everyone makes that mistake at first. Still, if it worked for months then it wasn't the end of the world, just not optimal.

skyler438d ago

Yeah @jadew63 you're definitely onto something there. I think what a lot of people don't realize is that the belt thickness really changes how you brace and feel your core. Like a 13mm belt is great for heavy squats where you need that rigid wall of support, but for deadlifts it can actually get in the way and make it harder to get into position if you're not used to it. I've seen so many beginners at my gym grabbing the thickest belt off the rack because they think it means more support, but you gotta work up to that. A 10mm belt lets you actually feel your abs working and learn how to brace properly before you move to the thicker stuff. Plus the way you put it about wearing it loose for months and it still working, that's the thing with belts they're not as magic as people think. They just help you brace harder, but you can still lift without them being perfect.