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Should You Use a Lifting Belt?
There’s Less Evidence For Them Than You Think
A lifting belt is used to increase intra-abdominal pressure, which can help stabilize the spine during squats and deadlifts. It allows the transverse abdominis muscle to contract harder and more effectively.
This muscle wraps around the spine like a scarf and is crucial for heavy lifting. We instinctively contract it when picking things up, throwing a punch, or about to get punched.
It’s a crucial — and often overlooked — part of lifting weights.
There are two main reasons that I hear people justify wearing a belt: strength and safety. Let’s look at these.
How much will a belt increase your strength? Perhaps 5%, at the very most. If it’s more than that, you should probably spend some time training beltless, as you are relying on it too much.
