do the bench belts really work?

IrishThunder

do the bench belts really work? do they really pack on lbs to your bench that easily.

TheDaddy2003

The answer to wearing a belt will not able you to lift more, but for other reasons its important to wear one such as, they keep your form good, help support your spine and myself personally gain confidence while lifting heavy.
Ive got a lower abdomen weakness and id say im hernia prone, which is why i never train without one.

Although my training partner never uses one and seems to be strong in the midsection.

You generally should only wear a belt while lifting your maximum weight in what ever exercise you do and avoid using a belt where ever possible, like light weights for example.

This question gave me abit of food for thought and i managed to dig this out which pretty much raps up why and why not to use a lifting belt.



SHOULD I WEAR A WEIGHT LIFTING BELT?

In most cases, no. A weight lifting belt is used to create additional intra-abdominal pressure to help support the spine. It is usually used when performing a weighted movement in which the spine is placed in a compromised position (usually bent over). Examples would be squats, deadlifts, bent-over rows, or clean-and-jerks. Many people often wear a belt through an entire workout. This is not recommended for two reasons:

The additional pressure in the abdomen raises the blood pressure considerably. This increase in pressure aids spinal stability during a set, but can be dangerous if the blood pressure stays elevated for long periods.

Wearing a belt robs the trunk muscles of their supportive duties. If you use a weight lifting belt regularly, you are making your spinal stability weaker!

A weight lifting belt should only be worn under extreme circumstances, such as during a maximum-effort single lift. Under normal training circumstances, you should force the musculature of the waist to perform its full supportive duties -- build your own belt with muscles!

Always remember to maintain a supported neutral or slightly-arched spine position when performing exercises in a bent over position. If you allow the spine to round, the disks are exposed to unacceptable forces and may eventually herniate.

Note: People with hypertension (high blood pressure) should not use weight lifting belts. Anyone at risk from added intra-abdominal pressure (not limited to hypertensive people) should not be lifting weights heavy enough to necessitate use of a lifting belt. Ask a physician if you are unsure.


http://www.gettingfit.com/liftbelt.html

id say confidence makes you lift more weight which is something you get from a belt, without living in fear that your next big lift could split your stomach in half :P

IrishThunder

i meant shirt my bad i know bout belts i meant shirt.

Nick500

all the powerlifters use them to add literally 100s of lbs to their bench.,

yes they work but can cost 500 and upwards for the best ones

Nick