Wearing a belt on deadlifts will they really support my back if my form is a bit shit

[spiderpig]

ok I went for 10kg heavier than my last PR deadlift that i did 4 weeks ago, Form just sucked! yeah it was a little to heavy but i got it! guess i was just training my ego! felt a slight pain in my lower back but i think im ok. anyway getting to the point will a belt really help me that much if my form ever goes bad again? PS: I wont be doing this lift again for some time now, im going to stick to minimum 4 reps!

PS Never used a belt in my life, but seriously thought about it today!

 

[R9]

The main function of a belt in squatting and deadlifting is, I think, this:

When you do these lifts you do a kind of "valsalva maneuver" where you push air as hard as you can down toward your pelvis. This provides support for your spine. Without a belt you have to push down and pull in at the same time, but with a belt you can push down and into the belt which, to me at least, seems easier and better.

 

[halfwit]

Yes, you most definitely absolutely certainly need a belt when doing really heavy poundages. I have personally seen young men lifting several hundreds of pounds to turn their head (HUGE no-no) or slightly tweak their back - causing a terrible injury in the process. Deadlifts are an awesome exercise, but MUST be treated with respect as your lower back is so vital to everything from breathing to standing. I think belts get a bad rap in some circles because some guys learn to rely on them as a means of replacing proper form. Be safe and know your limits.

My .02c

 

[spiderpig]

Yes, you most definitely absolutely certainly need a belt when doing really heavy poundages. I have personally seen young men lifting several hundreds of pounds to turn their head (HUGE no-no) or slightly tweak their back - causing a terrible injury in the process. Deadlifts are an awesome exercise, but MUST be treated with respect as your lower back is so vital to everything from breathing to standing. I think belts get a bad rap in some circles because some guys learn to rely on them as a means of replacing proper form. Be safe and know your limits.

My .02c

Sounds brilliant mate, I just ordered a decent belt with a 6" wide back on it, I will not be relying onit for sure, Iv'e never used one in the time i have been lifting, But now as I'm improving a hell of a lot on my deadlift I will be using it when trying to break through PB's from now

 

[halfwit]

Sounds brilliant mate, I just ordered a decent belt with a 6" wide back on it, I will not be relying onit for sure, Iv'e never used one in the time i have been lifting, only thing I used is gloves and straps, no gloves on deadlifts though

Haha, I tried gloves a long time ago and they lasted ONE session LOL. Sounds like you're on top of things and ready to take it onto the next level! Stay safe.

 

[spiderpig]

Haha, I tried gloves a long time ago and they lasted ONE session LOL. Sounds like you're on top of things and ready to take it onto the next level! Stay safe.

I edited m8 lol, No gloves on the deadlift lol i just use straps i have never tried chalk yet.

 

[Docd187]

Chalk is much much better than straps for deadlifts. Using straps you're limiting the work your forearms do isometrically. My gym (if you can call it that now more like a social zoo) doesn't allow chalk so I got liquid chalk. Same thing and works great with no mess. What I do for deadlifts is always the double overhand grip for warmups and as many working sets/reps as I can. When my grip gives out, I switch to the mixed grip but still don't use straps as I want to work my forearms well. Once the pound ages get super heavy and grip becomes THE limiting factor, I would work on your grip more and then consider straps.

I also don't believe belts are necessary unless you're going for a 1rm. If you know how to do the valsalva maneuver properly that should suffice. And as stated, don't get reliant on the belt as an aid to your lift, its an aid to prevent a hernia

 

[spiderpig]

Chalk is much much better than straps for deadlifts. Using straps you're limiting the work your forearms do isometrically. My gym (if you can call it that now more like a social zoo) doesn't allow chalk so I got liquid chalk. Same thing and works great with no mess. What I do for deadlifts is always the double overhand grip for warmups and as many working sets/reps as I can. When my grip gives out, I switch to the mixed grip but still don't use straps as I want to work my forearms well. Once the pound ages get super heavy and grip becomes THE limiting factor, I would work on your grip more and then consider straps.

I also don't believe belts are necessary unless you're going for a 1rm. If you know how to do the valsalva maneuver properly that should suffice. And as stated, don't get reliant on the belt as an aid to your lift, its an aid to prevent a hernia

Just what I need is a belt for my 1rm's dead or squat, I wanna play a little safer, i must admit my grip SUCKS big time, i have never used chalk that why i use straps. I think my next plan of action will be the liquid chalk

 

[Docd187]

Just what I need is a belt for my 1rm's dead or squat, I wanna play a little safer, i must admit my grip SUCKS big time, i have never used chalk that why i use straps. I think my next plan of action will be the liquid chalk

For grip try and do some farmers walks or load up the bar in a rack and just hold it like at the top of the dead lift position. You should work your way up but eventually try and hold more than you can deadlier as grip us usually the weakest link in dead lifts followed by the lower back. Good idea on the liquid chalk! It def helps with grip and also callous formation.

 

[spiderpig]

For grip try and do some farmers walks or load up the bar in a rack and just hold it like at the top of the dead lift position. You should work your way up but eventually try and hold more than you can deadlier as grip us usually the weakest link in dead lifts followed by the lower back. Good idea on the liquid chalk! It def helps with grip and also callous formation.

I'm staying away from mixed grip iv'e seen to many people tear the biceps on youtube and it's put me off

 

[Docd187]

I'm staying away from mixed grip iv'e seen to many people tear the biceps on youtube and it's put me off

It's not the greatest choice but that's why I limit it to when I absolutely need it. All other times I'm using a double pronated (overhand) grip

 

[spiderpig]

It's not the greatest choice but that's why I limit it to when I absolutely need it. All other times I'm using a double pronated (overhand) grip

I'm happy with straps mate, honestly! I am considering using some liquid chalk but I WILL only be using normal grip, I have streched/tear my bicep before, as I once posted on here, it was a horrible feeling! pure pain!!! so yeah haha I'm deffo staying away from mixed grip! I'm happy with myself using straps for now, i can pick 170kg up for reps on the deadlift but it tears my hand to bits, it was pure raw, no chalk no straps no gloves! i was pissing out blood!

 

[halfwit]

Even with chalk, I would tear open calluses that had built up. Just the price we pay for lifting big boy weight I guess.