30 Seconds SummaryAre Lifting Belts Helping or Hurting You?
- Weight lifting belts are commonly used in gyms to potentially enhance safety and performance during heavy lifting, but their effectiveness and necessity are debated.
- Belts may increase core muscle activation; studies show increased EMG activity in the abs, lats, and obliques, but decreased activation in spinal erectors when belts are worn.
- Wearing a belt can boost intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), leading to greater trunk stiffness and possibly a higher capacity to lift more weight.
- Evidence suggests that belts might help lifters increase their maximal strength during exercises like squats and deadlifts, translating to better performance and muscle hypertrophy over time.
- However, there is a risk of overdependence on belts, which might hinder proper muscle and technique development, especially for beginners or when performing exercises that don't require maximal loads.
- Experts recommend using belts judiciously—beneficial during maximum or near-maximum lifts but potentially unhelpful or harmful if used as a crutch or for simple exercises.
- Ultimately, the decision to use a lifting belt should be based on individual circumstances, goals, and ensuring proper lifting techniques are mastered first without reliance on supplementary equipment.
Biolayne
Andres Vargas
