Daily Maestroism

DM #577

Thursday, December 21st, 2017

DM #577: Yes, there is a difference.
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Not here to shame you for using your belt, but hoping to get some of you to think twice before busting it out. All too often I see folks using weight belts as a substitute for proper reflexive core stability. Belts are not your stability, they augment your stability.
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Our bodies are incredible and we were designed to lift heavy things…without a belt. But, that takes time and practice. Our desire to speed up every single process ever, combined with the fact that we don't move enough on a day to day basis means that often times when we go to the gym we attempt to do things that our core just isn't ready for.
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So, when is it ok to wear a belt? I'm not here to be the weight belt police, but honestly, if you want some guidelines, look to those who are using them as designed for part of their sport: Olympic weight lifters. No matter what your size, there is a high level lifter who weighs the same as you and is lifting a ton more than you. In all actuality there's likely a young Chinese girl warming up with twice your one rep max ?. My point? There is both an absolute and relative scale to consider. While it may seem heavy to you, consider what someone of your size is capable (remember that small Chinese girl) and proceed accordingly.
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So, I'm not here telling you to get rid of your belt tomorrow and go bust your back. Just saying that, weight belts are a privilege to be earned, not training wheels to be given out to everyone willing to pick up a barbell. Learn how to pressurize your core. Learn what proper bracing is. Get hella strong. Lift crazy heavy weight. THEN start considering adding in that belt.
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