Belt on Squats?

I actually don't use a belt on squats except when I'm maxing out. I think it's safe to not use a belt if you have proper form. Not using the belt also helps give my core a better workout, therefore making it stronger. I lift for strength, so is it alright if I do this?

Age: 16
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 165

Bench: 205
Squat: 365
Deadlift: 385
Total: 955

Goal: 1000 by January of 2006

Totally agree.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Same here. I've never used a belt- I don't think I'd enjoy it, and since it's designed to take the load off the core, I think it's detrimental. I've been squatting heavy for a couple of years now, and haven't run into any problems because I've always been very conscious of my form.

I train in the 1-8 rep range. I start to use a belt when heavy triples get too heavy. From there on(triples and singles), the sets that are extremely heavy, I throw on the belt.

I would never use a belt all of the time. In a 16 week training cycle, the first 10 of those weeks are done without a belt.

I would advise the same for all of my clients. The competitive powerlifters that wear a lot of equipment would use a belt a higher % of the time. Probably more like 60% of their training.

If you wear a belt for squats or deadlift, make sure the belt is 4" all the way around the belts that are only thick in the back are only good for overhead lifting. They do not give sufficient support for all other lifting.

"Z Last Book You'll Ever Need On Strength Training"
by Todd E. Bostrom

I never knew that about the belts, but now that I think about it, I guess it makes sense- Thanks for the tip, Bigbossman!

No problem.

It is so often that I see pictures of BBers squatting with "olympic lifting" belts(skinny in front and wide in the back). That's why everyone buys them. I remember doing heavy shrugs a long time ago. I would throw on one of those BBer belts for my heavy sets. It actually made my sets harder because it would push me forward to some degree.

"Z Last Book You'll Ever Need On Strength Training"
by Todd E. Bostrom