do weight leather weight lifting belts really work?

hi, i am thinking of buying a leather weight lifting belt soon as i am weight lifting and my back feels a bit weak so would it suepport my back when i am doing push ups as well and do they really work thanks

Public Comments

1. YES

Every single person who does heavy lifting, anything from powerlifting, to iron man stuff uses a lifting belt.

every single person who competes in the Olympics for lifting has one on.

pushups.. not so much, but heavy lifting yes.

2. i suggest if your back is week, you start off light, you should not need a belt if you are doing the exercise properly, start up light, get used to the effort and gradually increase it. i suggest also doing toning exercises for your back right now instead of muscle building, otherwise it may be hard for you to get straight into building muscle on your back.

3. Lifting belts are actually to support the viscera (guts) and not the back. If you are going to purchase a belt make sure that it is 4 inches all the way around. Be careful not to become reliant on the belt. Use it only for maximal lifting.

4. No, it is a bad idea to invest in a lifting belt. By wearing a belt because your back is weak is simply avoiding the fact that your back is weak. Try to build a strong lower back/core so that you don't need to wear a belt. This is the best way for a balanced physique. Weak backs also tend to become painful, because it the abs are strong, the abdonimal muscles (minus the serratus) tend to pull on it's antagonistic partner, so if the abs are strong and the back is weak, injury is the most likely outcome.

5. They are useful once you are well trained and fit and are lifting very heavy weights, in these circumstances they will help to protect your back. If however you use one before you have reached this stage, they will actually retard your muscle development.