A couple more weight-lifting questions.

[Rakim]

1. I've been told three times now by separate meat-heads that I need to be wearing a belt while I'm deadlifting. Is this true or what? I'm keeping good form and I've never hurt my back.

2. What should I be eating before a workout? I'm purely going for strength gains. It must be bollocks, but I swear to god the last few times I've had a bottle of Lucozade before a workout I've genuinely felt as if I've got more energy and been able to do more reps. Probably a placebo.

Cheers.

[di tullio]

i took weightlifting in high school and from what i understand, with a belt you focus less on your core. i suppose it helps you use your hamstrings, but i was always under the impression that dead lifts were for the back and hamstrings together, and i've never used a belt. on the other hand, i don't do very heavy lifting and it's probably very possible to pull something without a belt if you're doing serious weight.

[Rakim]

i took weightlifting in high school and from what i understand, with a belt you focus less on your core. i suppose it helps you use your hamstrings, but i was always under the impression that dead lifts were for the back and hamstrings together, and i've never used a belt. on the other hand, i don't do very heavy lifting and it's probably very possible to pull something without a belt if you're doing serious weight.



That's exactly what I'm worried about. I can picture myself using a belt for a year or so and then as soon as I lift something reasonably heavy without one on, I'll hurt myself because I'm normally supported. I'm wondering if it could actually turn out to be detrimental to the exercise.

Having said all that, the absolute last thing I want to do is injure my lower back. I've got a reasonably physical job and I'm enjoying the gym at the moment, so a back problem would piss me off.

[scurlaruntings]

1. I've been told three times now by separate meat-heads that I need to be wearing a belt while I'm deadlifting. Is this true or what? I'm keeping good form and I've never hurt my back.

2. What should I be eating before a workout? I'm purely going for strength gains. It must be bollocks, but I swear to god the last few times I've had a bottle of Lucozade before a workout I've genuinely felt as if I've got more energy and been able to do more reps. Probably a placebo.

Cheers.Unless you fancy your coccyx blowing out of your asshole wear a belt. You should always wear one with deadlift to support your lower back. Obviously theres greater strain with heavier weight. As for Lucozade thats just a placebo although it does contain a small amount of carbs. I find my workouts alot better when i carb load at least an hour or more before a workout.

[Rakim]

Unless you fancy your coccyx blowing out of your asshole wear a belt. You should always wear one with deadlift to support your lower back. Obviously theres greater strain with heavier weight. As for Lucozade thats just a placebo although it does contain a small amount of carbs. I find my workouts alot better when i carb load at least an hour or more before a workout.


What sort of carbs would you recommend, mate?

How would a belt stop any damage to my spine if I can still get my hand down the back of it? The belt pulls tight around my lower back but doesn't actually touch my spine at all.

[brown bomber]

Unless your trying to lift huge weights whats the point of wearing a belt, all it is doing is substituting your core muscles. Makes no sense.

[Rakim]

Unless your trying to lift huge weights whats the point of wearing a belt, all it is doing is substituting your core muscles. Makes no sense.



Exactly. However, I would like a few opinions on this from other deadlifters. I know Jazzo, El Puma, and virus would have valuable opinions.

[viru§™]

If you're going heavy, 1RM for example maybe, otherwise I'd say no you don't have to wear one. I've never worn a belt, never seen the need to.

If you're using correct form and trying to lift a weight you are capable of lifting there shouldn't be any problems.

Gotta say though belts are the most stupidly used pieces of equipment I see in the gym. People wearing a belt to do bench press, curls and pullups? WTF? :patsch

[Relentless]

ross enamait says you shouldn't wear a belt if your deadlifting because it is supposed to strengthen your back/core.

[Rakim]

If you're going heavy, 1RM for example maybe, otherwise I'd say no you don't have to wear one. I've never worn a belt, never seen the need to.

If you're using correct form and trying to lift a weight you are capable of lifting there shouldn't be any problems.

Gotta say though belts are the most stupidly used pieces of equipment I see in the gym. People wearing a belt to do bench press, curls and pullups? WTF? :patsch



You've never even worn a belt for 1rm attempts? Cheers for the advice, it's basically what I thought.

[Rakim]

ross enamait says you shouldn't wear a belt if your deadlifting because it is supposed to strengthen your back/core.



He knows his shit, I'm not going to buy one. Cheers mate, that's good enough for me :good

[Relentless]

What sort of carbs would you recommend, mate?

How would a belt stop any damage to my spine if I can still get my hand down the back of it? The belt pulls tight around my lower back but doesn't actually touch my spine at all.

for carbs try oats, you can find grinded oats on myprotein.co.uk or you can just buy the ones from the shop and grind it yourself.

[Arka]

There is no hard and fast rule here.
There's a risk your lower back will be the first part of your body to give ,if you go too heavy with improper form in a standard deadlift.


May I recommend that you consider training your lower back and core with exercises like Romanian deadlifts, good mornings or back extensions done without a belt.


Romanian deadlift

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Good morning

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Back Extension

[Only registered and activated users can see links]






To err on the side of safety,maybe you should consider wearing a belt on the heaviest set of your normal deadlifts.

[Rakim]

I do squats on one of my three workout sessions, so I don't just hit it with deadlifts. I'd consider adding some Romanian deadlifts in but I'd probably have to do them after my normal set of deadlifts.

[Arka]

At the bottom of the good morning or Romanian deadlift movements,stress is going to be placed respectively on the internal abdominal and spinor erector muscles,which are required for stabilizing your core.

In the deadlift,the internal abdominals and spinor erector muscles have to be strong at the top of the movement to stabilize the core and prevent shearing stresses on the spine.

So if you're got the energy,I'd cautiously suggest both the good morning and Romanian deadlift exercises .



Squats without a belt are okay,BTW.

[brown bomber]

I think its specifically your TVA that its substituting, could be wrong.

[Rakim]

At the bottom of the good morning or Romanian deadlift movements,stress is going to be placed respectively on the internal abdominal and spinor erector muscles,which are required for stabilizing your core.

In the deadlift,the internal abdominals and spinor erector muscles have to be strong at the top of the movement to stabilize the core and prevent shearing stresses on the spine.

So if you're got the energy,I'd cautiously suggest both the good morning and Romanian deadlift exercises .



Squats without a belt are okay,BTW.


I'll see what I can do. I'm already struggling to be fully fit for my squat and deadlift days due to the lower back work.

[Rakim]

for carbs try oats, you can find grinded oats on myprotein.co.uk or you can just buy the ones from the shop and grind it yourself.



Cheers. Silly question, but how do you eat them? Grab a handful?

[Relentless]

Cheers. Silly question, but how do you eat them? Grab a handful?

well the grinded ones you buy from myprotein contains 70g of carbs in each serving, each serving is 2 scoops using the protein shake scoopers, so im guessing it will be the same/similar with normal oats.

[Relentless]

if you meant how i eat it then i just mix it with my protein shake and water and gulp it down.

[Arka]

I do squats on one of my three workout sessions, so I don't just hit it with deadlifts. I'd consider adding some Romanian deadlifts in but I'd probably have to do them after my normal set of deadlifts.
On second thought,if you're doing squats without a belt you're probably exercising the muscles used to stabilise the core during the deadlift without a belt and vice versa.

You may have to consistently work on both exercises though.:think

[Rakim]

On second thought,if you're doing squats without a belt you're probably exercising the muscles used to stabilise the core during the deadlift without a belt and vice versa.

You may have to consistently work on both exercises though.:think



I go three times over an 8 day period. Once for bench, once for squats, and once for deadlifts.

[SouthpawSlayer]

I think its specifically your TVA that its substituting, could be wrong.

no your correct, the TA is essentially a belt which goes around your body underneath the abdominals, a weight lifting belt does the TA's job which then leads to atrophy of the TA, i wouldnt recommend a belt ever (except for bodybuilders and powerlifters), if someone wears one for a weak back they should strenghten the core first, i know guys that wear them for 8 hours each day when they work for lifting stuff their gonna be fucked after a few years of that (dumb foreigners):lol:

[viru§™]

no your correct, the ta is essentially a belt which goes around your body underneath the abdominals, a weight lifting belt does the ta's job which then leads to atrophy of the ta, i wouldnt recommend a belt ever (except for bodybuilders and powerlifters), if someone wears one for a weak back they should strenghten the core first, i know guys that wear them for 8 hours each day when they work for lifting stuff their gonna be fucked after a few years of that (dumb foreigners):lol:

WTF? If they're lifting stuff for 8 hours the items they're lifting can't be that heavy.

[Rakim]

I'm going to do without the belt and try my max deadlift less often, once a month or something. I'll spend my deadlift session working up to my 2 rep max, then drop down 20kg and do 3x3.

[viru§™]

I'm going to do without the belt and try my max deadlift less often, once a month or something. I'll spend my deadlift session working up to my 2 rep max, then drop down 20kg and do 3x3.

Try Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program. Really good for strength in the main lifts. The all out set at the end of each lift is fun. 102.5kg deadlift for 26 reps straight the other day was especially fun :nut

[Rakim]

Try Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program. Really good for strength in the main lifts. The all out set at the end of each lift is fun. 102.5kg deadlift for 26 reps straight the other day was especially fun :nut



A lad from here PM'd me about that routine the other day. I'm currently using one set out by Mr.Small, and I'm getting decent gains at the moment so I'll stick with it. Once I stop gaining I'll give the Wendler one a go, it normally helps me if I swap things around a bit after 3-4 months.

[Relentless]

A lad from here PM'd me about that routine the other day. I'm currently using one set out by Mr.Small, and I'm getting decent gains at the moment so I'll stick with it. Once I stop gaining I'll give the Wendler one a go, it normally helps me if I swap things around a bit after 3-4 months.

mrsmall knows his shit, he loves the westside 5x5, if thats the one sstick to it.

[Rakim]

mrsmall knows his shit, he loves the westside 5x5, if thats the one sstick to it.


He does know his stuff. My bench routine would be to work my way up to 3 reps (82.5kg for me), then drop back down by 10kg and do 3x5. Same sort of thing for squats and deads, and it seems to be working well at the moment.

[SouthpawSlayer]

WTF? If they're lifting stuff for 8 hours the items they're lifting can't be that heavy.

the stuff varies that they lift but it dont matter, even lifting a pen puts the back under stress, after an 8 hour shift of constant lifting your back will be tired and in some cases sore, one guy thought the belt would put an end to his pain and the idea spread like wildfire, it might stop pain in the short term but its weakening your core in the long run

[pretty boy]

Definately wear a belt when deadlifting or u will injure ur back. Do the same if ur squatting.

[HENDO]

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I can picture myself using a belt for a year or so and then as soon as I lift something reasonably heavy without one on, I'll hurt myself because I'm normally supported. I'm wondering if it could actually turn out to be detrimental to the exercise.

Having said all that, the absolute last thing I want to do is injure my lower back. I've got a reasonably physical job and I'm enjoying the gym at the moment, so a back problem would piss me off.

You don't need a damn belt.

[Rakim]

Definately wear a belt when deadlifting or u will injure ur back. Do the same if ur squatting.



You don't need a damn belt.


:lol:

I've not been doing this sort of stuff for long, but everywhere I go I'm reading completely contradictory information and I don't know what to do half the fucking time.

Now I know how Christians feel.

[vibit]

I feel that if you properly execute squats and deadlifts, then there's no need for a belt. I sometimes wear a belt when doing heavy squats because it helps to remind me to tighten my core during the whole lift, from top to bottom and then back to the top of the lift.

I've seen guys who relax at the bottom of the squat or round their lower back, and that's a disaster waiting to happen. The same is true for deadlifts; always keep that tension on your core the whole way and don't round your lower back.

Although obvious I would like to point out that wearing a belt does not prevent lower back injuries. Wearing that belt is not going to do you any good if you lift with bad form.

So lift and lift hard. And wear or don't wear a belt. Just do your lifts properly.

[vibit]

Try Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program. Really good for strength in the main lifts. The all out set at the end of each lift is fun. 102.5kg deadlift for 26 reps straight the other day was especially fun :nut

26 reps in one set?! My back was aching just reading that.

:D

[POCKET SHOT]

Just do your lifts properly.

:good
end of thread

[Relentless]

Rakim ask the people who re telling you to use a belt to give a reason other than "you will fuck up your back".

[HENDO]

:lol:

I've not been doing this sort of stuff for long, but everywhere I go I'm reading completely contradictory information and I don't know what to do half the fucking time.

Now I know how Christians feel.

I'm tryin to tell you that at 160 lbs I managed to surpass 1,000 lbs without a damn belt.

The only thing I used was some straps when I lifting heavy deadlifts.

I never popped my spine out or all that other bullshit people are talkin about.

BUT you do gotta be careful and use correct form because if you treat deadlift with no respect, you can hurt your back.

[Jack]

Rakim ask the people who re telling you to use a belt to give a reason other than "you will fuck up your back".
And if they mention your spine, ask them how, when a good strong belt doesn't touch your spine.

It's just added support, but it's not essential. Like I said before, it helps me on my stomach, just turned around. I also use it for excercises where my back is curved or for military press, where it's good additional support.

[Relentless]

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[POCKET SHOT]

all depends what your goals are, functionality or numbers

[Rakim]

all depends what your goals are, functionality or numbers



Numbers primarily, but I wouldn't want to say I can deadlift 180kg and then end up fucking my back up on something that weighs under 150kg because I got used to doing my max with a belt. I'd rather have a 1rm that's 30kg lower and 'raw', or whatever you call it without a belt, than a massive max with a belt.

[Rakim]

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:lol: He's ridiculous. Imagine if he did deadlifts all the time, he'd be doing four times his bodyweight or something fucking silly.

[viru§™]

I'm tryin to tell you that at 160 lbs I managed to surpass 1,000 lbs without a damn belt.

The only thing I used was some straps when I lifting heavy deadlifts.

I never popped my spine out or all that other bullshit people are talkin about.

BUT you do gotta be careful and use correct form because if you treat deadlift with no respect, you can hurt your back.

You mean 1000lbs in the 3 main lifts or 1000lbs deadlift? If you mean the later you must be joking.

[HENDO]

You mean 1000lbs in the 3 main lifts or 1000lbs deadlift? If you mean the later you must be joking.

It was bicep curl.

Of course it was with my three lifts.

[viru§™]

It was bicep curl.

Of course it was with my three lifts.

:lol: Calm down man.

You'd be suprised how many guys come on this forum with hugely inflated numbers. Like the guy who weighed 150lbs n claimed he could bicep curl 100kg. Apart from it being stupid what's the point? :rofl

What are your numbers and stats?

[viru§™]

Definately wear a belt when deadlifting or u will injure ur back. Do the same if ur squatting.

Please explain why. I've been doing deadlifts and squats for 8 years and never had an injury...

[HENDO]

:lol: Calm down man.

You'd be suprised how many guys come on this forum with hugely inflated numbers. Like the guy who weighed 150lbs n claimed he could bicep curl 100kg. Apart from it being stupid what's the point? :rofl

What are your numbers and stats?

It was a contest at the military base overseas, and while I've done more on seperate occasions, this is the only time I've done the three lifts in succession.

DL 445

Sq 375

Bench 250

For a total of 1070

The only one I was disapointed with was the squat. I feel I could have put up 20 more lbs, but I was hesitant because it was my first lift.

I weighed in at 161.

[HENDO]

What's crazy though is this. I know a guy who had similiar numbers to me, to be honest, probably bigger numbers, and he didn't appear to weigh too much more than I did, yet when he hit the bag, his punches were not hard at all.

[boxingtactics07]

What's crazy though is this. I know a guy who had similiar numbers to me, to be honest, probably bigger numbers, and he didn't appear to weigh too much more than I did, yet when he hit the bag, his punches were not hard at all.

because how much you lift isn't the direct link to your punching power. Bench Press is basically useless in that transfer. You can at least make a case for the deadlift and squat increasing your maximal potential as they are functional closed-chain exercises. Even then, you will find people who can barely make the beginner strength standards in those two lifts and are able to hit much harder than people who can meet the advanced standards of those lifts.

[Rakim]

Please explain why. I've been doing deadlifts and squats for 8 years and never had an injury...



What are your 1rm for the three lifts, mate?

[Rakim]

It was a contest at the military base overseas, and while I've done more on seperate occasions, this is the only time I've done the three lifts in succession.

DL 445

Sq 375

Bench 250

For a total of 1070

The only one I was disapointed with was the squat. I feel I could have put up 20 more lbs, but I was hesitant because it was my first lift.

I weighed in at 161.


:lol: That's unreal for someone who weighs 161lbs.

[viru§™]

What are your 1rm for the three lifts, mate?

Weight - 182lbs

Squat - 320lbs
Deadlift - 405lbs
Bench press - 265lbs

[Rakim]

Weight - 182lbs

Squat - 320lbs
Deadlift - 405lbs
Bench press - 265lbs

:lol: 4.5kg away from a 1,000lb total, I bet that's fucking annoying. Very good totals :good

[HENDO]

:lol: That's unreal for someone who weighs 161lbs.

You can do it though. It's all mental. You just need something to drive you. Some kind of antagonist helps.

It also helped that in the middleeast, when you're not working, sleeping or eating, there is very little else to do aside from working out.

And we ate really well. The chow hall was open 24-7.

[Scott Bolinger]

you should always were a belt doing deadlifts, squads and bench press to add support to your lower back. Dont' do it, eventually you'll through out your back and then take 2 or 3 years rehabing it before getting back in the ring. You can do wright, or find out the hard way by not taking the precautions.

just take a protein drink before a work out, you'l be alright

[viru§™]

you should always were a belt doing deadlifts, squads and bench press to add support to your lower back. Dont' do it, eventually you'll through out your back and then take 2 or 3 years rehabing it before getting back in the ring. You can do wright, or find out the hard way by not taking the precautions.

just take a protein drink before a work out, you'l be alright

What the fuck did you just say?

[doylexxx]

:lol: He's ridiculous. Imagine if he did deadlifts all the time, he'd be doing four times his bodyweight or something fucking silly.


guys a super athelete, I like the way he makes his own sandbags:yep

[Rakim]

What the fuck did you just say?


His signature says he's written a book :lol:

[boxingtactics07]

you should always were a belt doing deadlifts, squads and bench press to add support to your lower back. Dont' do it, eventually you'll through out your back and then take 2 or 3 years rehabing it before getting back in the ring. You can do wright, or find out the hard way by not taking the precautions.

just take a protein drink before a work out, you'l be alright

You shouldn't have to wear about a belt unless your goal is to become an elite competitive powerlifter. A protein drink won't prevent you from getting injured either. That's literally the worst advice written on here. I also think the bench press should be replaced with a pushup progression program, but that's off topic and debatable. Squats and Deadlifts are great though.

[Kevin_Wright]

because how much you lift isn't the direct link to your punching power. Bench Press is basically useless in that transfer. You can at least make a case for the deadlift and squat increasing your maximal potential as they are functional closed-chain exercises. Even then, you will find people who can barely make the beginner strength standards in those two lifts and are able to hit much harder than people who can meet the advanced standards of those lifts.
I think its easier to say

you can either hit hard or you can't.

[lefthook]

you should always were a belt doing deadlifts, squads and bench press to add support to your lower back. Dont' do it, eventually you'll through out your back and then take 2 or 3 years rehabing it before getting back in the ring. You can do wright, or find out the hard way by not taking the precautions.

just take a protein drink before a work out, you'l be alright

Wear a belt for bench press?Take a protein shake before working out?
:huh:huh

[Rakim]

Wear a belt for bench press?Take a protein shake before working out?
:huh:huh



You obviously don't know how to do anything wright.