How to use a Weight Lifting Belt in a Better Way?

How to Use weight lifting belts properly can be a touchy subject. Some people swear by them, some don't like the idea of them, and others feel they aren't necessary. The weight lifting belts have been around for many years and there are several reasons why you should consider using one.

As stated above weightlifting belts have been around for quite some time now. One reason weightlifting belts became popular is that weightlifters were injuring their lower backs due to the amount of weight they were picking up in comparison to what was previously possible to lift without the use of weightlifting belts. After using weightlifting belts, weightlifters noticed that it lessened back injuries/strains while increasing the amount of weight that could be lifted. After weightlifters were using weightlifting belts as a means to increase weight and lower back injuries, athletes from other sports started noticing weightlifting belts and wanted to find out if the weightlifting belt would work for them too.

Weightlifting belts are commonly used in sports such as football, powerlifting, weightlifting, deadlift competitions, basketball, golf and even bow hunting! Even though weightlifting belts have been around for a long time now they can still cause debates among people on whether or not weightlifting belts should be allowed during competitive events. A great example of this is the 2012 Olympics where weight lifting was being held at. The IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) rules state: "The use of supportive equipment weight they could pick up on the weightlifting belt, weightlifting shoes and special weightlifting knee pads." Even though weight lifting belts are allowed during weightlifting events by the IWF they are banned from other sports such as power-lifting.

Weight lifting belts work towards increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Intra-abdominal pressure is created when people breathe in and expand their stomachs while also pushing out against a weight belt. The weight belt helps support weightlifters backs which prevent back injuries and the added pressure actually helps protect your spine/back from injury which makes it very important for sports such as football, golf (weight bending over), weightlifting, etc. The amount of intra-abdominal pressure that weightlifters produce when wearing a weight belt is somewhere between 8-12 lbs of pressure.

Weight belts should be worn low on the waist just above the hips. If weightlifting belts are worn too high it will limit your range of motion which will hinder weightlifters power, speed, and weight amounts you are able to lift. When weightlifting belts are worn too high they can actually cause internal damage for weightlifters because it puts excess pressure on internal organs which could result in a medical emergency/death. Even though weightlifting belts help increase intra-abdominal pressure, weightlifting belts shouldn't be used during every day activities or workouts that don't require heavy lifting because weightlifting belts decrease the mobility of the spine which limits how flexible/mobile people are when wearing weightlifting belts.

If weightlifting belts are worn properly weightlifters tend to be able to lift more weight, reduce injuries, and feel more confident when weightlifting. If weightlifting belts aren't used properly weightlifters can actually cause themselves harm by increasing intra-abdominal pressure too much or wearing weightlifting belts so high it causes damage to internal organs. Weight lifting belts should be worn low on the hips just above the waist, not too high which limits your range of motion since weightlifting belts decrease natural spinal flexibility/mobility in humans even when training without heavyweights.