Weightlifting belts have long been associated with a massive guy lifting tons of weights in deadlifts, squats etc. Earlier almost everyone in the gym would use a belt either fearing injury or simply because the buffed up guy lifting huge pounds of weight wore it and made a style statement out of it.
One of the biggest benefits of using a weightlifting belt is its ability to reduce the pressure on the spine. Some studies confirmed that wearing a belt during weightlifting increased intra-abdominal pressure by up to 40 percent, while one study reported that compression of the intervertebral discs was reduced by 50 percent. As most people believe the belt provides support because of its physical ability to do so which is not the case but the way our body adapts to the belt where the pressure built within the core and the abdominal cavity play a major role in supporting the spine and keeping the body stable while wearing the belt.
Another benefit that is more psychological is the ability to push through heavier weights without the element of fear or less fear during the workout. Most people often have the fear of an injury during a squat and hence end up performing them half-heartedly in spite of having the perfect form to go with. The weightlifting belt acts as an element of stability in the case of lifting weights and hence people are more confident of pushing through heavier weights. Although it is more psychological but as long as it helps improve, why not.
Weightlifting belts also create a better body biomechanics while lifting. Research shows that when lifting boxes, wearing a lifting belt reduces the amount of spinal flexion (forward bend at the spine), spinal extension (bending back of the spine), and lateral flexion of the spine (bending side to side), but increases the amount of flexion at the hips and knees.
#Weightlifting #Biomechanics #Belt #PGTraining