Can a tight belt break ribs?

Hi all,

Just wondering if it's possible for a tight belt to break ribs, especially during the deadlift? And if it is possible, is it the sort of thing that happens only as a result of improper belt positioning/size/technique/etc., or can it happen "just because" once the weight/strain gets above a certain level?

Thanks!

-skypig

Do pigs fly?

If you wear it too high, sure it can. If you need a 3" instead of a 4", sure it can.

Thanks Mark - I currently have a 3" belt, and I try not to wear it too high, although I'd say it is a bit higher than the squat belt position. I will double-check this.

Eric - yes, pigs can fly, if you're strong enough to throw them into the air. I wouldn't try grabbing a pig though.

One of my first lifters cracked a rib while squatting because the belt was too high and tight. Confirmed with an x-ray.

Rib injury, perhaps because of belt?

Thanks Andrew - duly noted!

I cracked a rib deadlifting two months ago. Link is to my NLP journal entry about it, but the short story is that I was using a 4" gym belt while waiting for my 3" belt to come in. I'm 5'-9" and have no need for a 4" belt whatsoever, but thought I could make it work for the short term.

Thanks Isaac and Hooper for the additional details - my question has now been thoroughly answered :).