Is it time for a belt?

[Squatter]

Don't know if this is thread worthy, but I couldn't find a "ask a simple question" thread...

Rip talks about not getting a belt too early (while you're still a rank novice and/or learning the movement patterns correctly).

My last work set in each lift was press68 (hard), bench97 (ok hard), SQ101 (easy) and DL130 (pretty hard) (BW=87). However, I feel that I still have some easy-to-fix form issues with most of the lifts, especially the DL and the bench and somewhat with the press.

Would you implement a belt in my situation? If yes, would you use it for the squat as well, even though I still find squatting relatively easy (compared to the others lifts)?

[Randle McMurphy]

are these values in kilo's?

if so, i would day you are ok to start wearing a belt, assuming your form is good.

Your figuires are pretty good for a rank novice

[Squatter]

Kg's, yeah, Europe

Hehe, didn't refer to myself as a rank novice, but rather rank novices are the trainees that definitely should not get a belt!

I would consider myself approaching the end of linear progress on the press and perhaps on the bench as well. I started squatting and DL'ing way later, because of knee surgery, so hopefully I'm still some months away form stalling there.

The reason I asked is that I don't want to have some form issues that will never be corrected if I start using the belt too early. On the other hand, I would hate to stall unnecessarily early (especially on the press), because of not having bought a belt...

[Ian Kovtunovich]

If you're wondering if you should get a belt...you should get a belt. Pick up some knee sleeves too, while you're at it, if you don't have those already.

[Squatter]

Ok, will pick one up soon then!

I have some regular knee wraps like these that I use for now. I bought them for something unrelated to squatting etc:


They provide warmth and some support but they are in no way a struggle to put on or anything (unlike some other knee sleeves/wraps I've read about). Should I get some specifically made for lifting heavy, or will these do fine, do you think?

[Ian Kovtunovich]

Ok, will pick one up soon then!

I have some regular knee wraps like these that I use for now. I bought them for something unrelated to squatting etc:


They provide warmth and some support but they are in no way a struggle to put on or anything (unlike some other knee sleeves/wraps I've read about). Should I get some specifically made for lifting heavy, or will these do fine, do you think?

From all the recommendations I've seen/read on this board, that type of sleeve is perfect--the benefits you mentioned, without adding pounds to your lifts. I have some simple ones similar to that shown also, and they're great. My knees are much happier after lifting!

[Damien Thompson]

With the whole belt thing, with people i coach i:
1. Teach them the lifts
2. Progress linearly as per SS (technique improves each workout to a point and technique is maintained as weight gets heavier very gradually week by week.)
3. When the reps start to slow and i think the trainee will stall within a workout or two, they may miss a rep or they may just look like they will struggle to complete the reps in the next workout, then i impliment the belt to squeeze a few more weeks out of the linear progression before resetting.

[msingh]

The gear enthusiast will say, when you can walk, gear up. You can safely ignore their opinion because it's not a qualified judgement of your unique circumstance. I'd be more interested in knowing the rationale behind those who are more conservative with recommending gear. How do you determine when someone is ready for belting up a squat? When they hit 3 plates? 2? How do you work it out?

[TTT]

you don't have to wear a belt EVER!!
but you can wear a belt whenever you want

[mstrofbass]

you don't have to wear a belt EVER!!
but you can wear a belt whenever you want

+1

I would imagine that the belt is probably the least of your worries when it comes to stalling on press. I think you're a higher as a function of BW than I am though.