In health clubs around the world, weightlifters are wearing weight belts to help reduce the chance of a back injury while performing their workouts. Weight belts are designed to help support your spine and to reduce the amount of compression on the spine that may occur when performing a lift.
Function
According to Gregory Welch, author for the online publication "Critical Bench," every time you lift a weighted object, intra-abdominal pressure builds up in your abdomen and becomes a natural stabilizer for your spinal column. Weight belts not only increase this pressure, providing you more stability, but they relieve the load of the musculature of the lower back and reduce the compressive forces on the spinal discs.
Benefits
Since weight belts help provide more stability to the spine, they make it possible for you to use better technique when performing a lift. If that stability is not there, you may tend to use your lower back to help you lift the weight, which will decrease the positive effect on the muscles you are trying to work and prevent you from achieving good results from your workout. Also, since the compressive forces on the spinal discs are reduced when wearing a belt, you greatly reduce the chances of having lower back injuries.
Warning
Wearing a weight belt during your workout is helpful, but do not wear it throughout the day. Since the belt increases intra-abdominal pressure, constantly wearing it will keep that pressure high, which can lead to poor blood flow to and from the heart and can cause high blood pressure. Reducing the likelihood of a back injury is important, but not at the expense of developing problems with your heart. Wear the belt during lifting exercises, and loosen it while you are resting to reduce the pressure.
Types
A large number of weightlifting belts are out on the market. According to the online publication Bodybuilding 4 U, there are three types of belts. The classic training belt is made up of breathable polypropylene mesh that gives the back more room to move and does not place the back in a fixed position. The leather lifting belt has a contoured design that provides an effective back support while you lift weights. The all-leather structure is tough and durable and keeps your back in a straight position so that you do not bend forward while lifting and place excessive weight on your spine. The nylon weight belt is a wide, heavy-duty nylon belt with a support strap overlay for maximum lower back and abdominal protection during lifting. The wide structure provides more support for a larger area of the lower torso, which helps to perform better lifts and reduce injury.
Considerations
Whenever you are working out and performing exercises that involve your spine and lower back, always think about the strength of your lower back and evaluate whether it is able to handle the exercise you are about to perform. If you know that the weight you are trying to lift is too much or if you feel any pain in your back at all, stop your exercise. Either reduce the weight or do not do the lift so you can avoid serious injury that could affect you for many years.
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