Lifting belts are used for back support during weightlifting sessions and occupational safety. They're designed to take pressure off your lower back and protect you from injury. Certain safety precautions as well as proper fit are extremely important in keeping your back from becoming strained.
History
Lifting belts were originally designed to assist patients with physical rehabilitation after a back injury, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety. Not long after use began in the medical field, lifting belts started cropping up in gymnasiums to help support the back and protect it from injury. Weightlifting belts used in many gyms consisted of nothing more than a thick leather strap that covered the lower back. The workplace then followed suit, providing thicker nylon covered belts to assist laborers in work performance while attempting to eliminate injury to employees.
Evidence
Although popular belief suggests that lifting belts protect your spine during strenuous movement, FamilyDoctor.org says these claims have not been proven. Stuart M. McGill, professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo in Canada, says that people who have had previous back injuries are not protected by lifting belts and that people who have suffered injury while wearing the belts are at increased risk for further injury during belt use.
Proper Use
Despite evidence that lifting belts don't prevent injury, mental retraining may be the main benefit of lifting belts. One argument backing the use of lifting belts includes their ability to remind the user how to properly lift without using the back muscles, according to McGill. Belts are not meant to be worn on a long-term basis and are to be securely fastened when in use. Prevent breathing restriction by keeping your lifting belt snug, but not tight. Position lifting belts around your waist without pulling down or up past your lower back.
Lifting Technique
Proper application of lifting belts may help prevent injury. However, according to FamilyDoctor.org, the best prevention for injury is to learn proper lifting technique. Lift only what you can handle. Never lift excess weight that can't be pushed with your hands or feet. Stretch your legs, back and arms before lifting any load and ensure that the weight is evenly distributed within the object. Never reach for boxes or parcels or bend/stoop to pick up lower loads. Lift with your legs, not your back, while keeping the load close to your body. Avoid bending or twisting during lifting or transport.
Considerations
Use of lifting belts has been associated with cardiovascular strain -- including increased blood pressure and breathing problems -- as well as limiting mobility, increasing the risk of spinal injury, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety. Conduct full testing of your blood pressure and bone mass before using any lifting belt. You also run the risk of becoming too attached to your lifting belt, assuming you're able to lift heavier loads than you would without the belt.
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