Published May 2, 2004 12:00AM
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Outside magazine, July 1994Equipment: When You Could Use a Stiff Belt By Dana Sullivan a little more support. But they’re paying for it through the torso. “During heavy lifts, a belt will enhance the abdominal muscles’ strength, because you push against it for extra support,” says David Krantz, an exercise physiologist and spine-care specialist at Stanford University. “Wearing one all the time, however, won’t address the real problem, which is insufficient ab and back muscles. The muscles you’d employ if you weren’t wearing a belt will weaken pretty quickly if they’re not used.” So do without a weightlifting belt–and do more stomach crunches and back extensions–unless you’re going to be repeatedly lifting more than 75 percent of the total weight you can lift only once. Which brings us back to the barbell set: Most of us will lift such loads only during squats and deadlifts. For those tasks, wear a belt that’s only about four inches wide (you can choose leather or foam) and make sure it settles snugly around your abs and lumbar region–not around your waist. |