Serious training is not only the way to an ideal figure and excellent health but also a real danger of harming your body, because they are associated with significant stress on the body. To avoid unpleasant consequences, many special devices have been invented, and the athletic belt is one of them. Every “advanced” bodybuilder knows the purpose of this projectile, but at the same time, someone is in no hurry to resort to the help of this “accessory”, while someone, on the contrary, uses an athletic belt with every workout. Let’s see what it is for and what effect it has on the athlete’s body.
The athletic belt is a strip of natural (less often artificial) leather or fabric with a clasp. There are two types of this device:
- weightlifting belt with a wide middle part;
- powerlifting belt in a standard square shape with a carabiner clasp.
The athletic belt is fixed on the lower abdomen or at the waist in such a way that during training it creates additional pressure in the abdominal cavity, helping the spine to maintain a straight position. Such fixation of the lower back protects the intervertebral discs from excessive load, that is, the belt acts as a kind of corset. It would seem how useful and simple a device! However, it also has its drawbacks.
The danger of using an athletic belt
If you perform exercises without any devices, then the natural “belt” begins to work – the muscles of the press and back. To create strong support for the spine, they are reduced and “pressed” against the back. When using an athletic belt, the opposite process occurs – as if you stick out the abdominal muscles, resting them on a hard surface. This raises several problems:
- with the constant use of an athletic belt, the natural muscle corset weakens, creating a risk of injury in the future, even when lifting a small weight;
- improper work of the abdominal muscles can become a habit, so if you later decide to stop using the athletic belt, you will have to “retrain” the muscles to work naturally;
- you will not be able to abruptly stop using the belt – to protect yourself from a spinal injury, it will be necessary to gradually return the role of stabilizers to the muscles of the back and press.
All of the above dangers threaten you only if you approach the issue without due care and attention. But if you use the belt wisely, then the results of training can exceed all expectations.
Features of training with an athletic belt
For classes with a belt to be as effective as possible, it is worth following some rules:
- use an athletic belt only to lift the maximum weight, in all other cases it is better to do without additional devices;
- a break between sets is a great opportunity to “rest” from the belt: be sure to take it off for this time;
- an athletic belt is indispensable in cases where an athlete has a back injury;
- also, this device may be needed if at the moment you do not need to pump the abdominal muscles during training (this issue is especially true for girls who want to keep the waist).
To sum up all of the above, it is worth noting that the athletic belt is best used as additional insurance for heavy squats, lunges, and deadlifts. In other cases, the most appropriate way would be to use a natural muscle corset, provided that you do not have spinal injuries.
Where can I start training with an athletic belt?
Sports club Gold’s Gym is open to those who strive to reach heights in improving their bodies. Real professionals work here, optimally organizing training, and suggesting the most appropriate direction for development. The Gold’s Gym Club creates exactly the right atmosphere for professional athletes and those who are just starting their fitness journey.