how tight is your lifting belt suppose to be?

[mcdonough53]

since i started cutting i've been losing inches of my waist and have been moving from the 3rd notch on my belt to the 6th, the thing is that on the 6th it feels too tight and somewhat uncomfortable, and on the fifth i fell that the belt moves.
so on fifth hole its loose
on sixth hole its tight
what to do?

[LtL]

Tighter is better. Which lifts are you using the belt for?

LtL

[mcdonough53]

i usually use it for some back exercises, and shoulder press, and leg press or anything heavy, which im not doing much, so tighter is better

[AlexE]

Just tighten it up for the set then loosen it back off when resting in-between, or make a new hole in-between the 5th and 6th.

[muscletrainerdh]

Originally Posted by mcdonough53

i usually use it for some back exercises, and shoulder press, and leg press or anything heavy, which im not doing much, so tighter is better

Are you standing when you do shoulder press? If not, then there's no need for a belt.

Also no need for a belt on a seated leg press.

However, a belt must be worn tightly to maximize its usefulness. This is physically taxing and should not be done for long periods of time. Research has shown that wearing a tight belt during exercise can elevate blood pressure. For this reason, belts should only be used on two primary occasions. The first is when performing maximal or submaximal lifts in exercises such as the squat or deadlift, in which the weight is supported by the lifter's back. The second is while performing exercises, such as the military press, which may cause the back to hyperextend. The belt should be loosened to allow blood pressure to return to normal levels in between sets.

Weightlifting belts are not necessary for other types of weight training exercises in which the spinal erectors do not work against heavy resistance. For example, the use of a belt will not affect performance on exercises such as the lateral pull down and leg extension. Belts also have little or no effect on performance weight loads that are fairly light . However, elevated blood pressure that results from using a belt can increase over time, even when fairly light work or aerobic activity is performed. Lifters with heart disease and blood pressure problems should exercise caution when wearing a tight belt for long periods of time.

Constantly wearing a belt can also cause decreased strength development in abdominal muscles. Electromyographic research has found that there are lower levels of muscle activity in abdominal muscles when a belt is worn while lifting. The muscles that would normally keep the abdomen stabilized are inhibited when a belt is used, which could result in weaker abdominal muscles in the long run.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/s.../aa060201a.htm

Obviously if you've had back issues and you've been instructed by your doctor to wear a weightbelt, go ahead and do so, but I'd be careful not to over use it.


Hope that helped,

Dave

[Coregains]

Originally Posted by muscletrainerdh

Are you standing when you do shoulder press? If not, then there's no need for a belt.

Also no need for a belt on a seated leg press.



http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/s.../aa060201a.htm

Obviously if you've had back issues and you've been instructed by your doctor to wear a weightbelt, go ahead and do so, but I'd be careful not to over use it.


Hope that helped,

Dave

THIS HAS CAUGHT MY ATTENTION,

What about deadlift singles ? If what has been said is true then im best off not using a belt at all, or would you say the risks from not using the belt outways the risks using it ?

[muscletrainerdh]

Originally Posted by Coregains

THIS HAS CAUGHT MY ATTENTION,

What about deadlift singles ? If what has been said is true then im best off not using a belt at all, or would you say the risks from not using the belt outways the risks using it ?

I think if by "singles" you mean a maximum lift, then I would wear the belt.

[Coregains]

Originally Posted by muscletrainerdh

I think if by "singles" you mean a maximum lift, then I would wear the belt.

Yea 90% + lifts, thought as much just wanted confirmation.

Do you think that doing these lifts progressively over-time without a belt would be good for all over strength ? Mainly abdomen and erectors ?

[LtL]

Originally Posted by Coregains

Do you think that doing these lifts progressively over-time without a belt would be good for all over strength ? Mainly abdomen and erectors ?

Yes.

LtL

[mcdonough53]

thanx for the advise guys