Opinions are shared about the efficiency of weightlifting belts and the capacity of these devices to enhance the safety level. The main criticism against weightlifting belts is that they allow athletes to lift more than they should thus reducing the safety of the exercises. Lower body stability and less strength in the forearms and the gripping muscles also seem to be problems associated with the extensive use of belts. According to positive opinions, weightlifting belts promote better stability and protection against various training risks. Normally, they prevent injuries to the back and the spinal cord by taking over some of the pressure.
Pros claim that it’s a good habit to wear weightlifting belts particularly in competitions, although the equipment is widely available and used by amateurs too. The belt keeps the spine in a good posture while lifting the weights and the soft tissues remain protected, nevertheless, a problem may appear with extensive usage. The short and long term impact of wearing weightlifting belts is pretty serious. These equipment items can increase the intra-abdominal pressure beyond accepted levels. While the intestinal muscles are protected against injury, hypertension may appear due to belt tightness.
Multiple belt designs are available, and adjustments are possible to the corresponding pressure level. When manufactured for power training, weightlifting belts incorporate special features for superior protection. Usually made of leather, such belts are braced by neoprene. You may find out which belt fits you best by talking to a fitness expert who can recommend an item to match your physiognomy and your training objectives. Padded or non-padded cotton and nylon items are also widely available. The sizes on the other hand range from XS and S to XL and XXL.
Besides safety, leather weightlifting belts do very little to improve the athletes’ performance. And despite the common belief that they help one train better, studies debunk this myth. Research conducted at the Albany Medical Center, N.Y., revealed little difference between the improvement made by weightlifters who wore belts and weightlifters who wore nothing. Even without the much emphasized back protection provided by the belt, the back muscles have better chances of developing and increasing in strength. Even so, wearing weightlifting belts is very frequent among amateurs, and there is no harm to this tendency as long as they are not used in excess.
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