• Keep up to date with Ausbb via Twitter and Facebook. Please add us!
  • Join the Ausbb - Australian BodyBuilding forum

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

    The Ausbb - Australian BodyBuilding forum is dedicated to no nonsense muscle and strength building. If you need advice that works, you have come to the right place. This forum focuses on building strength and muscle using the basics. You will also find that the Ausbb- Australian Bodybuilding Forum stresses encouragement and respect. Trolls and name calling are not allowed here. No matter what your personal goals are, you will be given effective advice that produces results.

    Please consider registering. It takes 30 seconds, and will allow you to get the most out of the forum.

Belts when recovering from lower back injuries

L

lazy

Guest
Hi,

I broke my back and am currently recovering, I an avoiding Squats and Deadlifts and using machines instead.

Once I fully recovered I will be going back to the old barbell workouts.

My question is during my recovery if a belt would be safe for me to at least squat while I recover.

Im not intending on using a belt for ever.
 
Me personally I WOULD wear a belt forever. Belts protect the spine in the squat and keep the back tight which creates a smoother ride - some spinal flexation is inevitable when lifting heavy weights, better to be safe than sorry.

Not a single powerlifting fed in the world (note: raw unity is NOT a fed) disallows the use of belts and EVERYONE who competes wears one.

Most of the cheap ones you see in sports stores are poorly designed though - get an outbak powerlifting belt from samsfitness for $65.
 
A belt is a band aid solution for a weakness in your core. I've told you that you need to address your core strength to protect your back in the future from further injury.

Wait until your back is fixed and your core is stronger then build your overall strength up gradually.

Otherwise you will have strong legs but due to belt use your core wont have kept up. As soon as the belt comes off the core is a weak point again, and then again you have a great risk of injury.
 
lazy said:
Oliver: Something like this - Workout World | The Fitness Equipment Specialists - Leather Back Belt
Click to expand...

Nah, thats what I meant. See how the belt is wider at the back? the person who designed that didn't have much of an idea what they were doing because its supposed to place pressure against your abdominals.

A good belt is 4" wide all the way around (if you're a shorty though you might need 3"), a laminated suede and a good 10-13mm thick. They're usually really stiff and take a month or two to wear in, but when they do they're great. Belts I'd recommend:
- Inzer forever belt (sets you back about $150)
- Safe USA competition belt (about the same, order from titanaustralia)
- Outbak powerlifting belt (a more modest option - $65 with postage)
 
lazy said:
Hi,

I broke my back and am currently recovering, I an avoiding Squats and Deadlifts and using machines instead.

Once I fully recovered I will be going back to the old barbell workouts.

My question is during my recovery if a belt would be safe for me to at least squat while I recover.

Im not intending on using a belt for ever.
Click to expand...

You broke your back?
Can you elucidate?

Stay away from those exercises untill your back is structurally sound.
In the meantime walk, ask your proffessional about TGU's and kettlebell work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top