In the old days it wasn’t uncommon to see most people working out with a weight lifting belt on. And I have to say I was one of them.
Do you use weight belts?
Today I was in the gym and noticed a young guy in his 20’s walk up to the dumbbell rack then tighten up his weight belt and proceed to do shoulder presses with 30 pounds.
I asked him why he was using the belt. He gave me an interesting answer, because that’s what the top bodybuilders do.
So on the drive home this had me thinking when I was young and bodybuilding was becoming mainstream we would look at the top bodybuilders as role models. What ever they said must be true, just look at them.
Over the years it has become common knowledge that our so-called role models had a little secret, steroids and growth hormones. And bodybuilding the way they pursued it was not very healthy.
Working out is about enhancing your physical abilities to be able to live a longer and healthier life. When you use some sort of crutch like steroids, growth hormones, or in this case a weight belt, you take away from building a better body for long term health.
When you go to lift something in the real world are you going to stop and put your weight belt on first, No.
Carry it ever where you go? this would be kind of foolish wouldn’t it.
If you don’t train you core (abs and back muscles), which is the power point of your body, you will be nothing more than window dressing. One day you will go to pick something up and there goes your back.
Using a weight belt to lift weights will actually weaken your back muscles from lack of use; you will simply grow dependent upon it.
The only time you should use one is if you have a back problem, or you are going to lift something that is extremely heavy.
Improper form is what causes injuries.
Now as far as top bodybuilders go they are some of the unhealthiest people walking. You may think they look good on the outside, but it’s the condition of every thing inside that counts for a long and healthy life.
Tags: body building, weight belts, weight lifting