People who decide to engage in heavy sports, just can not do without special ammunition. Powerlifting belt is an integral part of the uniform of any weightlifting athlete.
It is thanks to the belt that it will be possible to lift maximum weights. In addition, it allows you not to worry about the condition of your spine. A correctly selected belt will support and protect the spine from various sprains and injuries.
Powerlifting
Before choosing and buying a belt for powerlifting, you should decide what kind of sport it is and how it differs from the usual bodybuilding for many. This power sport involves lifting heavy weights. And if in bodybuilding weights rise for the sake of building muscle mass and giving the body a beautiful relief, then in powerlifting cubes on the press are absolutely not important. Here, only a productive spurt is important.
For any athlete in this sport, nutrition, a balanced diet, and good sports training will be of great importance. And, of course, equipment.
What is the belt for?
During the lifting of the barbell on the spine, a very strong load is exerted. In order to avoid troubles and health problems, each powerlifter must have a quality support support. The best powerlifting belts are, of course, leather ones. They are much more convenient, stronger and more durable.
The belt is also required for those who already have some back problems. It will reduce the load on the spine and lower back while lifting the bar, acting as a durable corset.
Sometimes the muscles are not ready for the loads that the next sports competitions have prepared for them. Belts also help out here, allowing you to set your own records, despite insufficient training.
Refusing to wear a belt is not recommended. If you decide to do this, then experts advise to carry out the refusal gradually. The muscles are accustomed already that they always have support. And if you dramatically deprive them of the frame, then they simply can not withstand the proposed load. You can start with a warm-up, practicing and training without a belt.
How to choose a belt
When choosing the right sizes of belts for powerlifting, they are very important. A thin weak one, even made of high-quality material, will not be able to provide proper support and protect the spinal muscles. Professional athletes prefer strong and wide belts.
If you engage in this sport professionally, then support from simple thin materials will not work. She corny will not be able to protect her back while lifting the barbell. The normal allowable width is about ten centimeters. This will be the optimal belt for powerlifting, which will help support not only the muscles of the back, but also the abdominal wall.
With a wide belt, you can “pull” the barbell and squat without any fears for your health. High-quality leather belt for powerlifting, professional athletes generally make to order. Only in this case, the belt does not cut into the skin, does not press and does not interfere with the exercise correctly.
If you ask professional weightlifters: "How to choose a belt for powerlifting?", They will answer: "According to the figure." It should not interfere, should not crush or cause a feeling of discomfort. As the athletes say, it should merge with your body and become one with it. You should not feel the belt itself while wearing it. Only reliable support for this part of the powerlifter wardrobe should be felt.
Differences
Weightlifting belts will be slightly different from those used by bodybuilders. The back wall is enlarged and raised. This allows you to securely fix the back and lower back. The front part will be narrower, which allows you not to feel discomfort and not injure the ribs during squats with the barbell.
Cheap and expensive belts will also differ. The first, as a rule, are made of low-quality thin synthetic material. They have an uncomfortable and unreliable Velcro. The shelf life of such a fastener is about a year, after which it will be necessary to change either the belt itself or the Velcro. It is suitable only for those who engage in unprofessional and low weight.
How to wear
The belt should not only be correctly selected in the store, but also properly worn before training. It is recommended that you attach it to the back first and only then adjust the clasp on the front. Tighten it should be tight, as tight as possible pressing to the pelvic bones.
It is important to remember that the belt is used only during training or exercise. When you take breaks between sets, you will need to take it off.
Properly selected equipment, as experienced athletes assure, is more than half the success of training. Victory in competitions depends on high-quality and correctly selected sports equipment.