When you squat, why would you use a leather support??

[Wesker]

I dunno what it's called, but when some people are lifting heavy, they use a support around their stomach so they can suck their gut in. I think it's used to tighten your body so you can lift more and focus better.

But do you work your abs less when you use it? any real pros why or when I should use one?

[D4damage]

Its supposed to support your lower back. I don't bother, its better to have a strong back than to rely on support gear.

[FuckingHostile]

when you do heavy exercises like squats or deadlift, that are in themselves extremely dangerous, you have to create what they call a "block" which consists of contracting the abdominal core (abs) and the erector spinae (muscles at the bottom of the back that run along to the top of the spine) to straighten the trunk and prevent excessive cuvature of the spine. This leather equipment is probably used because the guys abs were lacking strength required for trunk stability

[SydLePirate]

Do you mean a belt/girdle?

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/6belt3.jpg

[Karlnold]

back support... it prevents your spine from snapping... which is a bad thing...

[jan]

The belt is made for those without proper strength in their abdomen, or slackers (imo).

[Xenocide]

I once read an article that a powerlifter wrote on gear. He claimed that one could add over 100 lbs. to a lift using belts, knee sleeves, gloves, etc.
I do all my lifting raw because I think its better...

[General Miaow]

You can lift more with outside support, so it's good if you're a powerlifter in a competition, but if you train with it, you're allowing the muscles that should be supporting you to slack off, so they'll wind up underdeveloped.

[Drex]

Belts are for people who get lazy and dont train their core. Shame of them. Plus, they just look tacky.

[Peleke]

I think it looks gay and is for people who don't train their lower back and abs...theres an article in one of the stickies in the Training and Conditioning forum that gives reasons why these aren't needed. I guess theres a place for evrything, but...

[chicanerous]

The other day I saw a guy dressed up in Abercrombie wearing a fancy belt with high-tech hook encloser over his hoodie, which was partly unzipped to reveal his shell necklace, as he went around and restyled his hair at each machine looking over into the mirror on the wall as he did 20+ reps at each station. :dead: Meanwhile, I squatted.

[Peleke]

The other day I saw a guy dressed up in Abercrombie wearing a fancy belt with high-tech hook encloser over his hoodie, which was partly unzipped to reveal his shell necklace, as he went around and restyled his hair at each machine looking over into the mirror on the wall as he did 20+ reps at each station. Meanwhile, I squatted.
Sounds like you need to put more weight on to keep your attention focused on the squat :tongue:

[chicanerous]

Sounds like you need to put more weight on to keep your attention focused on the squat :tongue:
That's the most asinine statement I've ever laid eyes on. :beer:

[Peleke]

I was just kidding :dead:

[Drex]

That's the most asinine statement I've ever laid eyes on. :beer:


True statement though :dead:

[chicanerous]

I was just kidding :dead:
I know. :wink: But, I wanted to point out that fact. :good:

What you are able to observe at the gym has absolutely no bearing on the intensity of your workout. If it does then, obviously, you need to make a conscious decision to be more focused.

My approach to training is that you should keep your mind clear and not focused on the lifts themselves until you are performing them. This is to disallow your mind to set limitations on your ability. If you're thinking about how much weight is on the bar, worrying about how much weight is on the bar, acknowledging the great number of sets you still have left, and ultimately doubting your own abilities, you are not going to perform to your full potential. I would actually encourage watching other lifters in order to get your mind off of your own lift. When it comes time for your set, you should stand there look at the bar and use whatever psyching and mental preparation routine you use in the 10 seconds or so just before you lift off. (Personally, I use a combination of negative (death, destruction, chaos, anger, etc.) imagery, rapid breathing, light stomping, visualization, and sound.) Once the set starts, count your reps but try not to register the numbers -- unconnect your mind from its higher faculties and let your subconscious do its own counting. This is where "the beast" takes over and "the man" hides. It's not one rep, two rep, three rep, four; it's one rep, one more rep, one more rep, one more rep, one more rep, etc. If you have a training partner, don't count reps at all and have them do it instead. In this way, you will push your body to its real limits.

There's much more to iron than just moving it. Your mental state can make or break a lift.

[FuckingHostile]

I know. :wink: But, I wanted to point out that fact. :good:

What you are able to observe at the gym has absolutely no bearing on the intensity of your workout. If it does then, obviously, you need to make a conscious decision to be more focused.

My approach to training is that you should keep your mind clear and not focused on the lifts themselves until you are performing them. This is to disallow your mind to set limitations on your ability. If you're thinking about how much weight is on the bar, worrying about how much weight is on the bar, acknowledging the great number of sets you still have left, and ultimately doubting your own abilities, you are not going to perform to your full potential. I would actually encourage watching other lifters in order to get your mind off of your own lift. When it comes time for your set, you should stand there look at the bar and use whatever psyching and mental preparation routine you use in the 10 seconds or so just before you lift off. (Personally, I use a combination of negative (death, destruction, chaos, anger, etc.) imagery, rapid breathing, light stomping, visualization, and sound.) Once the set starts, count your reps but try not to register the numbers -- unconnect your mind from its higher faculties and let your subconscious do its own counting. This is where "the beast" takes over and "the man" hides. It's not one rep, two rep, three rep, four; it's one rep, one more rep, one more rep, one more rep, one more rep, etc. If you have a training partner, don't count reps at all and have them do it instead. In this way, you will push your body to its real limits.

There's much more to iron than just moving it. Your mental state can make or break a lift.

Thats some hardcore truth right there

[NightHunter]

I once read an article that a powerlifter wrote on gear. He claimed that one could add over 100 lbs. to a lift using belts, knee sleeves, gloves, etc.
I do all my lifting raw because I think its better...

Yes these implements can add weight to your lifts, but it also takes time to learn how to utilize them to the maximum effect. I also have yet to see any piece of lifting equipment lift itself.

[Xenocide]

Obviously a competent and experienced powerlifter could utilize training implements to their full effect. He didn't say everyone would add 100 lbs. immediately, and thats not what I was trying to communicate.

[Sigil]

I don't use belts when doing squats...I like for my core muscles to be strong enough to stabalize my lifts. Of course, I don't do super extreme weight on squats. I usually do about 5 sets of 12 for par. squats.

[Ouriço]

What's the best way to strengthen back muscles involved in squatting? I haven't ever squatted before because my knee is jacked, but I'm building muscle around it and going to start squatting soon. I don't think my lower back is ver strong, though, because it curves in a little.

[chicanerous]

What's the best way to strengthen back muscles involved in squatting? I haven't ever squatted before because my knee is jacked, but I'm building muscle around it and going to start squatting soon. I don't think my lower back is ver strong, though, because it curves in a little.
The spine isn't straight and naturally has some curve to it. If you have an extreme amount of curve, it could be lordosis.

Bent-leg straight-back good mornings (http://www.marunde-muscle.com/fitness/askem_good_morning.html) are excellent.

[Ouriço]

Oh good, I do Good Mornings and Superman(s) all the time. Maybe I'm okay.

[anfeyd]

Bent-leg straight-back good mornings are excellent.

:good:

I was going to ask about good mornings, but this article covers it.

[Tsumaru]

Deadlifts are awesome for the lower back....and half of the rest of your body! >=D