Here is the
Question:
Do olympic
Lifters wear lifting belts?
The Answer:
Of course
they do!
Just look -
Iceland Annie, Rich Froning, Donny Shankle and others.
The reason
that I wanted to talk about this was because I have recently had some questions
about whether or not we should wear a lifting belt during our olympic lifts.
While many athletes wear them in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and
strongman, lifting belts have only recently become more popular among CrossFit
athletes. As a result, more CrossFitters are now beginning to question whether
or not they need to wear a lifting belt.
Although
everyone has their own opinions about the belts, there are many misconceptions
about wearing them. A common misconception is that using a belt allows you to
"cheat” and not properly brace with your abs and create an adequate amount
of intra-abdominal pressure to maintain a strong, neutral spine. Using of a
belt is actually quite the opposite. A lifting belt, when used properly,
provides the athlete with a stronger, more stable lifting position. This helps
to prevent the lumbar from rounding during exercises such as deadlifts and
squats, as well as helps to prevent hyper-extension of the spine when lifting
loads overhead like on a press or a Jerk.
CrossFit
tends to promote an approach to fitness that is both functional and minimalist,
so it’s easy to see why some CrossFitters might question the idea of wearing a
lifting belt. Others might be inclined to adopt a piece of equipment they see
being used by elite level competitors without understanding its purpose. This
year during regionals and at the CrossFit Games I saw an overwhelming number of
athletes (men and women) using belts and other gear to prevent injury and
promote more efficient lifts.
So, the
elite have adopted using this gear, but what about other CrossFitters? It all
depends on that persons approach to training, mechanics and mobility. Although
we all work to improve our technique and the quality of our movements, many of
us also realize that using gear helps us get through heavy WODs during bouts of
fatigue without jeopardizing bad form and promoting injury.
However,
keep in mind, a lifting belt won’t fix your technique and it definitely won’t
make you get that PR if you have been failing. If you do CrossFit just to stay healthy and fit, you
probably don’t need a belt anytime soon either – just pay good attention to
your lifting mechanics and stay within ranges that allow perfect mechanics.
Intermediate
and advanced level CrossFitters should consider incorporating the use of a
weightlifting belt. These individuals typically have much better mechanics,
have developed greater strength, and have learned adopted the needed techniques
to move heavier loads. These individuals are also more likely to push the
envelope on when to stop due to loss of proper lifting mechanics. For these
athletes, a lifting belt provides tactile feedback and a little bit of extra
support in case a lift goes wrong.
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