Replying to Avatar sowack

I got my back squat up to 315 for sets of 5 during COVID. I hurt my neck surfing and efoiling and since then haven’t been able to back squat past 200lbs without my traps and neck muscles seizing up to thr point where I need a chiropractor. I missed squatting, so I’ve been experimenting with front squats for the past month, and so far, no stiff neck and I get to lift again. Belt is worn for the same reason you would wear one during heavy squats: support for your valsalva maneuver
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Telluride 4mo ago

All good reasons.

—Im always curious why people wear them. Im pretty neutral on the topic but I do have opinions.

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sowack 4mo ago

I hear ya. For me, it all depends. When I was back squatting, anything under 225 = no belt. Deadlift under 300lbs; no belt. Press under 125; no belt. I never found it to make much of a difference on bench, but my bench isn’t that impressive so maybe Im just not at w heavy enough weight yet

Basically, I use belts for heavy work sets and PR attempts. Anything else is just silly

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Telluride 4mo ago

🎯

We agree.

For the most part I don’t dispense unsolicited advice unless someone is using the hex trap bar haha