Powerlifting Gear | Weight Lifting Belts

Not that I am an old timer (in my mind) I am kind of old fashioned in how I lifted weights back in the day. When I first started out all the guys at the gym with their Iron-man t-shirts told me to get a weightlifting belt or weight lifting belt (whichever you like) for safety. So I went and got one of those $15 small leather strap belts and took it in to use it. That bruised me up pretty good as it was not broken in.

The mini belt as I later referred to it was quickly broken in and the limits of its usefulness were found. I still used it to do some exercises but very rarely. Once I started squatting I realized that I needed a better belt. So I got a real powerlifting belt that the owner of the gym ordered for me (well before the internet) and it was about $120. That was 6 months of membership costs too. That about broke the bank for me as I was only 18.

I had that belt as the only one I used up until this year (over 20 years) when I gave away all my home gym equipment and gear to a friend who was just starting out. I had a full powerlifting gym with Olympic weights in my house with a bench and squat rack and a dip rack. Good stuff. I was sad to see that belt go. It helped me through a lot of tough times. Every time I put it on I felt like a new person.

My biggest gripe was about the way people used their belts. You would see so many people just walking around with the belt on and checking out the mirror and stuff. My rule was unless you were moving a weight over your own body weight then you keep the belt off. Period. Guess I was old fashioned and not fashioned.

To break in the powerlifting belt, here is the tip of the day. I soaked it in water and froze it repeatedly. Then drove over it with my truck to soften it up some. Only took a few weeks before it was working like butter. It never failed being the best tool in my workout arsenal.