Maximizing one's potential during exercise is one of the primary goals of any fitness enthusiast. One of the most effective tools to achieve this is a training belt. Not just an accessory, but a necessary tool in anyone's gym bag, the training belt offers a number of benefits that can improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury.
First, an exercise belt provides extra support for your core muscles. By increasing the pressure in your abdominal and lower back region, a properly used training belt can increase your stability during heavy lifting, allowing you to lift heavier weights with more control and safety.
Additionally, an exercise belt provides a mechanical advantage by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. This creates a stable base for your lifts, making it easier for your muscles to work more efficiently and produce more power. As a result, lifters can experience an immediate increase in their lifting capacity when using a training belt.
It is difficult to say exactly how much a training belt can increase your compound lifts. It depends from person to person, but one study showed that those who used a training belt increased their compound lifts by 10-15%. This means that if your 1RM in the deadlift used to be 100kg, then a training belt can increase it to 110kg or 115kg.
A training belt doesn't just increase your 1RMs if you're the type who doesn't want to lift as heavy as possible. You can also use a training belt to take as many reps as you usually do but with less effort.