At what point to wear a belt?

[Deadballs]

Getting more and more into my deadlifts. Weight is steadily going up each couple of weeks. I'm only 78 kilos and 3 months into training at age 35 so my deads aren't special or anything but I am repping 110k with good form. Next couple of weeks I'll probably be at 120k.

Anyhow I've got a spinal fuse of the lumber l2-l4 I think or it could be l1-13. Any back pain I do get has been pretty much eradicated by doing deadlifts and I think various other exercises. My concern is that I can see that In like a year I'm going to be lifting a sizeable weight. What should I do to make absolutely sure I don't fuck myself. Will a belt help or will that make me neglect my back too much. Should I set a target of say 1rep max 200 kilos and limit myself to sets below that number and just do more reps or slower reps to keep the resistance building or should I just fucking go for it and keep putting the weight up as much as I can?

 

[DieYoungStrong]

I'm not going to tell you what to do after a spinal fusion but I deadlift fairly heavy. 1rm is 545 with straps and obv belt.

The belt allows you to contract your core harder because you are pushing it against the belt. Once I hit 315 lbs warming up, I put on the belt. Same with squats.

As you go heavy, keeping your form is the key to everything. You have to think like a powerlifter to go heavy. A good read on deadlift form is starting strength by mark rippetoe. His deadlift will be the way to go for you IMO because he preaches the straight back deadlift as opposed to rounding. I know I round at my max but I pull 405 for reps without rounding. I wouldn't recommend a rounded back pull with lumbar issues.

You're never going to pull a wr with a spinal fusion but you can hit some big prs.

Just keep hitting it heavy and listen to your body. A 200kg pull is very respectable. Most guys don't even deadlift.

 

[Deadballs]

Wow 405 reps. I doubt I'll ever reach that without going on TRT.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look up starting strength! I don't care about being massive, I just want to be ultra strong for my weight group which with my frame will always be below 90kilos max!

 

[DieYoungStrong]

Yeah just do what you can. I do believe that as we get older, maintaining strength is very important.

Fwiw my bench absolutely sucks from shoulder issues and in poweifting circles, my deadlift is respectable but by no means huge.

 

[Pericles]

I did a 600 many years ago, but now I do not go over 245, and get at least 10 reps.

I have never had any kind of back problem, which I attribute to always training lower back for more than 35 years.

 

[Demondosage]

Personally I'd take a totally different approach to deadlifting with a spinal fusion. I'd go without a belt and make sure my reps were at least 8-10 in good form. Its more difficult to get injured from higher reps since its a weight you can handle easier. This will build your back up and let your abs and lower back contract naturally without any assistance. I'd consider a belt down the road, but for now I'd keep going raw

 

[Pericles]

I agree^ Deadlifts are an exercise where you form must be absolutely perfect. On, say lat pulldowns I will cheat in order to get the last 2-3 reps. Cheat on deads and you can get a serious injury.

My goal on deads nowadays is to strengthen lower back and other supporting muscles. Going raw, higher reps w/ lighter weights has resulted in me never having any back problems at the age of 51. I would only use a belt if I were shooting for a number.

 

[MANWHORE]

i did a 600 many years ago

:d

 

[MANWHORE]

I set the safety bars so the dead bar
Hits top of my knee, and do them this way..
I have perfect form, use a very heavy weight,
And every muscle in my body is working during them..

I also use under/over grip, and drop
The dead bar on safety bars for ever rep now...
Rest pause but just time to re-grip and not
Stress negative

I do ATF squats but not taking
A chance rounding my back, on deads.
ATF squats hit my abs nice, too

 

[Mike Oxbig]

I prefer to deadlift/squat raw. If I NEED one to keep solid form the weight is too high to begin with, plus lifting without a belt will make your lower back stronger.

 

[DieYoungStrong]

Mw there is no other way to squat but ATG but you know that. Hamstrings hit calves.

 

[Pericles]

:d

I have long arms and relatively short legs. I am a natural deadlifter.

My bench always sucked, my best was 275 for 17 reps, and that was 4 weeks out from a show. I was on 2.5k mgs of gear.

 

[bostonturtle]

Only time I fucked myself was on deadlift, and it was because the bar drifted forward... knew exactly when it happened. Dropped it. Walked around like Mr Magoo for 5 days.

 

[heel hook]

I mostly only use the Trap Bar now for Deadlifting no problems for the lower back but use some extra work for the lower back as it doesn't work it as well as the reg Dead, I rarely use a belt , rolling and acupressure, stretching and an Inversion table keeps it healthy as well as keeping it strong.