“Core” training? My rant…
I’ve had this question quite a few times over the years – but this time it struck a nerve for no apparent reason. Forgive me for not being very patient.
Disclaimer: I was NOT at all mad at this guy. I was mad about the myth within the question.
Here we go:
Facebook message: “Hey man! I know you’re a busy guy but I hope you can answer this question. I notice you wear a belt a lot for your heavy lifts. Your olympic lifts & your squats. Don’t you think this is making your core weaker? I’ve never used a belt but it just seems like people can get dependent on it. I’ll watch them make a lift with a belt, then, a week later, miss that same weight without a belt. Wouldn’t you rather have your core be strong enough to act like a belt itself? It just seems backwards to me. Thanks.
What I should have responded with:
What I actually responded with: Thanks for the message! Let’s say I can Clean & Jerk 405 with a belt and 375 without. In a workout I might take 12 attempts to 405. If I stopped at 375 – because I didn’t want to use a belt – I would only take 10 attempts to get there. Would you argue that taking 2 more attempts & lifting 390lbs & 405lbs – even with a belt – makes your core weaker? It sounds crazy when I word it like that, right? I’m able to take 2 more maximal lifts with the belt – and supporting 390lbs/405lbs, even with a belt, requires a lot of “core” strength. Many Olympic champions use a belt – and many do not. It is not a requirement, but, many people are able to lift more with a belt. If you choose not to use one that is fine! But no, me clean & jerking 405lbs doesn’t make my core “weaker.”
Become “dependent” on lifting big weights & nobody will care if you used a belt or not. “Man – That’s a great world record there Ilya Ilin… 242kg…But…You used a belt, so it’s not that impressive.” -Said no one ever
Bottom line: Lifting weights makes your core strong. Lifting more weights makes your core more strong.”
