As a 30 year old, with wife and kids, lifting from 2016, after the 8 weeks program, I hit the 200kg atg PB after pushing for a 200kg squat for a year of self programing before that. After that I ran it again with a friend of mine (32 year old that didnt train for 6 months), and I hit a 210kg PB and a 200kg double at the end of the week 7, while he almost completely got his old strength back and was doing a 185kg double with a 170kg PB at the week 1 (sadly he was unable to test his PB in week 8 but he would have def lifted 190-200kg also atg which was his old PB). So the program is def worth every peny, and my progress was a bit better second time, am not sure if its because I wasnt wearing my belt at all during the first 6 weeks or just better overall execution and maybe sleep. I hit my second 5x5 with 175 beltless, so 6 weeks without a belt, and when reps got to a 3-2 range I got it and legit blew up even more. The stability was insane because I learned to control the core without anything I guess. So my advice would be to first get the program if you want to build a beast like squat over only 8 weeks, and on top of that to try and do everything without any equipement (belt, knee thingies, etc...) as much as you can. Anyway, best of luck guys, cant wait to repeat the program once again on winter in the off season!
I had some pretty bad recurring disc hernias since my early twenties (now ten years ago), so I just wear a belt for anything over 85% for the very reason you mentioned: psychological sense of security. I can barely reach for my grocery bag without wincing in case my back explodes.
The belt definitely compensates for some core weakness/back weakness, at least for me. For instance, I can do 8s with 150kg and no belt, and it's real work for me but doable. I put on a belt and I can do 150kg for 8s with far less effort. The belt really helps put the weight into my legs and less into my back and core. I don't know if it's mental or truly helping me compensate. Usually, I throw on the belt once I get above 150/160kg.
As someone who works in construction (as a cement mason) who currently is working on hypertrophy (those rep ranges you are talking about over 4 or more sets) the belt is just a must for me. Obviously you need to know technique but the idea and goal isn’t to see if my back and bracing give out before my legs. Dr. Mike Isratel does a great job of explaining it (obviously he is in hypertrophy for muscle growth with most of his content). What exactly are you working out? In high rep situations, if you aren’t working out how long you can hold a bar (straps) or if your core can hold on completely unassisted in high reps then use the aids that are given to you. Nothing about this stuff is “natural” or “functional” like you hear preached now. So people need to get that out their heads.
@@amorfati4927 yeah I really didn't like the idea of doing anything with a belt, because it wasn't functional, to use your words. But I have caved and noticed a huge difference, I think going through the process without the belt and developing bracing and all that was deffo helpful
I never liked wearing a belt. Even if it did fit, it felt off. Squats would be too tight. I found clean deadlifts very strange if I wore a belt. Is it proper bracing or is it primarily core strenght a belt can improve?
