Q. Should I wear a gym belt when squatting?

Answer

When wearing a belt the intra-abdominal pressure that is already present in the body might rise by more than forty percent. By doing so compression throughout the discs in the lower back can be reduced by as much as fifty percent. This results in a significant lessening of the pressure that is placed on the lower back. However this is not entirely attributable to the belt. The spine is not being supported in any way by the belt at all. The abdominal muscles are going to be supported by the belt. When they lift big weights it is the increased pressure in the abdominal region that acts as a support for the spine. It is the body's reaction to the belt that determines whether or not it is beneficial to the back and whether or not it adds weight to the primary lifts.