Weight Belts for Health
Many of you who lift free weights as a means of exercising or to build and shape your body into a desired appearance may be familiar with a weight belt. They come in many colors and styles. The belt uses the oblique and abdominal muscles to help support the lower back as the center portion of the belt presses against your lower spinal column. If you lift, you should be wearing one, but its usefulness is not limited to the gym. It can help support your lower back in doing other tasks such as digging around the house, carrying large stones, or moving heavy boxes. When you are going to be doing a half-day of lifting work around the house, or helping someone to move, you can put on your weight belt for added support. Lifting or digging increases your chance of injury to your lower back more than weight lifting in a gym because your mind is not in tune with the work at hand. Your attention is divided among the many tasks you are trying to complete instead of being focused solely on your lifting form. If you have strained your lower back before, you know that a little added support is worthwhile. Safety precautions to prevent or reduce possible injuries are always better and easier than the steps needed to heal an injury. Until Next Time...Be Safe.
