If you are a competerive power lifter then there is a function for it within those rules and training.
Until im educated otherwise i think it boils down to perception and ego in many cases.


Have you ever used a 2ply 3ply etc bench shirt or 1 ,2, 3 board for power benching?
I have. The amount of weight i can bench with a shirt is laughably more than without one.
Thanks to the external device.


If you can use a belt in a comp then you should train with one. That makes sense.
By the same token of I can use an iron man suit ill beat the guy
with the belt because my lifting aid is better than a belt.

Do you see my point?
Most people arent competitive power lifters. Those competetion have rules. So you should do whatever you can within those rules to win.
Steroids and sarms ,bionics iron man suit, whatever.

There is nothing wrong with that.
If powerlifting rules changed so that no drugs ,wraps,no belts no shoes and only a loose pair of shorts could be worn, the numbers being lifted would go down and egos would have to adjust and training would adapt accordingly.

I worked out with a world record holding bench presser for a couple years. I got to know him and others who competed in powerlifting.
Anecdotally i know ,but it holds true for nearly all.

They almost all did or had done PEDS.
2. They all suffered physically daily. Meds and many other things were needed to improve their quality of life due to chronic pain. Its okay..their choice and their trade off for doing what they wanted to do.
But the point is..it isnt good for your health.
Neither is boxing or football, etc.


The belt exists to support your spine. Your core muscles exist to support your spine. They do this by contraction around it, not by pushing away from it.
To use a belt you have to unnaturally do what your body isn't made to do and push away from your spine to compress it.
It is better for your health to strengthen your core and don't exceed your bodys limits to the point if damaging it.

If you want to use a belt or compete,go ahead.
If you want to be strong and healthy,i suggest not using one except in rare short instances.
It has its place as a training aid for i juries andbcompetetion.