Hello,

What are the real benefits of a weightlifting belt?

Cheers in advance.

Not much.

I took some ergonomics classes in college. They have done studies that show that weight belts give people more of a false sense of protection enducing them to lift heavier object the wrong way.

In my opinion, for beginners a weight belt can help. I have been lifting weights for 14 years. I no longer use a belt and haven't in the past 4 years. The only time I ever borrow one is doing really heavy squats.