Stop Using These Gym Crutches (They’re Making You Weaker)
- Aug 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Belts and lifting straps have their place, especially in competition, but if you’re not competing, ask yourself: what’s the point?
In the real world, when you’re carrying groceries, moving furniture, or shoveling snow, you won’t have time to grab straps or cinch up a belt. You’ll have to rely on your own muscles, grip, and core strength.
Ditch the Crutches:
Instead of over-relying on accessories:
Train Core Stability – Use your diaphragm and deep core muscles to protect your lower back without a belt.
Build Grip Strength – Add dead hangs, farmer carries, and suitcase carries into your routine to help you lift more and handle everyday life with ease.
Belts and straps can be helpful tools but they shouldn’t become crutches. Build the body that can handle the load anywhere, anytime.
Quick Tip – Grip & Core Challenge
Add these moves 2–3 times per week:
Grip Builders:
Dead Hang Hold – Hang from a pull-up bar for as long as possible. Aim to increase your time each week.
Farmer Carry – Hold heavy dumbbells or kettlebells at your sides and walk for 30–60 seconds.
Suitcase Carry – Carry a weight in one hand to challenge your obliques and core stability.
Bottoms up kettle bell holds - super challlegining but worth it. hold for 30 secs and build time every week.
Core Stability Builders:
Dead Bug – Lie on your back, extend opposite arm and leg while keeping your lower back pressed to the floor.
Pallof Press – Using a resistance band or cable, press straight out from your chest and hold, resisting rotation to challenge deep core stabilizers.
Front Carriers - For Time 30 secs with a load.
Remember, we go to the gym to be functional first, to improve our daily lives, and then, of course, the aesthetics and eight-packs come with time.
Hope this Helps,
A1
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