I just read the second article in the **** thread and saw that it didn't agree w/SS which is why I asked the question. In SS Rip says
Quote:
You may not need a belt at all for much of the early part of your training career, and if your abs are strong and your back is uninjured, you may prefer to never use one. . . . A belt will not prevent your trunk from getting and staying strong. There is plenty of work for the trunk muscles even if a belt is worn on heavy sets; it's not as if your trunk muscles just go to sleep when you put on your belt.
The 70s big site says, on the other hand, that with a belt
Quote:
not only are the abdominals working harder, but the pressure is increased within the trunk which stabilizes and strengthens the spine. This makes you stronger, and it is usable strength. The first time someone wears their belt in a serious training session (especially when pressing and deadlifting), their abs get sore.
Rip seems to be suggesting that the abs still work hard with a belt, but not quite as hard. 70s big explicitly says that the abs work harder.
Just to be clear, both sources recommend wearing a belt (Rip says to do so if you have any doubt). But do the abs work harder/get stronger with a belt or not?