[timarie]

I have a barbell and disk weights. Most of this stuff belongs to my husband but I can use it. I just need to look up the form on what to do with it.
What is a lifting belt?

A weight lifting belt:

   

Article on purpose of wearing one:

http://skinnybulkup.com/weight-lifting-belts/

Many argue that you shouldn't have to use this because your core should be strong enough to properly lift the weight or you shouldn't be lifting that heavy weight at all. Well, maybe for those with different goals, but I do not particularly want my core to be carrying this weight, or my back... I just want my glutes to be hit the hardest, so I need the heaviest weight possible. Of course since it is a compound exercise, avoiding hitting the other muscles is virtually impossible, but I want to get my glutes to pulling as much of the load as possible. So, the weight lifting belt supports the core/lower back so you do not hurt it and it helps to keep you with better form when you lift really heavy weights. I will emphasize here: REALLY HEAVY WEIGHTS. You will probably not need it when you first start off, but you will eventually get to the point of needing it as you increase your weights to a point that you may potentially find yourself hurting in your lower back afterwards. ESPECIALLY when lifting free weights. Your husband probably knows what these belts are I actually have not needed it until recently, I have occasionally (actually, almost always with my V-Squat and the Leg Press) find my lower back hurting afterwards and the next day, so I have asked around and I was advised to try them. So, as you can see I only hurt my back with certain exercises, you will only want to use the belt for those exercises and let your core get stronger with the other exercises that do not put too much stress on your core. The reason I say this is because the downfall of people who wear the belt for EVERYTHING is that their core gets weaker and that's just-- no good. And awesome that you already have a barbell and weight plates! Oh and I forgot to add that you will probably want to buy a barbell pad if you don't already have one. This is to protect your neck/spine from the heavy barbell resting on it. I do not do my barbell walking lunges without it!