Back belts are wide belts that encircle the abdomen and lower back.
They are usually made of elastic material and can be cinched tightly around the waist, like a girdle, when one is ready to lift something heavy. They often have suspenders that hold them in place when they are not cinched tightly. Claims for back belts Proponents of back belts claim that they prevent back injuries by various means, including reducing internal forces on the spine during lifting, increasing intra-abdominal pressure which counters the forces on the spine, stiffening the spine which decreases forces on the spine, restricting bending range of motion to prevent overextending, and reminding the wearer to lift carefully. They claim that back belts have reduced injuries in the workplace. Instead, they recommend that employers implement an ergonomics program that reviews the work environment and work tasks to identify the hazards of lifting.