Background
I've been deadlifting for about a year at home and have managed to have a 1RM of 405 lbs (more than twice my body weight). Because I had no intention of disturbing my downstairs neighbors, I never drop the weights; I always put it down carefully. Obviously, this was very tasking for me (and I think it contributed to my low number)
Fast Forward
I now train in a commercial gym with a free weights section. My observation of most patrons deadlifting are:
- A lot of them drop the weights after lifting. This causes some noise. For some, the noise is so annoying that other patrons usually avoid all the machines around the area. Weirdly enough, the gym employees don't seem to complain. So, on one of my sessions, I decided to drop the weights; (I guided it down, but not as I used to do at home). Unsurprisingly, I wasn't as tired as I used to be. Because I'm unfamiliar with the noise, I had to put some rubber mats under the weights to reduce the noise made.
- More than half of the deadlifting/squats patrons use a belt. They are using belts for low weights (less than 200 lbs for squats, 250 lbs for deadlifts). Because I began deadlifting with the StrongLifts program where using belts was discouraged (unless you're lifting about 1.5 times your body weight) because it allows patrons to use bad form, I usually feel like talking to the patrons.
Questions
- First, is it possible to efficiently deadlift without dropping the weights? I don't want to be that guy who makes noise (or damages equipment)
- Second, is there a good reason to wear belts while deadlifting/squatting with low weights? I was fortunate to have a good foundation when I started and this site also helped me a lot. So, if there's no benefit for them, I don't mind talking to some of them about it.