Weight Lifting Belts...

[kielbasa]

I'm curious to know for what exercises are these back belts needed for? Like lifting heavy weights above ur head etc...

but are they needed for a laying-down exercise such as bench pressing??

[Klinger]

Generally, lifters use them when they are pushing heavy weight on squats or pulling heavy weight on deadlifts.

Personally, I don't advocate using them for light and medium weight because you can end up relying too much on the belt. Lifting without the belt helps you to build up the muscles in the lower back/obliques that are so useful during other lifts, sports and even everyday life.

Here is a recent belt thread.