weightlifting Belt

Yes he was correct. No, don't wear the belt. Olympic lifters and power lifters don't even wear weight belts--except when they near competition weights--because they need to develop core strength. Which of course, so does your son.

First, aim to improve his stability in his shoulders, torso, and hips in his workouts. As he gains strength, his core will become solid enough to handle heavier weights and more-complex exercises without a weight belt.

I think of it as if I am doing exercise "A", I tighten my abs (as if being punched in the stomach) throughout the range of motion of the exercise - to give my body support - the support a belt would be for....

make sense?

It does make sense. So regardless the exercise or the weight, NO BELT. We very seldom ever max but when we do, should we use a belt that day?

Why is he maxing out? To get percentages or is he always maxing out monthly, etc?

Lose the belt, build the core.

Again, just my opinion from past experience... but, I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night...

DCH is right on the money.

No belt, its counter-productive.

And there's no need for a 16 year old to max out, ever.

You are doing the correct exercises. You should be commended.

When you take the belt off him, have him a do a few workouts at weights lighter (about 70-80%) of what he was doing to allow his trunk muscles to adapt to no belt.

Thank you. The reason we max is to get to 70-80% for workout weight. We continue to add weigh as he progresses.