Your core is your new weightlifting belt

 I'm not opposed to the use of belts during max-effort sets of squats and deadlifts, but most people wear them way too much. This is a huge mistake; it's also one of the reasons so many gym rats can display their strength while in the gym, yet they are worthless when it comes to real-life activities outside of the gym (such as moving a couch). This is because they don't have the core strength to "transfer" the strength of their limbs! The most functional way to strengthen your core is to learn how to brace when lifting without a belt. This will do more for your "abdominal strength" than all the crunches in the world!