While most weight lifting belts are unisex and seem similar at first glance, their strength and functionality can differ greatly. manufacturers make these products in smaller sizes, too. This buyer’s guide can help you find the perfect weight lifting belt for your needs and also provides some key features to look out for.
Powerlifting belts come in a variety of materials, but nylon and leather are the two most popular choices. If you want a more comfortable belt that’s gentle on skin, nylon belts are the ideal choice because they are easier to fasten and provide some extra support — helping you engage your core without being too bulky.
Leather belts, on the other hand, are more durable and last longer than nylon versions. Since they’re made to withstand more pressure while lifting heavier weights, the strong material retains its shape even if it’s pinched under pressure. Plus, leather weight lifting belts offer more support to your lower torso because they contain multiple layers of finished leather.
Your intended use, budget, and comfort level should dictate your choice of material. An important thing that you should keep in mind is that nylon belts are banned in competitions. So if you’re looking to get more serious in this activity, avoid nylon products.
If you’re purchasing a nylon weight lifting belt, thickness isn’t a major issue because they’re pretty flexible. With leather belts though, you should carefully choose the thickness because it can directly affect your belt’s performance.
Weight lifting belts are available in different thicknesses. They range from 0.19 to 0.51 inches, but we suggest getting at least a 0.39-inch thick belt to offer some needed support to your lower back — and this can also help keep your core tight. While the flexibility of thinner belts can be intimidating, they also don’t offer as much support and might not be ideal for beginners.
When you’re lifting heavy weights and your torso is already under pressure, almost nothing is more injury-inducing than your belt coming undone. That’s why you should always get a belt with a secure fastening system, or even better, a locking system.
Some weight lifting belts have velcro straps, but they can easily become loose or come undone when you’re lifting weights. Having a belt with a buckle closure is ideal for preventing these situations because they fasten very securely and offer a snug fit for added support.
You should wear your weight lifting belt correctly to get the right amount of support while lifting heavy weights. To help you out, we’ve provided some helpful tips:
The Element 26 Weight Lifting Belt is the perfect combination of functionality and easy use. We love the versatility that this option offers, it helps support your core for anything from Crossfit competitions to Olympic deadlifting. Made using high-quality durable nylon, this belt can withstand rigorous training sessions, and the velcro strap also makes it extremely easy to put on and take off when transitioning between exercises.
With its metal self-locking buckle, this product offers a ton of comfort, safety, and convenience. The lightweight, 4-inch wide strap sits just above the navel while the metal buckle helps with supporting all the pressure you exert on it. Because of its functionality and design, this competition-approved, premium-quality belt has earned the best overall spot on this list.
With the Profitness Weight Lifting Belt, you can help raise your lifting standards to a higher level, and because it’s made of leather, you can use it for raw, dead, or heavy lifting. You can make a unique style statement with this option too, it comes emblazoned with a logo — and you can choose between white or red stitching to match your style.
The 4-inch wide strap also ensures a lot of comfort, and you can adjust it to your waist size to keep it from slipping. The classic two-prong buckle, made from heavy-duty metal, helps keep this product intact during training. This belt is available in different sizes, and each one comes with adjustable designs — so, you get a product with a lot of versatility that fits most athletes perfectly.
If comfort is your top priority, this option by Dark Iron Fitness is for you. Suitable for both powerlifting experts and beginners, this belt is made of 100% genuine leather — and it retains its shape even while pinching inward under pressure. This product has a two-prong metal buckle along with a hook and loop fastening system, keeping it securely in place even when it’s under tremendous pressure.
Because this option boasts reinforced, double-stitching, you won’t have to worry about the durability and resilience of this weight lifting belt. Additionally, the 4-inch wide design provides a lot of support to your spine and torso.
Featuring an innovative buckle design, the Flexz Fitness Weight Lifting Belt is virtually indestructible. You can easily loosen or tighten this option, and the metal buckle makes it extremely simple for you to transition between different workouts. The greatest thing about this product is that you can wear it 4-inches tighter than conventional belts, giving you better intra-abdominal pressure.
This option also offers you around 4 inches of back support, helping prevent this leather belt from breaking or tearing while you’re lifting heavy weights. Since it’s designed to conform to your body’s contours, this product offers you more comfort while the triple stitching helps keep it intact for longer.
Even though it comes with an affordable price tag, the Dmoose Weight Lifting Belt is second to none when it comes to durability and strength. It helps you stay in the perfect position while doing intense workouts by minimizing the pressure on your lower back. This option will probably blow your mind with the lumbar support it provides.
Designed to fit both men and women, this belt offers a customized fit to help keep injuries at bay. Available in a range of sizes, ranging from small to double XXL, this belt can fit almost any weightlifter no matter how muscular they are.
A:
You should choose the thickness of a weight lifting belt according to your skill level and your core strength. If you’re planning to take part in Olympic deadlifting, your belt should be at least 0.25-inches thick — it’s also better to have a product with some padding on the inside for more support.
A: Absolutely! Weight lifting belts help ensure your safety and promote more ideal forms while you’re squatting and deadlifting. The stability and support belts provide can help you lift more weight than you could without one.
A: You might not need a weight lifting belt for lifting 90 pounds. As a general rule, you should start using weight lifting belts for lifting weights around 1.5 times your body weight.