The 8 Greatest Weightlifting Belts of 2023

Whether or not you prepare in a storage fitness center with the best home gym equipment or in a industrial lifting fitness center, a weightlifting belt generally is a useful gizmo so as to add to your arsenal. It will increase your stability by supplying you with one thing to push in opposition to as you brace your core, reinforces correct lifting approach, and may give you a lift of confidence when you start to doubt your skills.

When searching for the perfect weightlifting belt, you have to take into account whether or not leather-based or nylon is best on your wants and the way a lot help you need your belt to offer. That can assist you slender down your choice, I’ve compiled an inventory of the highest eight lifting belts. Whether or not you’re a powerlifter, CrossFitter, Olympic weightlifter, or somebody who trains for general well being and wellness, you’ll find the proper belt for you.

Our High Picks for the Greatest Weightlifting Belts

Greatest Weightlifting Belt for CrossFit: Gymreapers Fast Locking Weightlifting Belt

Professionals

• Accessible in a number of colour choices
• Comes with a lifetime substitute assure
• Inexpensive
• Double-stitched for sturdiness

Cons

• Not accredited for powerlifting competitions
• Runs small

Once you’re transitioning from heavy lifts to handstand push-ups, field jumps, or different dynamic workout routines that come up in CrossFit WODs (exercises of the day), you want a belt that’s simple to tighten and loosen and doesn’t restrict your motion. The Gymreapers Fast Lock Weightlifting Belt is good for these eventualities as a result of the nylon materials molds to your physique and is snug to put on. Plus, you possibly can modify the Velcro strap in simply a few seconds.

It’s not as supportive as a leather-based powerlifting belt, however you’ll nonetheless really feel secure and safe when lifting, due to the four-inch width. The belt is double-stitched to make sure it could actually deal with tons of abuse, and the Velcro will preserve its stickiness so long as you retain it clear.

The inexpensive value of round $35 makes it one of many extra budget-friendly belts on this listing. You possibly can select from a big selection of colours and prints, together with grey, pink, pink, or black camo. There’s even an possibility with giant Velcro areas the place you possibly can add patches to indicate off your character and help your favourite manufacturers.

The Gymreapers Fast Lock Weightlifting Belt can be accessible in sizes from XS to XXL to suit a wide range of physique sorts. Nevertheless, it runs small, so it’s possible you’ll wish to dimension up for a extra snug match.

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Greatest Price range Weightlifting Belt: Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt

Professionals

• Comes with a lifetime guarantee
• Strengthened, heavy-duty stitching
• Self-locking buckle

Cons

• Too inflexible for CrossFit or useful health exercises
• Solely accessible in black

When you’re a leisure lifter who doesn’t compete in a power sport, it’s possible you’ll not wish to drop a whole lot of dollars on a leather-based lifting belt. On the identical time, it’s possible you’ll want a belt that gives extra help than a nylon belt can present. In that case, the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt is a strong selection that’s greater than half the worth of some conventional leather-based belts.

Apart from being budget-friendly, this belt is exclusive in that it’s manufactured from leather-based however incorporates a nylon strap with a heavy-duty Velcro closure, not like conventional leather-based belts with prong or lever closures. The Velcro fastening system makes the belt appropriate for exercises the place you have to modify the tightness or put the belt on and take it off rapidly. There’s additionally a self-locking buckle to maintain the strap secured to your physique in case the Velcro comes undone.

Nevertheless, the leather-based isn’t versatile and may prohibit your motion. If you would like a belt that can transfer extra seamlessly along with your physique as you transition from one train to the following, a nylon belt shall be higher.

One other factor to notice is that the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt is simply six millimeters thick, so it is probably not supportive sufficient for very heavy weight coaching exercises. It’s additionally solely accessible in black, so in order for you one thing that can stand out extra, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Greatest Nylon Weightlifting Belt: Rogue Health USA Nylon Lifting Belt

Professionals

• Accessible in 5 totally different colours
• Ripstop exterior and antimicrobial inside
• Tapered design permits for extra again help with out the belt digging into your hips
• Can add patches for extra customization
• Affordably priced

Cons

• Not accredited for powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting competitions
• Velcro might change into much less sticky over time

The Rogue Health USA Nylon Lifting Belt is supportive but snug as a result of nylon materials and five-inch width alongside the again. But it surely additionally tapers to 4 inches alongside the edges and within the entrance to maintain it from digging into your hips and abdomen. It’s nice for many who want extra stability than a four-inch belt can present however need one thing that can be versatile, light-weight, and gained’t dig into the abdomen.

The belt is offered in 5 colours: black and grey, blue and grey, black and pink, black and camo, and grey and pink. There’s additionally a small Velcro space on the webbing the place you possibly can add patches to rep one other model.

The belt itself is sturdy, because it incorporates a ripstop exterior that’s immune to fraying and tearing. It additionally has an antimicrobial inside to stop micro organism from sweat and germs from accumulating on it. Nevertheless, the Velcro can lose stickiness after a couple of yr, particularly if it will get soiled typically.

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Greatest Velcro Weightlifting Belt: 2POOD Weightlifting Belt

Professionals

• Giant dimension vary
• Accessible in a number of prints
• Sticky Velcro

Cons

• Not accredited for powerlifting competitions

With a Velcro belt, there’s all the time an opportunity it could actually pop off in the course of a raise, rising your danger of a extreme damage. 2POOD weightlifting belts cut back the probability of that taking place as a result of they’ve a hook-and-loop WODClamp locking mechanism along with a Velcro strap. If the Velcro comes undone, the WODClamp will preserve the strap in place and permit the belt to stay tight round your midsection. The Velcro is fairly sticky, although, so it’s unlikely that it could come unfastened except you’re shifting some critical weight or filth, chalk, or lint has collected on it.

The 2POOD raise belt incorporates a sturdy nylon exterior with a foam core and is available in dozens of enjoyable prints, corresponding to sunflowers and donuts. When you’re keen to pay for it, you possibly can even work with 2POOD’s design staff to get a customized belt.

I used a 2POOD lifting belt for my power coaching classes and CrossFit exercises for over two years and cherished how supportive but versatile it was. I might typically go away it on all through a whole CrossFit WOD as a result of it was really easy to loosen or tighten it primarily based on no matter train I used to be doing. I by no means felt prefer it restricted my motion, and if I did take all of it the best way off in the course of a WOD, it solely took a couple of seconds to place it again on.

My solely grievance is that the four-inch belt was too broad for my torso. It didn’t hassle me a lot throughout squats, however I may really feel it digging into my ribcage throughout deadlifts. Once I nonetheless used a 2POOD belt, the corporate solely had four-inch belts accessible, but it surely now presents three-inch belts as nicely. The narrower belt is value contemplating if in case you have a brief torso, although it’s solely accessible in sizes XXXS to medium.

2POOD additionally sells six-inch belts, known as the Metcon belt, for many who want further help on their decrease backs throughout heavy lifts.

Greatest Lever Weightlifting Belt: SBD 13mm Lever Belt

Professionals

• Inclusive sizing
• Gliding lever is simple to regulate
• Compliant with quite a few powerlifting federations’ requirements for belts

Cons

• Costly
• Pink suede might bleed onto clothes
• Can take a number of weeks to interrupt in

Lever belts, generally, are simpler to regulate than prong belts. However for a belt with a smoother, extra seamless lever than a lot of its competitors, you possibly can’t go incorrect with the SBD 13mm Lever Belt. As a consequence of how simple it’s to regulate the lever, you possibly can preserve the belt on between your whole units and modify its tightness whenever you raise or whenever you relaxation. When you tighten the belt, the lever stays in place and gained’t pop open — lifters who can squat over 1,000 kilos have worn this belt with no points!

The belt is offered in sizes starting from small to 5XL, making it appropriate for a variety of physique sorts. It’s double-stitched for further sturdiness, and SBD treats the leather-based over 5 months to make sure most stiffness and stability. Observe, although, that the leather-based can take a number of weeks to interrupt in, so this isn’t a belt you can begin carrying the second you obtain it.

The suede inside helps forestall the belt from sliding round your torso, however the pink dye can bleed onto your garments when you get sweaty. It’s greatest to put on darkish clothes for the primary few months of utilizing this belt to stop ruining your light-colored shirts.

The SBD belt is 4 inches broad all the best way round to supply as a lot help as attainable, however the further width and lack of tapering imply it might dig into the ribs if in case you have a brief torso. It’s additionally the most costly leather-based belt on this listing. Nevertheless, the standard of the leather-based, the belt’s sturdiness, and the truth that it’s accredited by numerous powerlifting federations make it a strong selection for aggressive powerlifters.

Greatest Olympic Weightlifting Belt: Eleiko Weightlifting Leather-based Belt

Professionals

• Handled with a coating to assist forestall scratches
• Not as costly as different leather-based belts
• Tapers alongside the edges and within the entrance for extra consolation

Cons

• Could not provide sufficient help for powerlifting

This leather-based belt is the most recent iteration of Eleiko’s premium leather-based Olympic weightlifting belts. It’s 4 inches broad within the again however tapers within the entrance in order that it gained’t dig into your torso whenever you hinge on the hips for deadlifts or cleans. The gentle leather-based additionally presents your physique extra freedom of motion whenever you carry out the dynamic Olympic lifts.

The belt has a suede inside to make it extra snug and assist preserve it in place in your torso, and the outside is coated with a remedy to stop scratches and scuff marks — an enormous plus in order for you your belt to appear like new even after years of use.

It’s solely eight millimeters thick, so it is probably not supportive sufficient for elite powerlifters. But it surely’s an awesome choose for informal lifters and even aggressive Olympic weightlifters who want extra help than a nylon belt offers however much less rigidity than a 10- or 13-millimeter leather-based belt.

Greatest Leather-based Weightlifting Belt: REP Health Lifting Belt

Professionals

• Quick break-in interval
• Sealed and burnished edges assist forestall moisture injury from sweat
• Single-prong belt is less complicated to regulate than double-prong belts

Cons

• Not IPF-approved
• One-inch gap spacing could also be too massive of a bounce for small changes

The REP Health Lifting Belt is an inexpensive however supportive and enticing possibility for many who need a leather-based belt however can’t afford to spend a whole lot of {dollars} on one. It’s 4 inches broad and 13 millimeters thick, so that you’ll get optimum help when lifting maximal or near-maximal weights. The leather-based will get softened because it undergoes a vegetable tanning course of, which means the belt is snug to put on and doesn’t require a protracted break-in interval.

This belt has a single-prong fastening system, permitting for faster changes than you’d discover in a belt with a double-prong buckle. The sides are sealed and burnished to stop moisture from sweat from damaging the fabric, and the holes are spaced one inch aside. This spacing could also be an excessive amount of when you solely want a slight adjustment, although it’s widespread amongst leather-based lifting belts.

REP suggests sizing down when you’re in between sizes, however primarily based on buyer opinions, it’s higher to dimension up as an alternative. In any other case, the belt could also be too comfortable, and also you gained’t have a lot room to regulate it additional in case your waist circumference modifications sooner or later.

Greatest Weightlifting Belt for Squats: Dominion Three-Inch Leather-based Lifting Belt

Professionals

• 11 holes mean you can get a extra customized match
• Comes with a lifetime guarantee
• Faster break-in time than 13-millimeter belts
• Rounded edges for extra consolation

Cons

• Not accredited for powerlifting competitions

Whereas four-inch belts are among the most typical you’ll see within the fitness center, three-inch belts just like the Dominion Leather-based Lifting Belt are higher suited to sure lifters, corresponding to these with brief torsos. They don’t dig into the ribs or pinch your torso when squatting, so you possibly can focus extra in your lifts as an alternative of how uncomfortable your belt is. The three-inch width additionally makes the belt good for deadlifts as a result of you possibly can extra simply get into an optimum beginning place.

The Dominion Leather-based Lifting Belt has 11 holes which can be spaced one inch aside, permitting you to get a comfortable and customised match even when your dimension modifications over time. It’s 10 millimeters thick and gained’t be as supportive as a 13-millimeter belt, however it’ll nonetheless present extra stability for heavy lifts than a nylon belt. Plus, it has a shorter break-in interval than the thicker belts, so you can begin utilizing it sooner.

The inside is lined with grey suede that helps preserve it in place and prevents the belt from shifting throughout your lifts. The curler buckle is one other good contact, because it makes adjusting the belt a extra easy course of. The belt isn’t accredited for powerlifting competitions, however as a result of it’s extra inexpensive than different leather-based belts, it’s an awesome selection for informal lifters who need a supportive however primary belt for power coaching.

How We Selected the Greatest Weightlifting Belts

We chosen an in depth array of leather-based and nylon belts to go well with all kinds of athletes, whether or not you’re a powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, CrossFitter, or informal gym-goer. Our listing consists of merchandise with totally different widths and thicknesses to supply various ranges of help, and we additionally included choices that are available a number of colours so you possibly can showcase your fashion on the fitness center.

All the belts above are ones our employees has personally used for their very own coaching or are from manufacturers we all know and belief, so we’re assured that their belts are high-quality.

Totally different Kinds of Weightlifting Belts

The 2 foremost kinds of weightlifting belts are leather-based and nylon. Inside these classes, totally different thicknesses and widths can be found. For leather-based belts, there are additionally a number of closure sorts to select from. Understanding the variations between leather-based and nylon belts and their fastening mechanisms will make sure you choose the proper one on your wants.

Leather-based Belts

Leather-based belts just like the REP Health Lifting Belt are available numerous widths and thicknesses and include lever or prong fastening techniques.

Lever Belts

Lever belts are simpler to placed on and take off since you simply have to slide the tooth into the holes you need and fasten the buckle. The draw back of a lever belt is that whenever you get it, you fasten the buckle to the holes on the belt with a screwdriver and preserve it there.

Because of this, it’s tougher to make sure a correct match in case your waist dimension modifications from day after day — for instance, in case you are bloated from a big meal you ate earlier than coaching or put on a thick shirt someday and a skinny shirt the following. Lifters who use lever belts typically carry a screwdriver of their fitness center luggage to allow them to change the buckle’s positioning on the belt when wanted.

Prong Belts

Prong belts perform equally to the kinds of belts you’d put on with a pair of pants. You pull the strap via a buckle till it’s at your required tightness, then push the prong via a gap within the belt and slip the strap via a loop to safe the surplus materials.

Prong belts can be found as single-prong or double-prong. Single-prong belts are extra inexpensive and simpler to regulate since you don’t need to line up two prongs. However double-prong belts might provide extra help and last more as a result of the strain is extra evenly distributed via the 2 prongs.

Some prong belts characteristic a curler buckle to assist the leather-based slide via it extra seamlessly. When utilizing belts that don’t have a curler buckle, some lifters discover that they want a good friend to assist them pull the strap via the buckle to get the specified stage of tightness.

Width and Thickness

Leather-based belts are usually three or 4 inches broad and 10 to 13 millimeters thick. The narrower and thinner belts are simpler to interrupt in and extra snug to put on, particularly for these with brief torsos. Nevertheless, the broader and thicker belts provide extra help, which is useful when lifting heavier weights which can be near your one-rep max or trying new PRs. You can too discover leather-based belts which can be wider within the again and narrower within the entrance, so that you get a mixture of help and luxury.

Nylon Belts

Nylon belts are extra versatile as a result of they’re versatile and mould to your physique. They’ve a Velcro fastening system that permits for fast and straightforward changes. They’re perfect for Olympic weightlifting, the place you carry out quick and explosive lifts, or CrossFit, the place you rapidly transition from heavy lifts to cardio or gymnastics actions. They’re additionally good for high-rep units as a result of they’re extra snug to put on for longer intervals.

Nylon belts aren’t the perfect for powerlifting as a result of the Velcro can come undone whenever you’re lifting heavy hundreds. Nevertheless, belts just like the 2POOD Weightlifting Belt characteristic further clamps to maintain the belt in place if the Velcro comes unfastened.

Like leather-based belts, nylon belts are sometimes three or 4 inches broad. Some are as broad as eight inches. Many nylon belts are the identical width all the best way round, however others are tapered in order that the again of the belt is wider and the entrance and sides are narrower. You’ll sometimes solely discover nylon belts with thicknesses as much as 10 millimeters, although some, just like the Gymreapers Fast Locking Weightlifting Belt, are nearer to an inch thick.

Advantages of Weightlifting Belts

Sporting a weightlifting or powerlifting belt has many advantages, together with decreasing stress on the lumbar backbone, serving to forestall lower back injuries, and placing your thoughts comfy as you put together to raise a heavy barbell. A lifting belt may also encourage correct lifting mechanics and should even show you how to add a couple of extra kilos to your lifts.

Reduces Stress on the Lumbar Backbone

Weightlifting belts enhance intra-abdominal strain and provide you with one thing to brace your core muscle tissue in opposition to, which helps enhance core stability and locations much less stress on the backbone. Because of this, you’re much less prone to undergo from a extreme again damage.

That mentioned, a lifting belt gained’t completely forestall accidents, so that you shouldn’t throw one on and assume it’ll defend you from getting harm. Lifting accidents are uncommon, however they’ll occur whether or not you put on a belt or not.

It’s additionally essential to notice that you simply shouldn’t use a lifting belt to push via extreme back pain. It’s higher to work via the foundation reason behind your ache and take a while off, if mandatory, fairly than counting on a belt to masks your damage.

Encourages Correct Type and Could Forestall Accidents

Having one thing to breathe into and brace your core in opposition to encourages you to stay tight and preserve stability when lifting weights. For instance, it could actually function a reminder to maintain your backbone impartial throughout deadlifts or assist forestall you from excessively arching your again throughout overhead presses.

Provides You Extra Confidence

It’s widespread to expertise psychological blocks when trying a brand new one-rep max or performing giant units of squats or deadlifts. A lifting belt may also help you overcome that by making you’re feeling safer and providing reassurance that your backbone is extra protected whenever you’re lifting heavy loads.

Helps You Raise Extra Weight

Sporting a weightlifting belt is not going to robotically add a whole lot of kilos to your lifts. Perfecting your approach, bettering your core power, and including extra quantity are among the most essential issues you are able to do if you wish to raise heavier weights. However as a result of a lifting belt will increase your core stability, you possibly can often raise a couple of extra kilos with a belt than with out one.

What To Look For When Shopping for a Weightlifting Belt

Value is all the time an integral part to take a look at when shopping for any fitness center gear or gear. Past that, the fabric, fastening mechanism, width, and thickness of your weightlifting belt are additionally essential options to guage. When you compete in powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting, you additionally want to make sure you purchase a belt that meets your federation’s specs.

Value

A weightlifting belt can value round $30 or greater than $200, relying on the supplies, how thick it’s, and whether or not or not it’s accredited for powerlifting or weightlifting competitions (extra on that beneath). Nylon belts are usually cheaper, whereas leather-based belts are costlier. When you don’t specialise in a power sport and aren’t lifting greater than 400-500 kilos a number of days per week, you seemingly don’t have to spend greater than $100 on a belt.

Materials and Fastening Mechanism

The kind of exercises you do will dictate the perfect belt materials on your wants. For CrossFitters or useful health fanatics, a Velcro nylon belt that’s simple to lock and loosen is greatest. It is going to transfer along with your physique higher as you transition from one motion to the following, and also you gained’t waste valuable time fiddling round with prongs and buckles. For powerlifting, stiffer leather-based belts are higher as a result of they provide extra stability for heavy lifts.

You need to use both a leather-based or nylon belt for Olympic weightlifting, so long as it has sufficient mobility to maneuver with you thru the extra dynamic lifts. Any metallic elements must be sufficiently small that they don’t get in the best way as you carry out cleans and snatches.

Lifters who don’t specialise in any sport can select leather-based or nylon, relying on funds and private desire.

One other issue to contemplate when selecting between a nylon or leather-based belt is {that a} leather-based belt can have a protracted break-in interval. It might take a number of weeks to get it to mould to your physique. When you’re on the lookout for one thing you can begin utilizing comfortably straight away, a nylon belt could also be higher.

Competitors Approval

When you compete in powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting, you’ll want a belt that’s accredited for competitors. Most nationwide and international-level meets could have specs your belt should meet to be thought of authorized for competitors use. For instance, the IWF states that lifters can solely put on belts with a most width of 12 centimeters in competitors. 

In powerlifting, nylon belts aren’t allowed as a result of there’s a danger that the Velcro can come undone throughout a heavy raise and trigger critical accidents. Moreover, totally different federations have distinctive guidelines concerning the kinds of belts you possibly can put on throughout meets. In lots of instances, you’re additionally restricted to a couple choose manufacturers. One model’s belt might technically meet your federation’s specs, however you possibly can’t use it in competitors if it’s not on the accredited belt listing.

Width

The width of a weightlifting belt refers to how excessive it’s from the underside to the highest. Most lifting belts are three or 4 inches broad, although some are six inches or wider.

The thicker belts will provide extra again help, which is useful if in case you have a historical past of again accidents. Nevertheless, when you compete in powerlifting, you possibly can’t use a belt wider than 4 inches throughout meets (although some sanctioned meets will enable six-inch broad belts). Equally, belts wider than 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) should not allowed in Olympic weightlifting competitions.

When you don’t compete in powerlifting or weightlifting or have points with again ache, the scale of your torso is an important issue concerning which belt width is greatest for you. Lifters with brief torsos ought to take into account a three-inch belt as a result of it will likely be much less prone to dig into your rib cage. These with longer torsos ought to have the ability to use a four-inch belt comfortably.

Thickness

The thickness of a lifting belt refers to how thick it’s from the inside that lays in opposition to your physique to the skin that faces away out of your physique. Nylon belts can vary from about six to 10 millimeters. As you possibly can most likely think about, the thicker belts are extra supportive. Both thickness is allowed in Olympic weightlifting competitions.

Leather-based belts are usually 10 or 13 millimeters thick. The thinner ones break in quicker and are extra inexpensive. The ten-millimeter belts are additionally higher for newbies as a result of they’ve much less rigidity, making it simpler to get accustomed to lifting whereas carrying a belt. Alternatively, the thicker belts provide extra stability for heavy lifting.

Ten-millimeter and 13-millimeter leather-based belts are each allowed in powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting competitions. For non-competitive lifters, the thickness you get is dependent upon how a lot you raise and the way a lot help you need.

How To Use a Weightlifting Belt

Earlier than stepping into find out how to use a weightlifting belt, it’s best to first perceive the way it works. It’s not one thing you simply slap on earlier than organising for a raise or pull as tight as you presumably can. To get essentially the most out of it, you have to guarantee it suits nicely and also you breathe correctly whereas carrying it.

The belt ought to sit proper above your hip bones, and it’s best to have the ability to comfortably match certainly one of your fingers between it and your physique. It will guarantee a comfortable match however go away some room so that you can take a deep breath and brace correctly earlier than you start your raise. When you really feel any pinching or can’t breathe with the belt on, you have to readjust the tightness.

As for when it’s best to put on a weightlifting belt, it’s best to put it aside for whenever you’re lifting at round 80 % or extra of your one-rep max or doing lifts that load the backbone, like squats, deadlifts, or the Olympic lifts. You shouldn’t put it on for each set and even each train. There’s no have to put on a lifting belt for warm-up units (besides your final warm-up set on heavy days) or when doing bicep curls, tricep extensions, or different isolation lifts.

RELATED: 5 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Weightlifting Belt

Ultimate Ideas

A high-quality weightlifting belt could make an enormous distinction in your power coaching journey — not as a result of it’ll add a whole lot of kilos to your lifts however as a result of it could actually assist encourage correct lifting mechanics, defend your backbone, and provide you with a psychological increase when self-doubt begins creeping in.

Lifting belts are both nylon or leather-based, and which one you choose will rely in your sport and the way a lot help you want. You can too select between numerous widths, thicknesses, and closure sorts. When you’re confused about find out how to discover the perfect weightlifting belt for you, use our opinions and shopping for information above as a useful resource to make sure you discover the proper one on your wants.

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