7 weight lifting belts to help you maximize your weights
A common piece of equipment that gym-goers wear is a weightlifting belt. They come in a variety of materials and styles – from nylon belts with Velcro to leather belts with locking prongs – with the purpose of putting pressure on your core and keeping your body stable so you’re less likely to lose weight when lifting heavy loads wobble and injure yourself.
So should you invest in one?
For most people Strength training does not require support from a weightlifting belt. After all, your body is equipped with its own internal weightlifting belt – the across the stomach.
“Strengthening this muscle along with that Rest of your core can help stabilize not only your spine, but your entire body,” says Trevor Thieme, CSCS. “And to be honest, if a load is so heavy that you can’t safely and confidently handle it without the support of a weightlifting belt, you probably shouldn’t lift it.”
Wearing a weightlifting belt also doesn’t teach your body to handle heavy loads on its own in real-world situations. In other words, it doesn’t increase your “functional fitness“So if you’re not a powerlifter, we recommend you skip the belt.
But if you’re a powerlifter or feel a strong need to wear a weightlifting belt, you can’t go wrong with these options.
1. Rogue Fitness Nylon Lifting Belt
WIDTH: 5 inches
Fits waist sizes: 26 to 46 inches
PRICE: $37
This contoured, flexible nylon and foam belt features a Velcro closure system and a three-inch webbing support strap. It’s a favorite among CrossFitters, but if you want to do Olympic-style weightlifting, you may want a more supportive option.
Put it on Amazon.
2. ProFitness Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 2 to 4 inches (tapered)
Fits waist sizes: 24 to 49 inches
PRICE: $35
If comfort is your top priority, this 7mm thick weightlifting belt is crafted from supple, “pre-broken” leather and suede. The tapered design prevents it from digging into your ribs or hips, and the two-pronged buckle and tapers range from 10cm wide at the back to 5cm wide at the front.
Put it on Amazon.
3. Dark Iron Fitness Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
Fits waist sizes: 23 to 49 inches
PRICE: $35-$50
Crafted from black and red leather, this sleek weightlifting belt features a two-pronged buckle and can reportedly support heavy weights of up to 600 pounds. The 4 mm thick buffalo leather is soft and relatively easy to break in, but still offers good grip.
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4. Rogue Fitness Ohio lifting belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
Fits waist sizes: 21 to 45 inches
PRICE: $143
This handcrafted belt is made from 10mm thick vegetable tanned leather for strong support and features a single-prong buckle for easy adjustment. As with most leather belts, you should expect a short break-in period as the leather softens and conforms to your body.
Get it Rogue Fitness.
5. Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
Fits waist sizes: 25 to 50 inches
PRICE: $90
This powerlifting belt is available in black, blue, gray, red, green, purple and pink to match your workout gear (or your mood). The 10mm thick suede provides maximum support and a two-pronged buckle ensures the perfect fit.
Put it on Amazon.
6. Schiek weightlifting belt model 2004
WIDTH: 4.75 inches
Fits waist sizes: 23 to 50 inches
PRICE: $60
This nylon weightlifting belt is all about versatility – it comes in multiple colors, fits a variety of waist sizes, and features a Velcro closure for quick adjustments. The patented shape adapts to your ribs and hips for greater comfort and flexibility. This is ideal when alternating between heavy lifts and other strength exercises.
Put it on Amazon.
7. RitFit Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 6 inches
Fits waist sizes: 22 to 59 inches
PRICE: $20-26
This affordable choice is made from nylon, a waterproof foam core, and a Velcro closure. It’s the widest weightlifting belt on this list, but the contoured design helps keep it comfortable.
Put it on Amazon.
What to Consider When Choosing a Weightlifting Belt
If you need extra support when lifting heavy loads, here are some things to look for in a belt.
1. Locking mechanism
Weightlifting belts have three types of closure mechanisms: lever buckle, Velcro, or prong buckle.
If you think you’ll want to adjust your belt mid-set, a prong buckle belt is your best bet as you don’t have to take it off to do so. If you want a belt that you can quickly remove, a lever buckle or Velcro is best.
2. Width
Weightlifting belts vary in width from 10 to 15 cm. Some have a contoured or tapered design, while cylindrical models have the same width all around.
The best width is a matter of personal comfort. It should be supportive without slipping or restricting your movement.
3. Materials
Most belts are made of either leather or nylon. Leather tends to last longer when conditioned, but is typically heavier and stiffer than nylon. Because of their rigidity, leather belts are best suited for powerlifters.
Nylon belts tend to offer more flexibility, which can be helpful if you wear them when switching between strength training exercises.
