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If you’re serious about lifting barbells, you’re probably going to want a belt sooner or later. Belts don’t prevent injuries, as is sometimes thought, but they do help you lift more weight. This helps you do heavier squats and deadlifts—and thereby get stronger—so they’re standard equipment for many strong people. We have instructions here to understand what belts are for, how they work and who needs them. But once you understand the basic idea, you’ll probably still have questions. So let’s take a look.
By the way, if you want a short answer to the question of which belt it is IYour Clothing Expert: I have two that I love. My trusty leather belt is a Pioneer cut with staggered holes, 3 inches wide, 10 millimeters thick, made of maroon suede. I’ve had it for five or six years now and it’s still going well. My other belt is a velcro belt by 2Pood4 inches wide. I don’t wear it much anymore because the velcro is starting to wear out, but I had it signed by Kate Vibert shortly after she won silver at the 2020 Olympics, so I never throw it away.
When should you buy a weightlifting belt?
Every trainer has their own opinion about when is the right time for a new trainee to purchase a belt. Some may want you to lift a certain weight first or demonstrate a certain level of skill on the big lifts. But the truth is that there is no consistent dividing line between people who need a belt and people who don’t. A belt is a tool that anyone can use at any point in their lifting career. It doesn’t make up for not knowing how to support yourselfIt therefore makes sense to first learn how to support yourself. But a belt can help You’ll learn to support yourself as you can feel your stomach pressing against the belt if you do it correctly.
In my opinion, If you’re wondering whether you should get a belt, it’s probably time to get one. Many of the good leather models have to be ordered online, and some have a lead time of several weeks, so you may not have to receive Don’t order the belt until a month or two after you’ve decided you’re ready. In other words, you may want to order your belt sooner rather than later.
What Type of Weightlifting Belt Should You Buy?
If you search for “weightlifting belt” online, you’ll get tons of results, many of which are aimed at gym-goers who want to look cool but don’t really understand what a belt is for. Let me cut through the marketing and say: There are only a few types of belts that lifters commonly wear.
A Velcro belt
First, there is the 4-inch Velcro belt. I’m starting here because it’s a good all-purpose belt that’s cheaper than the leather belts we’re about to talk about, and is probably easier to adjust and wear too. I have one by 2Pooda popular brand among Olympic weightlifters and Crossfitters. These belts are 4 inches wide, close with Velcro, and feature a locking mechanism around the strap so it will not pop open even if the Velcro fails during lifting. Velcro wears out over time, although mine withstood more than three years of frequent use before I started noticing problems.
By the way, Velcro straps don’t have to be limited to Olympic weightlifting exercises. They also work well for heavy squats and deadlifts. Velcro belts typically cost between $30 and $70, depending on the brand and any special features, such as: B. individual colors.
A single-pronged leather belt
Next are leather belts that buckle like a traditional belt. These look like a comically large version of a regular belt you’d wear to hold your pants: They’re either 3 or 4 inches wide and are made of thick leather, usually either 10 or 13 millimeters thick. The buckle is huge to match. (When I got my first belt in the mail, I laughed. I couldn’t imagine wearing it in public. But now I just see it as a regular piece of fitness equipment.)
There are double prong belts that look cool but can be very annoying to use. Remember to take it off and tighten it (or loosen and tighten it) between sets. The second prong does not make the belt any safer, but it does make it easier to attach.
In addition to my velcro belt, I also have a single prong leather belt, and mine is a Pioneer cut with offset holes. This allows me to adjust the belt in 1/2 inch increments instead of choosing between two holes an inch apart.
A leather lever belt
Instead of a buckle, you may prefer a lever belt. Instead of inserting a buckle pin through the hole of your choice when putting it on, use a screwdriver to install the lever into the corresponding hole in the belt. Then simply close the lever to lock it and open it when you’re ready to take the belt off. The “pop” can be satisfying after a big lift – see this clip from Jessica Büttner as an example. (I don’t have a lever belt. I’m a little jealous of people who do.)
These belts come in the same common sizes as the good single-prong belts: 3 or 4 inches wide, 10mm or 13mm thick. Pioneer, the same company that makes my adjustable prong belt, Also sells an adjustable lever This gives you some wiggle room to tighten or loosen the belt without having to remove the lever with a screwdriver. (Pioneer isn’t paying me to pay for this, I just like their adjustable designs.) As an example of a non-adjustable variation: Inzers Forever lever is a popular and long-lasting design.
High-quality leather belts, both pin and lever belts, cost more than Velcro. A typical price range is $100 to $150, with the thicker belts typically being more expensive. (Again, you’ll have a little more fun with custom colors and designs.)
How to buy the right size
Based on your waist measurement, you can find out which belt length you should order. Check the size chart on the belt manufacturer’s website to find the right size. If you’re between sizes, consider whether you’re likely to get larger or smaller over time. For example, if you know you’re going to lose weight, you might want a belt that will still fit even if you get a little slimmer. On the other hand, it’s normal for you to gain muscle mass as you get stronger, and you may want the scope to get bigger without having to buy a whole new belt.
The standard width is 4 inches. (The maximum width allowed in competition is usually 4 inches in powerlifting and 12 centimeters or 4.7 inches in weightlifting.) The advice I got as a beginner was that almost everyone likes a 4-inch belt for squats, but some people prefer a 3-inch belt for deadlifts. I ended up buying mine in a 3 inch size and it fits both lifts well. Some people prefer a 4-inch belt for both exercises, but wear it higher on the waist when deadlifting. If you’re not sure, see if you can borrow a belt to try on.
When purchasing a leather belt, the next step you need to decide is whether you want your belt to be 10 millimeters or 13 millimeters thick. If in doubt, use the 10 mm. Thirteen is very thick, and many people find the belt to be uncomfortably stiff, especially around the edges. If you are a tall person and already very strong, you may need the 13mm. But in this case, you will probably come to that conclusion based on experience over time. If you’re reading this, you probably aren’t and want the 10 millimeters.
My top tips for every belt type:
What Type of Weightlifting Belts to Avoid
So there are belts that you have shouldn’t buy? Probably yes:
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Double prong belt are more difficult to open and close and are no stronger than individual pins. If you want a buckle, most people are happier with the one-pronged version.
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Velcro straps without lock can be opened in the middle of the lift. Look for a device that has a locking mechanism that holds the band in place, like those from 2 poods or Gymreaper.
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Tapered beltswith a wide back and narrow front, was once popular with Olympic weightlifters. However, they are not used as often anymore; Velcro straps have largely replaced them. Most tapered belts you see online are low quality and designed for people who just want to look cool at the gym. Fine as a fashion choice, but they wouldn’t be my first choice. That said, if you already have one, you might as well use it. It will be fine.
Really cheap weightlifting belts (like the $20 belts you might find on Amazon) won’t last as long and may not work as well, but honestly, they aren’t that bad. If you’re not sure you even need a belt, I wouldn’t blame you Buy the cheap thing first and upgrade later.
With this information, you should be well equipped to purchase a belt that meets your needs. For most people, a Velcro belt or a straight 10 millimeter leather belt, depending on your preference, works best. Whether you want a simple black belt or a custom sequin design, that’s something you’ll have to figure out for yourself.
