Buying a Weightlifting Belt: A Complete Guide. A belt is inevitable for any weightlifter who takes their craft seriously. You can lift more weight with a belt, but it won’t save you from hurting yourself, as some may think. These are staples in the gyms of many influential people because they allow you to squat and deadlift heavier, making you stronger.
Here, you will find information to help you understand belts, their function, and the people requiring them. You will likely have more questions even once you grasp the fundamental concept. Alright, then, let us begin.
When Should You Buy a Weightlifting Belt?
The appropriate moment to purchase a belt for a new student is subjective and depends on the coach. Some people could be picky about the weight you lift first or the level of proficiency you show on the major lifts. However, there is no universally acknowledged boundary indicating which individuals require a belt and which do not. Regardless of one’s level of experience with lifting, a belt is an indispensable tool. It is prudent to master bracing techniques first, as this will not compensate for a lack of bracing knowledge. On the other hand, a belt can teach you how to brace correctly by letting you feel the pressure of your belly on the belt as you tighten it.
A belt is a good investment if you’re debating buying one. You might want to order your belt as soon as possible because many decent ones require an internet order, and some have a lead time of several weeks. This means you might not receive the belt until a month or two after you feel ready.
Which Kind of Weightlifting Belt Should You Get?
An internet search for a “weightlifting belt” will yield numerous results, many catering to gym rats interested in appearances but have no idea what a belt is for. Despite what you may have heard, strength sports participants typically wear just a handful of different types of belts.
A velcro belt
The four-inch velcro belt comes first. I’ll start with this one because it serves multiple purposes, is less expensive than the leather ones we’ll be discussing, and is also, in my opinion, more accessible to wear and adjust. 2Pood is a well-known brand among Crossfitters and Olympic weightlifters; I own one. With a locking mechanism surrounding the velcro strap, these belts will not open even if the velcro fails mid-lift. They are four inches wide and fasten with a velcro strap. Although the velcro will eventually wear out, mine is still strong after three years of heavy use.
The price of a Velcro belt can range from $30 to $70, with the exact amount depending on the belt’s brand and any customization options, such as colour customization.
A leather single-prong belt
The following style is the classic leather belt with a buckle. These are 3 or 4 inches wide and typically constructed of thick leather 10 or 13 millimetres thick; they resemble an absurdly enormous take on a traditional belt. To complement, the buckle is massive. I chuckled when I received my very first belt in the mail. Wearing it out in public is something I cannot fathom. However, nowadays, I treat it like any other piece of exercise gear.
Even though they’re stylish, double-prong belts are a pain to use. Remember that in between sets, you will remove and reapply it or adjust its tension. The second prong adds a degree of finickiness to the belt’s fastening process without improving the belt’s security.
Along with my velcro belt, I also own a Pioneer cut leather belt with offset holes—a single-prong belt. I can now adjust the belt in half-inch increments rather than choosing between two holes an inch apart.
A leather lever belt
You could find that a lever belt works better for you than a buckle. Rather than inserting a buckle prong into the hole of your choosing during the process, a screwdriver is utilized to secure the lever into the corresponding belt hole. Then, to lock it in place, you pull the lever in that direction; to release the belt, you simply pull it open. Check out this clip of Jessica Buettner to discover how pleasant the “pop” can be after a powerful lift. A lever belt is not in my possession. Those that do it make me a little envious.
You may get these belts in the same standard widths and thicknesses as the high-quality single-prong belts: 3 or 4 inches. If you want to tighten or loosen the belt more without removing the lever with a screwdriver, you may buy an adjustable lever from Pioneer, which is the firm that makes my adjustable prong belt. (I enjoy Pioneer’s adjustable designs; they aren’t paying me to promote them.) Inzer’s Forever lever is a well-liked and long-lasting example of a non-adjustable design.
Velcro is cheaper than high-quality leather belts (prong and lever). Typically, thicker belts would cost more, with a price range of $100 to $150 being more typical. (Again, you may expect to pay more for bespoke colours and designs.)
How to Buy the Right Size
Take your waist measurement and use the belt manufacturer’s website sizing chart to find the correct belt size. If you’re between sizes, consider whether you’ll grow or shrink. If you’re losing weight, you may need a belt that fits your increasing waist. You’ll put on muscle as your power develops, so you may choose a belt that fits your developing waistline over a new one.
The standard width is four inches. In weightlifting, the maximum width is 12 cm (4.7 inches); in powerlifting, 4 inches. Squatting with a 4-inch belt is recommended for beginners, although deadlifting with a 3-inch belt is okay. It works well for both lifts; I used a 3-inch. Some deadlifters wear their belt higher on their waist, but both use a 4-inch belt. If you need help choosing, try on a friend or family member’s belt.
Next, decide if you want a 10- or 13-millimetre leather belt. If unsure, use 10 mm. The extra thickness of thirteen makes the belt inflexible for many people, especially around the edges. If you’re huge and strong, you may need 13 mm. You’ll probably figure it out as you go. You’re reading this, so it’s not you, and you want the 10 mm.
Which Kind of Weightlifting Belts to Avoid
So are there belts you shouldn’t buy? Arguably, yes:
- Double prong belts are fussier to open and close, and they aren’t any stronger than single prong. If you want a buckle, most people will be happier with the single prong kind.
- Velcro belts without a lock can pop open mid-lift. Look for one that has a locking mechanism that holds the strap in place, like those from 2Pood or Gymreapers.
- Tapered belts, with a wide back and a narrow front, used to be popular among Olympic weightlifters. They aren’t used as much anymore, though; velcro belts have largely replaced them. Most tapered belts you’ll see online are lower quality ones aimed at people just trying to look cool in the gym. Fine as a fashion choice, but they wouldn’t be my first pick. That said, if you already have one, might as well use it. It will be fine.
You won’t get your money’s worth out of inexpensive weightlifting belts (the $20 ones you may purchase on Amazon, for example), but they aren’t awful either. I can’t blame you for starting with a cheap belt and upgrading if you’re still unsure whether you need one.
Thanks to the information, you can now shop confidently for a belt that suits your demand. People will find that a straight leather belt measuring 10 millimetres or a locking velcro belt works best for them. Whether you like a simple black belt or one with a personalized design of coloured sequins is ultimately up to you.
