A standard piece of apparatus you’ll see gym-goers put on is a weightlifting belt. They arrive in quite a lot of supplies and kinds — starting from nylon belts with hook-and-loop closures to leather-based belts with locking prongs — with the aim of placing strain in your core and serving to to maintain your physique secure, so that you’re much less more likely to wobble and maintain an damage throughout heavy lifts.
So, must you put money into one?
For most individuals, power coaching doesn’t require the help of a weightlifting belt. In spite of everything, your physique comes outfitted with its personal inside weightlifting belt — the transverse abdominis.
“Strengthening this muscle together with the remainder of your core will help stabilize not solely your backbone, but in addition your total physique,” says Trevor Thieme, CSCS. “And, to be sincere, if a load is so heavy that you could’t handle it safely and with good type with out the help of a weightlifting belt, you then in all probability shouldn’t be lifting it.”
Carrying a weightlifting belt additionally doesn’t train your physique the right way to deal with heavy hundreds by itself in actual life conditions. In different phrases, it doesn’t improve your “useful health,” so except you’re a powerlifter, we suggest you forgo the belt.
However if you’re a powerlifter, or really feel a powerful must put on a weightlifting belt, you may’t go unsuitable with these choices.
1. Rogue Health Nylon Lifting Belt
WIDTH: 5 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 26 to 46 inches
PRICE: $37
This contoured, versatile nylon and foam belt makes use of a hook-and-loop locking system and has a three-inch webbing help strap. It’s a favourite amongst CrossFitters, however for those who plan on doing Olympic-style weightlifting, it’s your decision a extra supportive choice.
Get it on Amazon.
2. ProFitness Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 2 to 4 inches (tapered)
FITS WAIST SIZES: 24 to 49 inches
PRICE: $35
If consolation is excessive in your precedence checklist, this 7 mm-thick weightlifting belt is made with pliable, “pre-broken-in” leather-based and suede. The tapered design helps to maintain it from digging in to your ribs or hips, and the two-pronged buckle and tapers vary from 4 inches huge within the again to 2 inches huge within the entrance.
Get it on Amazon.
3. Darkish Iron Health Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 23 to 49 inches
PRICE: $35–$50
This modern black-and-red leather-based weightlifting belt makes use of a two-pronged buckle and might reportedly help heavy lifts as much as 600 kilos. The 4 mm-thick buffalo conceal leather-based is smooth and comparatively simple to interrupt in however nonetheless offers comfortable help.
Get it on Amazon.
4. Rogue Health Ohio Lifting Belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 21 to 45 inches
PRICE: $143
This handcrafted belt options 10 mm-thick, vegetable-tanned leather-based for heavy-duty help, plus a single-prong buckle design for simple adjusting. As with most leather-based belts, count on a quick “break-in” interval because the leather-based softens and contours to your physique.
Get it at Rogue Health.
5. Iron Bull Energy Powerlifting Belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 25 to 50 inches
PRICE: $90
This powerlifting belt is out there in black, blue, grey, purple, inexperienced, purple, and pink to coordinate along with your exercise gear (or your temper). The ten mm-thick suede leather-based offers most help, and a two-pronged buckle ensures the right match.
Get it on Amazon.
6. Schiek Mannequin 2004 Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 4.75 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 23 to 50 inches
PRICE: $60
This nylon weightlifting belt is all about versatility — it’s out there in a number of colours, suits a variety of waist sizes, and has a Velcro closure for fast changes. The patented form is designed to contour round your ribs and hips for higher consolation and suppleness, which is good for those who’re shifting between heavy lifts and different power workout routines.
Get it on Amazon.
7. RitFit Weightlifting Belt
WIDTH: 6 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 22 to 59 inches
PRICE: $20–$26
This price range choose is constituted of nylon, a water-proof foam core, and a hook-and-loop closure. It’s the widest weightlifting belt on this checklist, however the contoured design helps to maintain it comfy.
Get it on Amazon.
What to Think about When Selecting a Weightlifting Belt
In order for you additional help to your heavy lifts, right here’s what to search for in a belt.
1. Locking mechanism
Weightlifting belts have three forms of locking mechanisms: lever buckle, Velcro, or pronged buckle.
If you happen to suppose you’ll wish to alter your belt mid-set, a pronged buckle belt is your greatest wager because you received’t must take it off to take action. In order for you a belt you may shortly take away, a lever buckle or Velcro closure is greatest.
2. Width
Weightlifting belts range in width from 4 to 6 inches. Some have a contoured or tapered design, whereas cylindrical ones are the identical width all the best way round.
The perfect width is a matter of non-public consolation. It needs to be supportive with out sliding or limiting your vary of movement.
3. Materials
Most belts are both leather-based or nylon. Leather-based tends to last more for those who preserve it conditioned, however is usually heavier and extra inflexible than nylon. Due to their rigidity, leather-based belts are greatest for powerlifters.
Nylon belts have a tendency to supply extra flexibility, which may be useful for those who’re sporting it as you progress between power coaching workout routines.
