A typical piece of kit you’ll see gym-goers put on is a weightlifting belt. They arrive in a wide range 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 steady, so that you’re much less prone to wobble and maintain an harm 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 any case, your physique comes geared up with its personal inner 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 trustworthy, if a load is so heavy that you could’t handle it safely and with good kind with out the help of a weightlifting belt, you then in all probability shouldn’t be lifting it.”
Sporting a weightlifting belt additionally doesn’t train your physique methods to deal with heavy masses by itself in actual life conditions. In different phrases, it doesn’t enhance your “practical health,” so except you’re a powerlifter, we suggest you forgo the belt.
However if you’re a powerlifter, or really feel a robust have to put on a weightlifting belt, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious 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 when you 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 listing, 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 extensive within the again to 2 inches extensive 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 glossy black-and-red leather-based weightlifting belt makes use of a two-pronged buckle and may reportedly help heavy lifts as much as 600 kilos. The 4 mm-thick buffalo cover leather-based is gentle and comparatively simple to interrupt in however nonetheless supplies cosy 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 short “break-in” interval because the leather-based softens and contours to your physique.
Get it at Rogue Health.
5. Iron Bull Power Powerlifting Belt
WIDTH: 4 inches
FITS WAIST SIZES: 25 to 50 inches
PRICE: $90
This powerlifting belt is accessible in black, blue, grey, crimson, inexperienced, purple, and pink to coordinate along with your exercise gear (or your temper). The ten mm-thick suede leather-based supplies 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 accessible 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 adaptability, which is good when you’re shifting between heavy lifts and different power workouts.
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 made out of nylon, a water-resistant foam core, and a hook-and-loop closure. It’s the widest weightlifting belt on this listing, however the contoured design helps to maintain it snug.
Get it on Amazon.
What to Contemplate When Selecting a Weightlifting Belt
In order for you additional help on your heavy lifts, right here’s what to search for in a belt.
1. Locking mechanism
Weightlifting belts have three sorts of locking mechanisms: lever buckle, Velcro, or pronged buckle.
In case you assume you’ll need to regulate your belt mid-set, a pronged buckle belt is your finest guess because you gained’t must take it off to take action. In order for you a belt you’ll be able to rapidly take away, a lever buckle or Velcro closure is finest.
2. Width
Weightlifting belts fluctuate in width from 4 to 6 inches. Some have a contoured or tapered design, whereas cylindrical ones are the identical width all the way in which round.
The perfect width is a matter of private consolation. It must 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 when you hold it conditioned, however is often heavier and extra inflexible than nylon. Due to their rigidity, leather-based belts are finest for powerlifters.
Nylon belts have a tendency to offer extra flexibility, which may be useful when you’re sporting it as you progress between power coaching workouts.
