12 Best Weight Lifting Belts
Introduction
Are you suffering from lower back pain or abdominal strain while weight lifting? Hakuna Matata! ( No worries), because you have landed just in the right place. We have put up a complete guide on weightlifting belts, which will be your irreplaceable accessories for the upcoming years. Before knowing the cool weight lifting belts, we will address you 'what are weight lifting belts for?'
The weight lifting belt's purpose is to maintain a proper spine position and helps with regulating the abdominal pressure during your heavy lifting sessions. The lifter will be more aware of the lifting positions by wearing these belts. The weight lifting belts are a fold that you can wear around your waist to eliminate muscle aches. Also, be conscious that the belts are not a replacement for your core work, technical skills, and stabilization required to execute proper weight lifting exercises.
This article gives an overview of Why do people wear belts when lifting,12 good weightlifting belts, How to choose the cool weight lifting belts, types of weight lifting belts based on the uses and material, and an FAQ. Also, we have come up with the 3 top weight lifting belts and their comparison.
3 Top Weight Lifting Belts
A weight lifting belt provides your spine with sufficient support that you are looking for when heavy lifting. But it is also essential to ponder your requirements for a weightlifting belt. Depending on the uses and material, the belts may vary; just go through every aspect in this article to choose the best lifting belt that suits you. We have devoted ourselves to selecting 3 top weight lifting belts, which are as follows.
Overall Rating: 4.4/5
The Gymreapers Weightlifting belts do not need an introduction to anyone involved in bodybuilding competitions. With the growing number of users, the belt has 4.4-star ratings from customers worldwide. These belts are perfect for your waists and can be widely used for a variety of competitions. Better and budget-friendly than other weight lifting belts on the market.
Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Dark Iron Fitness belts are the best weight lifting belts that are widely used by men lifters. The belt has nearly 20K customer reviews with 4.7 / 5 star ratings on Amazon. USAPL-approved powerlifting belts that enable squatting or deadlifting up to 600 lbs. This makes the belt stand out from other weight lifting belts on the market.
Overall Rating: 5/5
The Element 26 Self locking belts are versatile and can be used for all weight lifting exercises especially for crossfits. These belts have nearly 15K reviews and 4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon. It is designed to create a uniform and consistent abdominal pressure for high stability while lifting, and is preferable for Olympic weightlifting competitions.
Comparison Table For Best Weight Lifting Belts
Header | Gymreapers Quick Locking Weightlifting Belt | Dark Iron Fitness Weight Lifting Belt | Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belts |
|---|---|---|---|
Material Used | Nylon | Genuine leather | Nylon |
Closure type | Buckle | Buckle, Hook and Loop | Buckle |
Preferable for | Bodybuilding | Powerlifting | Crossfit |
Lifting belts review on Amazon | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Why Do People Wear Belts When Lifting?
Generally, lifters opt for a weight lifting belt as it creates support for the lower back region and builds less force during weight lifting. It may reduce the stress on the abdominal cavity, thereby increasing intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). During this pressure, the muscles get tightened and do not cause spinal injuries when the lifter pushes more weight.
Moreover, the belts might prompt the lifter to observe their posture during heavy lifting. The occurrence of hyperextensions is massive when lifting overhead lifts. Thankfully, weight lifting belts can subdue the effects of such extensions. Hyperextensions are an abnormality of your joints moving far away from their actual position and causing alteration in the usual angles of your joints.
Why Choose The Top WeightLifting Belts?
There are many benefits of choosing the best weight lifting belts. Let us look at the reasons to choose top weight lifting belts.
Prevents Injuries
Suitable weightlifting belts will save you from serious orthopedic injuries. The lifting belts will provide hassle-free lifting when you are at 80% of one-rep maximum during deadlifting or squatting. Wearing a lifting belt is compulsory for a person who squats or deadlifts twice more than their body weight. It makes the legs more responsive to training and strengthens faster than the abs and back. You can eliminate the chances of imbalances between your legs and the core.
Allows To Lift More Weight
The best weight belts for powerlifting allow you to lift extra weight, which is why the lifting belts are more favored. Usually, the trained athletes discover that they lift an extra 5-15% of weight after practicing while wearing a lifting belt for about two weeks.
For an 80 kg lifter who squats 2x more than his body weight, to put on 15% equals an extra 24 kg on one-rep-max. This becomes considerable by simply using a good weightlifting belt for a week. However, there is a red flag that unless you are an intermediate or an advanced lifter, you will limit your benefits by using the belt at an inappropriate time.Mental Stability
Many lifters find it beneficial to integrate their workouts with the top weightlifting belts review. You can make a quick one-rep max PR by simply wearing a gym accessory for a few heavy lifting training sessions. Amazingly, it creates mental stability that you can lift more weight and helps in building mental firmness.
Revamping Biomechanics
Many researchers conclude that cool weight lifting belts help in ideal biomechanics when you are deadlifting and squatting. The belt would force you to lift more on your legs than your back. Ideally, your legs will adapt to a bulky stimulus quicker than your other muscles in the body. The belt will enhance biomechanics by cutting spinal extension, lateral flexion, and spinal flexion.
Leave Your Spine Happy
Wearing a weightlifting belt causes a hike in intra- abdominal pressure by 40%. This way, the compression on your lower back discs goes down to 50%. It leaves less pressure on your back region and supports your abs more than your spine. If the abdominal pressure is high, there are enormous chances of lifting more weight.
12 Good Lifting Belts Review For Men And Women To Watch Out!
Based on various factors, we have listed 12 good lifting belts review for men and women. By this end, you will know the best belts for weightlifting and their pros and cons. Let's accelerate to the best weightlifting belts.
Best Overall Weightlifting Belts
The best overall weight lifting belt is the one that is widely used, budget-friendly, and a preferable brand for weight lifting belts. Let's explore the product we have selected as the best weightlifting belt.
Product 1: Inzer Weight Lifting Belts
We are pretty sure that there is no lifter, either professional or a novice, who has no idea about Inzer weight lifting belts. It is a well-known name in the weight lifting belts market.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of leather material.
- Color: The belt is black in color.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XL (Medium size not included)
- Thickness: The belt is 10 mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type
- Specifications: The Inzer weight lifting belts are made of genuine leather with suede finish and includes a patented lever with four-row lock stitches.
- Features: Tightens three times more inches than other buckle belts.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime guarantee.
- Reliability: Resistance to oxidation and has a anti-slip surface.
Pros
Cons
Best Weight Belts For Powerlifting
The best weight lifting belts purpose is to support your core and lifting stability. Primarily the belt must assist you with bracing and provides free movement. Nobody wants to battle with their belts to put on and off after a hard crushing; that's why we opt for Dark Iron fitness powerlifting belts.
Product 2: Dark Iron Fitness Weight Lifting Belt
Dark Iron Fitness weight lifting belt is one of the best belts in the market. The product has nearly 20K reviews and rated 4.7/5 on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of leather.
- Color: The belt comes in black and white colors.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XL.
- Thickness: The belt is 4 mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product has a buckle, hook and loop closure.
- Specifications: The weight lifting belt is soft to touch, flexible and strong enough for optimum support.
- Features: The weight lifting belts are designed to a thickness and width that can allow harder training sessions. On an average, the powerlifting belt has helped to improve lifting by 10%. USAPL-approved powerlifting belts that enable for squatting or deadlifting up to 600 lbs.
- Reliability: Strong, comfortable and provides stability for longer duration.
Pros
Cons
Best Lever Lifting Belts
The best lever belts for lifting are a go for powerlifters and Strongman competitors. These belts can provide a cozy hybrid of a buckle belt and a lever. We have picked up the Flexz Fitness lever lifting belts as the best of their kind.
Product 3 : Flexz Fitness Lever Weight Lifting Leather Belt
The Flexz fitness lever weight lifting belts are worth buying and they are the best lever lifting belts. The product has nearly 3.5 K customer reviews with 4.4 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of leather material.
- Color: The belt is available in 6 different colors.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XXL.
- Thickness: The belt is 10 mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type.
- Specifications: This belt allows the lifters to tighten the belts up to 4 inches than the other traditional weight lifting belts by enhancing the intra-abdominal pressure with the lever buckle.
- Features: The belt gives you optimum back support and stabilizes your core, abs, & back on heavy lifts. This power lifting belt gives extra power, strength & support to your back for improving the lifts. The users can utilize this belt for 500 pound deadlifts & squats as it has undergone extensive testing.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime warranty.
- Reliability: The power lifting belts are made to IPF standards and are ensured for endurance.
Pros
Cons
Best Weightlifting Belts For Crossfit
Versatility is the key for those in Crossfit competition, as the ability to perform various fitness exercises is essential. We are considering the Element 26 Self-locking weightlifting belt as the best belt for Crossfit. It is the perfect combination of functionality and ease of use.
Product 4 : Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belts
Element 26 weightlifting belts are the best belts you can rely on for crossfits. The product has nearly 15K reviews and 4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of nylon material.
- Color: The belt comes with 8 different colors.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XXL.
- Width: The belt is 4 inches wide.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type.
- Specifications: This belt is versatile and has the best Olympic weightlifting belts that give the correct support to competitors. Also, Crossfit competitors find these to be the best weightlifting belts for Crossfit. You can detach the belt easily as it has a velcro and nylon design. It has a uniform 4-inch width and is more effective for Olympic lifters, Functional athletes, and Powerlifters.
- Features: It is designed to create a uniform and consistent abdominal pressure for high stability while lifting, and this belt is not a support for your back.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime warranty.
- Reliability: The belt is an excellent choice for a Crossfit athlete as it is made with 100% nylon and full metal easy self-locking buckle model.
Pros
Cons
Best Olympic Weightlifting belts
Many Olympic weightlifting athletes wear belts for the snatch and the 'clean-and-jerk,' whereas some other athletes don't prefer to wear belts. We have ranked the ProFitness Genuine Leather belt as the best Olympic Weightlifting belts.
Product 5: ProFitness Genuine Leather Workout Belt
The ProFitness workout belt is a great pick for anyone trying to concentrate on olympic weightlifting competitions. The belt has nearly 10K reviews with 4.7 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of leather material.
- Color: The belt is available in black & red colors.
- Size: Ranges from S - XL.
- Thickness: The belt is 5mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type
- Specifications: 4” wide leather belt that is comfortable and anti- slip for squats, power cleans, deadlifts, clean and jerks
- Features: The belt supports the lower back especially while lifting, twisting and supporting heavy weight. The weightlifting belt is ideal for cross training, powerlifting & daily fitness activities.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a 60 days money back refund system.
- Reliability: Made of genuine leather that avoids slip and ride while exercising.
Pros
Cons
Best lifting belts for deadlifters
Among other lifts, deadlifts are primarily associated with the belts because it is known as the "Chief of exercises." Whether you can pull sumo or a conventional, you will need to load up for the best plates at some point. Here you will know the best weight lifting belts for deadlifting.
Product 6: Gymreapers Weight Lifting Belt - 7MM
The Gymreapers Weight lifting belt is the best choice for deadlifts as it is the most reliable belt and has 3K reviewers with 4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of leather,suede.
- Color: The belt is black in color.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XXL.
- Thickness: The belt is 7 mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product is dual prong and has a steel buckle closure type
- Specifications: The belt is designed with pure quality leather and has a width of four inches all around. Cozy edges and reinforced stitching are the main takeaways of this belt.
- Features: Allows a range of motion without having to pinch the skin as you have to move.
- Reliability: The belt is long-lasting and is braced hard without damage.
Pros
Cons
Best Small Waist Belts for Lifting
Many gym goers find getting weightlifting belts in perfect size measurements challenging. Especially lifters with small waists, keep searching for personalized weight lifting belts. We have the best small waist belts for lifting to relieve stress.
Product 7: Gymreapers Quick Locking Weightlifting Belt
Gymreapers quick locking weightlifting belt is the best fitting belt for small waist. The product has 3.3K reviews with 4.4 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of nylon.
- Color: The belt comes in 9 different colors.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XXL.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type
- Specifications: The belt has the same width entirely to protect, support & drive performances. Quick lock and unlock of the weight lifting belt helps in functional cross training.
- Features: The purpose of this weightlifting belt is to enhance the core stability and support by adding intra-abdominal pressure. Gymreapers belt has been tested in competition & used for a wide range of competitions like olympic lifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, & cross training.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime replacement guarantee.
- Reliability: The belt is made up of high grade nylon & has a quick locking heavy-duty buckle. Reinforced stitching that can withstand tough workouts.
Pros
Cons
Best Lifting Belts for Squats
The squat is only lesser than deadlifts when it comes to lifting belts. Lifters who perform heavy squatting will know the significance of having suitable belts. This is because they need to concentrate on the core and enhance the intra-abdominal pressure. It is the reason for us to choose RitFit weight lifting belts as the best lifting belts for squats.
Product 8: RitFit Weight Lifting Belt
RitFit weight lifting belts are an ideal choice for squat, deadlifts, thrusters and other exercises. The belt has nearly 6K reviews with 4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate.
- Color: The belt is available in 5 different designs and colors.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XXL.
- Closure Type: The product has hook and loop closure type
- Specifications: The belt is 6’’ Inch wide and has a waterproof foam core along with a brushed tricot lining & soft bounded edges.
- Features: Reduces spinal flexion by creating safe biomechanics while lifting and gives good back and abdominal support.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime warranty.
- Reliability: Ergonomic design that supports strength training.
Pros
Cons
Best weight lifting belts for beginners
For toddlers about to start the fitness journey, the weight lifting belts will initially provide outstanding support. And they may not find a perfect lifting belt as every other belt may seem to mismatch their requirements. Hey, no worries, as we have the best option for beginners.
Product 9: Fire Team Fit Weight Lifting Belt
Fire team fit weight lifting belts are the best option for beginners in the gym. The belt has 6.7 K customer reviews with 4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of nylon.
- Color: The belt is available with 11 different designs and colors.
- Size: Ranges from XS - XL
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type
- Specifications: Light weighted contour design and the belt helps to avoid injuries from hyperextension or hyperflexion of spine while weightlifting.
- Features: The belt offers great support to the abdominal wall,lumbar vertebrae, and ensures safe lifting in back squat, deadlifts, power cleans, clean & jerks and overhead squats.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime warranty.
- Reliability: Resistance to oxidation and has a anti-slip surface.
Pros
Cons
Best Custom lifting belts
Gym belt accessories are not just for lifting sessions but a great way of showing yourself in your favorite belts. If you are looking for custom lifting belts for designs and colors, this one's for you.
Product 10: 2POOD Straight Weightlifting Belt
2POOD weightlifting belts come with different colors, designs and is purely a custom lifting belts.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of nylon material.
- Color: The belt is black in color.
- Size: Ranges from XXS - XL
- Closure Type: The product has buckle, hook and loop closure type
- Specifications: The weightlifting belt is designed with the WOD clamp for providing an extra support & security
- Features: You can make complete personalized weight lifting belts on the backgrounds, colors, designs, velcro, or photos by entering the form's details. Before moving to custom lifting belts, ensure not to include images that need copyright and wait patiently for about 6 weeks for manufacturing.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime guarantee.
- Reliability: The velcro belt, cordura nylon material and the WOD Clamp allows flexible lifting and easy movements.
Pros
Cons
Best Weightlifting Belts for Women
We can find women lifters working par equal to men in the gym recently. There is a simple, understandable difference that the belts designed for a man can not certainly fit a woman. Therefore, a woman needs her weight lifting belts, to avoid injuries while doing heavy squats. Have a glance below to know the best weight lifting belts for women.
Product 11 : Iron bull Strength Women Weight Lifting Belt
Iron bull weight lifting belts are tailor made for women and are fully adjustable. It has 1.5K reviews and 4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of nylon and neoprene.
- Color: The belt has four color combinations with black.
- Size: Ranges from XS - L.
- Thickness: The belt is 10 mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle, “hook and loop” closure type.
- Specifications: The belt is suitable for women because it features a heavy-gauge steel tensioning buckle along with a 2 inches Nylon Velcro strap for an easy fit.
- Features: The weightlifting belt is specially designed for extended performance, comfort & looks great. With 5-inches width, the belt assures the ideal support for the full range of motion during exercises. The foam interior is done with soft, breathable and tricot plush lining to support the back region & abdominals for heavy lifts.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime guarantee.
- Reliability: Tough built for women and the lifting belt is comfortable, effective, durable, portable that will last longer.
Pros
Cons
Best Lifting Belts for Dips
Usually, weight lifting belts are a must-go for lifters as they involve themselves in heavy lifting, powerlifting, dips and deadlifts. Also, many consider comfortable and flexible belts that allow them to perform free exercise movements. That is why we have addressed the Hawk Fitness Belt as the best lifting belts for dips.
Product 12: Hawk Fitness Dip Belt
Hawk Fitness Dip Belt is the most valuable product for performing dips. The product has nearly 2.7 K reviews with 4.6 / 5 stars on Amazon.
Product Description:
- Material used: Made up of neoprene.
- Color: The belt is black in color.
- Size: It has only a single size.
- Thickness: The belt is 6 mm thick.
- Closure Type: The product has buckle closure type
- Specifications: Made with extra heavy duty neoprene for high impacts unlike other dip belts that fall apart.
- Features: Comes with heavy inner padding for withstanding heavy weights. Increases the resistance of the user and allows effective bodybuilding.
- Warranty: This weight lifting belt has a lifetime replacement warranty.
- Reliability: Constructed with high quality neoprene for strength & durability
Pros
Cons
How to Choose the Right Weight lifting belt?
Fit
The cool weight lifting belts fit your waist rather than on your hip. When buying waist belts for lifting, always ensure that you have measured your waist previously and not go by the measurements on the size of the jeans. Also, ensure that your belts are vetted to align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards for well-being.
Fabric
The second aspect to look for is the fabric of the belt. A neoprene belt suits most gym-goers best and keeps a warm back . While the powerlifters must focus on having leather lifting belts as it is hard to wear and more firm. Olympic weightlifting belts will gain more from a general use belt because of their flexibility and rigidity, which allows a lifter to move greater loads.
Fastenings
Thirdly, consider the fastenings of the weight lifting belt as it is not a simple factor to neglect. The double-prong belt is a perfect fit for deadlifts and squats but doesn't provide stretches for free movements like snatches, "clean and jerks," etc. Single-prong leather lifting belts give great support to core stabilization.
Uniform Width
The fourth factor to consider while buying the best weight lifting belt is the width of the belt. Always opt for a weightlifting belt which has an uniform width all around. While buying a weightlifting belt you might have seen belts that are narrow in front and wider in back. This leads to unequal support during weightlifting.
Customer Reviews
Apart from the above factors to be considered, also look out for a quick and easiest way of getting the best weight lifting belt. And customer reviews are one among them that can replicate the mindset of users worldwide and get you on the right track. Go through the reviews and star rating for all the weight lifting belts you are looking for and pick the best out of it.
Comfort
Measure your waist at the navel & then choose the right size of the weight lifting belt. Ensure taking the measurements correctly because faulty measurements can cause you trouble while performing heavy weightlifting. The belt may cause discomfort to users if the fit or fabric of the belt goes mismatching to the lifter's requirements.
Types of Weightlifting belts based on the uses and the material
Not every good weightlifting belt is the same and can be classified based on your workout requirements. The weightlifting belts can be categorized into four types based on their uses, and there are two types based on the material used. Further in this article, we will notify you about the types of the weight lifting belts.
Based on Their Uses
The bodybuilding belts are fabricated with leather. These belts are generally thickened on the back, and the front portion is always thin. The belts come in a combination of velcro and power-lifting belts. The buckle is a double-prong with a roller stainless steel buckle for safety and adjustments. The bodybuilding belts can be used for deadlifting and squatting. It also provides more force than velcro but comparatively less force than top powerlifting belts.
The best top powerlifting belts are designed to be firm and robust. The width remains the same all over the belt. These belts also give an additional surface area for the abs, which directly come in contact with the belt. Mostly good top powerlifting belts are double-pronged with a roller buckle made of stainless steel. It creates a substantial internal force for stability and allows the lifter to carry more weight.
Powerlifting lever belts are the same as top powerlifting belts but the locking system of the former depends on a lever. These lever good powerlifting belts are the best when considering reliability. The lever is made of heavy-duty steel material to maximize compression and maintenance. Many powerlifters believe in lever-type belts substantially for their stubbornness, and none of the prong-type belts can compete.
Dip belts are mostly made up of a combination of both synthetic and leather materials. These belts help to gain triceps, chest, and back. Also perfect for chin-ups, push-ups, and increased stamina for the lifters. It holds the weight plates while doing dips and pull-ups. But the dip belts fail to provide support and do not improve your performance drastically.
Based on the Material
Among all the other lifting belts review, there are two various base materials which they are made up of. They are leather and nylon-type weightlifting belts. Multiple blends of different materials are available in the market, such as foam and cloth variants. But at the end of the day, the competition gets stuck between either leather or nylon weightlifting belts.
The leather lifting belts design comes with the shape of contoured, cylindrical or cone shaped. These belts are excellent for powerlifting, heavy lifting, and even for relaxed lifting. The belts are durable, firm, and strong. The custom leather lifting belts include three options: single prong, double prong, a few triple prongs, and also levers. There are instant holes, same as that of your regular use belts. Buckles, prongs, and levers are made up of stainless steel metals for increased firmness.
Nylon Belts
The nylon weightlifting belts come in handy with cone or cylindrical designs. These weightlifting belts are used for functional workouts also. The belts are flexible, light weighted, and more comfortable to use. Only the fastening uses a stainless steel buckle, but the strap is made of nylon or cloth material. Hence you can alter the torso fit as required. There are no instant holes, and it offers more tightness to the lifter. Moreover, consider the strap width of the belt because of its rigidity.