The Best Weight Lifting Belts
Weight lifting belts are an incredibly valuable accessory for any gym rat looking to get the most out of their lifting routines. Belts of this kind increase the power of your primary muscles during a lift by restricting the movement of your spine. This decreased range of motion also has the added benefit of making these exercises slightly more safe, so long as you're not overexerting yourself. If you find yourself hitting a wall as far as adding weight to your squats or deadlifts goes, weight belts may offer the added control you need to break through that plateau. The weight belts we've selected as our favorites are incredibly comfortable, expertly crafted, and guaranteed to offer anyone a more enjoyable and effective workout.
Dark Iron Fitness Pro Weight Lifting Belt
Long-Lasting Leather Luxury
When it comes to ergonomic comfort, pain reduction, and stability, Dark Iron Fitness’s weight lifting belt takes the cake. Poorly constructed weight belts tend to have inferior stitching along the belt’s edges, and this can cause discomfort as the product slowly unravels. Dark Iron’s belt is double-stitched and made with only the finest cuts of buffalo leather, resulting in a product that conforms to your body’s natural curves and pressure points without digging in. The double-pronged buckle gives you a wide range of control over the belt’s tightness as well, delivering a truly complete product.
Pros:
- The belt can easily handle up to 600 pounds of weight
- Universal design for both men and women
- No break-in time required
- Unrivaled customer support
Cons:
- May require retightening after the first couple of repetitions
RitFit Weight Lifting Belt
Secure Your Spine
While it may appear otherwise to the causal onlooker, not all weight lifting belts are made to make you look like a cowboy suffering from lower back issues. Leather weight belts may have an edge as far as durability is concerned, but discomfort and rigidity are frequent complaints of some longtime powerlifters. RitFit’s Weight Lifting belt is a break from the traditional weight belt mold. Featuring a lightweight, fully nylon construction, this belt is woven into a tricot lining, meaning that the nylon base is reinforced with spandex for a smooth finish on the exterior and a texturized feel on the inside.
Pros:
- Powerful velcro for custom tightening
- Waterproof foam interior
- 6″ max width
Cons:
- Not machine-washable or dryable
Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
Eliminate Injury with Element
Element 26’s self-locking belt is a synthetic model with a muted, minimalist design that brings powerlifting into the 21st century. While belts with padding and contoured backings may distribute additional cushioning to more bony regions of the body, products like these could be doing more harm than good. Since the ultimate goal of a weight belt is to build up pressure in the abdomen, applying force evenly will, in the long run, give you the maximum value. This belt does just that with a no-nonsense, uniformly distributed 4-inch design. And with the backing of the USAW for use in official competitions, it should come as no shock that Element 26’s product will allow you to reach performance goals much faster than the competition.
Pros:
- Pull-tight buckle design
- Available in five sizes and colors
- 100% high-quality nylon product
- USA-owned business
Cons:
- Adjusting the tightness is time-consuming
Dark Iron Fitness Dip Belt
Lift Your Expectations
Powerlifting is, without a doubt, the primary use for weight belts, and at the upper echelons of the sport, this product can quickly become an absolute necessity. But what if you’re looking to increase your core strength or upper body physique and don’t have access to barbells? Dark Iron Fitness has the answer with their weight lifting dip belt.
Though this particular style of belt isn’t made to be used for deadlifts, squats, or bench pressing, it’s the perfect augmentation for dips, pull-ups, hangs, and so much more. Think of Dark Iron Fitness’s dip belt as more of an accessory that puts bodyweight exercises into “hard mode” than an equipment-based solution.
Pros:
- Strap capable of carrying up to 270 lbs
- Carabiner clips included
- Can be used for resistance sprint drills
- Snug, waist-tight fit doesn’t dig into the thighs or hips
Cons:
- The plate straps are not easily installed into the clips
PeoBeo Weight Lifting Belt
Get a Grip
If you’re getting into the marvelous sport of powerlifting, chances are you’re far from fully equipped. PeoBeo’s belt is a great purchase for weightlifting newbies and veterans alike. The mesh lining featured in PeoBeo’s products seems to be a rarity in the weight belt world, even though it affords you the best breathability available today. Furthermore, while the rest of the athletic community bickers about the optimal locking mechanism, PeoBeo decided to put the argument to bed by offering both a self-locking buckle and premium velcro straps.
Pros:
- Quick-release locking mechanism
- Hand straps included with purchase
- Incredible value for the price
Cons:
- The sizing runs large
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick the properly sized weight belt?
You shouldn’t look to buy a lifting belt by referring to the size of the belt you wear with your jeans, because lifting belts are applied over the hipbones instead of at level or below. For the perfect weight belt sizing, relax your stomach and measure approximately four inches above the pant line. From there, refer to the sizing chart to see which size matches your measurement.
Weight belt sizes are traditionally sized by a range of 6-8 inches, which means you probably won’t need to buy a bigger belt as your muscles grow. When it’s finally the moment of truth, your belt should be about as tight as possible without restricting your breathing. If you can just barely fit your hand through to your belly button, you’re good to go.
What’s the science behind using a weight belt? What are its benefits?
A weight lifting belt work by restricting the expansion of the abdomen. With the stomach muscles formed tightly around your core, the weight belt allows you to stand taller and support more weight with less risk of injuring your spine. In addition to protecting vertebrae, the weight belt does wonders hedging against muscular damage. By doing some of the stomach muscles work for them, there is much less chance of overexertion leading to a hernia with a weight belt. Not only that, but by locking your spine upright, lifting belts force you into a more correct posture, which will not only encourages muscle growth, but will also prevent long-term injuries such as compression of the vertebrae.
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