A standard 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 spend money on one?
For most individuals, energy coaching doesn’t require the assist of a weightlifting belt. In spite of everything, your physique comes outfitted with its personal inner weightlifting belt — the transverse abdominis.
“Strengthening this muscle together with the remainder of your core may 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 may’t handle it safely and with good type with out the assist of a weightlifting belt, you then most likely shouldn’t be lifting it.”
Carrying a weightlifting belt additionally doesn’t educate your physique methods to deal with heavy masses by itself in actual life conditions. In different phrases, it doesn’t improve your “useful health,” so except you’re a powerlifter, we advocate you forgo the belt.
However if you’re a powerlifter, or really feel a powerful must put on a weightlifting belt, you’ll be able to’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 assist strap. It’s a favourite amongst CrossFitters, however when you plan on doing Olympic-style weightlifting, you might have considered trying a extra supportive possibility.
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 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 modern black-and-red leather-based weightlifting belt makes use of a two-pronged buckle and may reportedly assist heavy lifts as much as 600 kilos. The 4 mm-thick buffalo cover leather-based is mushy and comparatively simple to interrupt in however nonetheless gives cosy assist.
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 assist, 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 Power 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 gives most assist, and a two-pronged buckle ensures the proper 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 suppleness, which is good when you’re shifting between heavy lifts and different energy 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 decide is comprised 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
If you’d like further assist in your heavy lifts, right here’s what to search for in a belt.
1. Locking mechanism
Weightlifting belts have three varieties of locking mechanisms: lever buckle, Velcro, or pronged buckle.
When you suppose you’ll need to alter your belt mid-set, a pronged buckle belt is your greatest wager because you received’t should take it off to take action. If you’d like a belt you’ll be able to 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.
One of the best width is a matter of non-public consolation. It ought 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 when you maintain it conditioned, however is often 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 might be useful when you’re sporting it as you progress between energy coaching workout routines.