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 secure, so that you’re much less prone to wobble and maintain an harm throughout heavy lifts.
So, do you have to put money into 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 can assist stabilize not solely your backbone, but in addition your whole physique,” says Trevor Thieme, CSCS. “And, to be trustworthy, 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, then you definately most likely shouldn’t be lifting it.”
Sporting a weightlifting belt additionally doesn’t train your physique how one can deal with heavy masses by itself in actual life conditions. In different phrases, it doesn’t enhance your “useful health,” so until you’re a powerlifter, we advocate you forgo the belt.
However in case you are a powerlifter, or really feel a robust have to put on a weightlifting belt, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect 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 if you happen to 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 record, 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 large within the again to 2 inches large 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 smooth 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 conceal leather-based is delicate and comparatively simple to interrupt in however nonetheless supplies 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 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 obtainable in black, blue, grey, crimson, inexperienced, purple, and pink to coordinate together with your exercise gear (or your temper). The ten mm-thick suede leather-based supplies most assist, 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 obtainable 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 right if you happen to’re transferring 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 finances decide is constituted of nylon, a water-resistant foam core, and a hook-and-loop closure. It’s the widest weightlifting belt on this record, however the contoured design helps to maintain it snug.
Get it on Amazon.
What to Think about When Selecting a Weightlifting Belt
In order for you further assist to your heavy lifts, right here’s what to search for in a belt.
1. Locking mechanism
Weightlifting belts have three kinds of locking mechanisms: lever buckle, Velcro, or pronged buckle.
When you assume you’ll wish to modify your belt mid-set, a pronged buckle belt is your finest guess because you received’t should 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 differ 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 most effective width is a matter of non-public 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 if you happen to hold it conditioned, however is usually heavier and extra inflexible than nylon. Due to their rigidity, leather-based belts are finest for powerlifters.
Nylon belts have a tendency to supply extra flexibility, which will be useful if you happen to’re carrying it as you progress between energy coaching workout routines.