A standard piece of apparatus you’ll see gym-goers put on is a weightlifting belt. They arrive in quite a lot of supplies and types — starting from nylon belts with hook-and-loop closures to leather-based belts with locking prongs — with the aim of placing stress in your core and serving to to maintain your physique steady, so that you’re much less more likely 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 help 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 additionally your total physique,” says Trevor Thieme, CSCS. “And, to be sincere, if a load is so heavy you can’t handle it safely and with good kind with out the help of a weightlifting belt, you then most likely shouldn’t be lifting it.”
Carrying a weightlifting belt additionally doesn’t educate your physique tips on how to deal with heavy hundreds by itself in actual life conditions. In different phrases, it doesn’t improve 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 may’t go mistaken 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 if you happen to plan on doing Olympic-style weightlifting, it’s your decision 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 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 modern black-and-red leather-based weightlifting belt makes use of a two-pronged buckle and might reportedly help heavy lifts as much as 600 kilos. The 4 mm-thick buffalo cover leather-based is delicate and comparatively simple to interrupt in however nonetheless gives 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, pink, inexperienced, purple, and pink to coordinate along with your exercise gear (or your temper). The ten mm-thick suede leather-based gives 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 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 adaptability, which is right if you happen to’re transferring between heavy lifts and different energy 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 decide is created from 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 comfy.
Get it on Amazon.
What to Contemplate When Selecting a Weightlifting Belt
If you would like 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 modify your belt mid-set, a pronged buckle belt is your finest wager because you received’t need to take it off to take action. If you would like a belt you may 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 very 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 if you happen to maintain 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 supply extra flexibility, which will be useful if you happen to’re carrying it as you progress between energy coaching workouts.
