A Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Weightlifting Belt
If you’re serious about lifting weights, sooner or later you’ll probably need a belt. Belts don’t prevent injury as people sometimes think, but they do help you lift more weight. This will help you squat and lift heavier – and thus become stronger – which is why they are standard equipment for many strong people. We’ve got a guide to help you understand what belts do, how they work, and who needs them. But once you understand the basic idea, you’ll probably still have questions. So let’s dig in.
By the way, if you want a quick answer to what belt I , your resident expert, wear: I have two that I love. My trusty Pioneer cut offset eyelet leather belt is 3 inches wide and 10 millimeters thick in maroon suede. I’ve had it for five or six years now and it’s still going strong. My other belt is a 4″ wide Velcro belt from 2Pood . I don’t wear it anymore because the Velcro is starting to wear out, but I bought it from Kate Vibert right after she won silver at the 2020 Olympics, so I never throw it away.
When should you buy a weightlifting belt?
Each coach has his own opinion about when it’s time for a beginner to buy a belt. Some may want to see you lift a certain weight first or demonstrate certain skills on large exercises. But the truth is that there is no generally accepted dividing line between people who need a belt and people who don’t. The belt is a tool that anyone can use at any stage of their career. This does not compensate for the inability to fixate , so it makes sense to first learn to fixate. But the belt can help you learn to brace yourself as you can feel your stomach pressing against the belt when you do it correctly.
In my opinion, if you’re wondering if you should get a belt, it might be time to get one . Many good leather belts must be ordered online, and some have a lead time of several weeks, so you may not receive the belt until a month or two after you decide you’re ready – in other words, you may want to order the belt sooner rather than later .
Which weightlifting belt to choose?
If you search for “weightlifting belt” on the Internet, you’ll get a ton of results, many of which are aimed at gym goers who want to look cool but aren’t quite sure what a belt is for. Let me quickly say that there are only a few types of belts that are commonly worn by strength athletes.
Velcro strap
First, there is a 4-inch Velcro strap. I’ll start here because it’s a good all-around belt, it’s cheaper than the leather ones we’re going to talk about, and it’s probably easier to adjust and wear. I have one from 2Pood , a popular brand among Olympic weightlifters and CrossFitters. These straps are 4 inches wide, Velcro fastened, and have a locking mechanism around the strap so it won’t come undone even if the Velcro fails mid-lift. The Velcro does wear out over time, although I got through over three years of frequent use before I started noticing any problems.
By the way, Velcro straps don’t have to be used only for Olympic lifts. They are great for both heavy squats and deadlifts. Velcro straps will typically cost you between $30 and $70, depending on the brand and any features such as custom color.
Leather belt with one prong
Next are the leather straps, which fasten like a traditional belt. They look like a ridiculously large version of a regular belt that you might wear to hold up your trousers: they are 3 or 4 inches wide and are made of thick leather, usually 10 or 13 millimeters thick. The buckle is huge to fit. (When I received my first belt in the mail, I laughed. I couldn’t imagine wearing it in public. But now I just think of it as regular sports equipment.)
There are double-prong belts that look cool, but can be very frustrating to work with. Remember that you will be taking it on and off (or loosening and tightening it) between sets. The second tooth does not make the belt more secure, but it does make it more difficult to fasten.
In addition to the Velcro strap, I also have a single prong leather strap and I have the Pioneer cut with offset eyelets. This way, instead of having to choose between two holes spaced an inch apart, I can adjust the belt in 1/2-inch increments.
Leather belt with lever
Instead of a buckle, you may prefer a lever strap. Instead of inserting the buckle into the hole of your choice when putting it on, you use a screwdriver to install the lever into the corresponding hole on the belt. You then simply close the lever to lock it closed and open it when you are ready to remove the belt. “Pop” can be satisfying after a big lift—see this clip from Jessica Buettner , for example. (I don’t have a lever belt. I’m a little jealous of people who do.)
These belts are available in the same common sizes as good single tooth belts: 3 or 4 inches wide, 10 or 13 mm thick. Pioneer, the same company that makes my adjustable tooth belt, also sells an adjustable lever , which gives you a little room to tighten or loosen the belt without having to remove the lever with a screwdriver. (Pioneer doesn’t pay me to endorse them, I just like their adjustable design.) An example of a non-adjustable Inzer Forever lever is a popular and durable design.
Good quality leather straps, both serrated and levered, are more expensive than Velcro straps. The typical price range is between $100 and $150, with thicker belts typically costing more. (Again, using custom colors and designs will cost you a little more.)
How to buy the right size
Your waist measurement will tell you the length of the belt you should order; To find the correct size, refer to the size chart on the belt company’s website. If you’re between sizes, consider whether you’ll get bigger or smaller over time. For example, if you know you’ll be losing weight, you might want a belt that will still fit even if you get a little slimmer. On the other hand, gaining muscle mass as you get stronger is normal, and you might want to be able to get bigger without having to buy a whole new belt.
In terms of width, the standard width is 4 inches. (The maximum width allowed in competition is usually 4 inches for powerlifting and 12 centimeters, or 4.7 inches, for weightlifting.) The advice I received when I was new is that almost everyone likes a 4-inch belt for squats, but some people prefer a 3-inch belt for deadlifts. I ended up buying mine in the 3″ size and it fits both lifts well. Some people prefer a 4-inch belt for both exercises, but wear it higher on the waist when deadlifting. If you’re not sure, try borrowing a belt to try on.
The next thing to decide if you are buying a leather belt is whether the belt is 10 or 13 millimeters thick. When in doubt, go with 10mm. The Thirteen is very thick and many people find that the strap becomes uncomfortably stiff, especially around the edges. If you are a large person and already very strong, you may need 13mm. But in this case, you will probably come to this conclusion over time based on experience. If you’re reading this, it’s probably not you and you need 10 millimeters.
My top picks for each belt type:
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Velcro Belt: 2-pound straight weightlifting belt.
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Leather single tooth: Pioneer Cut 10 mm.
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Leather lever: Inzer Forever 10mm lever
Which weightlifting belts should you avoid?
So, are there any belts you shouldn’t buy? Probably yes:
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Double-prong belts are more difficult to open and close and are no stronger than single-prong belts. If you need a buckle, a single prong buckle will work for most people.
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Velcro straps without a lock may come undone when lifting. Look for one that has a locking mechanism to hold the strap in place, such as 2Pood or Gymreapers .
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Tapered belts with a wide back and a narrow front were once popular among Olympic weightlifters. However, they are no longer used as often; Velcro straps have largely replaced them. Most tapered belts you’ll see online are lower quality belts designed for people who are just trying to look cool at the gym. Great as a fashion choice, but they wouldn’t be my first choice. However, if you already have one, you can use it. Everything will be fine.
Really cheap weightlifting belts (like the ones you can find on Amazon for $20) won’t last as long and may not work as well, but honestly, they’re not that terrible. If you’re not sure if you need a belt at all, I wouldn’t blame you for buying a cheap one first and then upgrading later.
With this information, you will be ready to buy a belt that suits your needs. Most people will do best with a Velcro strap or a 10mm wide straight leather strap, depending on your preference. Now, whether you want a simple black belt or a custom sequined design is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself.