A Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Weightlifting Belt

If you’re serious about lifting the bar, sooner or later you’ll probably need a belt. Straps do not protect against injury as is sometimes believed, but they do help you lift more weight. It helps you squat and deadlift harder by getting stronger, which is why they are standard equipment for many strong people.

We have a guide to understand what belts are for, how they work and who needs them. But once you get the basic idea, you are likely to have questions. So let’s dig.

When should you buy a weightlifting belt?

Every trainer has their own opinion about when is the best time for a beginner to buy a belt. Some may want to see you lift a certain weight first, or demonstrate a certain skill in heavy lifting. But the truth is, there is no line between people who need a belt and people who don’t. The belt is a tool that anyone can use at any point in their career. It doesn’t make up for not knowing how to emphasize, so it makes sense to learn that first. But a belt can help you learn how to stretch, as you can feel your belly press against the belt when you do it right.

In my opinion, if you’re wondering if you should get a belt, it might be time to get one. Many good items have to be ordered online and lead times are weeks, so you may not receive the belt until a month or two after you think you’re done, so you may want to order the belt sooner. not later.

Which weightlifting belt to choose?

If you search for “weightlifting belt” online, you will get a lot of results, many of which are for gym goers who want to look cool but don’t really understand what a belt is for. Let me interrupt the marketing and say that there are two main types of belts commonly worn by strength athletes.

Velcro strap

First, it’s a 4″ velcro strap. I’ll start with this because it’s a good all-around belt, it’s cheaper than the leather ones we’re about to talk about, and it’s probably easier to adjust and wear. I have such. by 2Pood , which is a popular brand among Olympic weightlifters and CrossFitters. These straps are four inches wide, they close with a Velcro strap and have a locking mechanism around the strap so that it won’t come loose even if the Velcro fails. Velcro wears out over time, although mine has withstood over three years of frequent use and is still strong.

Velcro straps typically cost between $40 and $70, depending on the brand and any specials such as custom colors.

Single prong leather belt

Leather belts are next, which fasten like traditional belts. They look like a comically larger version of a regular belt: 3 or 4 inches wide and made of thick leather, which is usually 10 or 13 millimeters. The buckle is huge to match. (When I received my first belt in the mail, I laughed. I couldn’t imagine wearing it in public. But now I see it as a regular sports equipment.)

There are double toothed belts that look cool but can be quite annoying to use. Remember that you will take it off and on (or loosen and tighten) between sets. The second prong does not make the belt more secure, but it does make it more of a hassle to fasten.

In addition to my velcro belt, I also have a single prong leather belt and I have a Pioneer cut with offset holes. So instead of having to choose between two holes an inch apart, I can adjust the strap in 1/2 inch increments.

Leather lever belt

Instead of a buckle, you may prefer a lever strap. Instead of inserting the pin of the buckle into the hole of your choice when putting it on, you use a screwdriver to install the lever into the corresponding hole in the belt. You then simply close the lever to lock it in the closed position and open it when you’re ready to remove the belt. “Pop” can be satisfying after a big lift – check out this clip of Jessica Buettner for an example. (I don’t have a lever belt. I’m a little jealous of those who do.)

These belts are available in the same common sizes as good single tooth belts: 3″ or 4″ wide, 10mm or 13mm thick. Pioneer, the same company that makes my adjustable toothed belt, also sells an adjustable lever , which gives you some room to fasten the belt tighter or looser without having to remove the lever with a screwdriver. (Pioneer doesn’t pay me to sew for them, I just love their adjustable design.) For example, the Inzer Forever fixed arm is a popular and durable design.

Good quality leather straps, both pinned and toggle, are more expensive than Velcro. A typical price range would be $100 to $150, with thicker straps usually being more expensive. (Again, 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; refer to the size chart on the belt manufacturer’s website to find the correct size. If you’re in between sizes, consider if you’ll get bigger or smaller over time. For example, if you know you’re going to lose weight, you may need a belt that will fit even if you lose some weight. On the other hand, it’s normal to gain muscle mass as you get stronger, and you may want to have room to grow without having to buy a brand new belt.

In terms of width, 4 inches is the standard (the maximum width allowed in competition is usually 4 inches for powerlifting and 12 centimeters or 4.7 inches for weightlifting). likes a 4″ squat strap, but some people prefer a 3″ deadlift strap. I ended up getting my 3″ strap and it works well for both exercises. Some people prefer a 4-inch strap for both exercises, but wear it higher at the waist for deadlifts. If you’re unsure, see if you can borrow a belt to try on.

The next thing to decide if you are buying a leather belt is to choose between 10mm or 13mm belt thickness. If in doubt, take 10 mm. Thirteen is very thick and many people find this makes the strap uncomfortably stiff, especially around the edges. If you are a huge person and already very strong, you may need 13mm. But in this case, you will probably come to that conclusion based on experience over time. If you’re reading this, then it’s probably not you and you need a 10mm.

What Weightlifting Belts Should You Avoid?

So are there belts that are not worth buying? Maybe yes:

• Double toothed belts are a pain in the ass. If you need a buckle, use one prong.
• Velcro straps can come loose if they don’t have a locking mechanism to hold the strap in place. Look for one that blocks like 2Pood, Element 26 or Gymreapers , just to name a few.
• Really cheap weightlifting belts (like the ones you can find on Amazon for $20) won’t last that long and may not work as well, but to be honest, 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 item first and then upgrading it.
• Tapered belts with a wide back and narrow front were popular among Olympic weightlifters. However, they are no longer used as often; Velcro straps have pretty much replaced them. Most of the tapered belts you’ll see online are lower quality and designed for people who are just trying to look cool at the gym. Good as a fashion choice, but probably not the best choice for improving deadlift results.

With this information, you should be well prepared to buy the right belt for your needs. A velcro belt or a 10mm wide straight leather belt, depending on your preference, will suit most people. Now, whether you want a simple black belt or a custom colored sequin design, this is something you need to decide on your own.