We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See disclosures page.

Whether you train in a garage gym with the very best home gym equipment or in a industrial lifting gym, a weightlifting belt generally is a great tool so as to add to your arsenal. It increases your stability by supplying you with something to push against as you brace your core, reinforces proper lifting technique, and might provide you with a lift of confidence in case you begin to doubt your abilities.

When looking for the very best weightlifting belt, you must consider whether leather or nylon is best to your needs and the way much support you would like your belt to offer. To provide help to narrow down your selection, I’ve compiled a listing of the highest eight lifting belts. Whether you’re a powerlifter, CrossFitter, Olympic weightlifter, or someone who trains for overall health and wellness, you’ll find the appropriate belt for you.

Our Top Picks for the Best Weightlifting Belts

Best Weightlifting Belt for CrossFit: Gymreapers Quick Locking Weightlifting Belt

Pros

• Available in numerous color options
• Comes with a lifetime alternative guarantee
• Inexpensive
• Double-stitched for durability

Cons

• Not approved for powerlifting competitions
• Runs small

Whenever you’re transitioning from heavy lifts to handstand push-ups, box jumps, or other dynamic exercises that come up in CrossFit WODs (workouts of the day), you wish a belt that is straightforward to tighten and loosen and doesn’t limit your movement. The Gymreapers Quick Lock Weightlifting Belt is good for these scenarios since the nylon material molds to your body and is comfortable to wear. Plus, you possibly can adjust the Velcro strap in only a few seconds.

It’s not as supportive as a leather powerlifting belt, but you’ll still feel stable and secure when lifting, because of the four-inch width. The belt is double-stitched to make sure it could possibly handle tons of abuse, and the Velcro will maintain its stickiness so long as you retain it clean.

The inexpensive price of around $35 makes it certainly one of the more budget-friendly belts on this list. You’ll be able to pick from a wide selection of colours and prints, including gray, pink, red, or black camo. There’s even an option with large Velcro areas where you possibly can add patches to point out off your personality and support your favorite brands.

The Gymreapers Quick Lock Weightlifting Belt can be available in sizes from XS to XXL to suit a wide variety of body types. Nonetheless, it runs small, so it’s possible you’ll wish to size up for a more comfortable fit.

RELATED: Best Home Gym Machines

Best Budget Weightlifting Belt: Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt

Pros

• Comes with a lifetime warranty
• Reinforced, heavy-duty stitching
• Self-locking buckle

Cons

• Too rigid for CrossFit or functional fitness workouts
• Only available in black

In the event you’re a recreational lifter who doesn’t compete in a strength sport, it’s possible you’ll not wish to drop tons of of dollars on a leather lifting belt. At the identical time, it’s possible you’ll need a belt that provides more support than a nylon belt can provide. In that case, the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt is a solid alternative that’s greater than half the worth of some traditional leather belts.

Besides being budget-friendly, this belt is exclusive in that it’s fabricated from leather but contains a nylon strap with a heavy-duty Velcro closure, unlike traditional leather belts with prong or lever closures. The Velcro fastening system makes the belt suitable for workouts where you must adjust the tightness or put the belt on and take it off quickly. There’s also a self-locking buckle to maintain the strap secured to your body in case the Velcro comes undone.

Nonetheless, the leather isn’t flexible and might restrict your movement. In the event you desire a belt that can move more seamlessly along with your body as you transition from one exercise to the subsequent, a nylon belt shall be higher.

One other thing to notice is that the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt is just six millimeters thick, so it is probably not supportive enough for very heavy weight training workouts. It’s also only available in black, so in case you want something that can stand out more, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Best Nylon Weightlifting Belt: Rogue Fitness USA Nylon Lifting Belt

Pros

• Available in five different colours
• Ripstop exterior and antimicrobial interior
• Tapered design allows for more back support without the belt digging into your hips
• Can add patches for more customization
• Affordably priced

Cons

• Not approved for powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting competitions
• Velcro may grow to be less sticky over time

The Rogue Fitness USA Nylon Lifting Belt is supportive yet comfortable attributable to the nylon material and five-inch width along the back. Nevertheless it also tapers to 4 inches along the edges and within the front to maintain it from digging into your hips and stomach. It’s great for individuals who need more stability than a four-inch belt can provide but want something that can be flexible, lightweight, and won’t dig into the stomach.

The belt is obtainable in five colours: black and grey, blue and grey, black and pink, black and camo, and grey and red. There’s also a small Velcro area on the webbing where you possibly can add patches to rep one other brand.

The belt itself is durable, because it contains a ripstop exterior that’s immune to fraying and tearing. It also has an antimicrobial interior to stop bacteria from sweat and germs from accumulating on it. Nonetheless, the Velcro can lose stickiness after a few yr, especially if it gets dirty often.

RELATED: 9 Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Best Velcro Weightlifting Belt: 2POOD Weightlifting Belt

Pros

• Large size range
• Available in numerous prints
• Sticky Velcro

Cons

• Not approved for powerlifting competitions

With a Velcro belt, there’s at all times a likelihood it could possibly pop off in the midst of a lift, increasing your risk of a severe injury. 2POOD weightlifting belts reduce the likelihood of that occuring because they’ve a hook-and-loop WODClamp locking mechanism along with a Velcro strap. If the Velcro comes undone, the WODClamp will keep the strap in place and permit the belt to stay tight around your midsection. The Velcro is pretty sticky, though, so it’s unlikely that it might come unfastened unless you’re moving some serious weight or dirt, chalk, or lint has gathered on it.

The 2POOD lift belt contains a sturdy nylon exterior with a foam core and is available in dozens of fun prints, equivalent to sunflowers and donuts. In the event you’re willing to pay for it, you possibly can even work with 2POOD’s design team to get a custom belt.

I used a 2POOD lifting belt for my strength training sessions and CrossFit workouts for over two years and loved how supportive yet flexible it was. I’d often leave it on throughout a whole CrossFit WOD since it was really easy to loosen or tighten it based on whatever exercise I used to be doing. I never felt prefer it limited my movement, and if I did take all of it the best way off in the midst of a WOD, it only took a couple of seconds to place it back on.

My only grievance is that the four-inch belt was too wide for my torso. It didn’t trouble me much during squats, but I could feel it digging into my ribcage during deadlifts. After I still used a 2POOD belt, the corporate only had four-inch belts available, however it now offers three-inch belts as well. The narrower belt is value considering if you’ve a brief torso, though it’s only available in sizes XXXS to medium.

2POOD also sells six-inch belts, called the Metcon belt, for individuals who need extra support on their lower backs during heavy lifts.

Best Lever Weightlifting Belt: SBD 13mm Lever Belt

Pros

• Inclusive sizing
• Gliding lever is straightforward to regulate
• Compliant with quite a few powerlifting federations’ standards for belts

Cons

• Expensive
• Red suede may bleed onto clothing
• Can take several weeks to interrupt in

Lever belts, basically, are easier to regulate than prong belts. But for a belt with a smoother, more seamless lever than much of its competition, you possibly can’t go mistaken with the SBD 13mm Lever Belt. Resulting from how easy it’s to regulate the lever, you possibly can keep the belt on between all your sets and adjust its tightness once you lift or once you rest. When you tighten the belt, the lever stays in place and won’t pop open — lifters who can squat over 1,000 kilos have worn this belt with no issues!

The belt is obtainable in sizes starting from small to 5XL, making it suitable for a wide selection of body types. It’s double-stitched for extra durability, and SBD treats the leather over five months to make sure maximum stiffness and stability. Note, though, that the leather can take several weeks to interrupt in, so this isn’t a belt you possibly can start wearing the second you receive it.

The suede interior helps prevent the belt from sliding around your torso, however the red dye can bleed onto your clothes in case you get sweaty. It’s best to wear dark clothing for the primary few months of using this belt to stop ruining your light-colored shirts.

The SBD belt is 4 inches wide all the best way around to supply as much support as possible, but the additional width and lack of tapering mean it might dig into the ribs if you’ve a brief torso. It’s also the costliest leather belt on this list. Nonetheless, the standard of the leather, the belt’s durability, and the undeniable fact that it’s approved by various powerlifting federations make it a solid alternative for competitive powerlifters.

Best Olympic Weightlifting Belt: Eleiko Weightlifting Leather Belt

Pros

• Treated with a coating to assist prevent scratches
• Not as expensive as other leather belts
• Tapers along the edges and within the front for more comfort

Cons

• May not offer enough support for powerlifting

This leather belt is the most recent iteration of Eleiko’s premium leather Olympic weightlifting belts. It’s 4 inches wide within the back but tapers within the front in order that it won’t dig into your torso once you hinge on the hips for deadlifts or cleans. The soft leather also offers your body more freedom of movement once you perform the dynamic Olympic lifts.

The belt has a suede interior to make it more comfortable and help keep it in place in your torso, and the outside is coated with a treatment to stop scratches and scuff marks — an enormous plus in case you want your belt to appear to be recent even after years of use.

It’s only eight millimeters thick, so it is probably not supportive enough for elite powerlifters. Nevertheless it’s an ideal pick for casual lifters and even competitive Olympic weightlifters who need more support than a nylon belt provides but less rigidity than a 10- or 13-millimeter leather belt.

Best Leather Weightlifting Belt: REP Fitness Lifting Belt

Pros

• Short break-in period
• Sealed and burnished edges help prevent moisture damage from sweat
• Single-prong belt is less complicated to regulate than double-prong belts

Cons

• Not IPF-approved
• One-inch hole spacing could also be too big of a jump for small adjustments

The REP Fitness Lifting Belt is a reasonable but supportive and attractive option for individuals who desire a leather belt but can’t afford to spend tons of of dollars on one. It’s 4 inches wide and 13 millimeters thick, so that you’ll get optimal support when lifting maximal or near-maximal weights. The leather gets softened because it undergoes a vegetable tanning process, meaning the belt is comfortable to wear and doesn’t require an extended break-in period.

This belt has a single-prong fastening system, allowing for quicker adjustments than you’d find in a belt with a double-prong buckle. The perimeters are sealed and burnished to stop moisture from sweat from damaging the fabric, and the holes are spaced one inch apart. This spacing could also be an excessive amount of in case you only need a slight adjustment, though it’s common amongst leather lifting belts.

REP suggests sizing down in case you’re in between sizes, but based on customer reviews, it’s higher to size up as an alternative. Otherwise, the belt could also be too snug, and also you won’t have much room to regulate it further in case your waist circumference changes in the longer term.

Best Weightlifting Belt for Squats: Dominion Three-Inch Leather Lifting Belt

Pros

• 11 holes help you get a more custom fit
• Comes with a lifetime warranty
• Quicker break-in time than 13-millimeter belts
• Rounded edges for more comfort

Cons

• Not approved for powerlifting competitions

While four-inch belts are a few of the commonest you’ll see within the gym, three-inch belts just like the Dominion Leather Lifting Belt are higher suited to certain lifters, equivalent to those with short torsos. They don’t dig into the ribs or pinch your torso when squatting, so you possibly can focus more in your lifts as an alternative of how uncomfortable your belt is. The three-inch width also makes the belt good for deadlifts because you possibly can more easily get into an optimal starting position.

The Dominion Leather Lifting Belt has 11 holes which might be spaced one inch apart, allowing you to get a cosy and customised fit even in case your size changes over time. It’s 10 millimeters thick and won’t be as supportive as a 13-millimeter belt, but it is going to still provide more stability for heavy lifts than a nylon belt. Plus, it has a shorter break-in period than the thicker belts, so you possibly can start using it sooner.

The inside is lined with gray suede that helps keep it in place and prevents the belt from moving during your lifts. The roller buckle is one other nice touch, because it makes adjusting the belt a more effortless process. The belt isn’t approved for powerlifting competitions, but since it’s more cost-effective than other leather belts, it’s an ideal alternative for casual lifters who desire a supportive but basic belt for strength training.

How We Selected the Best Weightlifting Belts

We chosen an in depth array of leather and nylon belts to suit every type of athletes, whether you’re a powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, CrossFitter, or casual gym-goer. Our list includes products with different widths and thicknesses to supply various levels of support, and we also included options that are available multiple colours so you possibly can showcase your style on the gym.

All the belts above are ones our staff has personally used for their very own training or are from brands we all know and trust, so we’re confident that their belts are high-quality.

Different Sorts of Weightlifting Belts

The 2 fundamental forms of weightlifting belts are leather and nylon. Inside those categories, different thicknesses and widths can be found. For leather belts, there are also multiple closure types to pick from. Understanding the differences between leather and nylon belts and their fastening mechanisms will ensure you decide the appropriate one to your needs.

Leather Belts

Leather belts just like the REP Fitness Lifting Belt are available various widths and thicknesses and are available with lever or prong fastening systems.

Lever Belts

Lever belts are easier to placed on and take off because you only need to slip the teeth into the holes you would like and fasten the buckle. The downside of a lever belt is that once you get it, you fasten the buckle to the holes on the belt with a screwdriver and keep it there.

Because of this, it’s harder to make sure a correct fit in case your waist size changes from each day — for instance, in case you are bloated from a big meal you ate before training or wear a thick shirt at some point and a skinny shirt the subsequent. Lifters who use lever belts often carry a screwdriver of their gym bags so that they can change the buckle’s positioning on the belt when needed.

Prong Belts

Prong belts function similarly to the forms of belts you’d wear with a pair of pants. You pull the strap through a buckle until it’s at your required tightness, then push the prong through a hole within the belt and slip the strap through a loop to secure the surplus material.

Prong belts can be found as single-prong or double-prong. Single-prong belts are more cost-effective and easier to regulate since you don’t need to line up two prongs. But double-prong belts may offer more support and last more since the pressure is more evenly distributed through the 2 prongs.

Some prong belts feature a roller buckle to assist the leather slide through it more seamlessly. When using belts that don’t have a roller buckle, some lifters find that they need a friend to assist them pull the strap through the buckle to get the specified level of tightness.

Width and Thickness

Leather belts are generally three or 4 inches wide and 10 to 13 millimeters thick. The narrower and thinner belts are easier to interrupt in and more comfortable to wear, especially for those with short torsos. Nonetheless, the broader and thicker belts offer more support, which is useful when lifting heavier weights which might be near your one-rep max or attempting recent PRs. You may as well find leather belts which might be wider within the back and narrower within the front, so that you get a combination of support and luxury.

Nylon Belts

Nylon belts are more versatile because they’re flexible and mold to your body. They’ve a Velcro fastening system that permits for quick and straightforward adjustments. They’re ideal for Olympic weightlifting, where you perform fast and explosive lifts, or CrossFit, where you quickly transition from heavy lifts to cardio or gymnastics movements. They’re also good for high-rep sets because they’re more comfortable to wear for longer periods.

Nylon belts aren’t the very best for powerlifting since the Velcro can come undone once you’re lifting heavy loads. Nonetheless, belts just like the 2POOD Weightlifting Belt feature additional clamps to maintain the belt in place if the Velcro comes loose.

Like leather belts, nylon belts are sometimes three or 4 inches wide. Some are as wide as eight inches. Many nylon belts are the identical width all the best way around, but others are tapered in order that the back of the belt is wider and the front and sides are narrower. You’ll typically only find nylon belts with thicknesses as much as 10 millimeters, though some, just like the Gymreapers Quick Locking Weightlifting Belt, are closer to an inch thick.

Advantages of Weightlifting Belts

Wearing a weightlifting or powerlifting belt has many advantages, including reducing stress on the lumbar spine, helping prevent lower back injuries, and putting your mind comfy as you prepare to lift a heavy barbell. A lifting belt can even encourage proper lifting mechanics and should even provide help to add a couple of more kilos to your lifts.

Reduces Stress on the Lumbar Spine

Weightlifting belts increase intra-abdominal pressure and provide you with something to brace your core muscles against, which helps increase core stability and places less stress on the spine. In consequence, you’re less more likely to suffer from a severe back injury.

That said, a lifting belt won’t totally prevent injuries, so that you shouldn’t throw one on and assume it is going to protect you from getting hurt. Lifting injuries are rare, but they’ll occur whether you wear a belt or not.

It’s also vital to notice that you just shouldn’t use a lifting belt to push through severe back pain. It’s higher to work through the foundation reason for your pain and take some day off, if mandatory, fairly than counting on a belt to mask your injury.

Encourages Proper Form and May Prevent Injuries

Having something to breathe into and brace your core against encourages you to stay tight and maintain stability when lifting weights. For instance, it could possibly function a reminder to maintain your spine neutral during deadlifts or help prevent you from excessively arching your back during overhead presses.

Gives You More Confidence

It’s common to experience mental blocks when attempting a recent one-rep max or performing large sets of squats or deadlifts. A lifting belt can provide help to overcome that by making you’re feeling safer and offering reassurance that your spine is more protected once you’re lifting heavy loads.

Helps You Lift More Weight

Wearing a weightlifting belt is not going to robotically add tons of of kilos to your lifts. Perfecting your technique, improving your core strength, and adding more volume are a few of a very powerful things you possibly can do if you need to lift heavier weights. But because a lifting belt increases your core stability, you possibly can normally lift a couple of more kilos with a belt than without one.

What To Look For When Buying a Weightlifting Belt

Price is at all times an integral part to have a look at when buying any gym equipment or gear. Beyond that, the fabric, fastening mechanism, width, and thickness of your weightlifting belt are also vital features to judge. In the event you compete in powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting, you furthermore may need to make sure you buy a belt that meets your federation’s specifications.

Price

A weightlifting belt can cost around $30 or greater than $200, depending on the materials, how thick it’s, and whether or not it’s approved for powerlifting or weightlifting competitions (more on that below). Nylon belts are generally cheaper, while leather belts are dearer. In the event you don’t concentrate on a strength sport and aren’t lifting greater than 400-500 kilos multiple days every week, you likely don’t have to spend greater than $100 on a belt.

Material and Fastening Mechanism

The variety of workouts you do will dictate the very best belt material to your needs. For CrossFitters or functional fitness enthusiasts, a Velcro nylon belt that’s easy to lock and loosen is best. It would move along with your body higher as you transition from one movement to the subsequent, and also you won’t waste precious time fiddling around with prongs and buckles. For powerlifting, stiffer leather belts are higher because they provide more stability for heavy lifts.

You should utilize either a leather or nylon belt for Olympic weightlifting, so long as it has enough mobility to maneuver with you thru the more dynamic lifts. Any metal components needs to be sufficiently small that they don’t get in the best way as you perform cleans and snatches.

Lifters who don’t concentrate on any sport can select leather or nylon, depending on budget and private preference.

One other factor to contemplate when selecting between a nylon or leather belt is that a leather belt can have an extended break-in period. It might take several weeks to get it to mold to your body. In the event you’re searching for something you possibly can start using comfortably immediately, a nylon belt could also be higher.

Competition Approval

In the event you compete in powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting, you’ll need a belt that’s approved for competition. Most national and international-level meets could have specifications your belt must meet to be considered legal for competition use. For instance, the IWF states that lifters can only wear belts with a maximum width of 12 centimeters in competition. 

In powerlifting, nylon belts aren’t allowed because there’s a risk that the Velcro can come undone during a heavy lift and cause serious injuries. Moreover, different federations have unique rules regarding the forms of belts you possibly can wear during meets. In lots of cases, you might be also limited to a couple of select brands. One brand’s belt may technically meet your federation’s specifications, but you possibly can’t use it in competition if it’s not on the approved belt list.

Width

The width of a weightlifting belt refers to how high it’s from the underside to the highest. Most lifting belts are three or 4 inches wide, though some are six inches or wider.

The thicker belts will offer more back support, which is useful if you’ve a history of back injuries. Nonetheless, in case you compete in powerlifting, you possibly can’t use a belt wider than 4 inches during meets (though some sanctioned meets will allow six-inch wide belts). Similarly, belts wider than 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) should not allowed in Olympic weightlifting competitions.

In the event you don’t compete in powerlifting or weightlifting or have issues with back pain, the dimensions of your torso is a very powerful factor regarding which belt width is best for you. Lifters with short torsos should consider a three-inch belt because it is going to be less more likely to dig into your rib cage. Those with longer torsos should have the option to make use of a four-inch belt comfortably.

Thickness

The thickness of a lifting belt refers to how thick it’s from the inside that lays against your body to the surface that faces away out of your body. Nylon belts can range from about six to 10 millimeters. As you possibly can probably imagine, the thicker belts are more supportive. Either thickness is allowed in Olympic weightlifting competitions.

Leather belts are generally 10 or 13 millimeters thick. The thinner ones break in faster and are more cost-effective. The ten-millimeter belts are also higher for beginners because they’ve less rigidity, making it easier to get accustomed to lifting while wearing a belt. However, the thicker belts offer more stability for heavy lifting.

Ten-millimeter and 13-millimeter leather belts are each allowed in powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting competitions. For non-competitive lifters, the thickness you get is dependent upon how much you lift and the way much support you would like.

How To Use a Weightlifting Belt

Before entering into learn how to use a weightlifting belt, you need to first understand how it really works. It’s not something you only slap on before organising for a lift or pull as tight as you most likely can. To get probably the most out of it, you must ensure it matches well and also you breathe properly while wearing it.

The belt should sit right above your hip bones, and you need to have the option to comfortably fit certainly one of your fingers between it and your body. It will ensure a cosy fit but leave some room so that you can take a deep breath and brace properly before you start your lift. In the event you feel any pinching or can’t breathe with the belt on, you must readjust the tightness.

As for when you need to wear a weightlifting belt, you need to put it aside for once you’re lifting at around 80 percent or more of your one-rep max or doing lifts that load the spine, like squats, deadlifts, or the Olympic lifts. You shouldn’t put it on for each set and even every exercise. There’s no have to wear a lifting belt for warm-up sets (except your last warm-up set on heavy days) or when doing bicep curls, tricep extensions, or other isolation lifts.

RELATED: 5 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Weightlifting Belt

Final Thoughts

A high-quality weightlifting belt could make an enormous difference in your strength training journey — not because it is going to add tons of of kilos to your lifts but because it could possibly help encourage proper lifting mechanics, protect your spine, and provide you with a mental boost when self-doubt starts creeping in.

Lifting belts are either nylon or leather, and which one you decide will depend upon your sport and the way much support you wish. You may as well choose from various widths, thicknesses, and closure types. In the event you’re confused about learn how to find the very best weightlifting belt for you, use our reviews and buying guide above as a resource to make sure you find the appropriate one to your needs.

FAQs

What variety of weightlifting belt is best?

For powerlifting or workouts where you’re lifting several hundred kilos, a leather weightlifting belt is best since it offers probably the most core stability. For Olympic weightlifting or workouts where you transition from heavy lifting to other exercises quickly, a nylon belt is best since it’s more flexible and is less complicated to lock and loosen.

At what weight should I exploit a belt for deadlifts?

A general rule of thumb is to begin using a belt for deadlifts when you possibly can lift one to 1.5 times your body weight. Some people recommend using a belt at any time when you lift 80 percent or more of your one-rep max. You could also select to make use of a belt when doing sets of 10 or more reps in order that your lower back doesn’t fatigue before the remainder of your muscles do.

What’s the very best squat belt?

The perfect squat belt is the Dominion Three-Inch Leather Lifting Belt. It’s fabricated from soft leather that doesn’t take long to interrupt in, and the three-inch width provides stability without digging into your ribs as you progress through the squat.

What belt do bodybuilders use?

Most bodybuilders use leather lifting belts just like the SBD 13mm Lever Belt because leather offers maximum stability for heavy compound lifts. Leather belts are typically 10 or 13 millimeters thick and three or 4 inches wide, however the thickness and width bodybuilders select will depend upon how much support they need.