Lifting weights or even participating in powerlifting is a really rewarding experience. It makes you feel good about yourself because each time you squat that ridiculous weight you feel accomplished. However lifting weights can also be dangerous, which is why you should use a weight lifting belt, the best weight lifting belt. A weight lifting belt has many beneficial aspects for your body and they are easy to use. If you aren’t quite sure how to choose the right belt for you or which models are the best, you should give this a read.
Summary: The Best Weight Lifting Belts
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The Benefits Of Using A Weight Lifting Belt
Using a weight lifting belt isn’t just so you look cool at the gym. These things actually have a number of beneficial aspects that can help you improve the results that you get from weight lifting or powerlifting. Here are a few different benefits that you can reap from wearing a good weight lifting belt.
Use Your Legs
One of the biggest benefits that come with wearing a weight lifting belt is that it forces you to lift with your legs instead of your back. A proper fitting weight lifting belt reduces spinal flexion, spinal extension, and lateral flexion. In other words, a weight lifting belt stops your spine from bending forward, backward, and sideways too much, thus reducing the chance of injury.
People always say to lift with your legs and that is exactly what a weight lifting belt does for you. Proper body biomechanics is essential when doing something like powerlifting. A weight lifting belt is exactly what your body needs to lift large amounts properly.
Reduction of Spinal Stress
A weight lifting belt is excellent for stabilizing your spine and for providing much needed back support. A weight lifting belt helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure while also decreasing intervertebral disc compression, both things which are essential for weight lifting. The belt creates pressure on the inside of the abdominal cavity which supports your spine from the inside.
Also, a weight lifting belt forces your abdominal and back muscles to push against your spine from the outside, thus providing even more support. In essence, a weight lifting belt creates a good kind of pressure on your spine from all directions, pressure which translates into spinal stability and support. In fact, it actually isn’t the belt that directly provides support, but it actually causes your own body to support itself much better.
Increasing Power
Another thing that a weight lifting belt can help you with is to increase the amount you can lift as well as the speed at which you can perform reps at. Several fitness studies show that people who wear weight lifting belts have increased muscle power and muscle stamina. It’s not like they can help you lift a few hundred pounds extra, but they can definitely make a difference of 10 or 20 pounds.
Furthermore, a weight lifting belt helps to increase muscle activity and usage in the legs, especially the quadriceps and the hamstrings. That leads to increased muscle growth and strength in the legs. Like we said, these things aren’t just for show and can actually help you lift more and get bigger muscles quicker than without one.
What To Look For In A Weight Lifting Belt
There aren’t too many things to look out for before buying a weight lifting belt, but the few considerations that are to be made are quite important.
One of the things to look out for is the size of the belt. The size is perhaps the most important aspect because it needs to be big enough to fit around you, but it needs to be snug enough to create the pressure we were talking about before. This means that your weight lifting belt needs to be ideal for your body size, plus it should have a versatile adjusting or closing system so you can get the perfect fit. If your belt is not the proper size it won’t be any good. Too small and it will be painful and create too much pressure. Too big and it won’t provide enough support.
Another thing to pay attention to is the way in which the belt closes. Some belts use a lever system, some use a classic belt prong system, and some use Velcro (or belt notches and Velcro). This all kind of comes down to personal preference. While Velcro is easier to put on, take off, and adjust, it might not hold too well with prolonged use. On the other hand, a belt notch adjustment system takes a little longer to adjust and put on, but you can be sure that it won’t wear out like Velcro can.
The other thing that you want to consider before buying your weight lifting belt is the material that it is made of. Some belts are made of synthetic materials like nylon, while others are made of leather. It should be noted that leather is probably your best choice because it is extremely tough and durable. Leather belts may be a little stiff in the beginning and take some time to break in, but you can rest assured that they will last for many years to come.
Weight Lifting Belt Reviews
Our Rating
This is a fantastic weight lifting belt with many great features. It is extremely strong, comfortable, and designed to keep you lifting weights to the best of your abilities.
Design
The design of the Nike Training Belt is really great. First of all this belt is designed to be ergonomically friendly and anatomically correct. That means it encourages proper weight lifting form and technique to keep your back and core safe while lifting even the heaviest of weights.
Furthermore, this weight lifting belt features plastic inserts in the back in order to provide even more support and stability. The inserts can actually be removed in case you don’t need them. Another great factor about the Nike Training Belt is that is has a perforated back panel that provides for great ventilation and temperature control.
The Nike Training Belt is made out of extra firm nylon. This is great because nylon is a very strong material that has the ability to provide lots of support while also being flexible. Being mobile and flexible while lifting weights is very important.
Value for the price
This weight lifting belt has a great value for its price. Coming in at around 30 dollars, it has an excellent design and an even better build quality. This is a superior weight lifting belt that will provide as much support as you need plus a whole lot more.
Build quality
The build quality of the Nike Training Belt is outstanding. The great nylon build makes it very tough and resilient to withstand a variety of movements while also retaining a certain amount of flexibility. It also features an easy to close steel roller buckle that makes this belt easy to secure into place. Furthermore, the shape of this weight lifting belt is specifically designed to keep your back safe and sound.
Pros
- Designed to be anatomically correct
- Easy to fasten
- Ventilated back for temperature control
- Plastic inserts for increased support and stability
- Durable nylon design
- Designed for very heavy lifting
Cons
- Fits slightly small
Our Rating
In terms of weight lifting belts, this is a fantastic choice. It’s a sturdy belt that provides for maximum support through all of your weight lifting adventures.
Design
This belt is made completely out of leather so you know that it’s strong and durable. The leather is extremely sturdy and isn’t going to rip with excessive weight lifting, not to mention that the leather is lightweight and ultra-comfortable. This thing only weighs 1.5 pounds and is easy to carry around in your gym bag.
The special design of this belt makes sure that it doesn’t slip down or ride up your waist while exercising. Plus the double notched belt and snap shut design keep the Dark Iron Pro Weight Lifting Belt in place without question.
This particular belt also has double stitching which makes it just that much more durable. This weight lifting belt is designed to help you keep proper form and stability even when lifting the heaviest of weights.
Value for the price
Coming in at just under 35 dollars, this weight lifting belt has an excellent value for its price. The leather design ensures durability and the ergonomic form makes it more than comfortable to lift weights with.
Build quality
The build quality of the Dark Iron Fitness Weight Lifting Belt is absolutely exceptional. You really can’t go wrong with double stitched leather that is ergonomically designed to be as comfortable as possible. Your back will feel a whole lot better simply by using this belt the next time you squat that extra-heavy load.
Pros
- Designed with ergonomics in mind
- Very comfortable
- Easy to close and adjust
- Tough leather design
- Provides for exceptional support and stability
Cons
- Fits slightly small
Our Rating
This is one of the best weight lifting belts that you could get. It has a great design, a good value for its price, and the build quality is outstanding.
Design
The Harbinger Padded Leather Belt is designed with comfort in mind and features a 6-inch contoured shape. The specific shape that it has is perfect for fitting snuggly around your stomach, side, and back without getting in the way of your weight lifting routine.
Lifting weights is heavy business and that can put a lot of strain on you and your belt, which is why this particular model is made of 100 percent leather and suede. The leather ensures its strength and the suede inner lining makes it very comfortable to wear.
It’s strong, durable, and even features double stitching to make sure that it doesn’t come apart. Furthermore, you can rest assured that this belt won’t slip off during a weight lifting routine thanks to the double pronged belt.
Value for the price
This weight lifting belt has an excellent value for its price. It comes in at just under 30 dollars and does exactly what a weight lifting belt should do. It will keep your back and core in proper form, help you lift easier, and will keep you comfortable while doing it.
Build quality
We are really impressed with the build quality of the Harbinger Weight Lifting Belt. The leather design is super strong and won’t rip, tear, or wear out for a very long time. Plus the double pronged belt makes securing it around your body really easy. Not to mention that the suede lining and foam padding make it one of the most comfortable belts around.
Pros
- Made of real leather
- Has a suede inner lining
- Foam padding for extra comfort
- Double pronged belt ensures a great fit
- Perfect for intense weight lifting routines
Cons
- Fits slightly small
Our Rating
This is a fantastic weight lifting belt that features everything you could need to improve your weight lifting routines. It’s durable, comfortable, and provides optimal support for your back.
Design
One of the things that are great about the design of the Fire Team Fit Weight Lifting Belt is that it has a Velcro closure strap. Unlike a leather strap with pre-made buckle holes, the Velcro can be adjusted to any specific size. This makes the Fire Team Fit Belt very easy to close and adjust to your waist size. Furthermore, the material is very strong and isn’t going to rip or tear with strenuous exercise.
Something else that we really like about the design of this weight lifting belt is that it is lightweight and very comfortable to wear. It’s light, flexible, and will allow you perform all of your weight lifting exercises with ease. Even though it is light, it still provides optimal back support and stability so you can rest assured that you won’t injure yourself while exercising.
This belt is perfectly shaped to fit the human body and provides both comfort and support. Plus the padded sides help you stay as comfortable and injury free as could possibly be. The Fire Team Fit Weight Lifting Belt is ideal for all sorts of exercises including powerlifting, CrossFit, and a variety of other weight lifting.
Value for the price
The value of this belt is excellent because it costs roughly 25 dollars and does everything that a weight lifting belt should be able to do. It has a great price and will keep your back safe through a variety of weight lifting exercises.
Build quality
The build quality of this weight lifting belt is more than acceptable. It’s made out of very tough material and is built with comfort in mind. This belt is going to last you a very long time and will help you maintain proper form while lifting weights. This is a superior weight lifting belt that comes in at a low price.
Pros
- Superior Velcro closure
- Ergonomically designed with comfort in mind
- Easy to adjust
- Provides stability and support
- Affordable
Cons
- The sizing is slightly small
Our Rating
This is an excellent weight lifting belt for anyone to use. It’s a pretty basic model and doesn’t have many special features, however it’s strong, comfortable, and will keep your back in good form.
Design
The Ader Power Lifting Belt is made out of genuine leather, which is great because you know that it’s really tough and strong. Even the hardest of weight lifting routines won’t be able to break this belt. Not only is it made of leather, but the interior also features a really soft suede lining to make it just that much more comfortable, something that is very important when exercising.
This model is also double stitched to further ensure its durability and longevity; all of the layers will stay together no doubt. The Ader powerlifting belt also features an easy to close double pronged roller buckle. It’s very easy to adjust and secure around your body, plus the extra length can be secured with the belt hoop so it doesn’t get in the way. This basic weight lifting belt isn’t anything special to look at, but it provides much needed support and stability.
Value for the price
The Ader Power Lifting Weight Belt has a really good value for its price. This model is pretty affordable, coming in at around 35 dollars, plus it doesn’t look too fancy either, however it is very strong and will keep your back safe while lifting those heavy loads.
Build quality
The build quality of this weight lifting belt is outstanding. Sure it may not be a designer belt, but the double stitched leather design makes it really tough and durable. It will also keep you comfortable thanks to the easy to use double pronged belt buckle, plus the suede inner lining too. This weight lifting belt will stand up to even the most strenuous of routines.
Pros
- Solid leather construction
- Suede inner lining
- Double pronged belt buckle
- Double stitching for extra strength
- Keeps your back in proper form
- Adds much needed stability
Cons
- Material is very stiff
Conclusion
The best weight lifting belt is just around the corner and we would definitely recommend one of the 5 that we have listed above. A good weight lifting belt will help you maintain proper form and will keep your back free from injury, plus they look real macho too! If you have never used one of these things before, you should give it a try. Once you use one we guarantee that you won’t ever go back to lifting without one.
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