A lot of equipment seemed intimidating to me when I first signed up for a gym membership. Other gym-goers, though, seemed to head straight to these bulky machines and heavy weights!
As I got more and more interested in the world of weight lifting, I noticed that some heavy weight lifters that I work out with useful accessories such as weightlifting belts. It seemed like such a gym essential with how many people had it on!
It seemed unnecessary at first; I could lift without using a Belt. That was until I started hitting a plateau. I was struggling to carry heavier weights, but I still wanted to improve my performance. That’s when the weightlifting belt was suggested to me.
We generally take a big breath in the belly before lifting heavy weights, hold it while lifting, then exhale after. This is called the Valsalva Maneuver. After a bit of research, I found out that this maneuver creates pressure in your abdomen called intra-abdominal pressure.
This pressure helps support your spine. Studies show that wearing a weightlifting belt increases this pressure by pushing against your abs when you take that deep breath. A weightlifting belt might help me to break through my own weight plateau. So, in my long search for the best weightlifting belts out there, I have curated a list to help you decide for yourself.
Best Weightlifting Belts Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Name | Brand | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt | Element 26 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Suede Leather Powerlifting Belt by Iron Bull Strength | Iron Bull Strength | Check Price on Amazon | |
| RitFit Weightlifting Belt | Ritfit | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt | Fire Team Fit | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Weightlifting Belt | Dark Iron Fitness | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 - Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt
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Element 26 aims to create functional gear that will lessen injuries and increase the effectiveness of your workouts. It is founded by a Doctor of Physical Therapy and US Army Veteran, so don’t doubt that their products are made from experience.
This weightlifting belt prides itself on its self-locking technology that is unlike other belts that use cheap velcro. You don’t have to worry about it slipping off while you get those gains, no matter how heavy! Once you pull the release roller, it removes itself immediately.
It is made from 100% Premium Nylon. This makes the belt more flexible and great for you CrossFitters out there. But for powerlifters, this also means that the belt is less stiff.
The back support you receive from this belt will be looser compared to other rigid belts. If you want to really feel that belt around your waist as you go heavier with your weights, then maybe you would want to consider other belts.
I’m sure you want to know if this has the best design for your weight lifting goals. You also want to make sure this belt can keep up with different kinds of workouts. Well, this is designed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy, so you can breathe that sigh of relief and do your workouts confidently!
Sometimes, they say the more contours, the less effective the belt becomes, so this belt has no extra paddings or mesh coverings. It is simple but effective, especially in distributing that intra-abdominal pressure you need to lift heavier weights. It is 4 inches all around the belt, which they claim makes the pressure distribution even all throughout.
It can even be used in competitions for those hardcore weight lifters out there. You can use it in competitions such as those of USA Weightlifting and Functional Fitness.
What have others said about this product?
“The lock mechanism is fantastic! I had to change from my leather belt to this belt because the leather one was too rigid for some of my workout moves. Honestly, I’m glad I made the change. It’s both comfortable and has great support.” Jana E.
PROS
- Flexible, especially good for CrossFitters
- Self-locking technology
- Competition approved
CONS
- Less stiff than Leather belts
- Feels a bit flimsy
#2 - Suede Leather Powerlifting Belt by Iron Bull Strength
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Iron Bull Strength manufactures bodybuilding accessories and strength equipment that are designed with comfort and performance in mind. They are located in Quebec, Canada, and are all about the quality of their products. Even with this goal of high quality, they still want to give you the lowest possible prices.
If you are looking for a stylish belt to use while showing off your gains, then this belt is for you. The suede leather looks sleek and expertly made. It also boasts a variety of colors for you to choose from.
This weightlifting belt isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, though. Iron Bull Strength argues that the 10mm thick leather belt is the optimal thickness to give athletes maximum support, but also balanced out with the right amount of flexibility.
It also claims to follow your body shape as you continue to use it. As you do squats, overhead presses, or deadlifts, you definitely want a belt that supports your abdomen snugly. Imagine doing strength exercises and having your belt fall off! The lumbar support that it brings will help you feel more confident in powerlifting heavier weights.
However, the rigidity of a leather belt still constricts you from doing certain movements. This is because leather belts are mainly stiffer than nylon belts. If you do CrossFit, then you might not be too keen on buying this.
The securing mechanism of this belt is using adjustable double-prong roller buckles. It is custom zinc-plated steel which makes for a polished and sleek look. While the aesthetics are pleasing, fitting it onto your body may be a problem as it has provided holes for you to use, which may result in being either too loose or too tight.
It is 4 inches in height all throughout the belt, so if you’re concerned about evenly distributing the intra-abdominal pressure, worry not! The uniformity of this belt has you covered. It evenly stabilizes your abdomen and your lower back.
What have others said about this product?
“Squats and deadlifts feel more effortless while using this. I can go higher in weights more confidently. If you’re looking for a boost, this is for you.” Kenneth P
PROS
- Sturdy leather
- Sleek and polished look
- Lumbar support for powerlifting
CONS
- Too rigid for some functional fitness movements
- Cannot customize its tightness due to the provided holes
#3 - RitFit Weightlifting Belt
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Up next on this list is the RitFit Weight Lfting Belt. It is another highly rated product which a lot of users rave about. Do not be fooled by its simplistic design as this belt is a contender in terms of durability and performance.
While not made from leather, the advantage of having soft bound edges is that the material is gentler on your skin. I like that on the inside this belt is made with waterproof foam, so sweat or any kind of liquid shouldn’t be a problem when it’s time to clean it up.
Another thing is that its materials provide maximum comfort while providing adequate support for you during your strength training. The product also makes sure that your back is safe since it has a unique feature that minimizes the occurrence of spinal flexion.
The RitFit Weight Lifting Belt is optimal whenever you do squats, deadlifts, lunges and thrusters. It’s also very capable in providing support for a wide range of back and shoulder exercises. It comes in different sizes to accommodate a wide range of users. The product only comes in a lot of colors, so choose which one you prefer.
It’s worth mentioning that Ritfit provides a lifetime warranty. Which tells you that if you’re getting this product, you might just stick with it for the long run.
PROS
- Great lumbar support
- Soft edges
- Waterproof foam insert
CONS
- Some may not like that it's not leather
#4 - Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt
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If you want to help make a difference and own a good weightlifting belt, then consider purchasing from Fire Team Fit. They are veteran owned and create their products with the improvement of athletes in mind.
They are inspired by the discipline it takes to train in the Marine Corps. Each purchase goes to the Marine Combat Veterans and Marine Special Operators who are building back their civilian life.
The Fire Team Fit weightlifting belt stands out from the others with its contour design. It is wider where the belt rests at your lower back that they say will give you the extra support you need to do several exercises.
If you are concerned with some back pain, you may want to look into this belt. Even though it is lighter than the other belts, it gives you more flexibility to do whatever you need to do to achieve your fitness goals.
The flexibility is perfect for you CrossFitters out there! In fact, the nylon material that it is made from provides the versatility you need for different functional fitness movements. However, this also means that the rigidity and tightness that you may need for powerlifting is lost. So, if you are really serious about building up your barbell weights, then you may want to consider another belt.
Another thing that you might love with this belt is its customizable tightness. This means that without the predetermined holes that you can see in leather belts, you can fit this belt to the exact size you need. Its support strap uses velcro to secure the belt, making it perfect for adjustments here and there.
There is no doubt that with this contour, you will feel comfortable and strong at the same time. If you are a beginner or intermediate and want help fixing your form, this belt might just do that for you. It is not as restrictive as leather belts and will help you feel confident with any number of moves.
Overall, I’d say if you are a CrossFitter looking for an accessible, versatile belt to help you with your form, this might be the one for you.
PROS
- Contour design for comfort and added back support
- Versatile for different movements
- Adjustable straps
CONS
- Less rigid and less ideal for powerlifting
- Light
#5 - Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Weightlifting Belt
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Think others are going to do the work for you? Dark Iron Fitness says otherwise. They believe that your fitness goals are your own responsibility, and you deserve products that are dependable as you work on yourself.
This belt definitely is one of those belts that make you look like a champion. Its red and black design with genuine, reinforced leather is constructed to last you a lifetime.
The reinforced stitches where the leather is stitched over a couple of times will give you the extra durability you won’t find otherwise. Don’t even think about the wear and tear that most fake leathers have; Dark Iron Fitness has it figured out for you.
Sometimes, working out with a belt feels less helpful and more of a hassle on your abdomen if you don’t have the right belt. This belt, though, does the job and makes sure it doesn’t dig into your skin. In fact, for extra comfort and extra support, they included some padding so it fits snugly and adjusts to your body shape.
Yeah, it’s comfortable and sits on your skin well, but will it stay intact while you move? The heavy-duty metal buckle that comes with it answers your question. It will stay on you as you go heavier and heavier with the weights.
It even comes with extra adjustment holes so that you can fit the belt however tightly you want it to be. A little bonus for those who get really intense with their weight lifting: it comes with 40-inch heavy-duty weight straps to help you lift up to 270 pounds.
Leather will always be a great choice if you’re looking for an extremely durable material to accompany your workouts. They can handle greater resistances and pressure. Dark Iron Fitness will help you feel more responsible for your own achievements by giving you some of the best materials to work with. No excuses, huh?
All in all, this feels like an elevated version of your normal leather weightlifting belt as it aims to provide you with comfort and rigidity all in one. Still, with rigidity comes its downsides. You know the drill: CrossFitters or functional fitness athletes might want to look at other belts, specifically those made of nylon.
