Weightlifting belts are not a new innovation in the fitness world but there are still numerous questions about which ones are best, how to wear them properly and even how they work. That is why we decided to write this article, for one to answer the question about what is the best weightlifting belt of 2017 and also to help you understand what to look for in a belt and how they actually work. We tested over 50 of the top brands and came away with our top 5 belts that you can find on the market today. Below you will find some more information about what to look for when it comes to looking for the best weight lifting belt, how they work and more.
How Does The Best Weight Belt Work?
Contrary to popular belief, weight lifting belts are actually designed to provide additional support ot your abdominal so it has something to brace against during heavy movements like squats, deadlifts and even bench press for heavy lifters out there. If you watch really heavy lifters they take deep breaths before attempting a heavy lift, this is called the Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing is taught to create pressure in your intra-abdominal muscles to fortify your spine. A weight lifting belt is just another layer of fortification for your spine by providing your abs with something stronger than your own abdominal wall to brace against.
The best powerlifting belt creates a hard wall against your muscles, this, in turn, supports your spine and gives you the enhanced strength to lift heavy weights. While the debate whether weightlifting belts improves your performance, it pays to protect your back when doing these straining routines.
What To Look For When Looking For The Best Weightlifting Belt?
Traditional gym belts are designed to be thin up front and full in the back. Hence, these do not cover enough your abdominal muscles to back your spine. Exercise routines like squat and deadlift challenge your core strength like the squat and deadlift. You will need a belt that is extensive and thick enough to wrap your torso to complete these regimen.
A good weightlifting belt feels firm on the abdomen. It should not move or bend with any movement from your body. It must also fit perfectly and distributes the tension there. Lastly, a weightlifting belt endures the wear and tear since this is always subject to high stress.
After testing, we recommend these best weightlifting belts to accompany you in your exercise. In addition to the factors we mentioned earlier, the materials used and other factors were also considered.
Best Lever Belts Review
Level belts are among the best lifting belts due to the ability to secure these in a movement while retaining the tightness in the course of your lift. However, these are rather hard to adjust especially when you had a drastic change in weight.
2. FlexzFitness Lever Buckle Powerlifting Belt
This lever belt is perfect for enthusiasts who want to get the basics of weightlifting but do not want to spend much. It costs half of regular lever weightlifting belts in the market today. It is 10 mm thick, has a lever made of chrome plated steel and a belt made from synthetic leather.
The abdominal support is fine, as it provides enough toughness to prepare your muscles to lift weights. It is also wide enough to cover your waist and support your spine. Once you get serious with weightlifting, you may proceed with better leather variants for long term use.
Perhaps sizing is one of the biggest issues of this weightlifting lever belt. We advise you to purchase a size smaller because it tends to get loose despite ordering based on your waistline. Moreover, FlexzFitness has to cut corners to make this affordable. You may notice the materials are not made of the highest quality. Although this is nicely designed, its lack of anti-corrosive properties will be an issue in the future. Nonetheless, this will get you through if you only do weight lifting once or twice a week.
1. Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt
For our best lifting belt for squats, Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt has a simple but sophisticated design. It is 10 mm thick, made from genuine leather and comes with a lever upon purchase. Its corrosive-resistant nylon stitches give an impression that this belt is very sturdy. Do not worry if this feels too stiff in your first use. It is a sign of its effectiveness as a support to your weightlifting exercise. Rolling it up to make this softer is advisable although it can be tiring. Setting it up is also easy since you may refer to the internet.
This belt gives incredible support by aligning your spine for a while exercising. Moreover, it provides intra-abdominal care for improved lift. This lever belt suits beginners and intermediate users the best since they seek increased strength in their routines. With these, you can do your workouts longer all thanks to Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt.
However, there are points you have to consider before buying this. This belt is relatively heavy, and it shows upon inspection. Rolling the belt takes a while, and putting it directly after purchase may cause a bruise on your hips. Lastly, we wish it comes with a clear instruction manual to correctly set this up. Other than that, Inzer Advance Designs hits a home run for one of the best weightlifting belts today.
Best Traditional Belts Review
Traditional straps are thicker in the back than in the front. These offer the same purpose with its lever counterparts but are not as good with providing support in weightlifting. However, these boast versatility since you can use these in various workouts.
2. Ader Leather Power Lifting Weight Belt
It is our number one pick as the best weight belt as far as traditional ones are concerned. It is also affordable, but this has a more robust design and compact look. It has a closure system that features a double-prong seamless roller buckle with a single loop to secure belt.
We also note its durability, which is impressive given the low price. It is well-made, and the stitches are properly done. Getting comfortable at it only takes a few seconds after fitting. Similar to other belts in this article, it covers most of the abdominal region. It’s 10 mm thickness is also useful for reducing stress on your back and keeping your posture stable to prevent hyperextension.
However, it also has issues in fitting. We note it sometimes slides with squats despite ordering the right waist size. We also advise you to polish the part which touches your waist since these can bruise you on your first use. Lastly, there are reports of this belt getting hard to remove after use. Nonetheless, its robust design and performance make this comparable to its more expensive counterparts.
1. Serious Steel Fitness Leather Weight Lifting Belt
This weightlifting belt provides the comfort which its lever counterparts do not have while retaining its body support function. Made from leather blends and genuine leather suede, this 10 mm thick belt is poised to be durable. The design looks simple but is pleasing to the eyes. Suited for weightlifting and CrossFit, this is one of best weight lifting belts today.
Upon looking at the belt, we say that it is well made. The stitching was nicely done, the buckles work as these should, and the leather is sturdy. It is also stiff upon receipt, but this only signifies its effectiveness as a weightlifting belt. Its design provides exceptional support to reduce intra-abdominal pressure to an acceptable level and enough protection for your back.
Nonetheless, you should consider rolling this in your first use. It can be difficult to get around your waist, but you will get used to it. Also, remember to measure your actual waist size since its sizing system does not equate to your pant size. These are minor things though when it comes to one of the best weight lifting belts anyway.
If you enjoyed this article and are interested in further injury prevention methods you should check out our article on the best foam rollers in 2017 as we rank the top 5 out there on the market today. Go check it out!
