Top Pick
- Five size choices.
- Helps with up to 600 pounds.
- Leather-made.
Are you stuck on a plateau with your weightlifting goals? Or are you struggling to begin weightlifting due to poor technique? Then we could have the answer for you.
Weightlifting can be tough. But when you’re stuck on a mental block with heavier weights, or you just need help with technique, there is a solution. In this article, we’ll be going through the most important information about weightlifting belts, ending with our choice of the top five best weightlifting belts for all.
The Best Weightlifting Belts For Heavy lifting
Whether you’re looking for the best weight lifting belt for men or women, the best weight lifting belt for CrossFit, or one for multiple uses, let’s take a look at our top five best weightlifting belts on the market.
1. Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Pro Weight Lifting Belt
Our first option seems to have it all. By helping you lift over 600 pounds, this makes the Dark Iron fitness belt stand out from the crowd. With this belt, you can challenge yourself to take on larger weights every session.
Made with a sturdy and comfortable leather material, this product is built to last, keeping you focused and on task to succeed. The lifetime replacement warranty displays the company’s confidence in the product, so you can rest assured you’ll get your money’s worth.
- Pros
- Five size choices.
- Made using strong and durable leather.
- Comfortable, due to softness and flexibility.
- Can help you lift up to 600 pounds of weight—around 10 percent more than others on the market.
- Double belt clasps for strength.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Cons
- May not fit larger people looking to lose weight.
- Leather may loosen over time.
2. Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt
Our next option comes in an array of color options, making this a stylish option for anyone in the gym. The belt provides support through the cushioned abdominal and back pads, which ensures the prevention of injury so you can lift weights without fear.
With industrial-quality stitching and a secure locking system, you can lift knowing you’ll be supported throughout. This, coupled with the lifetime warranty, provides confidence in the product’s value.
- Pros
- 10 color options.
- Cushioned support helps you to avoid injuring yourself.
- Comfortable.
- Four size options.
- Durable and strong velcro straps and stitching.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Cons
- Fewer size options than others.
- Contoured and mesh, so could distribute weight around the body unevenly.
The Harbinger weightlifting belt has every component to ensure durability and reliability. The sturdy leather material, with steel belt buckles, limits the chance of this product breaking.
With the interior cushioning, which supports your back and abs, this one fits the body to a T. It’s flexible and comfortable, so you can lift weights without it digging in or reducing mobility.
- Pros
- Five sizes to choose from.
- Durable.
- Provides comfort and support.
- Supports mobility.
- Cons
- Contoured, so may have less even support.
4. Harbinger Women's Nylon Weightlifting Belt
Our second Harbinger belt is specifically designed for the ladies, with a 5-inch width to support your back and abs during heavy lifting. The breathable material and soft padding makes this a really comfortable option, so you can remain focused to achieve your goals. These features could make it the best weight lifting belt for women.
The steel tension buckle makes this a great option and, despite the support it provides, your motion is not hindered.
- Pros
- Three sizes to choose from.
- Three color options.
- Provides support for spine and abs.
- Strong belt buckle.
- Comfortable.
- Cons
- Not unisex, although I’m sure a smaller-waisted man could use this just the same.
5. Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
Our final option is a little different to the other products, with its quick release, self-locking belt clasp mechanism. This makes it unique, as it’s easy to take on and off, and it also durable, as you’re not relying on velcro to hold it in place. This might mean it’s the best weight lifting belt for CrossFit.
Element prides itself on being different to other brands, with its uniform design. It claims that mesh exteriors and padded contours on other belts unevenly distribute the weight around the body. Element’s smooth nylon design combats this, maintaining even support.
- Pros
- Four sizes to choose from.
- Assorted colors.
- Self-locking buckle, quick to release and durable.
- No mesh covering, and uniform design to reduce uneven tension.
- Full support.
- Approved for competitions.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Cons
- May dig into your skin.
- Source of the company’s claims is unknown.
A Buying guide to Weightlifting Belts
The functionality of a Weightlifting Belt
A weightlifting belt is a piece of strong material that you wrap around your abdomen, over your belly button, to support you when lifting weights. It’s important to use the correct techniques when lifting, to avoid injury.
There are different types of belts available. Some features, such as flexibility, will make it the best weight lifting belt for CrossFit. Other features, such as material and width, will make it the best weight lifting belt for women.
When lifting heavy weights, you must use the correct form, or you may injure your back or abdominal muscles. The best weightlifting belts are specifically designed to support your body during weightlifting to prevent this. But how do they support you this way?
Well, they actually increase intra-abdominal pressure in your core, which engages your spinal cord to improve your stability. By pushing against your abdomen, the best weightlifting belt will help to protect your spine from strain by engaging your core muscles correctly. This can allow you to lift heavier weights, with greater ease, and with minimal injury.
When to Use a Weightlifting Belt as a Bodybuilder or weightlifter
It’s important that you only use a weightlifting belt if it’s necessary. For example, if you already know how to lift with good form, you don’t need to experiment with a belt. Otherwise, you should not use a belt if you have any medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or hernias, or any pre-existing injuries.
It’s also beneficial not to overuse a weightlifting belt. If you’re lifting weights you know you can easily lift, then it’s not necessary. Only utilize a weightlifting belt when you know you’ll be attempting to increase your maximum weightlifting goals.
Some people may also fall into the trap of using a weightlifting belt for unnecessary exercises. Some of the best exercises where weightlifting belts may be necessary are:
- Weighted squats.
- Deadlifts.
- Bench presses.
- Clean and jerks.
- Shoulder presses.
Generally, it’s advised to use the belt during vertical body movements which may involve your core, spine, and legs.
The Benefits of a Weightlifting Belt
Want to know how a weightlifting belt might help? Well, they can:
- Help you to learn the proper weightlifting techniques to lift with support and ease.
- Prevent injury if used correctly.
- Reduce stress on your spine, stopping it from collapsing.
- Help you achieve better performance, potentially lifting heavier weights, with less effort.
Now we’ve seen the benefits, it’s clear that a weightlifting belt can potentially do wonders for you in the gym. That said, before we move on, I’d just like to warn you of some risk factors that may be involved with wearing one.
Studies have shown that, after a prolonged period of time lifting using a belt, it’s important to keep using it. Why? Well, once your body is used to a belt, if you lift without one, you may be more prone to injury, so be careful.
In most cases, you should consult a doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or movement.
What to Look for in a Weightlifting Belt
Now we know what the best weight lifting belts do, how do we know what to look out for? Well, we’ve created a short list of features for you to follow.
Comfort
When working out, comfort is key, to ensure you remain focused on the task at hand. If you’re constantly thinking about how uncomfortable you are, this may cause failure. Because of this, it’s important that the best weightlifting belts are flexible, so they don’t dig into you or restrict your motion.
Durability
We want to be sure that we’re spending our money wisely. If the product is built to last, this won’t be an issue.
This comes down to two main things—the belt material, and the buckle. If the buckle is velcro, this may be less sturdy than a steel buckle. Also, if the product is leather, this will be very long-lasting—it’s likely to outlive a synthetic belt.
Support
Support is probably the most important element of a weightlifting belt, as this is exactly what it’s designed for. This can mainly be achieved through a uniform belt design, so if the belt is flat, with limited contouring, this should help. If the belt is too bumpy, it may not distribute the weight around your body evenly, and this is super important to achieving results without injury.
Warranty
A warranty is a really good way to tell whether the company has faith in its product. If so, the warranty will usually be longer, as it means they know it won’t break. A number of the best weightlifting belts below actually have a lifetime warranty, which proves to us that the product is worthwhile.
Conclusion
Although it’s a pretty tough choice between our options, we have to give you our favorite of the best weightlifting belts for bodybuilding. The Dark Iron Fitness genuine leather pro weight lifting belt just pips the others to the post.
We really like the use of the strong leather material. Leather is proven to be extremely durable, it won’t break or tear, and is flexible enough to shape to your body’s movements. Although leather has a habit of stretching, this is no issue.
Firstly, the numerous belt buckles mean you can tighten it up if it gets too loose. Also, the lifetime warranty means if it does wear down, you can get a new one for free! This way, you know you’re getting the most for your buck.
What’s more, this product is so strong that it allows you to hold up to 10 percent more weight than the average weightlifting belt on the market. This is ideal for CrossFit, bodybuilders, and anyone looking to really challenge themselves in the gym.
With full support to your back and abdominal muscles, and its durability, reliability, and comfort, this is a great option for anyone.
