Heavyweights: The Best Weightlifting Belts of 2022

Why Trust Us

To give you an in-depth look at each weightlifting belt on this list, we researched the best products online, recalled the every weightlifting belt that we’ve used in the past and researched user reviews. The author has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, from ultrarunning and triathlon to CrossFit and powerlifting and has blown out many belts over the years.

Who This Is For

This article is intended for people who are looking to find the best weightlifting belts an array of situations. We found a lifting belt for a wide range of budgets and priorities, as well as a few for specific needs.

How We Picked

We tried to find weightlifting belts that would be useful in all kinds of situations and sported a range of features, styles, and budgets. We looked at fit, support, ease of adjustment, and materials to find something that would appeal to lifters of every sort. We looked at leather belts, searched out a great nylon belt or two, and tried to find ones with unique fastening materials. Materials like velcro, lever, and prong fasteners with a stainless steel buckle were all considered.

How We Tested

We combined practical experience by using the belts as they were intended. Powerlifting belts were test primarily by deadlifting, squatting, and bench pressing, while belts geared towards olympic weightlifting were tested by practicing the snatch and clean and jerk. Nylon belts were tested in multiple movements, primarily explosive dumbell movements and CrossFit WODs in which a flexible, thinner belt would be useful.

Features To Look For In Weightlifting Belt

Width - The width is going to aid in stability. Most good belts will have a 4” to 6” width.

Adjustability - You’re either going to use velcro, lever, or a few different belt loop closures to put your clasps through. You want to fall somewhere in the middle of those loops, so you’ll have time to adjust them as your body changes over time.

Material - For the most part, you’re going to see leather, as it’s the best weightlifting material for the main build. Nylon is a good option for HIIT and CrossFit training, thanks to its lighter weight and lower profile.

Durability - This includes the thickness of the material, the closure strength, and how long you’re expected to have this for. Most of these belts have long warranties, some even have lifetime warranties, due to the stress that they're built to withstand.

Versatility - A lot of belts are designed for specific use, like squats and deadlifts. Most leather belts are made for these slower heavier lifts. Nylon is more versatile, thanks to its low profile and weight, so they'll work for most other uses where you could use a little extra support.

Support - These usually come in either 4” or 6” of leather for your lower lumbar support. That’s the main area you’ll be propping up, minimizing the high risk of sustaining back or spine injuries.

Comfort - Many of these are suede-lined, or contain a certain amount of foam to help cushion your sides to prevent digging into your skin. Some people lift shirtless, so this comfort helps reduce chafing. Apart from that, the belt should be snug, but comfortable.

Locking mechanism - Many leather belts use prong buckles as a fastener. They're easily adjustable, but it can be difficult to cinch them down to the required tightness. Other leather belts use levers to lock down. They make it simple to achieve your desired tightness, but adjusting for different sizes usually requires a screwdriver. Nylon and synthetic belts on the other hand, generally use hook and loop fasteners to lock down. These are the easiest to secure and adjust, but they can occasionally pop open during periods of high strain.

Design - Some belts are designed with a uniform width throughout the belt, which provides a consistent level of support across the belts' coverage. Others are wider at the lower back and thinner at the front to help facilitate bending during a lift.

Thickness - Most leather belts you'll find are around 10mm thick. This is an excellent thickness for providing protection on heavy lifts. Some extend into the 12mm-14mm range for added support, but many of these aren't approved for use in competition. Nylon belts, by their nature, and generally much thinner.

Stitching/gluing - When looking for a good weightlifting belt, shoot for one with stitched seams, rather than glued ones. Due to the amount of stress that weightlifting belts withstand on a daily basis, reinforced stitching is the best way to ensure that a belt will last over the long run.

Price - A lifting belt can vary in price from $20 to over $100. While you can find a solid weightlifting belt in the lower end of the price range, many high-end belts are designed to last a lifetime. If you're looking at your first weightlifting belt, feel free to purchase a more affordable one to start out with. You can use it as you decide how you want to lift and to figure out what you want in a long-lasting belt. And if you're lucky, that low-end belt might end up being the perfect one.

Warranty - Look for belts with at least a 6-month warranty. This will ensure that you find one with the right fit and one that will last you for a while. And if it doesn't, you'll have another one on the way.

Types Of Weightlifting Belts

Bodybuilding Belts - Made up of leather, bodybuilding belts are made with thicker backs and thinner fronts near the buckle. A hybrid of the powerlifting belts and a velcro belt, they provide more pressure than velcro belts, but not as much as a powerlifting belt. They generally use double prong stainless steel buckles to secure them in place.

Powerlifting Belts - Powerlifting belts provide the strongest support and pressure, due in part to their rigid, thick builds. They are the same width through the full length of the belt to give the abs more contact with the belt during heavy lifts. They are usually secured with double prong buckles or levers.

Synthetic Belts - The lightest (and arguably most comfortable) of the belts on the market, these belts are often made of nylon and secured with velcro. They provide a minimal amount of pressure compared with the other two. They provide enough pressure for recreational lifting and for workouts that require a varying amount of movements, but they're upper end range of support is limited by how strong the velcro is.

Q: How does a weightlifting belt work?

A: By alleviating pressure on your spine, you’re able to better understand what you’re truly capable of lifting without hurting yourself. Weightlifting belts stabilize your core and spinal column, putting more pressure into your inner abdominal area, which gives you a better workout through and through. When pressure is released off the spine, it mimics a move called the Valsalva maneuver, which is when you pull in your breath to increase pressure in your inner abdominal region.

Q: What are the benefits of weightlifting belts and do you need one?

A: The main reason you want to get a weightlifting belt is to provide your core with something to push against during heavy lifts, helping you stabilize your spine. This helps to prevent back injuries as well as improve your form for competitions and general exercise.

You’re also going to get a better core workout than if you didn’t use a weightlifting belt. The main issue with form (and injuries) is the flexibility of the spine. Back injuries can result in dislocated discs, as well as swollen muscles that press on the spine. By keeping your spine sturdy, you’re putting the weight where it belongs: on your core. Better core workouts, a more intense burn in your midsection, and (if your nutrition is on point) a better six-pack.

Q: How and when to use weightlifting belts?

A: Squats, olympic lifting, and deadlifts are all reasons you’d want to use a weightlifting belt. We’ve seen some folks using these while doing sit-ups or chin-ups, and they’re not designed to handle those, not even a little bit. These belts will also give you a much better scope of what you’re physically capable to do when lifting.

So do these really provide the necessary support for improved stance during weightlifting? Absolutely. You do have to monitor your breathing patterns to reduce tightness at peak times while using these, but they’re completely capable of improving your form and adding a few points to your max lifts.

Q: Is using a weightlifting belt cheating?

A: In almost every weightlifting competition in the country, you’re able to use these belts throughout the whole duration. The mindset is, that you’re not gaining extra muscles when you put one of these on, but you’re protecting yourself from potential harm if you’re going in for some serious weightlifting.

Many competitions do have size restrictions on belts, so be sure to check with your specific organization to make sure your belt is approved.

Q: How do I know what size weightlifting belt I need?

A: Every belt has a specific size chart. When considering a belt, check the size chart on the company's website to make sure that it'll be a good fit. And remember, you're wearing the belt around your belly, not your waist, so use the circumference around your belly, not your waist.

Q: Does a weightlifting belt weaken your core?

A: On the contrary, a weightlifting belt will allow you to lift heavier and build overall strength, including in your core. Many lifters will occasionally lift beltless with lighter weight to additionally bolster their core strength.

Q: Do lifting belts prevent injury?

A: Lifting belts can help prevent injury. By providing additional pressure on the core, they give athletes something to brace against, which helps keep the core tight and the spine stabilized. Ultimately, however, it's up to the athlete to ensure proper form and positioning during lifts.

Sources:

1. The Weight Belt Controversy - Unm
2. The Effectiveness Of Weight-Belts During The Squat Exercise - Pubmed