Guide to a Weight Lifting Belt

What is a weightlifting belt?

A weightlifting belt is worn around your waist when lifting heavy weights. Weightlifting belts are used to reduce stress and provide support to your lower back while lifting. It will protect your spine from getting serious injuries. Different belts are made from different materials depending on their purpose, use, and type.

What is the purpose of a weightlifting belt?

It is used to decrease the level of stress applied to the lower back. Weightlifting belt support and protects your spine while lifting the weight. This article will help you to understand how necessary this gym gear is when you are lifting heavy weights.

Weightlifting belt creates intra-abdominal pressure which decreases the stress on your lower back while lifting heavy weight

How do weightlifting belts work?

Before knowing how weightlifting belts work it is necessary to understand how our muscle work while we do exercises like squat, deadlift, or other heavy-weight exercises.

our torso is very soft, which allows us to move it back and forth and twist it easily. When you are lifting heavy weights, you need to have a strong core, because a soft core can easily collapse under the weight. To achieve a strong core, you need to brace it.  When you used a belt, it provides support and strength to the soft and weak core. Weightlifting belt creates intra-abdominal pressure which helps you to lift more weight without aggravating your back.

The first question that comes to mind is how we create intra-abdominal pressure. IAP is the concept of pressurizing your core through abdominal bracing and “belly” breathing. To achieve IAP, you breathe into your belly/core using your diaphragm rather than your chest.

What are the different types of weightlifting belts based on their use?

Bodybuilding belts, powerlifting belts, dip belts, CrossFit belts

Powerlifting belts

Powerlifting belts are made of rigid and tick leather

The powerlifting belt thickness is 10mm and the width is 4 inches and has a constant width throughout the belt.

Mostly Powerlifting belts come with a lever Buckle which is easier to put on and off than prong belts.

Powerlifting belts provide Intra-abdominal pressure which helps you to lift more weight without damaging your spine.

Bodybuilding belts

Bodybuilding belts are made of pure flexible leather.

The back side of the belt is thick and thin from the front side.

Most bodybuilding belts come with double-prong stainless steel roller buckles.

Bodybuilding belts create more intra-abdominal pressure than a CrossFit belt and fewer powerlifting belts.

CrossFit belts

CrossFit belts are made of nylon.

The CrossFit belt is lightweight and has a constant width throughout the belt.

CrossFit belts come with a self-locking buckle. It is easy to use and it releases immediately upon pulling the release roller.

It provides intra-abdominal pressure to increase your stability during your lift.

Dip belts

The dip belt is made of heavy-duty neoprene.

Dip belts come with 36 inches long steel chain that helps to attach more weight.

You can do different dip belts exercise like chin-ups and pull-ups, weighted squats, and weighted dips.

A dip belt is a weightlifting belt that helps increase the amount of weight you can lift. It does this by providing extra support to your lower back and abdominals, which allows you to handle heavier loads.

What are the benefits of weightlifting belts?

Prevent injuries

When you are lifting heavyweight there are chances your core collapse. To achieve a strong core, you need to brace it.  When you used a belt, it provides support and strength to the soft and weak core. A weightlifting belt ensures that you stand up with a straight posture.

It helps in muscle growth

When you wear a belt, it helps you to perform your exercise with your legs, not your back also it helps to activate your leg muscle.

Improve spinal stability

A weightlifting belt creates intra-abdominal pressure which helps to improve spinal stability and you lift more weight without aggravating your back.

Feel confident and do more reps

Wearing a belt makes you feel more confident and protected. This satisfaction during your exercise leads to improved performance and better results.

How to choose the perfect weightlifting belts?

In the market, there are many types of weightlifting belts. When you choose a weightlifting belt, you need to think about the material, thickness, and whether your belt will use a lever, prong, Velcro, or leather.

Material

Lifting belts are made of nylon, suede, and leather. When you choose your belt material it should be based on your comfort, preferences, and how long to use it. Leather belts provide solid support. Leather belts are used in powerlifting. Nylon belts are flexible and more adjustable. It is used in CrossFit. Most lifters used leather weightlifting belts because it is long-lasting, durable, and provide solid support on your back.

 

Thickness

The thicker belt provides extra support on your back that prevents the bending of your spine. The thicker belt is durable, reliable, and long-lasting. thicker belt has some comfort issues.  For beginners, thicker belts can be uncomfortable. The weightlifting belt thickness and width are relative to the weight activity.

Velcro, prongs, and lever belt

Velcro

A Velcro belt is more comfortable than other weightlifting belts. it is easy to use. You can easily put on and off the belt. You can easily adjust the belt tightness. This belt is ideal for CrossFit training. These belts recommend for women, due to their comfort, flexibility, and simplicity to use.

Prong belts

These belts are made of firm leather. It provides extra support and stability on your back. It is used in heavyweight workouts. It is more difficult in terms of adjustment as compared to other belts

Lever belt

A lever belt is easier to put on and off than compared to prong belt. The lever belt is made of rigid and tick leather with double stitching. Lever belts provide Intra-abdominal pressure which helps you to lift more weight without damaging your spine. The lever belt thickness is 10mm and the width is 4 inches and has a constant width throughout the belt. It is used in heavy-weight workouts like deadlifts, squats, clean, and jerks.

What size weightlifting belt should you get?

If you want to get the correct size weightlifting belt you need to measure your waist between your ribs and hips (around the belly button). Pull the tape tight for the best measurement. Remember, don’t use your pant size to determine the size of your lifting belt.