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Many people practice weightlifting to maintain fitness and build strength. Those who do may choose to wear a weightlifting belt for additional core, spine, and lower back support.
Quick links
- Best overall: Rogue Faded 4-in Lifting Belt by Pioneer
- Best overall on a budget: Dark Iron Fitness Leather Belt
- Best adjustable nylon: Rogue USA Nylon Lifting Belt
- Best for deadlift: Dominion 3-in Leather Belt
- Best self-locking: Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt
- Best value: Harbinger 4-in Nylon Weightlifting Belt
- Best size range: Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt
- Best for powerlifting: MRX Boxing & Fitness Powerlifting Leather Belt
- Best double prong: Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Belt
This article gives an overview of weightlifting belts and how they can help with safety. It also lists some belt options for a person to consider.
A 2018 journal entry from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) advises that a person may injure themselves if they have poor lifting form or by lifting too much weight.
Weightlifters may debate the benefits of wearing weightlifting belts, but some consider them vital, particularly if they lack core strength and stability.
Core and lower back
Individuals in favor of weightlifting belts claim they can help support their body’s core muscles, and, when used correctly, the belt may also reduce the risk of lower back stress.
People who wear weightlifting belts while doing squats and deadlifts may also benefit from increased intra-abdominal pressure as this can provide stability and prevent back injuries. Therefore, those who use them can often lift more weight.
Spinal compression
Weightlifting belts can also minimize spinal compression when a person lifts heavier weights. Weightlifting belts may also help prevent lifters from hyperextending their backs.
People engage in many different weightlifting practices, and a person should consider their preferred style of weightlifting when choosing a belt suitable for their needs. For example, powerlifters might think about the belt’s overall support features, and others may look for flexible options that less restrict their range of motion.
Weightlifting belts come in a wide range of prices, dependent mostly on their quality and features. Some belts are handmade from quality materials, whereas others are mass-produced.
In general, they can cost anywhere from $20–150.
Below, we consider some of the best weightlifting belts for a person to consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Rogue Faded 4-in Lifting Belt by Pioneer
Best overall
| Width | 4 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 8 mm |
| Sizes | S: waist 27–36 in M: waist 31–40 in L: waist 35–44 in XL: waist 39–48 in |
| Material | 100% leather |
| Cost | around $140 |
The Rogue is an adjustable, prong-style belt with a seamless roller buckle. According to the company, it is high quality genuine sole leather and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Below are some advantages and disadvantages for a person to consider.
Pros
- 8.5 millimeter (mm) thick leather prong-style belt suits people involved in a range of lifting styles.
- suitable for heavy lifts
- adjustments are in half-inches, as opposed to a more typical 1-in adjustment
Cons
- a powerlifter may find this belt too thin
- the leather may take time to break-in
- higher cost than other belts
The Rogue Faded 4-in Lifting Belt by Pioneer is available to purchase online.
Dark Iron Fitness Leather Belt
Best overall on a budget
| Width | 4 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 8 mm |
| Sizes | XS: waist 23–31 in S: waist 27–35 in M: waist 32–40 in L: waist 36–44 in XL: waist 40–49 in |
| Material | 100% leather |
| Cost | around $50 |
The Dark Iron is an affordable weightlifting belt with a double-prong and double tongue buckle. It also has reinforced stitching.
The company states that this belt will allow a person to deadlift or squat up to 600 pounds.
It also offers a lifetime guarantee for those who register their belt online.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
- lightweight
- softer leather, making it easier to break-in
- pinch prevention with the double-pronged buckle
Cons
- less durable than other options and may need replacing more quickly
- customers report difficulty finding the right size
The Dark Iron Fitness Leather Belt is available to purchase online.
Rogue USA Nylon Lifting Belt
Best adjustable nylon
| Width | 5-in back panel that tapers into 4 in, and 3-in nylon support strap |
|---|---|
| Thickness | quarter-inch thick foam |
| Sizes | XS: waist 26–29 in S: waist 29–32 in M: waist 32–45 in L: waist 35–38 in XL: waist 38–41 in XXL: waist 41–44 in XXXL: waist 44–47 in |
| Material | nylon and foam |
| Cost | around $50 |
This belt comes in flexible nylon with a Velcro closure that the company says supports quick transitions between movements. It has a roller buckle and a foam frame.
Some advantages and disadvantages of this belt include:
Pros
- flexible nylon material
- antimicrobial
- choice of colors
Cons
- less rigid and supportive than other belts
- does not support heavy lifts
The Rogue USA Nylon Lifting Belt is available to purchase online.
Dominion 3-in Leather Belt
Best for deadlift
| Width | 3 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 10 mm |
| Sizes | XS: waist 20–30 in SM: waist 25–35 in MD: waist 30–40 in LG: waist 35–45 in XL: waist 40–50 in |
| Material | suede leather |
| Cost | around 150 |
This belt features a single-prong closure and a special construction that the company claims supports weightlifters performing deadlifts and squats. It has a single-pronged seamless roller buckle and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Advantages and disadvantages include:
Pros
- flexible
- supportive
- helps lumbar alignment
Cons
- adjusts in 1-in increments only
- may not suit taller people
The Dominion 3-in Leather Belt is available to purchase online.
Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt
Best self-locking
| Width | 4 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | not listed |
| Sizes | XS: waist 23–27 in S: waist 27–31 in M: waist 31–36 in L: waist 36–40 in XL: waist 40–45 in XXL: waist 45–50 in |
| Material | 100% premium nylon |
| Cost | around $35 |
This belt comes in high quality, durable, lightweight, and flexible nylon. It also features a secure, self-locking buckle.
Individuals may consider some advantages and disadvantages, such as:
Pros
- provides intra-abdominal pressure
- fits securely
- lightweight
- durable
Cons
- a person may find they need to break this in for some time before it is comfortable
- not easy to release quickly
- difficult to position correctly
The Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt is available to purchase online.
Harbinger 4-In Nylon Weightlifting Belt
Best value
| Width | 4 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | not listed |
| Sizes | S: waist 24–29 in M: waist 29–33 in L: waist 33–37 in XL: waist 37–42 in |
| Material | nylon and foam |
| Cost | around $20 |
This belt features a foam, padded construction that claims to provide lower back and abdominal support. It comes with a steel roller buckle and a 3-in adjustment strap.
Advantages and disadvantages include:
Pros
- works well for beginners to weightlifting
- durable
- lightweight
Cons
- may not suit those with waist measurements above 42 in
- some individuals report the discomfort of the buckle pressing into them when making a downward motion
The Harbinger 4-in Nylon Weightlifting Belt is available to purchase online.
Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt
Best size range
| Width | 3.9 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 10 mm |
| Sizes | XS: waist 22–25 in S: waist 26–29 in M: waist 30–33 in L: waist 34–38 in XL: waist 39–42 in XXL: waist 43–46 in 3XL: waist 47–50 in 4XL: waist 51–54 in 5XL: waist 55–58 in |
| Material | suede leather |
| Cost | around $130 |
This leather belt has a lever-locking system that enables a person to remove it quickly, if necessary. It is evenly padded on both sides, a feature that makes it appropriate for heavy squats and deadlifts. It also comes with a lifetime warranty and money-back guarantee.
Individuals may consider some advantages and disadvantages, such as:
Pros
- durable
- easy to remove
- variety of colors
Cons
- customer-reported long break-in time
- higher cost than some other belts
The Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt is available to purchase online.
MRX Boxing & Fitness Powerlifting Leather Belt
Best for powerlifting
| Width | 4 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 10 mm |
| Sizes | S: waist 27–33 in M: waist 32–38 in L: waist 37–42 in XL: waist 40–46 in 2XL: waist 42–47 in 3XL: waist 44–50 in |
| Material | leather |
| Cost | around $37 |
This belt features a slide bar stainless-steel buckle that helps adjust the fit. The belt can fit waists 27–50 in.
Below are some advantages and disadvantages for a person to consider:
Pros
- durable
- adjustable
- many color options
Cons
- customer-reported lengthy break-in period
- difficult to put on and take off unaided
The MRX Boxing & Fitness Powerlifting Leather Belt is available to purchase online.
Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Belt
Best double prong
| Width | 4 in |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 10 mm |
| Sizes | S: waist 25–30 in M: waist 30–35 in L: waist 35–40 in XL: waist 40–45 in XXL: waist 45–50 in |
| Material | suede leather |
| Cost | around $60 |
This 4-in-wide belt has a double prong and should provide an even weight distribution.
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of this belt include:
Pros
- body-conforming suede
- easy to adjust
- 10 rows of punch holes for the buckle
Cons
- needs time for breaking in
- listed sizing may not truly reflect belt size
The Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Belt is available to purchase online.
Weightlifting belts are optional, and a person’s decision to wear one may depend on the type of weightlifting in which they participate.
A
Here are some common questions surrounding weightlifting belts.
Do I need a weightlifting belt?
People doing strength training as part of an overall fitness routine are unlikely to need a weightlifting belt.
However, weightlifters challenging themselves by lifting heavy weights may benefit from the extra stability and lumbar support provided by a weightlifting belt.
What does a weightlifting belt do?
A weightlifting belt can provide extra core stability and minimize pressure on the spine. This can allow weightlifters to carry heavier loads.
When should I wear a weightlifting belt?
Those lifting weights may want to use weightlifting belts when attempting to lift heavy loads. They are especially useful for those who deadlift, practice squats, and stand-up lifting.
When used properly, weightlifting belts may help reduce the risk of injury.
Weightlifting is an effective and popular activity that helps people maintain fitness and build strength. Those who lift heavy weights may opt to wear a weightlifting belt, which can help support the core, spine, and lower back.
There are many weightlifting belts currently available in the market that can suit a variety of wants and needs for those looking to purchase one.