We all love going to the gym and lifting heavy as hell. Physically seeing our progress in the gym from seeing our weights getting heavier and heavier is one of the most rewarding things we can ever experience. That is why we keep going and keep pushing out limits every workout. This is our main focus but it shouldn’t be our only focus. Safety should be our biggest focus.
What does being safe look like.. Stretching? Absolutely. No ego lifting? Better believe it. A balanced training program? 100%. All these are important in keeping you safe during your lifting journey. Unfortunately sometimes we get caught in the moment of going for that big PR, that we forget simple things and increase chances of getting hurt.
This is where a few pieces of equipment can come in and help you stay safe and give a lot of help with maintaining your form. We have talked in previous posts about lifting straps and knee sleeves, which are extremely good, so our next logical product we had to cover is a Lifting Belt!
What is a lifting belt? A lifting belt is a supportive belt that is worn around the waist during exercises like Squats, Dead-lifts, and Overhead presses. Some wear it during the Bench Press, but it seems to be mostly based on preference. When you are going for heavy lifts, you are using a tremendous amount of your core (Abs) and back muscles. Your core is what keeps you balanced when you walk, run, sit and stand, and lift weights. By that definition everyone has abs and don’t let anyone else tell you different!
A prime example of this is during heavy squats, the strength of your core and back is a direct correlation on the weight you can move. Similar to a house, the stronger the foundation, the more it can withstand. How does that tie into a lifting belt? Well think of a belt as a reinforced wall. The wall is strong itself but with a little reinforcement it be twice as strong. Your core is the wall and the belt is that little reinforcement.With that, hitting new PRs will be easy… well easier. Lets’s break down the benefits of a lifting belt.
Here are 4 huge benefits of wearing a lifting belt during heavy workouts:
Now the moment you’ve been waiting for. Our best selections of belts that we can think will help you tremendously in your lifting journey.
- 1. Hawks Sport Weightlifting Belt
This belt is a personal favorite of ours, and with over 2500 people giving it a 4.3 out of 5 stars I think others agree too. Let me list the best features on this belt.
Ease of use: This is a lever action belt, so to tighten and loosen it is just a flick the lever. This makes it super easy to use because traditional belts require to physically pull the belt around and lock the buckle in. It can be a real nuisance. The lever, once fitted properly to you properly, just takes one hand and your good to go. Plus it’s BADASS to pop off the belt after hitting a huge PR.
Durability: This belt is made from a high quality neoprene material that is made to withstand punishment. This durable comfortable fit has a wide frame to give you even more support. I have had my belt going now for 2 years and still functions like new.
Overall the Hawks Sport Weightlifting Belt is one of our favorites. Make sure you measure your waist with the size chart to get the right fit. Also if the buckle breaks you have a lifetime warranty and get it replaced for free! If you’re looking for a reliable weightlifting belt, the Hawks Sport weightlifting belt is definitely worth considering.
2.Dark Iron Fitness Weightlifting Belt
The Dark Iron Fitness Weightlifting Belt is a great choice as well, and it’s actually Amazon’s choice right now for weightlifting belts. This cost effective belt is great for those who want to save some cash without losing the risk of quality. Unlike the lever belt, this buckle is secured by prongs like a traditional belt. It’ll take time to get used to putting it on, but after a few times it be easy!
Let’s break down the best features of the belt.
Material: This belt is made from Cowhide leather. so it’s built tough. With this leather, that means this belt is soft and flexible. It can move with your body easier during exercises in turn making it a really comfortable fit. After a “breaking it in” this product will shape with your body and make it a perfect fit every time.
Design: The buckle is double pronged, which provides extra security i making sure it stays in place. The 4 inch wide belt also aids in providing support and stability making it a very reliable belt.
Over 20,000 people have given this belt a 4.7 out of 5 stars making this an impressive belt! Overall this belt will absolutely get the job done with out breaking the bank. The main positive review of this belt is it’s durability and the high quality of the material. Definitely give this one a try!
3. Element 26 Self-Locking Lifting Belt
Those looking for a buckle-less lifting belt, a Velcro belt might be the perfect fit! It is as simple as putting it around your waist, pulling it tight and pressing it against the Velcro. Just like your old pair of sketchers when you were a kid.
If your interested in this type of belt we recommend the Element 26 Self-Locking Lifting Belt. This belt operates the same as the other belts in providing support and stability for your core during exercises. But, it has some special features that makes it stand out,
Here are the stand out features of this belt:
Construction: This belt has a self-locking feature that makes it super easy and quick to adjust. What makes it better than other Velcro belts is the fact that the locking feature will ensure the adjustment will stay in place and not slip over repeat use. Which tends to happen other belts without this feature. It also has a thick layer of neoprene foam to add a more comfortable fit.
Design: The color options are great, they can match any fit you wear to the gym. Also it has nice contoured design to help stay in shape with the natural curves.
Overall Element 26 Self-Locking Belt is a great alternative to the two belts mentioned above. Over 17,000 people have rated this product a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. The main points over the reviews and our experience is to ensure you get the right size. if it’s too small then it starts pinching. If too big, then it won’t be able tighten it and won’t give the adequate support during the lifts.
We hope you have found value of this post! Feel free to share this with a friend to help them select the right belt for them! Happy Lifting!