Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Weightlifting Belts

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Schiek Leather Competition Power Lifting Belt
Schiek
Leather Competition Power Lifting Belt
Check Price
Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Our fitness expert highly recommends this belt for its design, features, and guarantee — you won't find one that has more to offer.

Pros

Exceptionally sturdy leather construction. Easy to tighten and release. Lives up to its name — this is truly a competition-grade power lifting belt. Fairly thick for extra comfort.

Cons

It's expensive, but the quality and performance are worth it.

Best Bang for the Buck
Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt with Back Support
Fire Team Fit
Weightlifting Belt with Back Support
Check Price
Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A low-cost option with lots to offer. Similar construction and performance as belts that cost more than double the price.

Pros

Provides comfortable back support and easy-to-adjust Velcro closure. Affordably priced and comes with a satisfaction guarantee. Has a light weight feel that contours to your body shape.

Cons

Runs large, but this isn't a major concern because it is easy to adjust.

Stoic Evolutionize Powerlifting Belt
Stoic
Evolutionize Powerlifting Belt
Check Price
Best for Experts
Bottom Line

Serious lifters who prefer a belt with a prong-buckle closure and maximum support will appreciate this belt, according to our fitness expert.

Pros

A solid, no-taper design with thick leather that provides consistent support. Single-prong buckle is easy to adjust. Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Comes in two different thickness levels.

Cons

The leather is somewhat stiff but tends to become more flexible with use.

Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
Element 26
Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
Check Price
Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Our fitness expert appreciates the reliable mechanism and straightforward operation that this weight belt provides.

Pros

Self-locking mechanism is effortless to operate and prevents the belt from becoming undone in the middle of your workout. Weight is stored evenly throughout the belt for equal pressure. Made from thick nylon.

Cons

Locking mechanism prevents the belt from getting too tight, which can be inconvenient to some users.

Dark Iron Fitness Weight Lifting Belt
Dark Iron Fitness
Weight Lifting Belt
Check Price
Structured Build
Bottom Line

This belt toughens the intensity of your workout while supporting your lower back, making it another recommended pick by our expert.

Pros

Designed from thick cowhide leather for both comfort and practicality. Dual-sided and double-stitched for added durability. Fully customizable thanks to the traditional belt enclosure.

Cons

May be too light for more experienced gym-goers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
69
Consumers
Consulted
14
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best weightlifting belts

Weightlifting belts used to be commonplace in gyms among professionals and amateurs alike, but this piece of workout gear has fallen out of fashion in the 2000s, even though more and more people are hitting the weights these days.

You might think that you have to be a serious powerlifter to don a belt, but the truth is that everybody could use a bit of extra spine support when lifting heavy weights in the gym. Like any piece of workout gear, there are many options when choosing a weightlifting belt. if you’ve never worn one before, it’s easy to feel intimidated when shopping for one.

Don’t let that reluctance keep you from trying out a new piece of gear.

Content Image
It might take you a while to get used to wearing a belt while lifting. Take the time to break the belt in and get used to your new gear.

Why use a weightlifting belt?

The human torso isn’t rigid like a lamppost. It is flexible and supple, which is a good thing for the most part. It means you can bend and twist and move. But when you’re lifting a heavy weight, such as a barbell that weighs a significant proportion of your body weight, you don’t want a soft torso. You want a strong and rigid torso. And to make your torso, or core, rigid, you brace your muscles. Whether or not you’re a weightlifter, you’ve braced your core without giving it a second thought – when you held your breath and lifted a heavy box or helped push a car out of a snowdrift.

When you hold your breath and tighten your abdominal muscles, you create internal pressure that turns your normally soft torso into a metaphorical lamppost. That pressure enables you to lift more weight without injuring your back.

A weightlifting belt doesn’t support your back; it cues your body to brace itself by tightening the muscles so you can lift a very heavy weight. The weightlifting belt is what your torso pushes against to brace itself, enabling you to tense your muscles even more.

Expert tip
The obliques are key to maintaining pelvic alignment and core stabilization while performing loaded weight lifting exercises. Try to imagine pushing them outwards as you breathe into your core.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Weightlifting belt features to consider

Weightlifting belts vary by material, thickness, specialty, and closures. Think about the type of lifting you plan to do as you decide which style of belt you’ll need.

  • Powerlifting belts: These belts are for people lifting very heavy weights in squats and deadlifts. They are usually about four inches wide all around, but some can be as wide as six inches. Anything wider than four inches is usually prohibited in competition.

  • Weightlifting belts: These belts are about four inches wide in the back but taper toward the front. You should use a weightlifting belt for Olympic lifting (the snatch and the clean and jerk), CrossFit, and bodybuilding. Tapered belts are good for people who are shorter or have a smaller torso.

Thickness

Many weightlifting belts come in one of two thickness options: 10mm or 13mm. The thicker the belt, the stiffer it will be.

A thinner belt should fit the needs of most non-competition lifters, as well as those who do CrossFit and those who need a wider range of motion.

A thicker belt offers more support against your abs, but it will also be less comfortable. Thicker belts are used by people lifting seriously heavy weight.

Content Image
For your safety
Working out with a dirty weightlifting belt can cause acne because the belt compacts sweat and grime into your skin. Clean your belt between uses, and consider packing body wipes for the gym if you can’t always take a shower.
STAFF
BestReviews

Material

Belts are made of one or a combination of the following materials, with some better suited to heavy use than others.

  • Foam: Foam belts are the least expensive model and the most breathable, lightweight weightlifting belts. If you’re beginner who doesn’t plan to lift very heavy weights and just wants to try working out with a belt, foam can be fine for your needs.

  • Nylon: Nylon belts are good for beginners adjusting to using a belt and looking for an option at a lower price point. These belts are lighter and more comfortable than the thick leather models. Professionals advise against using nylon belts, though, particularly for people who are lifting very heavy weights. There are nylon belts with leather linings, as well as nylon belts with foam inserts.

  • Leather: Weightlifting belts are made of full grain, top grain, or split leather (suede). Leather weightlifting belts are thicker, more durable, and offer more stability than nylon belts because you can brace against them with greater force. Most professionals recommend using a leather belt. Suede is less prone to slipping against your skin when you’re sweating, but top grain leather belts are more durable.

Closure

Not all weightlifting belts fasten like the belt you wear with your pants. Different fasteners offer different ranges of accessibility, ease, and support.

  • Velcro: Common on nylon belts, Velcro is the easiest to adjust, put on, and take off. It also runs the highest risk of slipping or coming loose while you’re lifting, and it will lose adhesion over time.

  • Prongs: Leather belts, in particular, have single-prong or double-prong closures, which resemble your average belt buckle. A double-prong closure keeps the buckle from pivoting when lifting heavy loads.

  • Levers: You flip open and lock a lever belt into place, which makes it super tight and secure. It’s easy to get on and off, but you’ll need a screwdriver or other tools to adjust the fit, which is less than ideal if you’re losing or gaining weight.
Content Image
Expert Tip
When using a workout belt, first secure it around your waist and then flex your stomach against it to brace and create intense tension in the torso. This makes your back more rigid, improving lifting form and keeping your back safe.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Weightlifting belt prices

There’s a fairly wide range in the price of weightlifting belts, depending on size, material, and other features. You can expect to pay between $15 and $100 for a weightlifting belt.

Inexpensive

You can find foam weightlifting belts for as little as $15, nylon belts from about $20, and leather belts from $20 to $50.

Mid-range

You can find nylon weightlifting belts that cost from $20 to $65. There are plenty of dependable leather belts available for $50 to $70.

Expensive

You can find top-of-the-line leather powerlifting belts for between $70 to $100 and up, depending on the leather thickness and quality, closure, and stitching.

Content Image
Don’t just go by your usual pant size. Measure your waist with a tape measure before ordering your weightlifting belt to ensure a perfect fit.

FAQ

Q. Will using a weightlifting belt weaken my muscles?

A. No, this is a myth. Studies have shown that wearing a belt while lifting can engage your erector spinae muscles and abdominals, resulting in a stronger back and core.

Expert tip
You should be able to stick your index finger down the back of the belt. Any more than that, and the belt may be too loose or not placed properly.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Q. Could I still injure my back while lifting with a belt?

A. Yes, while wearing a belt greatly reduces the chances of straining your back, it can’t protect you completely. Always use best lifting practices, listen to your body, and lift with a partner to further reduce the chances of injury.

Q. How do I clean my weightlifting belt?

A. To prevent skin irritation and acne, as well as unpleasant odors, it’s important to regularly clean your belt. Nylon belts can be washed in cold water and air-dried. Leather belts should be wiped down in between uses, cleaned with saddle soap, and stored in a cool, dry place. Consult the manufacturer’s care instructions to extend the life of your weightlifting belt.

Our Top Picks