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What powerlifting belt [Article]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Oct 22, 2019 9:30:00 AM

What powerlifting belt

What Powerlifting belt

 
Go for a leather belt if you are buying your first. Once you know more what you want you can go into lever or Nylon belts for specific purposes.

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What is your why 

 
Before we go Into the details of what powerlifting belt to get, let me ask you a couple of questions: 
 
  • Why do you want to powerlift 
  • Why do you want to change your body 
  • What happens when you do 
  • What happens if you don’t 
 
These questions matter for your personal well being and success. Research shows that people who write down their goals and reflect on them are more likely to achieve them. When was the last time you sat down to reflect on your life? Many people go about their lives like this: 
 
  • What do I want 
  • How do I get it 
  • Why do I want it 
 
This is a great way to get your knickers in a twist. Focusing on what you want will spread your resources thin and scatter your time between too many activities. What you want changes hundreds of times a day based on where you are, who you are with and what you do. Chasing all rabbits at once will leave you with none at the end. Something interesting happens when you flip the order of the questions on their head: 
 
  • Why do you want something 
  • How do you get it 
  • What needs to be done 
 
This way you will focus on what is most meaningful to you. Your thoughts and actions will become more connected and success will follow. If you want to know how this works on a psychological basis read Daniel Kahneman's thinking fast and slow. Simon Sinek's TED talk on the golden circle will change your life. 
 
 

Lever belt 

 
The lever belt is the go-to option when you want to powerlift. These are the sturdiest belts you can find in the market while it is still easy for you to get in and out of them. 
 
While the lever system is great for one individual these belts do poorly when it comes to multi-purpose use. The lever has to be moved with a screwdriver which makes them cumbersome to use for more than one person. The metal clasp usually gets in the way of Olympic lifts. The lever belts are a great option for powerlifters but not for weightlifters and CrossFit athletes. 
 

Leather belt 

 
A good leather belt with a single prong is the best option for the average joe who wants to invest in something that lasts and can be used for all purposes. A leather belt has the advantage of providing good support for all lifts alike. As the closing mechanism is a metal buckle they will last you for a lifetime. 
 
The bad news about leather belts is that they are big and can eat into hips and backs. Expect some bruises when you start breaking them in and at some places of your body where they do not fit well. It can also be challenging to get them tight. Here the lever bent or a belt with less width can help. 
 

Double prong belt 

 
Belts with a double prong buckle are usually about 3” wide. These belts are great for smaller athletes or weightlifters who feel their range of motion gets limited by the bigger belts. The advantages of these belts are size and cost. 
 
The disadvantage of double prong belts is that they provide less stability for your lower back on heavy squats and deadlifts and the double prong. These can get very fiddly and annoying to get in and out of. 
 

Nylon belt 

 
Nylon belts are a great option if you only want little support and still want to move fast. This makes it an ideal option for CrossFit athletes who want to use a belt to minimize fatigue rather than maximizing your one repetition maximum. The big advantages of Nylon belts are that they are lighter and more flexible than their leathery brothers and sisters. The downside is that they provide less stability.
 

Velcro belt 

 
Avoid Velcro belts for sports performance. They are good for rehab but not for pushing yourself in competition or training. 

Topics: Powerlifting