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:
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:
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What do I want
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How do I get it
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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:
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.