What powerlifting belt to buy

If you want to train heavy, buy a proper leather belt in the range of $100 to $150. If you just want some little extra support because you are stiff or overweight a Nylon belt will do.

What is your why

Before we go into the details of which powerlifting belt to buy, 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 success. The better the answers to these the more likely you are to succeed. Research shows that people who write down their goals and reflect on them are more likely to achieve them. So get a pen and paper and start thinking. Most people approach their lives this way:

What do I want
How do I get it
Why do I want it

This is a good way to get absolutely mad. What you want changes hundreds of times a day. If you make this the center of attention you will spread your resources thin and scatter your time between too many activities. Something interesting happens when you flip the order of these questions on their head:

Why do you want something
How do you get it
What needs to be done

This way your innermost desires will take center stage. Your thought and actions will become more connected and success will spring from it. 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.

It all starts with being more effective with your time. The best tool I have found for this is the self journal from best self.

Powerlifting

Powerlifting is the sport of the total. Your total is calculated from three lifts. These three lifts are the bench press, squat, and deadlift. For each lift, you get three attempts. The best attempt for each lift gets totaled for your result. Based on these combined numbers you will be ranked against your competitors. You must have at least one good latte or per lift to qualify.

A big difference to Lifting in the gym is that you get judged. Three referees look at how you perform the lifts. Two out of three have to agree that they were executed according to the rules of your federation.

Most powerlifting associations allow belts which have to follow their specifications and most competitors wear them to improve their performance.

Why use a powerlifting belt

A powerlifting belt adds stability to your spine and gives your abs something to press against. In total, a lifting belt makes your midsection more rigid and therefore enables you to lift more weight safer. The only downside to this is that you are more likely to get a hernia when you to start to scale as you rely on the belt.

Lever belt

A lever belt is probably your the best option for your personal powerlifting needs. A lever belt enables you to quickly tighten and untighten the belt between sets and attempts. The lever mechanism makes this process the easiest among many options.

Lever belts are usually made of rigid 13mm leather and are at the top of each weightlifting belt portfolio. You will not go wrong for this belt for powerlifting for personal use.

Single prong belt

Slightly more budget friendly is good leather single prong belt. This is the better option when you need to share the belt or want to get one for your gym. A single prong belt is easy to get on and off and still very sturdy.

Double Prong belt

A double prong belt is usually not as wide as the lever belt or the single prong. This can be good when you are a smaller lifter or want to use the belt for weightlifting. This gives you more flexibility around your core. The downside with the double prong belt is that you have to loop both prongs each time which can get rather annoying.

Nylon belt

Nylon belts are not necessarily ideal for one repetition maximum attempts. The be edits of Bülow belts are that they are cheap, easier on your skin and very easy to get on and off.

This makes Nylon belts a great option for Crossfitters who have to face a long WOD involving the barbell.

The downside to these belts is that they break easier and do not offer as much support.