Powerlifting is one of the most effective ways to build strength and improve your conditioning. Benching, squatting, and deadlifting are the three best compound movements out there, and then there are the assistance movements. Finding the best powerlifting belt for your needs is crucial, and the aim of this article is to find the right one for you.
This article will review 8 of the best powerlifting belts that are currently available to buy. We will cover a range of belts that will vary in price to suit all budgets.
If you are just starting out, you may want to consider purchasing a lower priced belt. Then you can look for a more top of the range model once you have found out what you like and dislike about belts.
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Best Powerlifting Belts
- Harbinger Nylon Lifting Belt – Best for beginners
- Mytra Fusion Leather Powerlifting Belt – Best for stability during a lift
- Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt 10mm – Best for experienced lifters
- Lifting Large Powerlifting Belt 10mm – Best for support
- Dominion Strength Training Leather Belt – Best for comfort
- Dark Iron Fitness Belt – Best for value for money
- Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt – Best for dynamic exercise
- Spud Inc Men’s Deadlift Belt – Best for day to day lifting
Reviews – 8 Best Powerlifting Belts
In this section we will give a review of each powerlifting belt on our list and lay out the pros and cons for each. Later, we will look into what exactly makes a good powerlifting belt.
1. Harbinger Nylon Lifting Belt
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The Harbinger lifting belt is not only an excellent economical choice, but also a great lifting belt in its own right. Coming in four sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large), this belt can be used by anyone. But it is perfect for beginners.
Considering the price, you may be surprised at just how durable the Harbinger nylon lifting belt is. Sure, there are better belts on this list. But if you are just starting out, the idea of investing quite a bit of cash on a belt may be intimidating.
This belt is ideal for that scenario. This is the Best powerlifting belt for beginners and should last you for years. An excellent first purchase for the gym.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Durable
- Excellent stability while you lift
Cons:
- The Velcro may begin to fade with time
- Not as good a fit as some other belts on this list
2. Mytra Fusion Leather Powerlifting Belt
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One of the first things that you notice when you get this belt, is the beautiful cowhide leather. It is a gorgeous belt, and it just happens to also be an amazingly effective belt for powerlifting.
This belt uses a locking system rather than the traditional buckle. Meaning that once you have adjusted it for your waist, it will stay in that size. You just lock and unlock it to take it on or off. The belt is strong. It can withstand any pressure during a lift.
There have been a few issues with the leather peeling a bit over time, and the screw used to adjust the belt needing to be replaced. But these are minor issues that do not affect how the belt works while you lift which is the most important thing.
This is the Best powerlifting belt for stability during a lift and it is also very competitively priced.
Pros:
- Comfortable to wear
- Locking system means you do not have to keep adjusting it
- Lovely material
Cons:
- Not suitable for vegans!
- A few minor quality control issues
3. Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt 10mm
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The Inzer Advance powerlifting belt is a seriously good piece of kit. Made in the USA, and a life-time guarantee, this belt will never need to be replaced (provided you avoid setting it on fire or running it over with your car).
The belt has a 10mm thickness and is 4 inches wide. It uses a locking system just like the Mytra Fusion powerlifting belt. The Inzer belt is not as affordable as the Mytra. But then again, the Inzer is a step up in class.
This is the Best powerlifting belt for experienced lifters. The amount of pressure it can create/withstand during a lift is crazy. You may be surprised just how heavy it is when you take it out of the box. But this should reassure you of its durability and quality of components.
If you are squatting or deadlifting very heavy weights, then this really is the powerlifting belt for you.
Pros:
- Amazing durability
- High quality locking system
- Excellent fit
Cons:
- Expensive
4. Lifting Large Powerlifting Belt 10mm
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This is the first belt on the list that uses a traditional buckle rather than Velcro or a locking system. So, for those of you who like their belts to close classically, this is the belt for you. Of course, there are many serious reasons to consider this belt.
It is well stitched, it is IBF approved, and is excellent value for money. It is exceptionally durable. Expect this belt to stay with you for years to come! It shares several similarities as the Mytra Fusion belt. Both are leather, both are good quality, and both are ideal for an intermediate lifter.
If you have been lifting for a couple of years and want something a little more supportive and heavy duty than your reliable Harbinger belt. Then this is the belt you may want to consider. This is the Best powerlifting belt for support.
The only thing you might want to consider is whether you prefer a single prong or double prong buckle. Most lifters prefer double prong, but not everyone is the same. This belt is single prong, so bear that in mind.
Pros:
- Durable
- High quality materials
- Nice thickness and width
Cons:
- Uses a single prong rather than double prong buckle*
*This is only a con if you dislike single prongs
CHECK CURRENT PRICE5. Dominion Strength Training Leather Belt
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If somebody asked you to picture a powerlifting belt in your mind, then the Dominion Strength Training belt would be the first thing you thought of. It looks exactly like a powerlifting belt should. A black belt with a tan leather outline.
This belt is another long-lasting and durable piece of equipment. It may require a decent investment upfront. But provided that you avoid losing it, this belt should last you decades.
While the belt is one of the sturdiest on this list, the main attraction is comfort. This is by far the Best powerlifting belt for comfort with soft suede on the inside of the belt. It fits very well and feels like you have been wearing it in for years from day one!
Pros:
- Looks amazing
- Most comfortable belt on this list
- Durable and sturdy
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
6. Dark Iron Fitness Belt
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Compared to many other belts on this list, the powerlifting belt from Dark Iron Fitness is incredible value for money.
This belt is slightly rougher than the more expensive products. But don’t let that fool you. It is still a fantastic product.
Offering five different sizes, ranging from extra small to extra large, the belt is designed to be the ideal thickness and width to provide support without detracting from comfort and function. It uses a double pronged buckle and double stitching to provide maximal durability.
The belt promises an average increase of 10% weight lifted when compared to no-belt. It has also been stress tested up to 600lbs without breaking. So, you don’t have to worry about your one-rep max leading to any damage.
This is one of the most popular belts around, as it successfully combines an affordable price with high quality and durability. This is the Best powerlifting belt for value for money.
Pros:
- Double pronged buckle and double stitching for increased durability
- Excellent value for money
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Can look a little rough out the box
7. Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
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There is a lot to love about the self-locking weight lifting belt by Element 26, it is very popular in the CrossFit community, and many powerlifters enjoy it too. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the price.
While prices vary according to size, the Element 26 self-locking weight lifting belt is extremely cost-effective. You get excellent value for money here. It is very well made, and because it does not use leather, the price is able to stay low.
You get even more comfort than you would with a leather belt, and yet intra-abdominal pressure is able to be maintained just as easily. This belt was worn by Brad Klitz who broke the world record for heaviest deadlift in the 60-64 age category.
Thanks to the design of this belt, it is ideal for Olympic lifting and CrossFit style workouts, while still being great for powerlifting. This is the Best powerlifting belt for dynamic exercise.
Pros:
- Excellent price
- Can withstand the heaviest deadlifts
- Does not affect your mobility
Cons:
- Some people find the belt a little thin
8. Spud Inc Men’s Deadlift Belt
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Our final belt is the Spud Inc. Men’s deadlift belt, it is one of the most popular powerlifting belts in the powerlifting community. The belt can be bought in two thicknesses, 2 ply or 3 ply, which means that you can pick the right thickness to suit your needs.
The belt uses industrial strength Velcro, so it will never open mid lift, it is also ridiculously comfortable. This is a heavy duty belt that can withstand any workout and will last for years.
As the manufacturers would point out, the belt is as durable as almost any leather belt, and much more so than most Velcro belts. So, it really does justify the price.
This is the Best powerlifting belt for day to day lifting and should last you a long time. You may want a more durable belt once you start entering competitions though.
Pros:
- Well made
- Excellent price
- Choice of thickness
- Does not hinder mobility
Cons:
- Velcro does wear out over time
Buying Guide – How To Choose the Best Powerlifting Belt?
There are several things that you should be looking out for when purchasing a powerlifting belt. The first thing you should consider is what your budget is, and how long you want the belt to last. The eight powerlifting belts that we have looked at so far, are all known for their longevity. But there are still going to be some that last longer than others.
The Inzer Advance will probably outlast human civilization! Whereas the lower-priced offerings such as Spud Inc Men’s Deadlift Belt and Harbinger Nylon Lifting Belt may well last you years but are certainly shorter-term options. What you need to decide is whether you want to invest in a belt that will last you a lifetime, or invest in a cheaper belt that will still last for some time and then purchase a more expensive item further down the line.
Our opinion is that people who are brand new to lifting should probably consider lower-priced belts. While more experienced lifters should purchase a belt that will last them the rest of their lifting life.
Velcro vs Buckle vs Locking System
Another choice to make is whether you go for Velcro, a traditional one or two-pronged buckle, or you use a locking system. All three have their upsides and downsides. Velcro is usually found on cheaper belts, so can save you money. It is also easier to get the exact right fit with Velcro.
Many lifters find Velcro belts more comfortable too. However, Velcro can degrade over time, and there is a greater risk of the belt becoming undone while you are straining to lock out on a deadlift.
Buckles are simple to use, very trustworthy, and they can be found at every price point. Buckles are often more secure than Velcro, and easier to adjust than a locking system. However, it can be a pain to keep unbuckling and re-buckling the belt between sets. Buckles are also more prone to breaking, particularly in cheaper belts.
Finally, you have the locking system that more and more belts are utilising. Locking systems are great if you want to take the belt on and off between sets, as you do not have to keep re-adjusting. However, if you want to share a belt with your lifting buddy, you better hope that they are the exact same size as you! Locking systems are the most secure of the three, but they also take the most time to set up.
Belt Thickness
Some powerlifting belts offer differing thicknesses, which have their own positives and negatives. A thicker belt will help to increase abdominal pressure while you lift. They increase stability, and will also increase the durability.
However, a thicker belt can be less comfortable. It can also reduce your mobility. Thicker belts may suit deadlifting and squatting, while thinner belts may help with more dynamic exercises. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. If you are starting out, it may be an idea to try both thicknesses to find out which suits you.
Width
Most powerlifting belts are 4 inches wide, but there are some belts that can be wider. We have seen belts that are 6 inches and more. As with thickness, belt width can impact durability, stability, and mobility. But the differences are less pronounced. Again, this mostly comes down to personal preference.
Leather vs Synthetic
A decade ago, leather belts were associated with high quality while synthetic belts were seen as low quality. This was often more perception than experience though. There have always been leather belts that are poor quality. Recently, there has been a huge upsurge in high quality synthetic belts. Harbinger, Element 26, and several other belts are leading the charge.
If you are vegan, then obviously a synthetic belt is the only way to go. Other than that, it doesn’t really matter whether you go leather or synthetic. Both have some seriously good belts, and some poor ones.
Conclusion
If we had to pick a favourite belt, then we’d struggle to choose between Element 26 and Inzer Advance. Out of the two, Inzer Advance is higher in quality and is superior. However, Element 26 is almost unbeatable when it comes to mobility. It really comes down to what you want out of your belt.
Remember, when measuring yourself to find which belt you want, you need to measure around your abdomen (use your belly button as a guide), rather than using your waist measurement. Because that is where the belt goes!
