Best Weight lifting belt India + Powerlifting leather lever belt in India to keep your spine happy!
Back in the day when I used to visit the local gym they had one or two back support weight lifting belts.
I believe it was aurion gym belt. It was a leather gym belt but, as with all leather, it was worn out.
And many gym bros will simply misguide the newbies like me saying that it is for the weak. Strong people do not use weight-lifting belts. Lol.
🎯 Why that belt was worn out? Who uses this leather lever belt?
Answer below!
But do you need it?🤔
Now I knew why and how to use a weight-lifting belt for strength training, then I realized I could have supported my back more with a weight-lifting belt and do my workout more safely.
If safety is your priority, then you should consider a power rack and a weight-lifting belt.
Here I would like to present a list of the best weight-lifting belts in India. In India, weight-lifting belts are more commonly known as gym belts.
Some popular manufacturers are USI, Aurion, NIVIA, KOBO etc. Apart from leather, there are also gym belts that are made of rubber and polyester.
Top List Of Best Power Lifting Belts, India
| Weightlifting Belts | Best Use Cases |
| USI gym belt – Powerlifting – 790PLH | Professional gym belt |
| Kobo WTB-08 Leather Power Lifting Lever Belt | Professional gym belt |
| Kobo WTB-05 Leather Power Weight Lifting Belt | Overall Gym Training |
| MuscleXP Leather Weight Lifting Gym Belt |
Budget gym belt for home use
|
| Aurion Genuine Leather Pro Weight Lifting Belt | Good substitute of lever lifting belts |
| XTRIM Weightlifting Gym Belt | Decent low-cost Gym belt |
| NIVIA Gym belt |
Only for recreational purposes
|
| Amazon Basics Weight Lifting Belt India | Beginner gym belt |
Are these gem belts costly? Price comparison chart of Gym belts India, 2023
Is a weightlifting belt worth it?
A weightlifting belt can be a great investment for those looking to improve their performance in the gym.
It reduces stress on the lower back, prevents back hyperextension during overhead lifts, and can even improve your performance on key lifts like the squat and deadlift.
The belt is designed to increase intra-abdominal pressure, which acts as a brace for your spine and helps you lift heavier weights without risking injury.
🗓️ This 1992 study done on 8 male subjects confirms that a weight-lifting belt stabilizes the trunk and can reduce the shrinkage on the spine.
Furthermore, it can also help with maintaining proper posture and form when lifting heavy weights.
If you’re serious about becoming stronger, then a weightlifting belt may be worth investing in.
However, make sure that you use it properly and don’t use it as a crutch, as this could lead to unnecessary injuries.
🗨️ Why wear a weight lifting belt?
The core weight lifting belt benefit is that it will keep your spine braced, and it might help you with improving your performance during weight training.
Especially heavy spine bearing load like in squats.
This 2001 study tells that the lifting belts have been shown to increase speed and power during heavy squats.
🏋️Are weight-lifting belts necessary?
If you are doing all machine work or using dumbbell workouts or dumbbell conditioning, then a belt is useless for you.
But if you are doing your 1 rep max with more than your body weight, say 1.5x of your body weight, then a gym belt is necessary.
To be honest, if you are not a pro or gonna be a pro then you do not need weight-lifting belts.
But wear a gym belt then.
Also, if you are a newbie and want to start lifting heavy then you can use a low-cost weight training belt to learn how to brace your core for those heavy lifts.
What does a weightlifting belt help with?
A weight lifting belt works by increasing your intra-abdominal pressure, so your spine stays safe when you are lifting heavy.
In another study done in 1992, May tells us that IAP (intra-abdominal pressure) increased by 25%-40% if compared with without belt scenario.
This bracing of your core gives your nimble spine some rigidness and some stability.
This creates enough tension in your core to lift weights 1.5-2x or even more.
A weight lifting belt should help you with lifts like squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, clean, jerk, and clean and press.
Do weight-lifting belts help lift more?
Well, these belts will not help you lift more weight, but you can lift weight safely with them.
Thus, only for this reason, I would recommend gym belts to home gym users. Maybe they can do some more lifts with one.
Now, wearing a lifting belt is not bad, but it will feel weird. And if you are a new lifter then it could be better if you are using your core more, not relying on other supportive items.
Can weight-lifting belts make you stronger?
Well
Which is the Best brand for weightlifting belts in India?
As far as I can see USI and KOBO makes the best weight-lifting belt in India.
They have tons of options, they have a lever, prong, and velcro options as well.
the best Powerlifting and weightlifting belts India [Review]
USI gym belt – Powerlifting – 790PLH
Our Rating: 10/10
Top Use Case: Professional gym belt
This is a very tough product, even can be used in a commercial gym.
An usi gym belt that you can treasure for a long time.
And as you can understand the breaking period will be longer, but I am sure you will be 100% safer.
Positives of 790PLH
- Professional build quality and can be used for competition.
- A double prong with a belt-like buckling system ensures that the belt is not hanging out.
- There is a light version, a heavy version, and a Tiranga version available of this belt.
- The light model is 6 mm thick and this heavy version is 11 mm thick.
- This heavy version, sturdy and will last for a lifetime. You will find it hard to break in as well.
- I love USI products in general and this belt also beef up their quality once again.
- It will increase your confidence as well—the feel on your core is assuring that nothing will go wrong with your PR attempts.
- If you are lifting heavy in your home gym, then this is a must-have security gym equipment that you should have.
Negatives of 790PLH
- Needs time for break-in!
Why Should you buy this!
A 10mm thick leather-made, professional quality powerlifting belt in India. If this line makes your heart beat a little faster, than get this gym belt without a second thought. Unless your budget does not permit this.
USI gym belt heavy 790PLH is made of strong leather, double stitched, and really gives you a sense of security and durability.
This usi gym belt is quite rigid and may leave rashes on your belly at first. And that rigidity will give you extra confidence that your back is safe.
USI themselves mention this is for powerlifting, mainly the lifts like squats, and deadlifts. You can wear it when doing other workouts also.
A main use of a gym belt is to allow you to brace your core so that your lower back is safe. And this belt gets 10/10 marks on that.
There are some issues with correct sizing, but I would say always measure around your naval.
It is a not regular belt. If your waist size is 36 then you can go for M and if your waist size is around 30 then got for S. And also check for the entire length of this USI gym belt while buying.
Top Features of
- An amazing collection-worthy custom weight lifting belt in India.
- 10 mm thickness with 100 mm width. Complete back support while doing powerlifting.
- Non-slip leather so that it sticks to your body for optimum support.
- Comes with closed gap hook holes for best fit.
- Heavy-duty material used with nylon thread.
- Strong material that does not buckle.
- Since this one is a premium usi gym belt – the cost is higher and the material is also better than other usi gym belts.
[If you have a patriotic bone in your body you might want to try the tricolor version]
The USI Tiranga powerlifting belt is an amazing gym belt.
This is a limited-edition powerlifting belt in India. It is a tricolor like our own national flag.
Being a patriotic person, I could not ignore it at all. Here it is, in its all glory. Apart from the tricolor, it is also made as an Indian product.
And just not the color, it is a beast when it comes to back support weight lifting belts for powerlifting.
Kobo WTB-08 Leather Lever Lifting Belt
Our Rating: 10/10
Top Use Case: Professional gym belt with lever buckle
KOBO WTB-08 leather belt is a premium-looking sturdy leather belt that has a lever buckling system.
You will never struggle to buckle up this belt and delay your 1 rep max anymore.
Just shut the lever and you are ready to crush the weight.
Positives of WTB-08
- The lever is the star of the show here, just set it up once with a screwdriver and it will work as expected.
- This is a thick leather belt of 8 mm—10 mm and 4 mm width that will suit your powerlifting style. O..heavy squats, I do not fear you anymore!
- Indian powerlifting federation approved specifications. So can be used in competitions.
- Creates good bracing and abdominal pressure so your spine and back are safe.
- The lever belt is straight, so powerlifters and bodybuilders can use it. This design also has one logo of KOBO thus the appearance is very pleasing and professional.
- This is a thin belt, so it is very rigid, be sure to roll it to make it suitable. The heavy-duty stitches are what hold the belt together. And this gym belt will surely be usable for years to come.
- It has a faux leather lining inside, so it does slip from your mid-lift. Thus, the belt remains comfortable and usable in the long run.
Negatives of WTB-08
- Once setup – only you can use this lever belt. Unless you want to unscrew the steel lever.
- The cost is high enough to stop simple home gym owners. This belt often does not aim to home gym owners as well.
Why Should you buy this?
If you do weightlifting competitions, and regularly lift 1.5X of your body weight then you should get this leather belt. This lever system is made from steel thus it will keep you company for a long time.
While the break-in period is long but it tells me that this weight-lifting belt is here to stay.
Unless it gets stolen, you can easily workout with it for 10 years! and do the heavy lifting all the way!
Top Features of
- Awesome lever locking system that snaps in.
- A double-stitched leather belt that is rigid and thick at 10 mm.
- Professional level competition belt.
- Reasonably priced.
- Steel lever buckling system.
Kobo WTB-05 Leather Power Weight Lifting Belt
Our Rating: 9/10
Top Use Case: Overall Gym Training
If you want something not so pro level but yet reliable then KOBO has your back.
This is the WTB-05 leather belt with a double-prong buckle.
You can use this for your powerlifting sessions where it can provide your great support to your lower back during deadlifts, squats etc.
Positives of WTB-05
- This kobo gym belt is 10 mm thick and 4 mm wide. The solid material and build of this gym belt make it really easy to go heavy on all exercises without any worries.
- Indian powerlifting federation approved specifications.
- There are no soft pads on the back and the strong leather may leave some mark on your skin, but that is worth the strength you can gain with this gym belt.
- Generally, the size runs a little short, you might have to buy and return 2 times to get the size right.
- Some might complain that the leather-made kobo gym belt is too hard, well it is meant to be. It will soften a bit with repeated usage, but it is meant to be hard.
- The width is standard 4 inches and the thickness is 10 mm.
- The double prong system is not fast but is steel solid—it will not go anywhere from your waist.
- Suede leather on both sides helps with positioning the belt and does not slip.
- People using this belt are really happy, It is a value-for-money gym support equipment that you can buy!
Negatives of WTB-05
- The brand name covers the entire back, many do not like this.
Why Should you buy this?
This kobo gym belt is my second-best choice after the USI gym belt if I am thinking of belts under 3k. It is also a 10 mm thick weight-lifting belt.
Looks and feels really durable, this kobo gym belt is lower priced than the no 1 weight lifting belt in India but still a great choice for serious weight lifters.
The belt quality, durability easily makes it one of the best gym lifting belt in India.
Top Features
- Double-prong steel buckle.
- Rigid leather made 10 mm thick and 4 inches wide weightlifting belt.
- Has minimal branding.
- Wide range of sizes from Small (22″-29″), Medium (24″-33″), Large (27″-37″), X-Large (33″-43″)
MuscleXP Leather Weight Lifting Gym Belt, Black
Our Rating: 7/10
Top Use Case: Overall Gym Training
If you are after a weightlifting belt and want the tapered design then this MuslceXP belt is suitable for beginners.
This is not costly and works pretty well!
I can imagine being a beginner lifting and wanting to scale your weight but being unable to since you fear injury.
But this leather lifting belt will solve it all.
Positives of MuscleXP gym belt
- Leather construction and available in different sizes.
- It is a double-prong buckle, so it will be a very tight fit.
- It has many adjustment options, so you can adjust as per your waist.
- The wide back will help your low back and the thin front belt will not get in your way when you are doing squat clean.
- The buckle seems to be made from metal, but it can get rust, I assume.
- If you are just starting out, you can easily use this belt for cross-training. It will not hamper your range of motion in any way.
- This belt for budget seekers will help newbies to get into correct position and can work as a squat belt to teach you the techniques.
Negatives of MuscleXP gym belt
- Some people complain about rust – in this case I think a local cobbler can source you with a double prong buckle?
Why Should you buy this?
If you are a budding weight lifter then this budget leather belt is suitable for you. It should be easy to break in and use this belt whenever you want to do some cleans, jerks etc.
Aurion Genuine Leather WeightLifting Belt for Men and Women
Our Rating: 10/10
Top Use Case: You will not miss lever lifting belts
Positives of Aurion Leather belt
- Double stitched genuine leather, this is a hard leather that will take some time to break in. I am sure you will have fun doing it.
- It seems to have layers of suede at the back, so it tries to be comfortable to your skin.
- Since the Indian powerlifting federation approves the specifications used in this belt design, you can do competitions too.
- Dual prong design made with alloy steel. This ensures that you get a good fit and no rust on the buckles.
- There is a 4 mm leather thickness with 4 inches of width. Inside the leather belt, there is some foam padding for your back.
- Under 1k INR this is the most durable leather belt with a double-prong system that you can buy!
- The colors of Aurion gym belt are awesome and nothing looks cheap. All of their variants are premium-looking and classy.
Negatives of Aurion Leather belt
- The thickness could have been better. The 4 mm thickness is good for beginners, but for serious weight lifters, they should consider around 10 or 13-millimeter belt.
Why Should you buy this!
Aurion gym belt is a budget leather gym belt in India. And Aurion gym belt is one of the best gym belt in sub-1000 INR range. This weight-lifting belt is 4 inch wide, thickness is around 6m only.
Aurion gym belt is a budget weight-lifting belt in India.
It is not very thick, nor made of actual leather. This gym belt manufacturer made this with artificial leather.
Like with all other gym belts, there are some issues with proper waist size, generally for Aurion gym belt xl size will fit a waist size 34.
Since this aurion weight-lifting belt is made of artificial leather it is available in leather looking at multiple colors like grey, maroon etc.
Aurion gym belt could be a good choice for people working out at home with their budget power cage gym.
What I think!
Aurion weight lifter belt works magic on your core when lifting heavy!
Weight belts are an all-around weightlifting belts. Sturdy and strong, made of genuine leather with steel clips.
You will feel safe under heavy loads
They have multiple colors available as well.
I might go with olive green or maroon for myself!
Specially designed for maximum stability. A perfect addition to an efficient weightlifting routine.
XTRIM Weightlifting Gym Belt with Double Metal Prong For Fitness Workout
Our Rating: 9/10
Top Use Case: Decent Low-cost gym belt
Positives of Xtrim Belt
- Made from real leather with 4 inches width and 8 mm thickness.
- Double stitched and have some softness to it for your back support.
- The buckle is made with double prongs so they fit really well.
- Once fit, the belt does not slip, it has a good fit.
- Many intermediate lifters use this belt for practice. It works well and is somewhat soft so easy to break in.
- Budget users are often surprised to see the quality and suggest buying this Xtrim belt at a low cost while they are practicing.
Negatives of Xtrim Belt
- Some people found some rust on the buckles.
Why Should you buy this!
The thickness of Xtrim belt is 8mm and it perfectly fits the mid-range of weight-lifting belts in India.
If you are wearing this belt then you must be hitting 100 kg in squats – not for professional powerlifters but for fitness enthusiasts, this would do.
Many do recommend this gym belt in India over than kobo gym belt or USI gym belt as they did not like the thickness of 10mm.
And keep in mind you might need a power rack o/ Smith machine or an adjustable gym bench.
What I think!
The XTRIM weightlifting gym belt is made from leather and has a shiny finish to it. It is available in three colors and the 8 mm thick belt is great to use for heavy lifts.
NIVIA Gym belt – Nylon Made – Freesize
Our Rating: 5/10
Top Use Case: Only for recreational purposes
Positives of NIVIA Belt
- This is really low cost, thus in your home gym you can use it to learn to breathe and brace.
- The tapered design is also good for learning Olympic lifts in it.
- And the back side is around 8 inch tall so it will cover your entire lumbar back and provide support.
Negatives of NIVIA Belt
- Do not do any heavy lifts! But use for learning only.
Why Should you buy this!
The thickness of Xtrim belt is 8mm and it perfectly fits the mid-range of weight-lifting belts in India.
If you are wearing this belt then you must be hitting 100 kg in squats – not for professional powerlifters but for fitness enthusiasts, this would do.
Many do recommend this gym belt in India over than kobo gym belt or USI gym belt as they did not like the thickness of 10mm.
And keep in mind you might need a power rack o/ Smith machine or an adjustable gym bench.
What I think!
If you just want a belt to hone your skills at bracing techniques and breathing then this low-cost Nivia belt is for you!
Amazon Basics Weight Lifting Belt India
Our Rating: 5/10
Top Use Case: Beginner focused
Positives of Amazon Basics Belt
- Made with PU leather and microfiber, this is a decent gym belt for beginners.
- Since it is a tapered belt, you can use it for an Olympic lift without any obstruction.
- The front is 4 inches wide, and the back is 6 inches wide, covering your lumber area.
- Has a double-prong system to make your fit tight and stable.
- A key feature of this gym belt would be the huge back support, it is wide enough to provide comfort (padded). This weight-lifting belt is Ideal for bodybuilding and home gym users. 115 by 15.2 by 0.76 cm (LxWxH; large) with 1 year warranty.
Negatives of Amazon Basics Belt
- Be careful, since it is a PU belt. It might break easily, so I would not try to soften it up! Definately not for heavy loads.
Why Should you buy this!
A 6 inch Amazon basics branded weight lifting belt anyone? At a glance a 6 inch gym belt is not for pro level powerlifting.
But it is tremendously suited for gym lovers who would want to push a little more into their PR of squats and deadlifts.
But don’t get your hopes up, not leather made, it is made of faux leather. But still durable.
There are mixed reviews for this gym belt, for some it is comfortable and for some, it is not.
I was quite surprised to see this brand selling gym belts, as well as hex dumbell sets.
Should you really get a custom weight training belt?
Personalized Weightlifting Belts look nice but if the underneath material or the raw material of the fitness belts is shi*t then the belt is shi*t too.
But if you happen to meet a supplier of lever gym belt or double-prong power belts who can customise them for you, then go for them.
If KOBO tells me that they can customize their level lifting belts – then I would make them an anime gym belt for me.
What Are the Benefits of Weightlifting Belts and do You Need One?
- The no 1 gym belt use is to reduce overall stress on your lower back and spine. Doing really heavy deadlifts like 100 kgs+ (1x,1.5x of your body weight) then you put your spine and lower back in danger. A gym belt helps you brace your core better and take the load off your spine better.
- Secondly, we tend to bend forward or tilt at a side, with a belt around your belly you are more conscious.
And a gym belt helps us reduce unnecessary flexions thus making us use our legs more.
- And another advantage of wearing a gym belt is that it will reduce your chances of hyperextension if you are doing heavy overhead lifts.
- Gym belts might even help you to increase your bar movement speed.
- A tight belt around your core might keep your core muscles warm for long sessions.
- Another reason or advantage of gym belts is that you naturally feel more confident. If I am about to list 1.5x my body weight, I would love some safety so that I do not wreck my spine.
- And saying this above, I would like to tell you that if you are a beginner and not lifting heavy then if you wear the gym belt then it will have some negative effect on you.
Wearing the gym belt all the time will make you dependent on them.As a result, your core will be weaker.
Now please understand that a gym belt does not make your core weak, your dependency on the belt for everything will make your core muscles weak.
Either you are using your core muscles or losing them. Use it or lost it, folks.
A weak core will hinder your all other lifts as well.
How to choose the Right weight lifting belt for You!
When choosing a gym belt for yourself, you have plenty of options.
But what are the key parameters that make the best gym belt?
Don’t worry, here are the criteria that you should use to judge if a belt is right for you.
[Heavy lifters should always go with leather belts.]
The cheapest belt is often made with bad quality leather, thus you should be above them. Generally, a 13 mm bulky belt is suitable for taller and larger people.
Types of Weight-Lifting Belts in India
- Powerlifting belts/ level belts.
Powerlifting belt standards
The buckle must be made with a lever or prong.
Max thickness 13 mm (10 mm belts are common in India)
No foam padding on the belt.
Max width 10mm
- Tapered Belt
Most 8mm thick, 4 inch wide belts – are mostly used by Olympic weight lifters. Strongman belts - Weight lifting belts
[You can use any type of belt with any lift, there are no rules. But buy what you need, otherwise, you will overspend.]
Usages of the belt while lifting
Heavy lifts = leather belts.
Crossfit/Recreational lifting = nylon belts
Weight lifting belt vs powerlifting belt
There is a tapered belt that has wide support at the back, but it is thinner at the front.
The taper belts are around 6 inches wide at the back and 3-4 inches wide at the front.
So if you are doing cleans and jerks at home, you should get a tapered leather belt rather than a powerlifting belt.
If you do snatches, clean, push jerk, etc regularly and want to excel in Oly lifts, get a Tapered leather belt.
If you are powerlifting focusing on heavy overhead presses, deadlifts, and squats then get a powerlifting belt.
If you are just lifting weight for fun and not looking to excel with 1.5x or more of your body weight, then a nylon belt is fine!
Material
By the material used, these are the weight-lifting belts in India
- Full leather, like our USI gym belt.
- Faux leather like the Amazon gym belt.
- Nylon gym belt like the Nivia gym belt.
Generally, belts are made from either leather or nylon.
Leather is the preferred material for serious lifters because it provides superior support and won’t stretch over time.
Nylon is more affordable and can be adjusted for a specific fit. It’s also lightweight and flexible, making it better suited for lighter lifters who aren’t looking for maximum support.
I find Nylon belts are good for recreation Olympic lifts – however, this is my personal opinions. Hardcore Olympic lifters always tend to use leather belts.
When choosing between these two materials, it’s important to consider your own needs and preferences.
Consider how much support you’ll need, how often you plan to use the belt, and the amount of money you’re willing to spend in order to make sure you get the right belt for your lifting goals.
Material-wise, while both the powerlifting and weightlifting belt are made using leather, often the weightlifting belt is more flexible.
Design: Tapered or Straight
I might be repeating myself, but here we go again! — Tapered belts are best for weight lifters doing dynamic lifts like snatch, squat clean, and more.
They need the tapered design because the small front side will help you move better.
With tapered gym lifting belts, the range of motion is not compromised at all.
For example, a squat clean involves squatting to depth and then a triple extension and a clean.
With a straight belt, squatting deep and moving fast will be uncomfortable and tough.
Straight belts are mostly suitable for anything other than Olympic lifts. 🏋️
Powerlifters love straight belt because it provides a circular/360-degree brace around your core.
These straight belts will help you with proper breathing technique and bracing your core during the big lifts.
So what should you get – Leather or Nylon/Neoprene Weight lifting belt?
| Specifications | Leather Belt | Nylon Belt |
|---|---|---|
| Stability and build: | Leather belts are stable and thicker. Thus they have a long lifespan and they never fail. Leather belts are often made with multiple layers of leather or similar stitching. Leather ones are very tough/rigid too and you have to adjust when wearing it. | Nylon/Neoprene belts are not thick and not as stable as a leather gym belt. Nylon gym belts are thicker and have some type of supportive material inside. Nylon gym belts are soft and easy to wear, they have some elasticity. |
| Comfort: | Leather belts are not much comfortable and breathable. | Nylon belts on the other hand are soft and very comfortable. |
| Buckling: | Leather gym belts mostly come in single or double-prong versions. These look like the leather belt for your pants. The buckle, spring etc is made of metal/steel in most cases. | Nylong belts do not have prongs and holes in them. Most of the time they use velcro straps. |
| Usages: | Strongman, powerlifters often pick a leather belt – since they are the ones who lift heavy and need strong core support. | Functional fitness people and crossfit people love Nylon belts, they are flexible and help with dynamic movements. |
What thickness of weight lifting belt to choose from?
Generally, a powerlifting belt will be around 10-13 mm thick, more than 13 mm is not an option because that is not competition level.
However, more thick your leather belt is, the more durable it will be. It will be more rigid as well.
And a thicker belt is not always better.
If you are a big guy with a large waist, then you might be comfortable with a thick gym belt.
But me? Nope. A 10 mm is enough.
Buckle type: Weight lifting belt lever vs prong vs velcro
I really love the lever belt.
You can put on and put on one so easily and quickly.
But you would need to adjust them one time as per your waist.
Lever belts are costly as well, but we want to save time, right?
And you should check if the lever is made from steel—do not buy any other material.
Prong leather belts are durable and offer more stability than any nylon belt out there.
Single-prong belts are somewhat quicker to put on and put off, but not as fast as a lever belt system.
But if you are buying prong-belts, I would urge you to buy a double-prong belt—they seem to be better at providing support and spreading the weight over two steel prongs.
- Most secure = Lever belt
- Fast = Lever belt
- Stronger = Double-Prong>Single-prong
- Good for Olympic lifters = Velcro strap
- Less secure = Velcro strap
How to wear a weightlifting belt?
Now a weight-lifting belt might feel tight but that is what it should be felt.
But do not make it too tight that it makes it difficult for you to move.
And many wonder if the gym belt will hurt their ribs and stomach.
So if your weight lifting belt is hurting you, you should check the size. PS: Avoid foam-based gym belts, these are too thick to move around with.
How to break in a new weight-lifting belt?
If you want to make your life simpler, then take a precaution and buy a 10 mm belt and not the 13 mm model.
The thicker the belts, the longer it will take to break in.
[For the innocent: Breaking in does not imply breaking the belt. It just means making the rigid belt a little softer.]
So how much time it takes to break in a belt?
The more you use the leather belt, the less time it will take to break in.
Quick steps to break in a new gym belt!
- Roll the belt into a small belt with your hands. Make it tight, use your forearm muscles!
- Use the prongs at every hole on the belt.
- Roll it tightly on the ground, 13 mm leather belts see this coming every time.
- An air-based room heater can help the belt loosen up as well. Just heat it up a bit and then do the rolling.
How tight should a belt be?
Wear the belt and If you can get your one finger in then it is probably right. Even when measuring BP, the one-finger rule is maintained.
The Last Rep!
So the bottom line is you do not need a leather belt in your home gym unless you are lifting 1x/1.5x of your body weight.
Heavier loads puts a lot of force on your spine thus if you are lifting that heavy then you should consider a leather gym belt.
Lever or prong, I will leave the choice to you.
And unless you find a good company for custom printed design powerlifting belt till then hold your horses for that anime lifting belt.
Etsy India might have some sellers, but always double-check the quality of the workout belt.
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