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A Comparison of 3 Popular Weightlifting Belts

khan wearing a weightlifting belt

Looking to invest in a new weightlifting belt to keep you safe and help you get under a few more kilos? You’ve come to the right place. Available in a variety of materials and thicknesses, with a wide range of mechanisms and prices, belts have many variables to consider. To make your belt-buying journey easier, we’ve rounded up three of our favorite — and top-selling — belts and listed down their benefits, unique features, and functionalities.

TWL Leather Lever Lifting Belt

weightlifting lever belt

Compared to prong or Velcro belts, the TWL Leather Lever Lifting Belt provides more leverage for you to cinch it tighter around your waist with a single, simple movement. This enables you to focus on lifting instead of fiddling with prongs or buckles.

It’s reliable and easy to use. All you have to do is to set this belt to your size prior to your lifting session, and just cinch it up when you’re ready to hit the barbell.

Screws are used to attach the belt’s stainless steel lever to the actual leather. And, since things like how much water you’ve drank, how much food you’ve eaten recently, the clothes you’re wearing, and even whether or not you’re on your period (if you’re a woman, of course), can affect the diameter of the area just above your hips — where the belt sits — its best to keep a screwdriver in your gym bag at all times. This way, you can adjust its size as needed.

This four-inch-wide belt is made from sturdy premium cowhide leather. With a 10 mm thickness — which is thinner compared to its 13 mm thick conventional counterparts — this gym essential takes less time to break in, while still offering excellent support to protect your back.

Perfect for use when you’re hitting some heavy back squats, looking to PR your deadlift, or protecting your midline during a set of heavy set clean and jerks, the TWL Leather Lever Lifting Belt provides the support and functionality you need to perform at your best.

Built with an adjustable lever position and available in seven different sizes, this product will give you the snug fit you need for maximum support during your lift. Pro tip: When figuring out which size to purchase, suck in the way you would before tightening the belt, then measure just above your hips.

Please take note that this belt is not approved for use in competitions. It could also a bit difficult to take on and off during a metcon. Lever belts are made specifically for low-rep ranges and powerlifting. It’s not intended for workouts like Fran or Diane.

If you’re a powerlifter or an athlete with some serious strength goals in the deadlift and/or squat department, however, this belt may be a great option for you.

TWL Suede Embroidered Leather Lifting Belt

heavy deadlifts

The TWL Suede Embroidered Leather Lifting Belt is constructed from premium suede leather. Although it’s held together by a single prong clasp, which makes it easy to wear and take off, it’s no less secure than double prong belts. Additionally, it’s more manageable to adjust compared to a lever belt.

This belt is four inches wide throughout, offering a maximum surface area for you to brace against during a lift. At 10 mm thick, this weightlifting essential has a wide rep range, so it’s a lot easier to break in compared to its thicker counterparts.

A great option for hitting heavy back or front squats, this leather lifting belt is ideal if you’re working on your clean or looking for something to stabilize your back during a squat snatch. Moreover, unlike lever belts, this one is competition-approved and can be used for powerlifting meets.

While you likely wouldn’t want to take this belt on and off during WODs — because you’ll lose valuable seconds doing so — the single prong means it is doable in a workout that calls for exceptionally heavy weights. Still, because you need to score the prong and tuck the tail-end into the loop, you may prefer a Velcro clasp for everyday functional fitness workouts.

TWL 4 Inch Velcro Weight Lifting Belt

velcro-belt

Made of a sturdy foam core and secured with velcro, the TWL 4 Inch Velcro Weight Lifting Belt is the perhaps most comfortable belt on this list.

The belt spans four inches wide all around and provides sufficient support for your midline. Although it lacks the rigidity of leather belts, this gym essential offers soft-bound edges, for exceptional comfort that’s quite easy to break-in.

To securely put it on, wrap the belt around your waist, pull the Velcro through a metal loop, tug it tight, and then fold the Velcro.

Comfortable and a breeze to put on, this belt is ideal for functional fitness athletes. While most belts aren’t supposed to be used in every exercise — because you want to make sure your abdominal muscles build strength normally as you progress with your workout — this belt is an exception. Its features make it a great accessory to use all throughout your exercise.

With eight sizes ranging from XXS to 3XL, this belt will fit most lifters.

Want to keep browsing? Check out our other belt options.

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The Ultimate Guide to Belts

You’ve probably seen people walking around the gym wearing belts. You might not understand, however, what they do, if you need one, and if so, what kind you need. Let’s explore.

What are Belts For?

Belts are used to stabilize the core in those more risky positions we put our back in. Belts almost act as a second ribcage, protecting you where there is no bone. Belts also help you because when you wear one and execute a heavy lift, you actively push your stomach against the belt. This makes your whole core more stable and engaged.

While some people are on the fence about whether or not to use belts, most coaches recommend having one on hand “just in case.”

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Arguably, it’s ideal to train at weights that are reasonable and only lift what your core can support. This is the absolute truth when it comes to the first year or two of training. Eventually, though, regardless of an athlete’s level of fitness, the day comes when you realize your back is particularly fatigued or sore. Or, if you’re maxing out a lift, you want to get as much out of it as possible. That’s where a belt comes in.

As a preventive measure, most athletes, including functional fitness athletes, powerlifters, and Olympic weightlifters, use a belt to help them through the movement safely. Deadlifts and squats are the biggest culprits. We also see them on cleans, sometimes on overhead press movements, and even snatches.

How and when you intend to use a belt will determine the right model for you. If you want to use a belt for a WOD but won’t need it for all of the movements, you need a belt that’s easy to remove and fasten.

If you’re an Olympic weightlifter or powerlifter, you need something secure and sturdy that won’t budge an inch.

But let’s back up a minute. To start, belts are made of one of two materials.

Materials

Fabric

crossfit belt

Fabric belts are light, flexible, and sturdy. They are popular starter belts because of their versatility and affordability. The material makes it more comfortable for functional movements. Fabric belts also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are designed with mobility in mind, making them even more comfortable for WOD situations.

Modern fabric belts fasten almost exclusively with Velcro. The Velcro and fabric combination do not give the lifter the same rigid support as they might find with leather, but the upside is they are easier to put on and remove. We love this four-inch Velcro weightlifting belt.

Leather

Leather belts, like this TWL model, are more rigid and heavy. We have seen many last for well over 20 years in weightlifting clubs. These belts lock on and don’t move an inch once they are in place. When locked in, it takes a good amount of effort to pop it off again.

(Side note: Leather belts come in a variety of widths. They are generally narrower around the fastening area and broader at the back. As a powerlifter or functional fitness athlete, the size is irrelevant; but weightlifting has a max width allowance for belts. The broadest parts of the belt may not exceed four inches. If you think you might compete in Olympic weightlifting at any level in the future, considering going with a belt that meets the standard.)

Finally, leather belts become softer with age and eventually (though it may be years down the line) mold to fit your body.

The type of fastener is the second major factor in choosing a belt.

Fasteners

Velcro

velcro-belt

As we mentioned, Velcro fasteners are exclusively found on fabric belts and provide an advantage when alternating between movements where you need a belt for only one.

You can get a few years out of a good Velcro belt, even if you lift heavy a few times a week. But over time, Velcro loses its strength. They gradually stop gripping as well and become less dependable at the bottom of a tough squat or as you pull through a deadlift. This can be risky if you are taking extra heavy weights on the bar.

Single and Double Prong

This is a classic belt fastener that is usually found on leather belts. The clasp is either a single prong, or for wider belts, a double prong. The appearance of two prongs seems to be more comforting for powerlifters who are moving the greatest amounts of weight and loading the spine the most.

There is little discussion over which is actually better, so it comes down to a matter of preference and opinion when choosing between a single or double prong. Prong fasteners cannot come undone on their own, which makes them very safe and reliable on those heavy days. No matter how old or worn in a leather belt is, the prong system is tried and true.

Some people find prong fasteners frustrating because of the extra effort to get the pin(s) in place and back out again. You might find yourself struggling if you are squeezed in pretty tight and breathing hard. This brings us to the latest belt technology.

Lever

lever-belt

The lever was developed to never have to “suck it in” when fastening a belt. These systems are exclusively found on leather belts and offered by a few companies. The lever has a big, thick pin that looks more like a hooked button. This grips the belt holes, while the lever is an arm that locks the belt into place. Unlike prong and Velcro belts, the lever system is designed to only fit the one user with a single size setting.

In trying to pick a belt, ask yourself these questions:

  1. What sport is this for specifically?
  2. What kind of workouts will I use it in?
  3. What are my goals?

This will help you determine the material, fastener, and specific belt that’s best for you.

To see our selection of belts, shop with The WOD Life today!

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Should You Be Wearing a Belt?

athlete wearing weightlifting belt

Even if you’ve just joined a gym, you’ve probably already seen other members wearing belts but don’t really know what they’re for yet. Should you be wearing a belt for your workouts? Know this isn’t some fashionable accessory athletes wear just for funsies. They serve a real purpose and provide support when it’s needed most. If you’ve wondered about belts and whether you need one, here’s what you should know first.

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A Belt Does Not Replace Your Own Strength

You might have noticed another member putting on their belt right before a heavy lift or squat. This is because belts help to increase something called intra-abdominal pressure and stabilize the spine. In other words, it helps keep your core in place under the pressure of very heavy weights.

But there is an important point to make here: you do not wear a belt because your core is weak. You wear a belt to enhance a strong core. Read: a lifting belt is not a replacement for strength; it complements it. Staying strong under a heavy bar is something you should constantly be working on — without the assistance of a belt.

This is why you don’t see (or at least, you shouldn’t see) athletes wearing a belt for light to moderate weights. Really, if you’re not beyond around 85% of your one-rep max, you shouldn’t be wearing a belt. And if you’re a true beginner, you probably shouldn’t be using a belt at all. You need to learn how to form that intra-abdominal pressure on your own, as well as strengthen your core. (Breathing is crucial, too!)

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Also important to note: a belt does not replace poor technique, either. If you round your back and curl your hips under at the bottom of a clean or squat, a weightlifting belt won’t correct this. That kind of technique could very well lead to injury, so you’ll want to work on correcting it.

Takeaway? Belts are here to aid you, but strength and proper form are the foundation which you build off of.

Belts Are Not a Must-Have for Everything in the Gym

It’s not uncommon for an athlete to start experimenting with a belt, fall in love and subsequently want to use it for everything because it helps them lift more. Don’t fall into this trap. As mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t be utilizing a belt for lighter weights. You shouldn’t be wearing it every day throughout your entire WOD, just because it helps you feel stronger. In fact, in many movements, the belt will hinder performance and totally get in the way.

You should be using your belt at your heaviest weights and only with lower reps. Some coaches say you should belt up for anything six reps or fewer. Some say three reps or fewer. There is no definite rule, but the point is if you’re finding a 10-rep max deadlift, skip the belt. It’s not helping you anyway.

Enjoy its benefits, but don’t abuse it.

There Are Different Kinds of Belts

If you’re shopping online, you’ll quickly see there are all kinds of weightlifting belts to choose from: leather, Velcro, single prong, double prong, lever and so on. You should educate yourself on these choices because some belts are specific to certain activities and tasks. For instance, if you want a belt that’s quick to put on and remove mid-WOD, don’t get a prong — it’ll cost you precious seconds.

Can you benefit from a belt? Of course. But if you’re just starting your functional fitness or Olympic weightlifting journey, remember the number one priority should be strengthening your core. If you stick with the sport, you will undoubtedly need a belt later on down the line — and it most likely will add some kilos to your lifts.

Happy WODing!

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How to Adjust a Lever Belt

Did your lever belt just arrive in the mail? You made a wise purchase — these are the ultimate in both convenience and efficacy. TWL’s lever weightlifting belt is crafted from the highest quality topside cowhide leather, offering the support you can count when you need it the most.

Best yet, you only need to size the belt once. After you’ve adjusted the lever attachment in the appropriate setting, all you need to do is clip it closed when you’re ready to lift. It’s easy to get in and out of (perfect for those WODs where you only need a belt for certain movements) but provides the ultimate in stability. Once you clip a lever belt on, it isn’t going anywhere.

While the benefits are pretty clear, sometimes, it can be a little confusing trying to understand specifically how a lever belt works — especially when it comes to sizing and adjusting it to fit your frame. Note that the lever is meant to detach! You’ll need to screw it into the appropriate holes so that it gives you the fit you’re looking for. This video gives a nice breakdown of the inner workings of a lever belt.


Assembling your lever belt is one extra step, but don’t panic! It’s very simple, you only need a screwdriver, and once it’s done, the lever belt is incredibly easy to fasten and furthermore, it provides a fit customized for you. This video is a great example of how to put it together.

Finding the right setting for your belt will likely take a little trial and error. Once you’ve found the correct setting, all you do is:

  1. Line the back plate up against the back of the belt.
  2. Insert the screws through the back plate and belt.
  3. Screw them into the lever attachment on the other side.

The front of the lever should be pointing toward the front of the belt.

If you haven’t yet purchased a belt because you’re unsure of the sizing, refer to the below chart and video for help.

lever belt sizing chart