Thoughts on belts?

_MistahJ_
_MistahJ_ Posts: 5,035 Member
edited December 1 in Fitness and Exercise
I currently use a cheap Harbinger Nylon belt when I'm deadlifting or squatting over 90% of my estimated 1RM. I'm not entirely convinced I'm wearing it properly (too tight maybe) but I just don't care for it. I'm looking at investing in a better belt, possibly the Inzer Forever Buckle Belt (10mm/single prong) or the Spud Inc Pro Series Deadlift Belt.

Which ones do you like? Do you like using a belt at all?

Replies

  • drwilseyjr
    drwilseyjr Posts: 225 Member
    I use a heavy leather belt when I'm maxing out on squats or deadlifts, or pushing for a new PR that I'm not sure I can get. Other than that, I lift raw.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Have an old leather one, prefer raw. I find it's more mental - you should have the proper form to not need one as far as injury goes, and even if you have one you're going to get hurt if it's heavy and your form blows.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    i LOVE my inzer forever belt. i have the 10mm single prong. i always put it on when i get about 60%+ I wear mine really tight, you'll will figure out the tightness that works for you. You use it to brace your core against, so you actually "use" it you don't just wear it. You will be very happy if you invest in a real belt. And you'll have fun breaking it in.
  • juliewatkin
    juliewatkin Posts: 764 Member
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    i LOVE my inzer forever belt. i have the 10mm single prong. i always put it on when i get about 60%+ I wear mine really tight, you'll will figure out the tightness that works for you. You use it to brace your core against, so you actually "use" it you don't just wear it. You will be very happy if you invest in a real belt. And you'll have fun breaking it in.

    I agree with this. I have a number of belts, single prong, double prong, lever and most recently a wahlander belt. The Inzer 10mm single prong is, in my opinion one of the most versatile and long lasting. Unless you gain or lose a lot of weight it should last forever (hence the name:)

    Like Sonya said, you don't wear it, you use it. I typically only put mine on at 85-90% on squats and 80% on deadlift. How tight you wear it is a personal preference. Mine is fairly tight to squat and looser to deadlift.

    It isn't an inexpensive investment but worthwhile. As far as I know, the best belts cannot be purchased in a store. You have to visit the manufacturers website or a local supplier. This is a link to the belt section of the Inzer site. http://www.inzernet.com/search_results_belts.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=8&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&iLevel=1
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    I adore my Inzer 10mm lever belt. Like @SonyaCele said, it's a tool to help you brace your core harder. I use mine for squats above 50%, although I'm slowly weaning myself back to 70%, bench over 70%, and deads over 70%.
  • WallBilly
    WallBilly Posts: 11 Member
    I've been really happy with my hand-made belt from Dean and Jackie Best. I have been pounding on the 4" "Athlete" belt for over two years, and it still feels like it is brand new.

    http://www.bestbelts.net/Powerlifting-Belts/Athlete.aspx

    They custom make the length and color for just over $100.
  • juliewatkin
    juliewatkin Posts: 764 Member
    wwmilligan wrote: »
    I've been really happy with my hand-made belt from Dean and Jackie Best. I have been pounding on the 4" "Athlete" belt for over two years, and it still feels like it is brand new.

    http://www.bestbelts.net/Powerlifting-Belts/Athlete.aspx

    They custom make the length and color for just over $100.

    I have one of theirs too. I got it in three shades of blue with my initials embroidered on the back. I'm wearing it in my picture. They sent me a bunch of suede swatches so I could pick the colour. Unfortunately, for those of us that compete, they are no longer IPF approved which is why I ended up getting a wahlander belt. You are correct that the quality is excellent.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    edited April 2016
    I wear my Inzer Forever Lever belt at squats and deads 80-85% or greater. I really do find a lot of benefit in training beltless up to that point and sometimes I will train beltless up to a final heavy single just to make the heavy single seem easier. I don't wear a belt for benching but then again my bench sucks. I've tried using it but never saw any kind of impact. Nylon belts are great for olympic lifting. My coaches won't let me wear my belt below 80% for the most part, so I am not sure how it would be a lower weights...
  • extraordinary_machine
    extraordinary_machine Posts: 3,028 Member
    I have a belt from Best Belts and it's amazeballs. Custom and hand made, pre-broken in, and awesome customer service. I use it for my heavy singles for deads and squat. www.bestbelts.net
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I have the Inzer Lever Belt. So happy with it. I love it for 85% of max and up.

    Before I sprung for the lever belt I wasn't sold. I just didn't get the point. But it is SO nice to be able to just flip the lever when you're done with a heavy set, and if you're lazy like me you can leave it on between sets as opposed to messing with a buckle.

    And it's sexy. I got purple lol.
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    Inzer lever belt here and I use it on my last set of 5/3/1 and joker sets, so above 85%. I will sometimes leave it a unlevered for the 2nd set just to get a feel for it and on the First Set Last set I will leave it on because I am tired and need the reminder to not slack off with the lighter weight.

    A quality belt is a good tool if you are going to get serious about lifting.
  • juliewatkin
    juliewatkin Posts: 764 Member
    juliewatkin wrote: »
    wwmilligan wrote: »
    I've been really happy with my hand-made belt from Dean and Jackie Best. I have been pounding on the 4" "Athlete" belt for over two years, and it still feels like it is brand new.

    http://www.bestbelts.net/Powerlifting-Belts/Athlete.aspx

    They custom make the length and color for just over $100.

    I have one of theirs too. I got it in three shades of blue with my initials embroidered on the back. I'm wearing it in my picture. They sent me a bunch of suede swatches so I could pick the colour. Unfortunately, for those of us that compete, they are no longer IPF approved which is why I ended up getting a wahlander belt. You are correct that the quality is excellent.

    After thinking about this I had to double check the IPF approved list and was super happy to find Best Belts are now on the list.
  • HamsterManV2
    HamsterManV2 Posts: 449 Member
    Inzer, bestbelts.com, are all top quality and will last multiple lifetimes.

    I chose to go with bestbelts, and have the "athlete belt single prong" - that's 9-10mm thick, and 4" wide all around you. It is already broken in so you don't have to deal with bruising the first time you use it. Single prong is fine, firm and solid. Double prong I find is too annoying to get off after a heavy set and unnecessary.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    juliewatkin wrote: »
    juliewatkin wrote: »
    wwmilligan wrote: »
    I've been really happy with my hand-made belt from Dean and Jackie Best. I have been pounding on the 4" "Athlete" belt for over two years, and it still feels like it is brand new.

    http://www.bestbelts.net/Powerlifting-Belts/Athlete.aspx

    They custom make the length and color for just over $100.

    I have one of theirs too. I got it in three shades of blue with my initials embroidered on the back. I'm wearing it in my picture. They sent me a bunch of suede swatches so I could pick the colour. Unfortunately, for those of us that compete, they are no longer IPF approved which is why I ended up getting a wahlander belt. You are correct that the quality is excellent.

    After thinking about this I had to double check the IPF approved list and was super happy to find Best Belts are now on the list.

    Oh yes! I know you're happy about that one.
  • cajuntank
    cajuntank Posts: 924 Member
    I won't give an opinion on which belt; as that has been offered, but I will relay this for belt use.
    http://strengtheory.com/should-you-wear-a-belt-or-not-study-write-up/
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