Most people forget that your core muscles are not just your abs. When people hear the word core in relation to muscles or the body, their minds generally go straight to the coveted six pack abs. In actual fact, the core encompasses a far larger area of your body then just the abdominals.
The core is actually the entire lower part of your torso below your chest, generally speaking. Your abdominals, your obliques/side abs, your transverse abdominis and the extremely important group muscles in your lower back. As a BJJ or MMA athlete, you know just how vital it is to your sport to have a strong and stable core.
Weightlifting is a great addition to any practitioners training arsenal but it does come with certain risks. It puts a lot of strain on your core, especially the aforementioned lower back.
Some strain is good. Some strain allows your muscle to be broken down just enough so that they can repair themselves and grow back bigger and stronger before. Too much strain and you’re inviting injury.
The best way to enjoy the benefits of weight training whilst keeping your lower back safe and stable is by using a weight belt. Especially if you’re attempting heavy lifts or using a heavy weight, low rep protocol. These weight belts fit snugly around your waist and provide much needed support to your lower back when and where they need it most.
With the belts, you can very much have your cake and eat it in regards to weight training.
Best Weight Lifting Belt
Pro Fitness Weight Lifting Belt
Weightlifting belts can feel bulky, cumbersome and unwieldy if you’re not used to them. You definitely get used to the fit as you wear it more, but oftentimes short-minded people wear a belt once and then never use it again due to the added bulk or weight around the waist.
If you think you might be one of those people, then this belt is for you. It provides similar support and stability you’d expect out of any other weightlifting belt but without as much of that heft.
It fits snugly around your waist without getting in the way or restricting your movement.
A perfect belt for the trainee that just wants to try it out weight belts or the female/smaller lifter who thus needs a smaller belt.
RitFit Weight Lifting Belt
RitFit have crafted a weight belt that perfectly straddles the line between comfort and support. With some of the cheaper and inferior belts out there, you often have to choose between the two, but not with RitFit.
The belt is ergonomically designed to provide perfect lumbar support during any movement or exercise you can think up without cutting into your sides or restricting yourself.
It also helps reduce spinal flexion so that your muscles are doing the work, not your delicate ligaments and tendons.
You’re likely going to be getting pretty sweaty whilst working out but this belt is easily and quickly hand-washed and will dry fast enough so that you never have to leave it behind.
Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt
This is the most stylish belt on the list so if looks and aesthetics are important to you and you need your workout gear to match or to look a certain way, the Fire Team Fit belt is the best choice for you. You have five colour choices to choose from: black, blue, metallic grey, pink and even a camouflage design.
Whilst the belt looks good, it’s been manufactured with quality and structural integrity as it’s primary focus. The heavy-duty straps and sturdy roller buckle makes sure that you’re supported at all times and that it will never come loose. The last thing you want is for your belt to pop off when you’re half way through deadlifting a record amount. Luckily, this is the last thing that Fire Team Fit want as well.
Valeo 4-Inch Padded Leather Lifting Belt
This belt is more of what you would call a traditional weightlifting belt. You’ve no doubt seen images of absolute muscle monsters and power lifters using belts that look just like this when attempting amazing feats of lifting. It’s a very iconic look. That iconic look is backed up by unparalleled lower back support and sturdy construction.
This belt is made of thick cowhide with a suede interior covering a foam lumber pad. This suede interior aids the straps and buckles in keeping the belt nice and tight against where it’s needed. Every part of the construction is also doubled-up; double stitched edges, double loops to secure belt tab and double prong roller buckle. This provides you with extra support and safety as well as ensuring that you’ll be able to use this belt for years to come.
Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Pro Weightlifting Belt
Built to last. That’s the tagline for this belt but it’s not just an empty boast. Dark Iron Fitness uses their patented leather in crafting this belt. This leather will not break, it will not tear or wear out and it will not let you down. If the impossible does happen and the belt breaks, they’ll send you another one free of charge. That’s how confident this company is in it’s belt.
Despite using hardy materials, the belt is surprisingly light and comfortable. It only weighs 1.5 pounds and is easily rolled up so you can stash it away in a small space. Some say that the belt feels weightless around the waist whilst they’re using it, but that it still gives incredible support when struggling with the heavy iron.
It’s available in five different sizes, ranging from tiny waists to huge bulging guts and giving stability to every person in-between.
If you really want to take your weightlifting to the next level and really achieve those tough, elusive goals of yours, you’re going to need a weight belt.
Overall
It’s all well and good building up your core strength and strengthening that lower back, but when you really want to go big and heavy, you’ll need that added support.
But make sure that you don’t purchase the size of the belt based on the waistband of your trousers. You have to measure around your belly button and lower back, not your waist, to get the correct corresponding measurement.