Lifting Belts – Why They’re a Must for Powerlifters, CrossFitters and Olympic Weightlifters

Whether you’re a powerlifter or CrossFitter, a lifting belt can help add pounds to your lifts, protect your back from injury and teach you how to brace for heavy lifts. There are a lot of different styles, materials, thicknesses and sport-specific types of belts. Resource : https://www.ryderwear.com/collections/lifting-belts

When to Wear a Belt

The best time to use a lifting belt is during high-rep, heavy compound barbell lifts that are close to max weight or above 80% of your one-rep max. This is where the majority of people see the most benefit from using a belt, but it’s important to note that lifting without one during these exercises can also improve spinal biomechanics.

How Much to Spend

There are a few factors that go into choosing the best weightlifting belt for your training style, including material used, structure and rigidity levels. Generally speaking, less rigidity is better for functional fitness-style training while more rigidity is needed for heavy lifting.

What You Need to Know

If you’re completely new to lifting with a belt, it can take some practice before you really get the hang of it. Even experienced lifters may need to try it out a few times before they feel confident enough to use one for every work set.

However, if you’re looking to increase your strength and break through a plateau, a lifting belt is worth the investment. Most athletes find that their max weights go up 5-15% after training with a belt for just a week or so.