Who needs the best weightlifting belts? Anyone who wants to crush their next workout without risking back injuries. As great as they are, heavy compound exercises such as deadlifts and weighted squats put your lower back under a lot of stress, and the best lifting belts can help reduce some of this stress to enable you to lift heavier. Lifting belts are probably not the first workout gear you will get, but if you want to build mass in the gym by lifting heavy, you'll need one asap. And when we say heavy, we mean heavy: belts can provide support during the most strenuous deadlift and squat sessions.
If you prefer to work out at home, check out T3's best home gym equipment guides: we have a guide on the best dumbbells (the single most essential home gym buy), best weight benches (for working on the pecs like you mean it), best kettlebells (functional training tool at its best) and best pull-up bars (build back muscles like a pro). Leather vs velcro weightlifting belts: which one should you get? Is one type better than the other? What even is a double prong? Let's find the best weightlifting belt for your needs. Even more weightlifting belt-related questions are answered here: Weightlifting belt – what does it do, plus when and how should you wear it?
Best weightlifting belts to buy right now
Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best weightlifting belt overall
Material: Nubuck leather
Type: 4-inch
Sizes: Small-Large (25"-46")
Thickness: 0.5 inches (10 mm)
+ Durable construction
+ Perfect balance between support and mobility
- Somewhat rigid
The Beast Gear PowerBelt is one of the best-rated weightlifting belts both on Amazon and Beast Gear's website. This is due to the quality of materials used and the manufacturing process that makes this belt extra supportive and long-lasting.
The PowerBelt is 10 mm thick, giving your lower back plenty of support. This 4-inch belt is slim enough not to restrict you during deadlifts but wide enough to keep your core protected.
The PowerBelt is made of 100% cowhide leather and sports heavy-duty stitching and stainless steel buckles and rivets. It'll most likely last longer than your habit of frequenting the gym!
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best neoprene weightlifting belt
Material: Neoprene
Type: 6-inch
Sizes: Small-X Large (27"-41")
Thickness: N/A
+ Light and flexible yet supportive
+ Ergonomic support
+ Multi-functional (can be used for lifting weights and furniture)
- Not enough support for really heavy lifts
According to AQF, the "downward angle design will fit the natural shape of your back, hips and rib contour", stabilising your midsection to reduce stress on the lower back. Putting the belt on and taking it off is easy thanks to the quick-release hoop-and-loop closure system, which can be operated using one hand only.
The AQF 6-inch Neoprene Curved Weightlifting Belt is flexible and takes up little space in your gym bag, definitely less than traditional leather belts. You can also choose from three colour options: black, green, or grey, to further personalise your belt (and match your workout gear).
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best premium weightlifting belt
Material: Leather
Type: 4-inch
Sizes: X-Small to XX-Large
Thickness: 0.5-inch (10 mm)
+ High-quality construction
+ Smooth edges for reduces friction
- Not enough support for really heavy lifts
The adjustable lever buckle makes it easy to put on and take off Gymreapers' belt, exactly what you need when you are trying to focus on beating your deadlift PR; you don't want to waste time trying to fiddle around with a double-pronged buckle.
The Gymreapers 10mm Lever Belt is a straightforward lifting belt: the 4-inch thickness makes it accessible to most lifters, and it isn't too thick, either. However, if you lift heavy, you will appreciate the durability and support of Gymreapers's Lever Belt.
Available in five different colour options, it's a great investment for anyone who wants to be strong but doesn't want to wreck their backs in the process.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best leather weightlifting belts
Material: Leather
Type: both 4-inch and 6-inch versions available
Sizes: Small-x Large (25"-46")
Thickness: 6 mm (4-inch) or 10 mm (6-inch)
+ Looks and feels premium
+ Loads of customisation options to choose from
- Not too flexible
Not only good-looking, but the Shibusa weight lifting belt is also durable and comes with many customisation options to choose from, including two different widths (4" and 6") and either a double-pronged buckle (Olympic belts) or powerlifting lever closure/single pronged (powerlifting belts).
The two Olympic varieties are thinner, between 6-7 mm thick, making them more flexible without losing out on the support of a leather belt. The powerlifting belts are 10 mm thick for extra support. They also have an ample amount of cushioning around the lumbar area.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best weightlifting belt for women
Material: Nylon
Type: 5-inch
Sizes: X-small to Medium
Thickness: N/A
+ Heavy gauge buckle
+ Foam core is supportive and comfortable
- Needs washing relatively often
The Harbinger Women's Nylon Weightlifting Belt is the best choice for women who lift: it follows the female contour more accurately, providing support in all the right areas while being light and highly adjustable. This nylon belt has a heavy-duty wraparound strap and fastens securely using a heavy-gauge steel tensioning buckle. Quick to adjust and equally as quick to take off.
The breathable, plush tricot lining is soft against the skin and comfortable throughout even the most varied workouts – although, as flexible as this belt is, you probably won't wear it for longer than other lifting belts.
Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Best weightlifting belt for strongman
Material: Nubuck leather
Type: 4-inch
Sizes: Small-X Large (28"-44")
Thickness: 0.5-inch (10 mm)
+ Extremely strong construction
+ Powerlifting lever closure
- Rigid AF
The benefits of the RDX Powerlifting Belt are pretty straightforward: it is a heavy-duty belt made of quality materials that use industrial-grade stitching and a rust-proof steel lever clasp closure. Can't get much more secure than this.
This oil-tanned belt also looks the part; no wonder strongmen often choose it as their go-to support accessory. Let it be a log lift, a deadlift, a squat or even a yoke lift; the RDX Powerlifting Belt will increase spine and core stability.
Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars
How to choose the right weight lifting belt?
There are a few things you need to consider before buying a weight lifting belt.
Firstly, material: the most popular versions are made out of either leather or neoprene. Leather belts tend to be more rigid as well as being sturdy, offering ample amount of lumbar support for even heavier lifts. On the other hand, neoprene belts are more flexible and lighter, fit in your bag better and mould to your body shape more.
Weight lifting belts also come in either 4-inch or 6-inch sizes. This doesn't mean the length of the belt but the width of the middle area of the belt where it supports your back. The 6-inch variety provides more lumbar support whilst the 4-inch version is less restricting.
Speaking of sizes: although weight lifting belts use the same sizing names as other items of clothing (small-medium-large and so on), they aren't the same size as said clothes. So, if you buy medium t-shirts, a medium weight lifting belt might be too small for you. Always check the sizing guides before you buy one to avoid disappointment and the hassle of returning and replacing your belt with the retailer.
There are also different fastening methods you can choose from. Some weight lifting belts use quick-release buckles that can be fastened and unfastened with one hand and other belts have heavy-duty double-pronged buckles.
The neoprene ones most usually use a quick-release fastener whilst the leather belts use pronged buckles. In theory, the double-pronged leather bands are the strongest, but saying this, weight lifting belts don't have to hold actual weights, they 'only' have to support your back and abdomen when you lift (or squat). So, having a tensile strength that can hold a small truck might not be all that useful. For added peace of mind, though, you can always get a really strong belt.
FAQ
Should you use a belt when lifting?
Whether you should use a lifting belt depends on a variety of factors but generally speaking, you can get away with not using one – not even for deadlifts or squats – for a long time as long as you perform these exercises with the correct form. That said, you should never compromise on form, even when you wear a lifting belt. They can give you some support but won't be able to undo the damage you can do by not activating your core before heavy lifts.
As an example, and this is definitely not a rule of thumb, just a personal anecdote, I can do four sets of 12 deadlifts using 1.5 times my body weight without using a belt. The amount you can lift without a belt can vary from person to person, and the most important thing you can do is to listen to your body: once you feel a strain on your lower back, start wearing a belt. Especially if you do deadlifts/squats often (e.g. you're a powerlifter).
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