belt

Dtp1979

Can anyone reccomend a good belt for lifting?

SLDeviant

Depends on what you're planning on using it for and how much you want to spend. Wahllander would be on the super-premium side but have a great rep. I have a Bestbelts 2-prong 13mm that I love, Inzer would be in the same ballpark as bestbelts quality and reputation wise.

On the slightly cheaper side strengthshop.ie has ipf approved lever belts that would probably work out cheaper than the Inzer or Bestbelts but I haven't seen any reviews. Their stuff I have purchased , singlet / deadlift jack / clips, are usually reasonable quality.

You'd have to make a call between 10mm/13mm, 3 " or 4" , lever / single / double prong. It'd all depend on how you're built, how much weight you're moving and how much discomfort you're willing to suffer to move more weight. The wider and thicker the belt the more support you get but the more likely you'll get a little bruised in the process. Also if you're shorter you might find a 3" is more comfortable. I'm 5'6" and use a 13mm thick 4" wide stiff double-prong belt, it was torture at first but now I don't even notice.

Dtp1979

SLDeviant wrote: »

Depends on what you're planning on using it for and how much you want to spend. Wahllander would be on the super-premium side but have a great rep. I have a Bestbelts 2-prong 13mm that I love, Inzer would be in the same ballpark as bestbelts quality and reputation wise.

On the slightly cheaper side strengthshop.ie has ipf approved lever belts that would probably work out cheaper than the Inzer or Bestbelts but I haven't seen any reviews. Their stuff I have purchased , singlet / deadlift jack / clips, are usually reasonable quality.

You'd have to make a call between 10mm/13mm, 3 " or 4" , lever / single / double prong. It'd all depend on how you're built, how much weight you're moving and how much discomfort you're willing to suffer to move more weight. The wider and thicker the belt the more support you get but the more likely you'll get a little bruised in the process. Also if you're shorter you might find a 3" is more comfortable. I'm 5'6" and use a 13mm thick 4" wide stiff double-prong belt, it was torture at first but now I don't even notice.

I see a lot of RDX belts online. Are they any good?

SLDeviant

I haven't used them. Like anything though the reviews on Amazon are positive enough that they are probably decent for the price point. There's a reason it's 1/3 the price of the other ones I mentioned. The bestbelt is probably overbuilt for my needs but I've used it 2-3 times a week for over 2 years and it's still in perfect condition. Just get one that's the same width, 3" or 4", the whole way around and 13mm thick will offer more support than 10mm but will also be less comfortable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RDX-Leather-Lifting-Training-Bodybuilding/dp/B004XJOVFY/ref=sr_1_11?s=fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467721909&sr=1-11&keywords=rdx

Dtp1979

SLDeviant wrote: »

I haven't used them. Like anything though the reviews on Amazon are positive enough that they are probably decent for the price point. There's a reason it's 1/3 the price of the other ones I mentioned. The bestbelt is probably overbuilt for my needs but I've used it 2-3 times a week for over 2 years and it's still in perfect condition. Just get one that's the same width, 3" or 4", the whole way around and 13mm thick will offer more support than 10mm but will also be less comfortable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RDX-Leather-Lifting-Training-Bodybuilding/dp/B004XJOVFY/ref=sr_1_11?s=fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467721909&sr=1-11&keywords=rdx

Thanks for that. You've been more than helpful.
I've no problem buying a more expensive brand if it's worth the money. Just can't find any of the ones you mentioned on eBay or Amazon. Have you a link to a reputable place I coujd get one?

Alf Veedersane

bestbelts.net
inzer.de

Just a word to the wise on thickness:

"the 13mm inzer belt is harder than a knacker on crack and should be avoided if you like your ribs"

The Guvnor

Inzer or Titan for proper powerlifting belts.

General wear in the gym non powerlifting - Schiek or Rehband would get my vote.

Other belts could be fine but for the sake of a few quid I'd invest in the best.

Dtp1979

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

bestbelts.net
inzer.de

Just a word to the wise on thickness:

"the 13mm inzer belt is harder than a knacker on crack and should be avoided if you like your ribs"

I've never as much as tried on a belt before,.....should be interesting

Alf Veedersane

Started off with a cheapo one to get the hang of one to be honest. Was a good while before I figured out how to use or properly as well.

Might be worth looking at a decent starter belt, for want of a better description, before going to the top of the range?

Though I suppose you could argue it's a long term investment...

Dtp1979

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Started off with a cheapo one to get the hang of one to be honest. Was a good while before I figured out how to use or properly as well.

Might be worth looking at a decent starter belt, for want of a better description, before going to the top of the range?

Though I suppose you could argue it's a long term investment...

Ye that's what I was thinking. I'm gonna be using it for years, and I want to look after my back as best I can so I don't mind paying for a good one.

Alf Veedersane

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Ye that's what I was thinking. I'm gonna be using it for years, and I want to look after my back as best I can so I don't mind paying for a good one.

You can have a good belt and still mess up your back if you're form is off and you're not using the belt properly.

I'm not saying you do but people can have this misconception that it's a lower back support. I know I did once upon a time.

Dtp1979

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You can have a good belt and still mess up your back if you're form is off and you're not using the belt properly.

I'm not saying you do but people can have this misconception that it's a lower back support. I know I did once upon a time.

What do you mean by using the belt properly?

Alf Veedersane

Using it to create intrabdominal pressure.

Dtp1979

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Using it to create intrabdominal pressure.

Basically having it tight enough?

Alf Veedersane

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Basically having it tight enough?

No...it's to do with breathing and bracing and how the belt helps with that.

That's why it's not a case of just putting it on and it does it's thing. Took me long enough to work out how to do it even close to properly so I'm not going to profess to be an expert or anything close to it.

Hanley

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

bestbelts.net
inzer.de

Just a word to the wise on thickness:

"the 13mm inzer belt is harder than a knacker on crack and should be avoided if you like your ribs"

Was that one of mine?!

Alf Veedersane

Hanley wrote: »

Was that one of mine?!

Ah...link doesn't seem to work now.

Yeah, that was yours. Great thread including kevpants' gem about buying from from Inzer is one of the most difficult things you can do in life and being's up there with coming out to your parents, mixing oil and water and reading Ulysses.

Hanley

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Ah...link doesn't seem to work now.

Yeah, that was yours. Great thread including kevpants' gem about buying from from Inzer is one of the most difficult things you can do in life and being's up there with coming out to your parents, mixing oil and water and reading Ulysses.

Those were the days.

Dtp1979

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

No...it's to do with breathing and bracing and how the belt helps with that.

That's why it's not a case of just putting it on and it does it's thing. Took me long enough to work out how to do it even close to properly so I'm not going to profess to be an expert or anything close to it.

Is there any tutorial videos that you'd reccomend on the subject?

Alf Veedersane

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Is there any tutorial videos that you'd reccomend on the subject?

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/11/06/back-basics/

Not a bad start. It covers a bit on breathing which is a whole other tutorial on its own but it's important if you're gonna brave properly and create the pressure that protects you.