How To Measure For A Lifting Belt – Step-By-Step Guide

Posted on by Andrei

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Online shopping is very popular nowadays. Most of us have ordered a product from the internet at some point. Why? Well, it’s so easy. You don’t have to go anywhere, because most of the products you need are just a few clicks away. 

We all know how nice online shopping is, but it also has a downside. Without being able to see the products in person, you may end up with something that doesn’t fit or you don’t like.

Lifting belts are no different. Therefore, before ordering one, you need to know exactly what size to choose. But wait, can’t you just use the size of your pants? The answer is NO. 

In fact, this is the most common mistake people make when purchasing a belt. They assume that the size of the belt is the same as their pants size. That’s not the case. The area to be measured is around the navel or about 4 inches above where the pants are.

How To Measure Your Waist

In order to determine what size you need for a belt, you need to measure your waist.  This is an easy process, for which you will need a measuring tape. These are often used to measure body parts so you can track progress, so consider buying one if you don’t already have something similar. You don’t want to miss your biceps growth, do you? Follow these steps to measure your waist:
  1. Get up – It is important not to sit down while measuring your waist, as this could add a few inches.
  2. Grab the measuring tape – Place it exactly where the belt should be, around the navel. Then, wrap it around your body while trying to keep it straight. Pull the tape until it starts digging into your skin. It’s best to do this step while wearing your regular gym top, as you will rarely use the belt shirtless.
  3. Relax – Maintaining a relaxed position is essential to get an accurate measurement. Do not hold your breath while measuring.
  4. Measure & choose – Look at the measuring tape, then choose the corresponding size using the chart provided by the seller. Remember that the dimensions differ depending on the brand. You may need size M for one model and size L for another.

That’s it! Now you know which size would fit best.

how to measure for a lifting belt

Does The Type Of Belt Matter?

The type of belt does not affect the size you need. For both powerlifting and weightlifting belts, the size is chosen in the same way. The same goes for nylon and leather products. If you understand the simple steps above, you can follow them to choose the size for all kinds of lifting belts.

What If You Are Between Sizes?

Let’s say you measure your waist, put your eyes on a nice belt, and try to figure out what size you need. Then you realize that you are between sizes. Now what?

It seems that the best thing to do in this situation is to leave a question and get guidance from the seller. This is because some brands recommend going with the smaller size, while others recommend the opposite.

They probably make the decision based on materials and other similar experiences with customers, so by listening to their advice you will probably make the right choice. 

As a side note, don’t forget to think about what you plan to do next. For example, if you are between sizes and planning a bulk, you already know what to do.

Try This If You Are Between Sizes

If you want to avoid the situation of being between sizes, you can simply choose a belt that has an overlap between sizes. If two sizes seem to fit, the decision will be made only based on the number of notches you want to have left. You can also consider who you can share the belt with. For example, the Rogue Echo 10mm Belt is one of the products that have an overlap between sizes. Let’s imagine that you measured your waist at about 40 inches. If you would choose to buy a product such as the Iron Bull Strength 10mm Powerlifting Belt, you would notice right away that the size L is between 35 and 40 inches and XL is between 40 and 45 inches.  This means that you need to contact the brand or leave a question to get help in choosing the right size. There is nothing wrong with that, but it may take a while. On the other hand, for the Rogue Echo 10mm Belt, the size XL is between 35 and 41 inches, while XXL is between 39 and 45 inches. The overlap is very helpful in this kind of situation.

Don't Forget About Weight Fluctuations

The main problem when it comes to choosing the size for a lifting belt is that you have to take into account the weight fluctuation. As we know, most gym-goers prefer to go through cutting and bulking phases, and for some, the weight may fluctuate to a point where the lifting belt may no longer fit. Therefore, you should consider this when buying a belt.

For most people, gaining or losing a few pounds won’t change the way the belt fits, so it shouldn’t be a problem. The situation where it would be a good idea to get a different size is when you are at the upper limit and planning a bulk, or you are at the lower limit and planning a cut. Also, consider what you intend to do after the cut or bulk ends. 

Summary

Measuring your waist to choose the right size for a lifting belt is quite easy. Once you are done, you can start looking at the chart to find out what size you need. The type of belt does not affect the size you need at all, but remember that you will not need the same size for all belts. If your waist is 42 inches, you need size XL for the Iron Bull Strength 10mm Powerlifting Belt and size XXL for the Rogue Echo 10mm Belt. If you are between sizes, you can contact the seller or leave a question for guidance. If not, you can switch to a belt that has an overlap between sizes.