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Lever lifting belts are extremely popular in the powerlifting world, mainly because they are easy to handle, can be tightened a lot, and are super effective.
In today’s article, we will try to discover all the secrets of lever lifting belts in order to help you make the right decision about your next purchase. The plan is to discuss the main topics about lever belts, to answer the most frequent questions, and to present the best choice available on the market that meets the criteria.
By understanding how lever belts work and what are the pros and cons of using one, you will most likely have a good idea of what you want from a belt and be able to decide if lever belts are what you need at the moment.
If by the end of your reading you are still uncertain, you shouldn’t worry too much, as there are many types of belts to explore.
Different thicknesses, sizes, materials, and fastening systems are just some of the features that can differentiate belts, therefore, with a little patience, you should have no problem finding out what is the best option.
- Best under $50 - Steel Sweat 10mm Powerlifting Belt
- Best under $100 - Inzer Forever Belt
What Are The Advantages Of Wearing A Lever Belt?
It’s Easy To Put On & Take Off
Due to the fact that the advantages are more numerous, we will start here. The first thing to mention about lever belts is how easy they are to put on and take off.
The mechanism makes the whole process of securing the belt really easy, as all you have to do is to hook the teeth of the belt and lock the lever. Taking off the belt can be literally done with your eyes closed, as it only requires pulling the lever. The last part is actually quite fun.
Can Be Tightened More Than A Prong Belt
Belts with a lever closure also allow you to wear them a bit tighter than normal prong belts. That’s a huge aspect to take into consideration if you like to wear the belt tighter than most people, or you have issues in tightening a normal prong belt.
With a little bit of effort and a hard surface (like a power rack), you can achieve almost the same tightness with a prong belt by holding it with a hand against the rack and dragging your body back, but this sounds like hard work compared to latching the belt within 3 seconds.
You Can Wear It Between Sets
If you are a lazy person, as most of us are sometimes, you will probably like what you can do with a lever belt. You know that feeling when you want to do a lot of sets and you want to use the belt for all of them, but the process of putting on and taking off the belt will probably take as long as another extra set?
Well, a belt with a lever closure does not require taking it off between sets. After you are done, you can simply unlock the belt and let the teeth hooked. This way, the belt stays still and allows you to move freely. When it’s time for another set, you can simply latch the belt and get started.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Wearing A Lever Belt?
Now it’s time to talk about the aspects that are not so great about lever belts. In general, these types of belts are usually a little more expensive than prong belts. It is true that you can find cheaper ones, but that’s not such a good idea because the overall quality will be decreased. The lever of cheap belts could break during a lift, which obviously no one wants to happen.
If you like to wear the belt a bit looser for certain exercises, there will be an issue as well. The lever has to be uninstalled using a screwdriver, which will take a few minutes. Doing so from time to time should not be such a problem, but if you have to do it several times per workout you should think twice before purchasing a lever belt.
Is Purchasing A Lever Belt Worth It?
The answer to this question depends on your training style. If you don’t have to adjust the belt often or you don’t mind to do it knowing that it takes a few minutes, a lever belt has all the features you need to improve your performance in the gym.
The advantages and disadvantages remain the same for all lever belts, but the quality of the leather, lever, and stitching will dictate how good the belt really is. These factors depend on the brand, that’s why it’s important to make a purchase from a reputable seller you know some things about.
What Is The Best Lever Belt?
When it comes to Lever Belts, it’s hard to compete against the Inzer Advance Designs 10mm Forever Belt. The irreproachable quality of the belt made it a popular choice among gym-goers and powerlifters, and on top of that, the Inzer Forever Belt is approved by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), which means it can be used in official powerlifting competitions.
The genuine thick leather, top-notch stitching, and strong lever make the belt very durable. This is important because the price of the belt is quite high, and no one wants to spend money on something that won’t last for long.
Another cool aspect of the belt is that it’s made of a single piece of leather instead of several glued together, which also contributes to the durability. The leather is finished with a high-quality fine suede that prevents the belt from slipping.
When it arrives, it will probably be a bit stiff due to its thickness and will require some time to completely break-in. With time, the belt will conform to your body shape and will be more comfortable. Speeding up the break-in process might be the solution if you want to spend as little time as possible with the belt slightly stiff.
At the moment, this belt made in the US is probably one of the best lever belts on the market, and will most likely be the perfect choice for individuals who perform heavy compound movements in the gym, as well as for amateurs or professional powerlifters. 