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Even though it can not be compared in terms of popularity to the top brands in the industry, Gym Maniac managed to maintain a good level of quality for its products during the years.
The brand does not have such a wide range of products, offering to customers lifting straps, gym bags, wrist wraps, knee wraps, and obviously, lifting belts. What deserves appreciation, is the fairly reasonable price of the products, considering that the quality does not disappoint at all.
We are going to take a step back from all the other fitness accessories that Gym Maniac focuses on, and get into the topic of today’s article, which is the double-prong leather lifting belt.
In the following minutes, we will go through everything you should know about this particular item, discussing its advantages and disadvantages, in order to find out if the belt is a good investment.
If you are about to make a purchase or wondering if this belt is worth the money, you are in the right place, because by the end of this article you should have your answers.
- Best under $50 - Steel Sweat 10mm Powerlifting Belt
- Best under $100 - Inzer Forever Belt
Main Features
I think the best way to approach this review is by understanding how the belt was designed. Just by looking at it, it’s easy to tell that it does not have a uniform width, being smaller in the abdominal area. This means two main things:
- The intra-abdominal pressure will not be the best, which is a disadvantage if your goal is to lift as much weight as possible
- The comfort will be increased because the belt will not dig into the ribs or hips
The 4-inch width is not unusual, because this size is the most popular among lifting belts, especially leather ones. For most people, a 4-inch belt is the most adequate, but if you have a really small torso, a 3-inch wide belt is the better choice. If you are in this situation, I suggest that you take a look at the Rogue Ohio 3-inch Belt.
When it comes to the thickness, Gym Maniac does not specify exactly how thick the belt is, but we can tell by its contour design that the belt is not a powerlifting-style one. In fact, the belt is pretty tiny, almost like a teenager belt. Therefore, the thickness of the belt is most likely a medium one.
These words should not create the false impression that the belt is not thick enough to handle heavy training.
The Gym Maniac’s vision for this belt was likely to find the right balance between comfort and support, as the belt is sturdy enough to rely on, but at the same time, it allows more freedom due to the materials and smaller width in the front area.
The double-prong buckle does not have that many advantages compared to a single-prong one, but it gets the job done, which is the most important thing.
How To Take Advantage Of This Belt
There are a few types of belts, each more reliable in certain situations than others. This is why it’s crucial to know what the strong and weak points of a belt are and what you are going to use it for.
It’s absurd to buy a light Velcro belt if you want the best support possible in order to lift the most amount of weight, while the comfort is not the main aspect to you.
Well, the Gym Maniac belt does very well in terms of versatility, which means it can be used in a lot of circumstances. First of all, I would start with what this belt is not, more precisely a powerlifting-style belt.
If your purpose is to lift the most amount of weight possible, then the Gym Maniac leather belt is not the best choice for you. In this situation, you should probably look for a 10/13mm thick, sturdy leather belt.
Now that we know the weak points of the belt, let’s talk about how we can take advantage of it. Due to its contoured design, size, and materials, the belt is great for day-to-day training in the gym.
The belt’s sturdiness makes it great for compound movements like the squat, bench, and deadlift, but at the same time, it can be used without a problem for rows, presses, and functional training.
Who Is The Gym Maniac Belt For?
Due to its versatility, the belt can be used by individuals who mostly train in the gym and are looking for a belt that will not disappoint, is sturdy enough to handle almost any type of training, and does not have that rigidity of a powerlifting belt.
Also, in my opinion, it is perfect for beginners looking to buy their first belt. The price is reasonable, the belt is not too stiff, it’s easy to break in, and has a long lifespan. There are not many other things to ask for when you are just starting out.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- durable
- versatile
- easy to carry
- comfortable
- well-priced
- 5 colors to choose from
Cons
- not as supportive as a powerlifting belt
- the double-prong buckle can be annoying
Gym Maniac Double-Prong Belt - Is It Worth It?
If your plans for the future have nothing to do with the powerlifting world, I would say definitely yes. Why? The belt brings a complete package for gym training, is really balanced, has a good price, and more than decent quality.
