What is the Best Vegan Weight Lifting Belt? Top Plant-Based Powerlifting Belts for 2020
If you’re searching for a way to enhance your deadlifts or squats, lifting belts are an excellent investment. As long as you use these belts properly, you’ll be able to lift heavier weights without risking injury; they’ll help you stay safe, comfortable, and efficient. Unfortunately for vegans, many high-quality lifting belts that are popular within the fitness community are made out of leather.
While leather is an effective material, the good news is that there are other types of materials that lifting belts can be made of, and vegans should have no problem finding great lifting belts on the market which don’t compromise their values.
If you’re trying to decide whether you need to add a weightlifting belt to your workouts, it’s important to know that these belts increase pressure within your abdominals, so you’ll achieve more stability within your core as you lift. If you use the belt correctly, you’ll be able to lift more weight than you would without a belt. On top of everything else you’ve added to your fitness routine, a lifting belt can really help you increase your gains–even if you’re vegan.
Top 5 Vegan Lifting Belts
What Exactly Do Lifting Belts Do?
When you lift a heavy object, your body automatically tries to make you hold your breath. This instinct is known as the Valsalva maneuver. When you lift, you’ll feel pressure build-up within your chest, which is intra-abdominal pressure. This pressure is key to every deadlift, squat, or other compound movements that are done properly. When you wear a weightlifting belt, you’ll be able to augment this pressure and lift heavier weights, because the belt essentially acts like a second set of abs.
If you’re doing deadlifts or powerlifting, it’s a good idea to consider wearing a belt, as a belt can also remind you to keep your spine in the correct position. It also maintains abdominal pressure to stabilize your spine as you complete heavy lifting. You should wear a belt when you complete movements and exercises like:
- Deadlifts
- Squats
- An overhead press
- Cleans and jerks
- The bench press
Features to Look For in Vegan Lifting Belts
If you’re a vegan, the most important thing you want is to make sure that no animals were involved in the making of your lifting belt. So, it shouldn’t be made from leather, or in any way use other types of animal products. On top of this, you need a belt that’s heavy duty and durable, so it won’t break or slip on you as you’re working out and mess up your lift–or worse, cause injury. Look for a simple yet high quality tensioning system so you can adjust the belt and place the tightness you need around your core.
If you’re wondering where exactly your belt goes on your body, you should put it on so it covers your abdominal muscles and erectors. Usually, this is a couple inches above the pelvis. Since body shapes vary, you need to make sure the belt has enough intra-abdominal pressure for your needs. When it comes to sizing, you should measure around your waist while you’re in a relaxed state. Don’t strain yourself, or suck in your stomach. Typically, you’ll measure at four inches above where your pants sit. To get the best fit possible, pick a belt with the waist size that you have been carefully measured for. Many brands tend to run small, so it may be best to order a size up just in case.
The Best Vegan Lifting Belt List
① Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
This lifting belt from Element 26 features self-locking security that won’t wear down or make you risk injury as you lift. Unlike many other brands that rely on velcro, this belt is easy to use and won’t slip or open no matter what, yet releases instantly once you pull on the roller; you get the best of both worlds with this. The premium weightlifting belt is used by serious olympic lifting, weight lifting, and Crossift athletes, both women and men. It was built for high performance and is not a cheap knock-off or copycat. Made from 100% premium nylon with an effective, uniform 4-inch profile, it distributes pressure equally without the need for mesh covering or padded inserts, and it was designed by a doctor of physical therapy who simply wanted to help athletes achieve their ultimate performance. The belt is fully approved for CrossFit and USAW competitions, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Self-locking security that’s easy to use yet won’t slip
- Designed by a doctor of physical therapy
- Approved for CrossFit and USAW competitions
Cons
- Users felt that it was difficult to put on and take off
- Made from thin material
② Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt
Fire Team Fit’s weightlifting belt was designed for easy olympic lifting and supports your back for both women and men. It features a six-inch contoured design that promotes good form, maximizes your performance, and helps you avoid injury. Many leather belts on the market are bulky and uncomfortable, but this was designed to be more flexible and soft, so it’s easy on your body. It helps you work out with more confidence as you look and feel your best. The belt fully supports your back, so you have the mobility to perform any exercise you want, including squats, deadlifts, and power cleans. With predetermined holes and a hook-and-loop support strap, you’ll also get abdominal support and tightness for the exact support and comfort you need for both core body and leg movements. Fire Team Fit specializes in producing high quality fitness products, and believes in the dedication and discipline required to achieve great health.
Pros
- Contoured design
- Made to be flexible, soft, and customizable
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Begins to fray relatively quickly
- Users disliked the velcro strap and felt this was a low quality aspect
③ Steel Sweat Weight Lifting Belt
Steel Sweat’s belt is a nylon 6-inch weight lifting belt that provides firm yet comfortable support for your back. It’s easy to adjust, and ideal for workouts while you’re weightlifting, at the gym, or participating in Crossfit. It’s also easy to find your size using Steel Sweat’s simple sizing guide, and many people have found the perfect, functional, and versatile belt for their needs–both men and women. The design is contoured and extra wide with an inner plush lining, which enhances comfort and helps to maintain the warmth of your muscles while you’re working out. This belt supports your core strength and prevents back or any other type of injuries, so you get stabilized support to reach all of your workout goals, no matter how heavy the weights are. Although it doesn’t have a predetermined set of holes like many leather belts, it’s still easy and quick to adjust thanks to a strong and thick support strap made out of velcro, which is paired with a matt roller buckle you can customize. Use this for anything from weightlifting to deadlifts to back squats. Pros Cons
④ Harbinger Nylon Weightlifting Belt
This four-inch nylon weightlifting belt from Harbinger has an extra wide, 3-inch support strap that provides the most support possible for your abdominal and lower back, so you can achieve heavier lifts. There are parallel lines of 346-count nylon stitching that runs along the entire length of the belt, which helps to stabilize this belt for consistent support no matter what type of exercise you’re performing. Tensioning is easy and simple thanks to the gauge steel, heavy roller buckle. A nylon web that is heavy duty, flexible, and thick provides the most comfort possible. While the belt maintains your muscle warmth, it also provides durability and won’t break or slip. It’s available in four different sizes and is perfect for both men and women. Many users believe this belt is well made, and it’s often recommended within the fitness community, whether you’re a weightlifter or participate in Crossfit.
Pros
- Nylon stitching along the entire belt to help stabilize
- Nylon web for comfort
- Easy to tension with a heavy gauge steel roller buckle
Cons
- Sizing of the belt tends to run small
- Very difficult to use for people who have small frames
⑤ Rogue Fitness Nylon Weightlifting Belt
Rogue Fitness’ five-inch nylon belt has a three-inch support strap and features a hook and loop fastening system for a secure and custom fit that won’t fail you, no matter how hard you’re working out. To loosen or tighten, use the central steel tensioning buckle, which is simple and easy. Although the belt’s only available in one color, it’s offered in a much wider variety of sizes than other brands–you’ll find extra small, extra large, and extra extra large, offered on top of the traditional small, medium, and large. This makes it the perfect option for people who have smaller or larger frames, and have difficulty in finding a comfortable belt that has a traditional fit. There’s three inches of support in the front and five in the back, conforming to your natural shape and providing great, overall coverage that offers firm support. Though the material it’s made from is light and thin, the belt is highly durable and makes it easy for you to transition from heavy lifting exercises right to light body movement exercises.
Pros
- Offered in a wider variety of sizes
- Durable, yet light and thin material
- Great option for those who have larger or smaller frames
Cons
- Users felt it was made from flimsy material that wasn’t quite adapted for heavy lifting
- Tends to run small, so users ordered a size up
⑥ RitFit Weight Lifting Belt
This weightlifting belt from RitFit is great for thrusters, deadlifts, lunges, and squats, for both men and women. You can choose your six-inch belt from a variety of colors, and you’ll get comfortable yet firm lumbar support. It was ergonomically designed to provide great support for you, no matter what type of strength training you perform. With a waterproof foam core, tricot lining, and soft bound edges, the belt is very comfortable and soft. Use the hook and loop closure to adjust easily, so the belt fits snugly. The torque ring is very low profile, and overall the belt reduces the flex of your spine, so this creates a safer environment as you’re lifting, as well as superior support for your abdominals and back. RitFit’s belts are an ideal tool to help you master exercises and work out with confidence and safety. Besides leg movements, you can incorporate the belt into your shoulder and back training as well, as you perform bent over rows and shoulder presses. Lifetime satisfaction is guaranteed, and it has a low profile, making it the perfect addition to your gym routine.
Pros
- Ergonomically designed for support
- Has a foam core, bound edges, and tricot lining for softness and comfort
- Can use for back and shoulder exercises on top of leg movements
Cons
- Users had difficulty making the belt stay put, as the velcro pops off
- Stitching comes undone easily
Conclusion & What is the Best Vegan Weight Lifting Belt
When you’re lifting at the gym, you should be trying everything you can to get maximum gains. Lifting belts are an excellent investment, as they’re versatile, supportive, comfortable, and work as a second set of abs. You’ll be stabilized, yet comfortable and safe as you work out. Many people use them for the gym, and even at bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions. If you’re vegan, just keep in mind that most lifting belts are made from leather, so you want to avoid that type of material and invest in a product that specifically does not use any animal-derived materials. Take a look at the top products outlined above, take the time to measure yourself correctly, make sure you tighten, and get to work to achieve your best weightlifting yet.
Our favorite is the Element 26 Belt (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).
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