You see powerlifting belts and weightlifting belts all over Instagram and Facebook. Your favourite trainers and celebrities like Henry Cavill and Jack Hughman wear these at the gym. But do you know what factors differentiate them from each other? Let’s find out! How can you differentiate between weightlifting belts & powerlifting belts? Both look the same for a non-user or a beginner lifter and both are considered super important in all the training hubs and gyms.

1. Powerlifting vs Weightlifting Belt:
Which One Is For You?

3. You see powerlifting belts and weightlifting belts all over Instagram and
Facebook. Your favourite trainers and celebrities like Henry Cavill and Jack
Hughman wear these at the gym. But do you know what factors differentiate
them from each other? Let’s find out!
How can you differentiate between weightlifting belts & powerlifting belts?
Both look the same for a non-user or a beginner lifter and both are
considered super important in all the training hubs and gyms.
Most of the centers provide the equipment on their own to all the trainers
and trainees. However, some gyms do not, so you have to buy a belt yourself.
Powerlifting belt and weightlifting belts have gained popularity over time due
to their benefits and usefulness. Today a major chunk of the athletes and
weightlifters use these belts. From gyms to major sports competitions like the
Olympics, they’re virtually everywhere.
But before you go and buy yourself one, it is worth knowing how they differ
from one another. We have created this guide to help you with that:

4. Significant Differences Between
Powerlifting vs Weightlifting Belts
Both the belts may look quite similar at the first look,
however, there are a few differences depending on the use.
Powerlifting belts are used to mainly lift the heaviest of the
weights by squatting, deadlifting, or benching, whereas in
weightlifting, the process is much faster as you snatch the
weight from the ground to overhead and back.
As many people cannot differentiate between powerlifting
and weightlifting, these two forms create significant
differences in the training process and the exercises
performed. So, the belts differ from each other as well. Your
choice is going to depend on your requirements, so let’s
uncover that mystery and get started:

5. Material
Let’s get the basic difference out of the way first: a powerlifting belt is
usually rigid and a weightlifting belt is flexible.
On one hand, you have powerlifting belts that are mostly made of
leather and are non-stretchable. You will also find a few made of vinyl
but it’s better to stick to the leather because it is easier to wrap around
the body owing to its stiffness.
Since powerlifters lift heavier weights than weightlifters, a rigid belt is
better suited to them.
On the other hand, you have weightlifting belts that are mostly made
of vinyl. However, there are a few versions that are made of leather as
well.
Weightlifting belts are thinner than powerlifting belts which is why
they are more flexible and you don’t need a lot of active effort to wrap
them around your body.

6. Buckle Design
Coming to the buckle design, weightlifting belts normally have Velcro straps while
powerlifting belts use a buckle that is similar to what you find on your normal belts.
Buckles on powerlifting belts vary from a lever mechanism to a prong mechanism.
Now, if you look at powerlifting belts, their buckles are easier to fasten because they
are constructed with a prong or lever (as mentioned above). The former is similar to
your regular belt buckles.
All you have to do is pull the strap and loop it around and voila! However, a lever
buckle works like a clamp system making it more secure than the prong mechanism.
Plus, it makes it easier to loosen or tighten the belt.
On the other hand, weightlifting belts have Velcro closures which help the designer of
belts keep as little material in front of the body as possible.
The reason why weightlifting belts do not have buckles is that weightlifters need to
keep the barbell close to their body when throwing the bar overhead which is not
possible if the belt has a big buckle.
While velcro is not as strong or secure as a prong or lever, it ensures that you do not
hit your belt with a barbell while lifting.

7. Design of the Belts
Powerlifting belts have the same width all the way
around which is normally around 4 inches. This width
remains consistent in order to provide powerlifters equal
support throughout their torso. Moreover, powerlifting
belts help lifters create 360 degrees of tension around
their torso, so they can easily squat and deadlift at the
same time.
Weightlifting belts, on the other hand, are tapered in
their design. They are normally 46 inches wide in the
back and 3-4 inches wide in the front. The reason for the
tapered design is to allow the weightlifter to move his
hips a bit more freely and attain clean lifting jerks.

8. Thickness of the Belts
The thickness of your belt, be it a powerlifting belt or a
weightlifting belt, can make or break your workout
session!
Powerlifting belts range from 10 mm to 13 mm in
thickness. The 10 mm thickness is the most commonly
available one on the market and it provides enough
rigidity to perform a workout without any hindrance.
Similarly, weightlifting belts also vary in their thickness
but they never go beyond 11 mm. The most commonly
available thickness of weightlifting belts is 5 mm.
However, in the case of leather models thickness is not
always advertised.

9. Shield for Back
Weight lifting belts support the back as there are more
chances of injuries due to faster lifting. They are made to
provide cushioning at the back and are flexible enough to
offer safety for the back muscles when the weight is put
back down.
Powerlifting belts keep the spine safe and protected by
keeping the belt tangled rigidly with the spine. This
process creates abdominal pressure and is essential for
powerlifters for squats. The stiffness of this belt protects
the body from any damage. You can check out some of
the best weight lifting belts here.

10. Type of Lifts
Powerlifting belts are better suited for heavy, low-rep
exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
Weightlifting belts are better suited for Olympic lifts like the
snatch and clean and jerk, which require more flexibility and
mobility.
Support and Stability
Powerlifting belts provide more support and stability to the
lower back and core, allowing you to lift heavier weight with
better form.
Weightlifting belts provide support to the abdominal muscles,
helping to maintain proper posture during overhead lifts.

11. Thickness and Stiffness
Thicker and stiffer belts may provide more support, but
can also be more uncomfortable and difficult to break in.
Thinner and more flexible belts may be more comfortable
to wear, but may not provide as much support during
heavy lifts.
Proper Use
It’s important to properly adjust the lifting belt to ensure
a snug fit around the waist.
A lifting belt should not be worn for every exercise or
training session, but rather for heavier lifts that put more
stress on the back and core.

12. Powerlifting Belt Vs Weightlifting Belt
– Suitable Exercises
Powerlifting Belt
Squats
A powerlifting belt is essential for squatting heavy weight, as it
helps stabilise the lower back and core, reducing the risk of
injury.
• Wear the belt snugly around the waist and position it just
above the hip bones.
• Take a deep breath and brace the core
• Descend into the squat while pushing the belly out against
the belt
• As you reach the bottom of the squat, push the knees
• Drive up through the heels while keeping the core tight.

13. Deadlifts
Deadlifting heavy weight places a lot of stress on the
lower back, making a powerlifting belt crucial for this
exercise.
• Wear the belt tightly around the waist and position it
just above the hip bones.
• Take a deep breath and brace the core
• Begin the lift by pushing through the heels – Keeping
the back flat and the core tight
• Lift the weight off the ground, exhale and push the
belly out against the belt to maintain stability.

14. Weightlifting Belt
Clean and Jerk
A weightlifting belt can help improve form and prevent injury
during the clean and jerk, which involves lifting a barbell from
the ground to the shoulders, then overhead.
• Wear the belt tightly around the waist and position it just
above the hip bones.
• Take a deep breath and brace the core.
• Perform the clean by pulling the barbell up and drop under
to catch the barbell on the shoulders.
• Prepare for the jerk, push the belly out against the belt to
maintain stability
• Drive the barbell overhead while keeping the core tight.

15. Snatch
Similar to the clean and jerk, the snatch is a weightlifting
exercise that involves lifting a barbell from the ground to
overhead in one fluid motion. A weightlifting belt can help
stabilise the core and prevent injury during this exercise.
• To use a weightlifting belt for the snatch, wear the belt
tightly around the waist and position it just above the hip
bones.
• Take a deep breath and brace the core
• Lift by pulling the barbell up under your head.
• As you stand up with the weight, push the belly out against
the belt to maintain stability and keep the core tight.

16. How Do Belts Help in Training?
Belts play a crucial role in aiding your workout routines. A belt is a reminder for you to
keep your spine in the correct position. It stabilises the spine during heavy lifting
scenarios, providing you with the intra-abdominal pressure you need for a fruitful
lifting session.
The use of belts is not limited to just supporting your back and protecting the core
muscles. They help put the lower back muscles and abs to use. However, it is still
advised to learn the proper techniques and ways to improve your form.
Keep your spine stable, lift with your legs rather than your back. The core exerts
pressure while lifting weight, so it is imperative to brace your torso and promote
muscle growth. You should consider wearing a belt while heavy lifting if you don’t
want to put stress on your back!
Let’s summarise a few benefits of using belts while training:
1. They bring out the best in your performance
2. Improve the body’s reflex actions, especially when lifting heavier weights
3. Reduce the strain on the spine
4. Support your torso to keep it from giving away under the weight
5. Protect from any injury or damage

17. Which is the ‘Right’ One For You?
First, you must know about the type of belt you require for
your fitness goals. Are you looking for the one that can help
you lift heavy weights or something that’s more like a snatch,
clean, and jerk kind of belt?
You can relate the experience of buying a weightlifting belt or
powerlifting belt to getting a pair of shoes. Your primary
preferences should be:
• Comfort
• Correct fitting
The next thing to look for is support and rigidness; you should
opt for a belt with thicker designs for heavy lifting. However, if
movement is your main concern, thinner belts would be a
better choice for you.

18. Conclusion:
Belts are a must-have fitness gear that every athlete or trainee should
have for an enhanced and safe training experience. People might think
weightlifting or powerlifting belts help lift heavier weights but that is a
common misconception. Their principal purpose is to reduce the stress
on the spine and provide the necessary support to the lifter’s body.
The right belt will help you enhance your performance. So, learn about
their differences if you want to achieve a snatched body without
injuring your back!
You may also like to read;
• The Definitive Weightlifting Belts Guide
• Romanian Deadlift: How to, Benefits, Tips, and Variations
• 11 Weighted Squats Variations You Need to Add to Your Workout
Routine
• Say Goodbye to Weightlifting Calluses With These 7 Tips