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As a strength trainee, you have so many choices.
Choice of exercise. Grip type. Number of sets. Total reps. Gym accessories. I could go on.
The problem is which choice is best?
When I finally got to some respectable numbers in my lifts, I had an important choice to make. How to choose a weightlifting belt? What type of lifting belt is best?
Are Velcro Weightlifting Belts Good? If you're looking for your first weight lifting belt, a Velcro version will help support your back and let you brace during lifts. Velcro weight lifting belts have great comfort and come in a variety of colors. As a beginner, you'll enjoy the convenience and flexibility of Velcro weightlifting belts. You'll also learn how to use a lifting belt and eventually advance on to another type.
If you are on the fence about Velcro lifting belts, we will go through an in-depth guide right here. Let's get started.
In a Hurry? Here is My Top Recommendation
A Velcro weightlifting belt is perfect for your lifting needs if you enjoy comfort and prefer quick release.
The Best Velcro Weightlifting Belt in the market is the Valeo 4-inch Lifting Belt. It is used for physically demanding jobs and has the flexibility needed for most lifts.
Best Velcro Weightlifting Belt
The Valeo 4-inch Weightlifting Belt has a low profile but enough support to help you brace during your lifts. The Velcro allows ease of use and quick release.
What Are Velcro Weight Lifting Belts
Most weightlifting belts on the market come in leather or Nylon materials. In addition, a lifting belt will vary with the fastening mechanism and how it closes.
Usually, the material of the lifting belt dictates the buckle system. For instance, leather lifting belts have a prong or lever buckle.
Whereas, the humble Nylon weightlifting belt has a Velcro closure system.
Velcro is not a decision made by fitness companies on purpose. Instead, the choice for Velcro in Nylon lifting belts is out of necessity.
Let’s take an example here.
A Nylon lifting belt with a heavy-duty metal prong buckle. In this situation, the fabric of Nylon is lightweight and usually comfortable. Attach a heavy metal prong to this fabric and you get an unbalanced lifting belt.
The added weight distribution is towards the buckle now. In addition, the metal prong buckle is overkill for the material of the lifting belt. When you go to fasten a prong belt, you tighten the belt and it bends the material.
With Nylon lifting belts, a metal buckle would lead to more wear and tear of the fabric.
The same goes for lever buckle systems. Only leather and suede are tough enough to handle these closure systems.
So what makes Velcro so special? Velcro can attach to fabric directly. Interwoven into the Nylon. The lifting belt works together when Nylon and Velcro are together.
The Velcro can only tighten as far as the Nylon will let it. Velcro lifting belts are forgiving when it comes to wear and tear.
4 Benefits of Velcro Lifting Belts
The design of most Velcro lifting belts leads to some great benefits.
1. Comfort is first. Almost every Velcro lifting belt will be more comfortable than the leather counterpart. The Nylon and Velcro together create a soft belt that hugs the torso. As a result, lifters experience better mobility and flexibility with Velcro lifting belts.
For lifters who do more dynamic movements such as Olympic style lifts, Velcro is a top choice. Constantly moving around and changing hip positions requires a versatile Velcro lifting belt.
2. Convenience is next. You can easily take your belt off when you need to after a set. With a Velcro lifting belt adjusting the tightness of your belt is super easy.
A Velcro lifting belt also enables you to let your friend use your lifting belt if they need it. There is no adjustment of size required. They just put it on, tighten and strap. These types of lifting belts are beginner friendly since you can strap and go.
3. As a beginner, you have enough support from Velcro lifting belts and less hassle. The belts allow an easier transition to leather lifting belts since you know the basics.
4. Velcro belts also have much better variety when it comes to styles and colors. They can come in different shapes and designs including tapers. You can get single colors, camo colors, and even USA brand belts.
Best Velcro Weightlifting Belt
The Valeo 4-inch Weightlifting Belt has a low profile but enough support to help you brace during your lifts. The Velcro allows ease of use and quick release.
Progress With A Velcro Lifting Belt
The ultimate question for any lifter should be pertaining to their progress.
Will you lift more with a Velcro lifting belt? Of course!
Progress with any lifting belt comes from actively wearing it during workouts. In addition, you need to make sure you’re training at more than 85% of your one rep max with the belt.
At lower weights, you will depend on the belt unnecessarily. Your muscles and core stability will be strong enough to lift without a belt.
The lifting belt is stiff enough and rigid to help with your brace during lifts. As a rigid material, you push against the lifting belt which helps you strengthen your core. Velcro lifting belts help increase intra-abdominal pressure which helps you lift more.
Once you see your progress starting to stall, you may need to move to a leather lifting belt.
Drawbacks To a Velcro Weight Lifting Belt
There are some drawbacks to Velcro lifting belts.
For starters, Velcro with Nylon is not as durable. There is a small caveat though: it depends on how well you take care of the belt.
A cared Velcro lifting belt will last longer than a beat-up leather lifting belt. But comparing the two types of lifting belts under the same conditions, leather wins. Therefore, you pay a premium in any leather product from shoes to belts. They last longer so the initial investment spreads across more time.
Due to the durability of Velcro lifting belts, they can sometimes rip or break. Be sure to check the stickiness of your lifting belt before performing heavy weights. Weights above 300lbs plus are the limit for most Velcro lifting belts so don’t take the risk.
There is one disturbing disadvantage to Velcro lifting belts: the sound. Remember when you had those Velcro running shoes as a kid? I used to love making that sound when you rip off the Velcro from its base. But as an adult, it can be annoying.
Fortunately, not many lifters mind this aspect of Velcro lifting belts. To be brutally honest, only one lifting belt on the market is obnoxiously loud. You should have no issues with other Velcro lifting belts.
Final Thoughts
So, to answer the question if Velcro lifting belts are good? The answer is yes, but only if it fits your needs.
As a beginner, Velcro lifting belts will be comfortable and reliable. You won’t be put off by any initial stiffness preventing you from using the lifting belt further.
You can train your body on how to use a lifting belt during workouts. Learning the new body mechanics and muscle cues with a belt on is key for new lifters. Once you feel your lifting numbers max out with a Velcro weightlifting belt you can move on to leather.
Best Velcro Weightlifting Belt
The Valeo 4-inch Weightlifting Belt has a low profile but enough support to help you brace during your lifts. The Velcro allows ease of use and quick release.
