A weightlifting belt might not have a protracted record of options, however it’s a worthwhile software that may assist hold you protected, secure, and supported throughout your coaching classes. As a longtime rugby participant and energy athlete, I’ve been utilizing a powerlifting mannequin from EliteFTS that’s withstood loads of punishment over the past eight years with out sustaining any tears. However regardless that investing in a totally leather-based belt will be costly, you don’t should spend $150 (or extra) to get pleasure from a safer lifting expertise. Enter the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt — an inexpensive choice that mixes the soundness of a leather-based belt with the flexibleness of a nylon one.
On this Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt overview, you’ll learn the way an organization began by a physician of bodily remedy and a US Military veteran developed a cheap resolution to unravel the issue of getting to pick between two completely different kinds of belts.
Key Takeaways
- The Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt pairs premium leather-based with high-quality nylon to provide the better of each belt materials worlds, as the previous provides superior stability and the latter provides additional consolation.
- The velcro strap and self-locking buckle system hold you well-secured so you possibly can safely carry out deadlifts, squats, and different heavy lifts with extra confidence.
- This self-locking weightlifting belt is flexible sufficient for use by powerlifters coaching to hit PRs to CrossFit fans crushing dynamic Olympic lifts like energy cleans and snatches.
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Professionals
- Factor 26 provides this hybrid weightlifting belt in 5 completely different sizes, which suggests most lifters should not have any bother discovering one that matches comfortably round their stomach buttons. From additional small (23 to 27 inches) to additional giant (40 to 45 inches), there’s a variety of choices for lifters of all sizes.
- The self-locking mechanism permits for clean transitions between units. You possibly can simply unlock the buckle and modify the strap to take the belt off when you relaxation, and it stays securely in place whenever you’re able to raise.
- At round $60, this versatile weightlifting belt represents wonderful worth. Though it’s considerably cheaper than a totally leather-based belt, it’s fabricated from high-quality supplies that defend your decrease again and core throughout heavy lifts and different athletic actions.
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Cons
- A totally leather-based belt will present superior stability to this hybrid model from Factor 26. If you need the most help, the SBD 13MM Lever Belt is without doubt one of the best weightlifting belt options for powerlifters and athletes who prepare with heavy hundreds. Simply be ready to pay north of $300 when you embrace transport and taxes.
- Whereas our testing staff felt comfy utilizing the self-locking buckle, a belt with a lever buckle system might present an additional layer of assurance and safety. Nevertheless, this comes right down to a matter of non-public choice.
- The uniform four-inch width of the Factor 26 Hybrid Belt might trigger discomfort for some athletes. As a result of it’s not tapered within the entrance, the belt may cause some respiratory restrictions, relying in your physique place.
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Specs
Value | $59.97 |
Belt kind | Hybrid |
Supplies | Premium leather-based belt wrapped in nylon |
Thickness | Six millimeters |
Out there sizes | XS, S, M, L, and XL |
Guarantee | Lifetime guarantee |
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Ranking
The burden belt world consists of all kinds of construct supplies, designs, and makes use of. Our Breaking Muscle staff of licensed private trainers, CrossFit loyalists, and energy and conditioning coaches have collectively carried out hundreds of reps of squats, deadlifts, and different workout routines over time carrying dozens of various weight belts. After coaching with them extensively, we used a proprietary scoring system to rank them based mostly on components corresponding to design, sturdiness, and flexibility.
Right here’s how the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt scored.
Issue | Ranking (out of 5) |
Value | 4.5 |
Design and colours | 4 |
Building and supplies | 4.5 |
Adjustability | 5 |
Sturdiness | 4.5 |
Versatility | 5 |
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt In-Depth Evaluate
Earlier than you make room for the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt in your gymnasium bag, you’ll need to be sure it’s one of the best match on your fashion of coaching. In any case, regardless that it may be used for several types of exercises, chances are you’ll favor the match and really feel of a tapered belt or the soundness and safety of a thicker one. We’ll take a more in-depth have a look at key elements like worth, versatility, and sturdiness so you possibly can full the checkout course of with zero worries and one hundred pc confidence.
Value and Worth
Out there on element26.co and Amazon for $59.97, this hybrid weightlifting belt received’t make an enormous dent in your gym equipment funds. Actually, you possibly can simply spend double that quantity to get a totally leather-based belt particularly fitted to powerlifting — such because the 13mm Endlessly Lever Belt by Izner — which prices about $140.
Whereas investing that kind of cash might get you most sturdiness and stability, it will not be mandatory. Because the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt brings one of the best of each worlds through the use of leather-based and nylon, you possibly can carry out nearly any kind of exercise with out having to fret a few lack of help. At about $60 and able to dealing with almost something you throw its approach, this belt earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for value and worth.
Design and Colours
It’s simple to see why so many customers benefit from the design of the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt. At six millimeters thick, it has enough girth to help your core and decrease again. Plus, a four-inch-wide profile makes it well-suited for performing squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
How do these measurements stack up towards different weightlifting belts? Rogue’s USA Nylon Lifting Belt is only a hair thicker (6.35 millimeters), with the identical four-inch-wide profile on the entrance and sides and a barely wider (five-inch) again. In the meantime, regardless that the absolutely leather-based SBD 13mm Lever Belt incorporates a uniform four-inch-wide design just like the Factor 26 belt, it’s considerably thicker, measuring 13 millimeters.
Most significantly, Factor 26 paired a self-locking buckle with a velcro strap to supply safety and peace of thoughts. Whereas there’s nothing essentially flawed with nylon belts, relying solely on velcro to maintain you locked in when you raise will be dangerous. Moderately than taking any possibilities of the belt coming undone throughout a deadlift or a squat, Factor 26 doubled down by designing an easy-to-use system that our testing staff highlighted as one of many belt’s standout options.
Sadly, Factor 26 didn’t get artistic when it got here to paint decisions. Out there solely in black, their hybrid belt received’t seize a lot consideration from a visible standpoint. In the end, although, the user-friendly design helps it earn 4 out of 5 stars on this class.
Building and Supplies
Don’t let the comparatively low cost price ticket idiot you. Factor 26 constructed this hybrid weightlifting belt to final through the use of high-quality supplies, together with one hundred pc premium leather-based and premium nylon. Heavy-duty stitching close to the highest and backside edges offers added reinforcement — together with a pleasant visible contact.
In the meantime, the self-locking buckle and heavy-duty Velcro strap give two layers of safety throughout your exercises. Total, our testing staff discovered the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt to be well-constructed and greater than able to serving as your solely belt for years to return. All in all, it earned 4.5 out of 5 stars on this space.
Adjustability
Being able to rapidly tighten or loosen your weightlifting belt could make a serious distinction in how easily and effectively your exercise goes. Fortunately, our testing staff loved a stress-free expertise adjusting the Factor 26 belt throughout their coaching session.
The velcro strap inserts into the self-locking buckle to make sure the belt doesn’t come free. But regardless that the system is ultra-secure, the strap is simple to regulate so you possibly can take the belt off and catch your breath between units. This additionally is useful throughout CrossFit-style exercises, as you possibly can rapidly take away the belt whereas making a seamless transition from one motion to the subsequent. As well as, the flexibility to make the belt as tight as you need permits for even stress distribution and higher breathability.
With no points tightening, loosening, or eradicating the belt completely, it earns 5 out of 5 stars for adjustability.
Versatility
Because of its hybrid leather-nylon design, that is the place this belt really shines. Each freshmen and professionals will recognize the flexibility to make use of this belt for all the pieces from powerlifting to CrossFit-style coaching that requires extra motion and agility. Our testing staff discovered that the belt supplied ample decrease again help for heavier lifts whereas nonetheless retaining sufficient flexibility to guard your belly muscle mass and core throughout WODs and different forms of generalized energy and conditioning work.
Does that essentially imply this belt is one of the best for powerlifting? A totally leather-based model that’s a minimum of a couple of millimeters thicker, such because the Rogue 10mm Lever Weightlifting Belt, will outshine this Factor 26 belt in that space. Plus, as a result of most powerlifting federations stipulate {that a} belt should have a prong or lever-style adjusting mechanism, you can’t use the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt in sanctioned competitions. Nevertheless, a thick, heavy-duty powerlifting belt will probably be too inflexible and uncomfortable to carry out CrossFit exercises, Olympic weightlifting, and practical health actions.
Then again, a nylon weightlifting belt received’t give the identical stability and help as a leather-based one. So, Factor 26 did effectively to design a hybrid model that may serve a number of functions at a rock-solid degree. Checking the field for versatility, this belt simply earns 5 out of 5 stars.
Sturdiness
Factor 26 had most sturdiness in thoughts by crafting the belt from one hundred pc premium leather-based. A resilient materials that may face up to the toll of getting used time after time, I can attest to the toughness and sturdiness of leather-based, as my powerlifting belt has held up effectively for almost a decade. That ought to provide you with loads of confidence about investing in a belt that’s not solely sturdy but additionally versatile.
And if in case you have any worries in regards to the belt’s capacity to carry up over the lengthy haul, Factor 26 features a lifetime guarantee. Though the coverage doesn’t cowl regular put on and tear, it does cowl any manufacturing defects. Total, this belt earned 4.5 out of 5 stars for sturdiness.
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt vs. 2POOD
At simply north of $50, you received’t discover many belts that may compete with the flexibility and worth of the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt. Nonetheless, it’s unattainable to disregard one other robust contender within the sub-$100 class: 2POOD.
Their four-inch-wide weightlifting belt is available in at an identical value level ($65 on Amazon; $50 on their web site as a part of a Black Friday sale) and is compliant with USA Weightlifting requirements. Out there in six sizes (XXS to XL), the 2POOD belt options their WODClamp™ locking system, which reinforces the velcro and provides safety and help.
Nevertheless, not like Factor 26, 2POOD didn’t incorporate leather-based into the design. As an alternative, they used a mixture of velcro and Cordura nylon to provide the flexibility to raise closely and nonetheless have the ability to transfer round with out restrictions. That tradeoff might not swimsuit you when you primarily concentrate on powerlifting-style exercises, as leather-based offers superior stability. But with a median ranking of 4.6 stars on Amazon, it’s clear 2POOD’s cross-training belt has left a powerful impression on lots of of happy clients.
In the end, when you’re searching for most help for heavy lifting, your greatest guess is to go the Factor 26 route. In case you’re extra involved about normal safety for extra dynamic exercises, the 2POOD nylon lifting belt will get the job carried out for about the identical value.
2POOD Weightlifting Belts
4.0
- Materials: Nylon
- Width: Three, 4, or six inches
- Thickness: 20 centimeters
- Locking kind: Velcro, hook-and-loop WODClamp
- Dimension vary: XXXS to XXL
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Buyer Evaluations
Factor 26 hit a house run by releasing a belt that accommodates such a variety of customers. Receiving widespread reward for its user-friendly design, the Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt has earned a ranking of 4.6 stars based mostly on 113 Amazon critiques as of the time of this publication.
One buyer appreciated the flexibility to make small changes and that the belt labored nice for heavier lifts. One other happy consumer identified that the belt supplied “loads of help for an beginner lifter.” Total, many appreciated the mix of inflexible leather-based with comfy nylon (plus the velcro strap).
Nevertheless, a couple of critiques talked about the belt’s thickness (or lack thereof) as a possible downside, noting that this mannequin from Factor 26 shouldn’t be as thick as a standard powerlifting belt. This is a crucial issue to bear in mind when you primarily concentrate on the large three lifts.
Closing Verdict: Is the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Value It?
Based mostly on its high-quality development, and wonderful versatility, the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt deserves a spot in your gymnasium bag. Able to getting used for WODs or heavy lifting classes, it offers loads of decrease again and core help with out being overly restrictive. In case you’re seeking to put money into one belt that fits a number of kinds of coaching, this well-priced mannequin from Factor 26 will definitely get the job carried out.
FAQs
To guard your decrease again and supply higher stability throughout your lifts, you need to place the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt round your stomach button. Pull the strap by way of the self-locking mechanism, loop it again by way of, and tighten the belt till it creates intra-abdominal stress. Then, use the velcro strap to safe all the pieces collectively.
A hybrid lifting belt can be utilized for conventional energy workout routines just like the squat, deadlift, and bench press, in addition to Olympic lifts and CrossFit-style exercises which might be extra dynamic. Whereas there are belts particularly designed for powerlifting which might be thicker and absolutely fabricated from leather-based, they’re additionally dearer. Then again, absolutely nylon belts don’t present enough help for heavy lifts, making a hybrid one an awesome alternative for a lot of athletes and residential gymnasium house owners.
The first components you need to take into accout when selecting a belt measurement are your weight, waist width, and the kind of workout routines you need to carry out with the belt. You must have the ability to squeeze your index finger between you and the belt, which suggests you’ve enough house to breathe out and nonetheless have the ability to brace your core.
Additionally, do not forget that powerlifting belts are usually thicker and extra inflexible than their hybrid or Olympic-style counterparts. For an in depth sizing chart, go to the element26.co web site.