So, you’ve decided to take your passion for fitness one step further. Now you’re looking to sculpt your body from head to toe and get absolutely shredded over the next few months.
Want to maximize your gains and get the best physique you’ve ever had in your entire life? Then you’re going to need a bodybuilding gym belt that’ll put your previous workouts to shame.
If you’re in a rush, we recommend the RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt for a durable yet comfortable fit. Otherwise, keep reading to learn about our top 9 bodybuilding belts.
In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick!
RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt
- As soft as a leather belt can possibly get
- Extra padding beneath leather for lower back comfort
- Might be able to double as your powerlifting belt
- Money-back guarantee!
Things to Consider When Buying Bodybuilding Gym Belts
Pull aside the biggest guy at the gym and ask him this: “What’s the difference between a bodybuilding belt and a powerlifting belt?”
Chances are, he won’t have a clue!
Well, for one, they’re two entirely different training styles. So, a bodybuilding belt will need to be able to handle long workouts, longer sets, better form, and a rep range of about 8 to 12 reps.
Confused yet? Let’s take a look at a few things you should look into before buying a bodybuilding belt.
Tapered Fit
Most bodybuilders will turn to a belt with a tapered fit.
Now, if you know anything about the powerlifting scene, then you know that tapered belts are sometimes seen as flimsy, weak, or even useless.
Well, they are if you’re attempting to deadlift 800 pounds.
For bodybuilders, tapered belts are all about comfort.
They provide a good amount of support along the back (between 4” and 6”), yet narrow out around the hips and ribs. This keeps a tough leather or even an unusually rigid nylon from digging into your sides or pinching your skin.
One more bonus: The buckle or wide material around your core won’t stop you from getting into an even deeper squat or deadlift.
Soft Material
The material your bodybuilding belt is made of will either make or break your workout.
Literally.
Leather belts are known for being stiff and sometimes even indestructible. But that’s not really what you need for bodybuilding.
In fact, a leather belt can be uncomfortable, cause bruising at your ribs, and force you to cut your sets short. The only time you should use a leather belt for bodybuilding is if the leather is treated in a way that makes it softer, more flexible, or thinner.
So, what else is there?
Most serious bodybuilders will decide on a neoprene or nylon belt instead.
These materials are much less abrasive on the skin, have soft edges to prevent being jabbed in the sides with each and every squat, and still provide decent support.
Some nylon belts are comparable to leather belts in terms of support!
Thickness
Last but not least, you need to think about how thick the belt is.
When it comes to setting new PRs, doing lifts of 500+ pounds, and knocking out sets with less than 5 reps, then you will want a thicker belt. That explains why powerlifters may choose a belt up to 13mm thick.
But thick belts are clunky and bulky.
Even worse is the fact that they tend to limit how deep you can squat. And when these thicker belts dig into your sides, you can feel it 10-fold.
So, you’ll want to choose a thinner belt if you’re shifting your focus toward bodybuilding.
Luckily, most nylon or neoprene belts are about 5mm to 7mm thick. You might also be able to find an unusually thin leather belt with the same thickness for a bit more support.
Quick Summary View
| Rank | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt |
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| #2 |  Harbinger 5-Inch Weightlifting Belt |
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| #3 |  Iron Bull Strength 5" Neoprene Weightlifting Belt |
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| #4 |  ProFitness Pre-Broken-In Weight Lifting Belt (4 Inches Wide) |
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| #5 |  Harbinger Padded Leather Contoured Weightlifting Belt |
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| #6 |  RitFit 4-Inches Low Profile Weightlifting Belt |
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| #7 |  Rip Toned Lifting Belt |
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| #8 |  Valeo 4-Inch VLP Performance Low Profile Belt |
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| #9 |  Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Pro Weight Lifting Belt |
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9 Best Bodybuilding Gym Belts
1. RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt
Leather belts aren’t always the best choice for bodybuilding.
But the RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt blows the competition straight out of the water. So, don’t let the word “leather” make you second guess yourself.
The oil-tanned leather is much softer and more flexible than the standard rigid leather. That means it’s gentle on your skin, won’t cause chafing, and won’t jab you in the sides with squats.
It even has a layer of padding snuck deep into the belt’s interior. Now you can spend long hours at the gym pumping out sets of 12 on the overhead press without blowing out your lower back.
Pros:
- As soft as a leather belt can possibly get
- Extra padding beneath leather for lower back comfort
- Might be able to double as your powerlifting belt
- Money-back guarantee!
Cons:
- Leather can be a tad uncomfortable for bodybuilding
- Sizing stops at 45 inches
2. Harbinger 5-Inch Weightlifting Belt
Wider bodybuilding belts can be a real pain (literally) if you have a shorter torso.
So, instead of suffering through those belts that sit at 4” at your core and dig into your sides, get the Harbinger 5-Inch Weightlifting Belt that narrows down to a mere 3” in front.
This belt was designed to handle those endless workouts as you’re bulking. The lightweight design and foam padding will keep you comfortable, safe, and pumping iron for an hour or more.
The tricot lining on the inside of the belt will keep the belt stable on your core and can even be worn directly on your skin. It’ll keep your belt and core dry during particularly sweaty workouts.
Pros:
- 3” wide in the front for a greater range of motion
- Roller buckle makes choosing a size easy
- Stays dry during even the sweatiest workouts
- Lightweight and flexible
Cons:
- Seems to run small, so double-check the size chart
3. Iron Bull Strength 5″ Neoprene Weightlifting Belt
Do you prefer a belt that you can use during any style of workout? Then you might be better off with the Iron Bull Strength 5″ Neoprene Weightlifting Belt instead.
The ultra-light neoprene makes this belt flexible enough for CrossFit. Yet, the ratchet-style closure will give you all the support you need to sink deep into heavy deadlifts without failing.
This belt sits at 5” around your back and narrows down to 4” around the front. And the ultra-wide velcro strap in the front of the belt will give you the confidence to bump up the weight a bit.
You have 10 colors to choose from, so you can finally catch the attention of others at the gym.
Pros:
- Offers 10 unique color options
- Extra-thick 4” velcro strap for a secure fit
- Auto-locking fit minimizes the risk of belt failure
- Money-back guarantee!
- Ultra-light neoprene is super comfortable
Cons:
- The colors are a little bland
4. ProFitness Pre-Broken-In Weight Lifting Belt (4 Inches Wide)
You’re probably thinking, “Not another leather belt.”
Fortunately, the ProFitness Pre-Broken-In Weight Lifting Belt (4 Inches Wide) is one of the few leather belts on the market that’ll help you with your gains. And it’s ready for the gym today!
At 7mm thick, the genuine leather is thin yet supportive. So, this belt will be right by your side (or on your waist) as you knock out more reps than last week or add an extra 5 pounds to your lift.
The best feature of the belt is the tapered design. It provides more than enough support in the 4” wide back, yet is narrow enough around the sides to keep you in the gym for longer than before.
Pros:
- The rare tapered leather belt
- No break-in process needed to get into the gym
- Thickness (7mm) won’t be clunky or intrusive
- Comfortable like nylon, but stiff like leather
- Very supportive of solid form
Cons:
- May take a while to get used to the leather (could dig into your sides)
5. Harbinger Padded Leather Contoured Weightlifting Belt
Do you have a pre-existing back injury or develop backaches during long training sessions?
Then you’ll be better off with the 6” wide Harbinger Padded Leather Contoured Weightlifting Belt. This belt excels when it comes to lower back comfort, squat and deadlift support, and stability.
This Harbinger belt won’t ever let you down, even if you move to bicep curls or bench presses from the deadlift. The dual-prong heavy-duty steel buckle won’t ever fail or loosen during a lift.
If you’re debating a 6” leather belt, here’s one thing to keep in mind: Your size. If you consider yourself to be a bigger guy in terms of height and mass, you won’t get support quite like this.
Just to be clear, if you have any concerns about your health, you should always consult a medical professional before attempting any sort of exercise routine. Everything on this site should be considered only as advice.
Pros:
- Extra-wide 6” at the back for some incredible support
- Good fit for the larger guys who crave stability
- Possibly lasts for years without issue
- Tapers at the front for more comfort
Cons:
- The foam doesn’t offer support at the core region
- Instances where the belt has torn or rivets have blown
6. RitFit 4-Inches Low Profile Weightlifting Belt
Bodybuilding belts are meant to be as out of the way as possible, right?
Then, the RitFit 4-Inches Low Profile Weightlifting Belt might be your best bet. This belt sits comfortably around the waist and is an ergonomic and stable 4” all around, maximizing stability.
The best feature of this belt would be the support. Not only does it provide even pressure across your back and core, but it can support squats, deadlifts, and presses up to 400 lbs or more.
If that wasn’t enough to seal the deal, then there’s one more feature worth mentioning: The quick-release buckle. You’ll never fumble around with a velcro strap between sets again.
Pros:
- Sizing goes up to 59” for the bulkier guys out there
- Lifetime warranty!
- Easy to adjust with a quick-release buckle system
- Powerlifter’s delight as well (supports lifts over 400 pounds)
- Comfortable all-around and ergonomic
Cons:
- Pretty stiff for a nylon belt
7. Rip Toned Lifting Belt
Any company can design a bodybuilding belt, but very few will be endorsed by the pros.
The Rip Toned Lifting Belt was once touted by Kevin Weiss (2014 World Champion Powerlifter). And there’s even a chance you saw this belt applauded on NBC, Fox, and other networks.
Bodybuilding belts can be expensive and you’ll want to move up in the world. This belt is a long-term solution and the only belt you’ll need from your first day until your last competition.
What you’ll notice about this belt is that it does literally everything you could possibly need when it comes to gains. You can easily bump up your reps, extend your workout, or set new PRs.
Pros:
- Used by Kevin Weiss (2014 World Champion Powerlifter)
- Supportive of lifts over 300 pounds in some cases
- Tapered around the hips and ribs for less pinching and jabbing
- Boosts PRs and rep ranges
Cons:
- The heavier you lift, the more the velcro wears away
- Takes some time to get used to
8. Valeo 4-Inch VLP Performance Low Profile Belt
Lower back pain can be debilitating and can keep you out of the gym for months. Well, that’s until you bring the Valeo 4-Inch VLP Performance Low Profile Belt to the gym with you.
The inside of this belt includes memory foam and is a great choice for beginners.
The extra padding of this belt will keep your back protected and comfortable always. So, feel free to add a few extra sets to the end of your workout or sink a little deeper into that deadlift.
And if your gym’s AC blows or if you’re dripping sweat by the end of your workout, you’ll appreciate the fact that this belt is both waterproof and washable. You’ll always be clean.
Pros:
- Soft edges to avoid discomfort in high-rep workouts
- Sizing starts at 22”, ideal for women and smaller guys
- Washable
- An awesome introductory belt for new bodybuilders
- Memory foam for pre-existing back injuries
Cons:
- Takes some time to get used to this one
9. Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Pro Weight Lifting Belt
If you’re the type of guy to add powerlifting sets to your routine, then think about the Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Pro Weight Lifting Belt.
The genuine leather in this belt is nothing like the cliche leather belt.
This belt is designed to be sturdy enough to support lifts of 600+ pounds without so much as bending. Yet, the 5mm thickness makes it comfortable and it won’t get in the way mid-set.
Though it’s 4” all around and is made of leather, this belt is great if you want to see gains and you want to see them now. You’ll see 10% gains during your first session with this belt.
This is a very well-rounded belt and we consider it an exceptional pick. That’s why we included it on our blog post listing the “best of the best” weightlifting belts.
Pros:
- One of the best weightlifting/powerlifting belts around
- 5mm thick leather won’t get in the way, but will still give support
- See 10% improvements in your lifts on day one
- Can be used in IPF and USAPL competitions (for powerlifters)
Cons:
- The leather tends to dig in a little
Top Picks for the Best Bodybuilding Gym Belts
RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt
- As soft as a leather belt can possibly get
- Extra padding beneath leather for lower back comfort
- Might be able to double as your powerlifting belt
- Money-back guarantee!
Every belt on this list can turn your physique from muscular to absolutely jacked. When you choose a bodybuilding belt, you’re going to want one that’s gentle, thin, and tapered.
Our top choice is the RDX 4 Inch Weightlifting Fitness Leather Gym Belt.
This belt is truly built to last and the genuine leather won’t crack or tear, even if you step out of your comfort zone and try to test for a new 1RM.
Even better?
You won’t find a belt quite as comfortable as this one. It’s designed to keep that annoying bulky buckle from rubbing against your skin and has a little extra back padding if you’re still recovering from a prior lower back injury.
