Size matters!
That’s a phrase we’ve all heard and one that’s never more true than in the gym.
That said, society is geared more towards the average. Even in places like gyms, big guys are less likely to be catered to and must adapt accordingly.
If there’s one area you don’t want to have to “make do,” it’s safety.
Weightlifting belts are an essential piece of gear to help keep you safe when you’re lifting heavy, and making sure they fit correctly is the key to their success.
I’m going to show you 5 of the best on the market that fully cater to larger guys’ needs — from the big boys in the game like the Inzer Advance Designs Belt to some of the lesser-known gems.
In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick!
Inzer Advance Designs Forever Buckle Belt 13mm
- Thick, strong, durable material
- Single prong buckle for easy adjustment
- Lifetime warranty
Things to Consider When Buying Weightlifting Belts for Big Guys
When buying something as important as a weightlifting belt, there are certain factors you want to consider.
Weightlifting belts are meant to keep your core and back muscles tight and, ideally, keep you safe. But they can only do this if you fasten them tightly to ensure everything is secure and stabilized.
Making sure you pick one with the correct features is vital to ensuring your purchase’s success, regardless of your size.
Thickness
The level of support you receive from a weightlifting belt is dependent on many factors, but none more so than the thickness of the material itself.
You want to make sure it’s thick enough to stop it from bending under the stress of a heavy lift, but not too thick that it limits your range of movement.
The average thickness tends to range between 5-10mm. However, we’re not talking about ordinary people today — the belts we’ll be looking at are all 13mm.
This added thickness allows it to stand up to the additional stresses it’ll be placed under by a larger user, be that taller or wider.
It’s also the thickest belt allowed in professional competitions, meaning those of you with loftier aspirations needn’t worry about being able to use your purchase on the big day.
You’ll be good to go.
Material
There are four materials you’ll commonly find weightlifting belts made from:
- Neoprene
- Suede
- Leather
- Nylon
Without a doubt, the king of the materials is leather. It’s not just the strongest of the four but is also the most durable too.
Both nylon and neoprene belts allow for more mobility, but they’re really designed for much lighter lifts. They’re a great “first” belt for a lot of guys.
And lastly, suede is simply a cheaper, slightly less effective version of leather.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that all of the belts on my list are either leather or suede.
While they might be a little more expensive, they are vastly more effective. Their durability also means your purchase should stand the test of time and end up proving to be a great value in the long run.
Fastening Device
Weightlifting belts are usually fastened in one of two ways:
- Buckle, either one or two prong
- Lever
Both of these have their ups and downs, and neither is necessarily better than the other.
Levers are good for quick fastening and releasing and can usually be made slightly tighter than buckles. However, they do break much more frequently.
Buckles are easily adjustable at any point and are usually very durable. But they can be a struggle to open and close at very tight settings, unfortunately.
Yes, you might get stuck in a buckle belt.
As there’s no clear winner, I’ll be using a combination of both on the list.
You’ll occasionally also find Velcro used in cheaper models, but we won’t be looking at that here as they don’t hold up well for bigger guys.
Quick Summary View
| Rank | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Inzer Advance Designs Forever Buckle Belt 13mm |
| Check Price |
| #2 |  Force Of Habit 13mm Double Prong Genuine Leather Powerlifting Weight Belt |
| Check Price |
| #3 |  Grip Power Pads Lever Buckle Weightlifting Belt |
| Check Price |
| #4 |  Lifting Large Powerlifting Belt With Lever Buckle 13mm |
| Check Price |
| #5 |  Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Lever Belt |
| Check Price |
5 Best Weightlifting Belts for Big Guys
1. Inzer Advance Designs Forever Buckle Belt 13mm
If you search for the best brands in weightlifting belts, Inzer is a name you’ll see time and time again. As you’d expect, the quality of the product matches the reputation.
This belt is made from thick, strong leather, designed to give maximum support during even the heaviest of deadlifts.
It’s also the only belt on the list with a single prong buckle. That means it gives all the benefits a dual prong buckle usually provides, without some of the limitations.
A great belt from a great company, it provides everything you’d expect from a weightlifting belt. The minor downsides are irrelevant when considering the impressive quality of the Inzer Advance Designs Forever Buckle Belt.
Combined with its fairly middle of the range price tag, it’s one of the best gym workout belts you can buy.
Pros:
- Thick, strong, durable material
- Single prong buckle for easy adjustment
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Buckle can difficult to open and close at tightest settings
- Stiff leather can be uncomfortable until broken in
2. Force Of Habit 13mm Double Prong Genuine Leather Powerlifting Weight Belt
From the big boys of the industry to the other end of the spectrum, Force Of Habit is a smaller Canadian company that makes some good under the radar products.
A similar spec to the previous product, the main difference is the Force Of Habit 13mm Double Prong Genuine Leather Powerlifting Weight Belt uses the more traditional double prong buckle.
This feature is ideal for someone who likes the buckle fastener but wants a little more security on heavy leg days.
Despite being from a small company, this belt presents itself as a high-quality product.
With a similar price tag to the Inzer, these are the go-to belts if your preferred fastener is a buckle. In the end, it comes down to personal preference on appearance, the number of prongs, and brand recognition as to which one you choose.
Pros:
- Good, thick leather
- Sturdy steel buckle
Cons:
- Longest opening/closing time of the list due to double prongs
- Relatively unknown company with no warranty
3. Grip Power Pads Lever Buckle Weightlifting Belt
Grip Power Pads is a company based out of New York City that has been producing weightlifting equipment for over a decade. With that experience behind them, they certainly know what they’re doing.
Another thick leather belt, the Grip Power Pads Lever Buckle Weightlifting Belt is the first to feature the second type of fastener I mentioned: The lever.
This means that, while you get the same quality of belt as the buckle options, it comes with the ease of taking it on and off with the flick of a switch — whether that be between sets or between exercises.
As with so many lever belts, there are reports of it breaking in the middle of a set. But that’s the risk you take if you decide to avoid buckles.
All in all, this is the highest quality belt suitable for big guys with the lever attachment. Despite the slightly inflated price tag, if you want a lever belt, this would be my first choice.
Pros:
- Thick, strong leather
- Lever provides quick opening and closing
Cons:
- Reports of lever breaking
- Expensive
- Hard to adjust
4. Lifting Large Powerlifting Belt With Lever Buckle 13mm
Oregon-based company Lifting Large is one of the many taking advantages of the “hip” image the fitness community currently has, producing cool looking equipment for the modern generation.
This belt perfectly exemplifies that with its dazzling chrome lever.
The Lifting Large Powerlifting Belt With Lever Buckle 13mm is also made from suede as opposed to leather, making it more affordable for the casual fitness enthusiast.
This is best described as the top of the more affordable tier. It certainly does its job and looks good while doing it.
However, for the dedicated trainer looking for serious gains, it might be worth going for a more expensive option with quality to match.
Pros:
- Affordable
- One year warranty
- Stylish appearance
- Quick fastening and release
Cons:
- Lower-quality material
- Less sturdy
- Reports of levers breaking within months
5. Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Lever Belt
From another Canadian company, this belt is one of the most reviewed belts online among the belts on this list, so they’re clearly doing something right. Maybe it’s the cool logo, the snazzy red and black finish, the affordable price, or even a combination of the lot.
There’s certainly a market there for this solid product, even with the issues that can always arise with levers and suede.
The Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Lever Belt is in a similar category to the previous belt in the affordable tier.
It’s the stand out belt of the list for appearance but unfortunately the lowest quality too.
This belt is more designed for the casual lifter who wants to look good. It does the job it’s designed to, just don’t bank on it having a particularly long life.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Best looking on the list
- Quick fastening and release
Cons:
- Weaker suede
- Poor quality lever
- No warranty
Top Picks for the Best Lifting Belts for Big Guys
Inzer Advance Designs Forever Buckle Belt 13mm
- Thick, strong, durable material
- Single prong buckle for easy adjustment
- Lifetime warranty
Well there you have it: The 5 best weightlifting belts for big guys on the market.
While they all serve a purpose for different users, I still think there are winners and losers.
The Inzer belt is unquestionably the best all-around option and the belt that I recommend for big guys looking to see gains in the gym.
The Grip Power Pads belt is the best choice if you prefer a lever.
And the Lifting Large belt is the best on a tight budget.
So, now you’ve got all the information you need, what are you waiting for? Go grab your belt of choice, hit the gym, and show everyone that bigger is indeed, better!
