If you have been working out in a gym or a fitness center for quite some time, you would have had the opportunity to see some brawny powerlifters wearing a lever belt.
Lifting heavier weights is a must for any powerlifter. They need extra support and stability to lift weights swiftly and smoothly. A lever belt is a perfect equipment for heavy weight lifting and deadlifts.
Many people stay confused about how a lever belt is different from other weightlifting belts. For example, a traditional weightlifting belt is equipped with a single or double prong attachment, but the lever belt doesn’t work that way. Instead, this belt is fastened with an adjustable lever which allows quick fastening and adjustments.
An athlete requires a high level of support; therefore, the lever belt is most popular among powerlifters. These belts come in numerous shapes, sizes, and colours to choose from as per your fitness level.
For a beginner, a lever belt of thickness 10mm is recommended. As you work your way up to lifting heavier weights, you can gradually increase the thickness to 13mm.
You can adjust the tightness and position of a lever belt as per your workout. For example, the positioning of the belt on your torso would be different for a squat than a deadlift. However, it is recommended to test the belt during your warmup session to try its mechanical effectiveness beforehand.
You don’t necessarily have to wear it for every single exercise. Therefore, wearing it through a warm-up session and moving towards lifting weights immediately help you realize if you require it.
Benefits of Using 10mm Lever Belt
1. Increased Range of Motion
Whether you are a powerlifter, weightlifter, or CrossFit athlete, increased range of motion is everyone’s need. The lever belt is made up of high-quality leather that helps you explore your range of motion and expand it as per the requirement of the workout.
The best part about this belt is that it renders the support needed without letting it become a hindrance in your comfort.
2. Ensures a Comfortable Lifting Experience
The 10mm lever belt ensures that lifting a heavyweight doesn’t become an irritating task for you. No one wants to feel the belt cutting through their skin with the heavy deadlift. Therefore, a comfortable lifting experience is imperative.
This belt conforms to your body shape. Since it allows you to adjust and fasten as per your preference, it becomes a super secure fit while lifting.
3. Easy Fastening
The lever belt features a lever system for easy tightening. This is by far the only belt to use such a design. Mose other belts use buttons or buckles, which can be exhausting.
But with the lever system, you can tighten your belt with one swift motion, and you are all set to deadlift.
4. Easy-to-Adjust
Convenience and comfort are the two necessities in the case of weightlifting belts. No one wants their belt too tightened up in the middle of a rep. You can’t instantly move to your next rep without stopping and adjusting the belt. This cumbersome experience is not on preference.
Since the lever belt comes with a lever, you can adjust it as needed without removing it. It will stay in its place throughout the movement, keeping you away from the hassle of loose pants or juggling.
5. Conforms to Your Waist
Appropriate waist size is vital when adjusting the belt. The lever belt eliminates the need to go through the right hole. For someone who wishes to lose weight, it’s convenient.
6. Helps Perform a Variety of Workouts
A 10mm lever belt is highly versatile when choosing the exercises you can perform. Whether it’s powerlifting, benching, or deadlifting, you can perform all the exercises you want with this belt. Getting a belt of 13mm will restrict you to just powerlifting moves, which wouldn’t be a value for money.
Wearing the Lever Belt Correctly
The first step in getting a lever belt is to ensure you choose a suitable size. It directly impacts the effectiveness of the workout you are performing. Determine the right size for yourself by measuring, assembling, and wearing the belt before purchasing it.
After you have found out the right size, the positioning of the belt will pretty much depend on the exercise you are performing. Generally, it should be wrapped around the small of your back and buckled on your lower abs at the front.
It would help if you certified that the belt does not get jammed at the crease of your hip while you squat or deadlift. It can prove to be severely detrimental to your form and lifts.
Once you have started to perform your lifts, keep your breathing as you would if you weren’t wearing a belt. Brace your abs as you lift; doing any more than that leads to flexion in your spine.
10mm Lever Belt Exercises
1. Deadlifts
- Assume a hip-width stance and place the bar above your shoelaces.
- Hinge forward and push your hips back so that your torso gets parallel to the floor.
- Pick up the bar with a double overhanded grip and pull it slightly. Make sure your armpits are positioned above the bar and are squeezed.
- As you drop your hips, pull up the bar.
- Ensure that you have pulled the bar up in a straight line as you pick the bar up.
- Make sure to keep your weight divided in the whole foot equally.
- Once your hips are locked out, reverse your movement to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of reps.
2. Barbell Squat
- Assume a hip-width stance and place the bar above your shoelaces.
- Hinge forward and push your hips back so that your torso gets parallel to the floor.
- Pick up the bar with a double overhanded grip and pull it slightly. Make sure your armpits are positioned above the bar and are squeezed.
- As you drop your hips, pull up the bar.
- Ensure that you have pulled the bar up in a straight line as you pick the bar up.
- Make sure to keep your weight divided in the whole foot equally.
- Once your hips are locked out, reverse your movement to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of reps.
3. Barbell Bench Press
- Lie flat on the bench with your feet pressed to the floor and hands outside the shoulder-width.
- Your shoulder blades must contact the bench and be pinched together.
- While breathing, lift the weight and maintain tightness in your upper back.
- At this point, ensure that your upper back is tight.
- Bring the bar towards your chest while inhaling and unlocking the elbows.
- The bar should be in a straight line.
- Lower it and touch the bar to your sternum.
- Push it back and press yourself on the bench.
4. Barbell Row
- Start by standing and holding the bar with a double overhand grip.
- Bend forward until your upper body is parallel to the floor
- Now start the movement by pushing the elbows behind the body, retracting the shoulder blades.
- Pull the bar towards your lower abdomen and slowly lower it to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of reps.
5. Clean and jerks
- Stand in front of a barbell with weight loaded. Keep your stance hip-width. Your elbows should be pointed inwards.
- Lower yourself to lift the barbell so that your hips are shoulder level yet slightly higher than knees. Now you are in your starting position.
- Pull the barbell away from the floor. This is the first pull known as clean.
- The second pull starts when the barbell passes your knee height. This is a deadlift. Make sure to keep your core braced.
- Now the barbell would stop at your hip level. Now drive through your hips and pull the barbell up the body.
- Now activate the traps to pull the bar higher and pull yourself underneath it.
- Now squat down quickly and catch the bar across your shoulders in a front rack position. The elbows should be pointing outwards now.
- Stand up tall and extend your hips and knees.
- To prepare for the jerk, drop the elbows at 45 degrees, dip the knees slightly and explore to get the bar overhead.
- As the bar moves overhead, split your legs before catching the bar with arms locked out.
- Stand with your front foot forward and the other one backward before bringing the feet together.
- Drop the bar from overhead in a controlled manner.
To make the most out of your heavy deadlift sessions, make sure to purchase a top-quality and easily adjustable lever belt. A 10mm lever belt by DMOOSE is made up of suede leather, is corrosive resistant, and has a non-slip surface. It perfectly conforms to your body shape and ensures that your lift is adequately supported.
Final Thoughts
A lever belt is an extraordinary addition to your gym gear to make your lifting experience comfortable and safe. Since a powerlifter needs a high level of support throughout the movement, the lever belt ensures that one can easily fasten it and adjust it as per the requirement of the exercise.
Furthermore, a 10mm lever belt comes with the additional benefit of adding more variety to your workout. So, whether you are inclined towards benching, deadlifting, or rowing, the belt provides its support through all.
References:
Lander, J. E., et al. “The Effectiveness of Weight-Belts during the Squat Exercise.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 22, no. 1, Feb. 1990, pp. 117–26.
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