A weightlifting belt might not have a protracted listing of options, nevertheless it’s a worthwhile instrument that may assist hold you secure, steady, and supported throughout your coaching classes. As a longtime rugby participant and power 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 though investing in a totally leather-based belt could be costly, you don’t must spend $150 (or extra) to take pleasure in 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 find out how 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 out between two completely different types 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 presents superior stability and the latter provides additional consolation.
- The velcro strap and self-locking buckle system hold you well-secured so you’ll be able to 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 lovers crushing dynamic Olympic lifts like energy cleans and snatches.
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Execs
- Factor 26 presents this hybrid weightlifting belt in 5 completely different sizes, which implies 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 massive (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 may simply unlock the buckle and alter the strap to take the belt off when you relaxation, and it stays securely in place once you’re able to carry.
- At round $60, this versatile weightlifting belt represents wonderful worth. Though it’s considerably cheaper than a totally leather-based belt, it’s made 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 practice with heavy masses. Simply be ready to pay north of $300 when you embrace delivery and taxes.
- Whereas our testing crew felt comfy utilizing the self-locking buckle, a belt with a lever buckle system might present an additional layer of assurance and safety. Nonetheless, this comes right down to a matter of private choice.
- The uniform four-inch width of the Factor 26 Hybrid Belt may trigger discomfort for some athletes. As a result of it’s not tapered within the entrance, the belt could cause some respiratory restrictions, relying in your physique place.
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Specs
| Worth | $59.97 |
| Belt sort | Hybrid |
| Supplies | Premium leather-based belt wrapped in nylon |
| Thickness | Six millimeters |
| Accessible sizes | XS, S, M, L, and XL |
| Guarantee | Lifetime guarantee |
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Score
The load belt world contains all kinds of construct supplies, designs, and makes use of. Our Breaking Muscle crew of licensed private trainers, CrossFit loyalists, and power and conditioning coaches have collectively carried out 1000’s of reps of squats, deadlifts, and different workouts 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 resembling design, sturdiness, and flexibility.
Right here’s how the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt scored.
| Issue | Score (out of 5) |
| Worth | 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 Overview
Earlier than you make room for the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt in your gymnasium bag, you’ll need to be sure that it’s the perfect match to your fashion of coaching. In any case, though 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’ll be able to full the checkout course of with zero worries and 100% confidence.
Worth and Worth
Accessible on element26.co and Amazon for $59.97, this hybrid weightlifting belt received’t make an enormous dent in your gym equipment funds. The truth is, you might 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 sort of cash might get you most sturdiness and stability, it might not be vital. For the reason that Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt brings the perfect of each worlds through the use of leather-based and nylon, you’ll be able to carry out nearly any sort of exercise with out having to fret a couple of lack of help. At about $60 and able to dealing with practically something you throw its manner, 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, though the totally leather-based SBD 13mm Lever Belt includes 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 mistaken with nylon belts, relying solely on velcro to maintain you locked in when you carry could be dangerous. Somewhat than taking any probabilities 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 crew highlighted as one of many belt’s standout options.
Sadly, Factor 26 didn’t get artistic when it got here to paint selections. Accessible 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 100% premium leather-based and premium nylon. Heavy-duty stitching close to the highest and backside edges gives 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 crew 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 shortly tighten or loosen your weightlifting belt could make a serious distinction in how easily and effectively your exercise goes. Fortunately, our testing crew 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 though the system is ultra-secure, the strap is simple to regulate so you’ll be able to take the belt off and catch your breath between units. This additionally turns out to be useful throughout CrossFit-style exercises, as you’ll be able to shortly take away the belt whereas making a seamless transition from one motion to the subsequent. As well as, the power 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 solely, 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 novices and professionals will respect the power to make use of this belt for every little thing from powerlifting to CrossFit-style coaching that requires extra motion and agility. Our testing crew discovered that the belt offered enough decrease again help for heavier lifts whereas nonetheless retaining sufficient flexibility to guard your belly muscle tissue and core throughout WODs and different kinds of generalized power and conditioning work.
Does that essentially imply this belt is the perfect for powerlifting? A totally leather-based model that’s at the very least just a few 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 not use the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt in sanctioned competitions. Nonetheless, a thick, heavy-duty powerlifting belt will probably be too inflexible and uncomfortable to carry out CrossFit exercises, Olympic weightlifting, and purposeful health actions.
Alternatively, a nylon weightlifting belt received’t give the identical stability and help as a leather-based one. So, Factor 26 did properly 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 100% premium leather-based. A resilient materials that may stand 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 properly for practically a decade. That ought to provide you with loads of confidence about investing in a belt that’s not solely sturdy but in addition versatile.
And when you’ve got any worries concerning the belt’s capability 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. Accessible in six sizes (XXS to XL), the 2POOD belt options their WODClamp™ locking system, which reinforces the velcro and provides safety and help.
Nonetheless, not like Factor 26, 2POOD didn’t incorporate leather-based into the design. As a substitute, they used a mix of velcro and Cordura nylon to provide the flexibility to carry closely and nonetheless be capable to transfer round with out restrictions. That tradeoff might not swimsuit you for those who primarily concentrate on powerlifting-style exercises, as leather-based gives superior stability. But with a mean ranking of 4.6 stars on Amazon, it’s clear 2POOD’s cross-training belt has left a powerful impression on lots of of glad prospects.
In the end, for those who’re in search of most help for heavy lifting, your greatest guess is to go the Factor 26 route. For those who’re extra involved about basic safety for extra dynamic exercises, the 2POOD nylon lifting belt will get the job carried out for about the identical price.
2POOD Weightlifting Belts
4.0
- Materials: Nylon
- Width: Three, 4, or six inches
- Thickness: 20 centimeters
- Locking sort: Velcro, hook-and-loop WODClamp
- Measurement vary: XXXS to XXL
Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Buyer Opinions
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 power to make small changes and that the belt labored nice for heavier lifts. One other glad consumer identified that the belt offered “loads of help for an beginner lifter.” Total, many favored the mix of inflexible leather-based with comfy nylon (plus the velcro strap).
Nonetheless, just a few critiques talked about the belt’s thickness (or lack thereof) as a possible downside, noting that this mannequin from Factor 26 is just not as thick as a conventional powerlifting belt. This is a vital issue to remember for those who primarily concentrate on the large three lifts.
Last 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 gives loads of decrease again and core help with out being overly restrictive. For those who’re trying to put money into one belt that fits a number of types 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, it is best to place the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt round your stomach button. Pull the strap by means of the self-locking mechanism, loop it again by means of, and tighten the belt till it creates intra-abdominal stress. Then, use the velcro strap to safe every little thing collectively.
A hybrid lifting belt can be utilized for conventional power workouts just like the squat, deadlift, and bench press, in addition to Olympic lifts and CrossFit-style exercises which can be extra dynamic. Whereas there are belts particularly designed for powerlifting which can be thicker and totally made from leather-based, they’re additionally costlier. Alternatively, totally nylon belts don’t present enough help for heavy lifts, making a hybrid one an important selection for a lot of athletes and residential gymnasium house owners.
The first components it is best to bear in mind when selecting a belt measurement are your weight, waist width, and the kind of workouts you need to carry out with the belt. You must be capable to squeeze your index finger between you and the belt, which implies you might have enough area to breathe out and nonetheless be capable to brace your core.
Additionally, keep in mind 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.
