Finding the best weightlifting belt under 100 pounds or dollars can be tough, especially as it's not always clear what sort of quality you're getting for your cash.
Fortunately, we've compiled a list of top picks based on features, price, reviews, and materials to help you decide whether a belt is right for you and, if so, which one to go with.
That said, we feel owning a good weightlifting belt can be key if you're trying to achieve new personal bests due to the additional support they provide, particularly when performing some of the best back and shoulder exercises around.
This is supported by a study by Fong et al. who demonstrated that participants' time to complete a deadlift, along with their form, improved wearing whilst wearing a weightlifting belt and straps.
Therefore, to help your progress in the gym, we'd definitely recommend owning your own weightlifting belt and packing it for every session.
With that in mind, if you're searching for one of the best weightlifting belts around, like this Dark Iron Fitness bit of kit, or something a little lighter, like this Schiek Sports Model 3004, for fast-paced sessions, we've got you covered right here.
Best weightlifting belt under 100
- Best leather weightlifting belt under 100 - Iron Bull Strength Weightlifting Belt
- Best weightlifting belt under 100 for beginners - Dark Iron Fitness Belt
- Best non-leather weightlifting belt under 100 - Schiek Sports Model 3004
- Best weightlifting belt under 100 for CrossFit - Element 26 Self-Locking Belt
- Best weightlifting belt under 100 for powerlifting - Harbinger Weightlifting Belt
Best leather weightlifting belt under 100 - Iron Bull Strength Weightlifting Belt
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced lifter looking to load up the plates when stepping up to their squat rack, this Iron Bull Strength belt looks like it's ready for all your weightlifting needs.
Being made from competition-approved 10mm thick leather, this belt will likely deliver a ton of support to your lower back whilst also being incredibly durable at the same time.
One of its key features though is its double-prong closure system which has been designed to be incredibly strong, giving you more confidence when attempting to break personal bests.
On the whole, we feel there's a lot to like about this Iron Bull Strength belt, and it shouldn't break the bank with its price tag either.
Best weightlifting belt under 100 for beginners - Dark Iron Fitness Belt
The Dark Iron Fitness looks to be an excellent pick for beginners and experienced lifters alike.
What we like about this belt, in particular, is that it is only 4mm thick, so should be suitable for beginners who aren't used to a heavy belt fastened tightly around their core whilst lifting.
It is made out of one strip of premium leather with slip-resistance add-ons, plus, Dark Iron boasts, it can support squats or deadlifts up to 600lbs so there's plenty of room for progression.
All in all, if you're just starting your weightlifting journey, then we feel this Dark Iron Fitness could be one to consider.
Best non-leather weightlifting belt under 100 - Schiek Sports Model 3004
The Schiek Sports Model 3004 looks to be a great pick if you'd prefer to use a more flexible fabric belt over the typical leather alternative.
For added support, Schiek Sports reinforce the belt with an extra layer of neoprene-coated nylon which should give you peace of mind when attempting a heavy squat or deadlift.
Moreover, the contoured sides are designed to align with your hip and ribs, making this belt more comfortable to wear whilst also providing a ton of support to your abs and lower back.
Ultimately, we feel this Schiek bit of kit is a difficult one to look past if you're searching for a lightweight and flexible fabric weightlifting belt.
Best weightlifting belt under 100 for CrossFit - Element 26 Self-Locking Belt
This Element 26 belt looks to be a great option to consider for CrossFit thanks to its self-locking mechanism which should suit the fast-paced nature of the workouts.
Furthermore, it is made from flexible nylon which is more beneficial for a CrossFit environment where there is a great focus on movement and cardio.
Additionally, Element 26 boasts the belt's uniform 4" profile is effective at providing all-around support during every lift rather than focusing on one area to stabilise.
It's also worth noting that this weightlifting belt is approved for Olympic lifting and functional fitness competitions, so, if you're a serious athlete, then this could be the belt for you.
Best weightlifting belt under 100 for powerlifting - Harbinger Weightlifting Belt
For powerlifting, you'll no doubt need something strong, durable, and capable of withstanding huge amounts of pressure as you load up the plates on your barbell.
Thankfully, this Harbinger belt looks like it ticks all of those boxes due to being made from stiff genuine leather and featuring a dual prong lock-in, designed to ensure a secure fit.
Additionally, the 4" design should help you stabilise your back and core during heavy lifts which is vital for the powerlifting style.
It's also worth noting that the Harbinger belt comes with foam padding and a suede lining for added comfort, thus making it worthy of consideration to fulfill your powerlifting needs.
Frequently asked questions about weightlifting belts
If you are a beginner you probably have loads of questions about weightlifting belts, but we're here to clear up some of the more frequently asked queries.
When should you wear a weightlifting belt?
The purpose of a weightlifting belt is to improve spinal stabilisation which, in turn, should offer additional support to your lower back during some of the core movements like squats and deadlifts.
Moreover, research suggests that wearing a belt can help you get past your sticking point faster when squatting, and can even improve your overall bar speed.
Therefore, if you're attempting to squat or deadlift, then we'd recommend wearing a weightlifting belt, especially if you're planning on lifting heavy.
How tight should a weightlifting belt be?
The belt should fit tightly around your waist, covering your belly button to provide maximum support to your lower back.
It has been said that if you don't want to immediately take the belt off after your set, you're probably not wearing it tight enough.
However, be careful not to wear it so tight that you're struggling to move or breathe as this will be hugely detrimental to your lift.
Once the belt is on, you'll want to tense your abs as opposed to pushing them out and against the belt as this will likely cause flexion of the low back and make it hard to maintain a neutral spine.
How thick should a weightlifting belt be?
The most widely used belts often range between 10mm and 13mm in thickness.
A greater thickness usually means increased support on your spine, but it's not necessarily the most important factor when choosing a belt.
Depending on experience, a thinner belt will most likely be more comfortable for a beginner who can go on to increase the thickness of their belt after getting used to wearing one when lifting.
Is using a weightlifting belt considered 'cheating'?
No, using a weightlifting belt isn't considered cheating as they're allowed, and in many cases encouraged, in most lifting competitions due to them being an effective tool in maximising your lifting potential.
The key is not to become over-reliant on using a weightlifting belt by incorporating some days where you don't use one for additional brace support.
Having said that, we'd recommend wearing one when going for personal bests or simply during heavy lifts to help you complete the movement successfully without causing yourself an injury.
Read More: Best squat racks available now