Powerlifting vs Weightlifting Belt: Which One Is For You?

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Powerlifting vs Weightlifting Belt Which One Is
For You?
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(No Transcript)
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• You see powerlifting and weightlifting belts all
  over Instagram and Facebook. Your favorite
  trainers and celebrities like Henry Cavill and
  Jack Hughman wear these at the gym. But do you
  know what factors differentiate them from each
  other? Lets find out!

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• How can you differentiate between weightlifting
  belts  powerlifting belts? Both look the same
  for a non-user or a beginner lifter and both are
  considered super important in all the training
  hubs and gyms.
• Most of the centers provide the equipment on
  their own to all the trainers and trainees.
  However, some gyms do not, so you have to buy a
  belt yourself. 

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• Powerlifting and weightlifting belts have gained
  popularity over time due to their benefits and
  usefulness. Today a major chunk of the athletes
  and weightlifters use these belts. From gyms to
  major sports competitions like the Olympics,
  theyre virtually everywhere.
• But before you go and buy yourself one, it is
  worth knowing how they differ from one another. 

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Significant Differences Between Powerlifting vs
Weightlifting Belts

• Both the belts may look quite similar at the
  first look, however, there are a few differences
  depending on the use. Powerlifting belts are used
  to mainly lift the heaviest of the weights
  by squatting, deadlifting, or benching, whereas
  in weightlifting, the process is much faster as
  you snatch the weight from the ground to overhead
  and back. 

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• As many people cannot differentiate between
  powerlifting and weightlifting, these two forms
  create significant differences in the training
  process and the exercises performed. So, the
  belts differ from each other as well. Your choice
  is going to depend on your requirements, so lets
  uncover that mystery and get started

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Material

• Lets get the basic difference out of the way
  first a powerlifting belt is usually rigid and a
  weightlifting belt is flexible.
• On one hand, you have powerlifting bells that are
  mostly made of leather and are non-stretchable.
  You will also find a few made of vinyl but it's
  better to stick to the leather because it is
  easier to wrap around the body owing to its
  stiffness.

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• Since powerlifters lift heavier weights than
  weightlifters, a rigid belt is better suited to
  them.
• On the other hand, you have weightlifting bells
  that are mostly made of vinyl. However, there are
  a few versions that are made of leather as well.
• Weightlifting belts are thinner than powerlifting
  bells which is why they are more flexible and you
  don't need a lot of active effort to wrap them
  around your body.

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Buckle Design

• Coming to the buckle design, weightlifting bills
  normally have Velcro straps while powerlifting
  bells use a buckle that is similar to what you
  find on your normal belts. Buckles on
  powerlifting belts vary from a lever mechanism to
  a prong mechanism.
• Now, if you look at powerlifting belts, their
  buckles are easier to fasten because they are
  constructed with a prong or lever (as mentioned
  above). The former is similar to your regular
  belt buckles.

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• All you have to do is pull the strap and loop it
  around and voila! However, a lever buckle works
  like a clamp system making it more secure than
  the prong mechanism. Plus, it makes it easier to
  loosen or tighten the belt.
• On the other hand, weightlifting belts have
  Velcro closures which help the designer of belts
  keep as little material in front of the body as
  possible.

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• The reason why weightlifting belts do not have
  buckles is that weightlifters need to keep the
  barbell close to their body when throwing the bar
  overhead which is not possible if the belt has a
  big buckle.
• While velcro is not as strong or secure as a
  prong or lever, it ensures that you do not hit
  your belt with a barbell while lifting.