1. What is the purpose of wearing a training belt?

Conclusion: The main purpose is to increase abdominal pressure.

The purpose of wearing a training belt is to expand the stomach from the inside towards the belt wrapped around the abdomen, providing strong support for the "abdominal pressure" that strengthens the core of the body.

As a result of increasing "abdominal pressure"...

Preventing lower back injuries

When performing heavy squats or deadlifts, if your core cannot withstand the weight and your lower back curves, the risk of injuries such as lumbar hernia increases significantly.

Therefore, by wearing a belt and increasing abdominal pressure, the spine is stabilized, making it less likely for the waist to curve even when carrying heavy weights, which can ultimately help prevent lower back injuries.

This is an essential training item for free weight exercises such as squats and deadlifts.

②Improvement of performance (lifting weight)

If the core of the body is unstable, the human body cannot exert its strength effectively. By wearing a training belt and increasing abdominal pressure, the core of the body becomes firm and it becomes easier to exert force. As a result, you can expect to be able to lift more weight.

Wearing a training belt not only makes it easier to exert force when doing free weight exercises but also when doing machine exercises, which can improve performance and ultimately make training more efficient.

Many people find that wearing a training belt makes it easier to exert force when using a chest press machine, which has little risk of injury.

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2. What is "abdominal pressure" in the first place?

"Abdominal pressure" refers to the pressure inside the abdomen.

The human body contains a space filled with internal organs called the abdominal cavity, sandwiched between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor muscles.

The force that tightens and solidifies this space from the inside when you inhale is called "abdominal pressure."

It may be easier to understand if you imagine a deflated tire. A deflated tire is unstable and does not transmit power well. On the other hand, a tire that is fully inflated is stable and transmits power well.

In the same way, "abdominal pressure" stabilizes the core and makes it easier to exert force by inhaling air and tightening this "abdominal cavity."

And the training belt helps you apply this "abdominal pressure" more easily.

In other words, simply wearing a training belt is meaningless. It can also be said that there is no point in wearing a training belt unless it "increases abdominal pressure." It is important to pay attention to the order here. A training belt is merely a tool that supports "making it easier to increase abdominal pressure."

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3. Are training belts necessary for beginners?

Beginners may be worried, thinking, "I'm a beginner, so I don't need it," "I'm still a beginner, so such professional equipment is too much of a hurdle..." or "It seems kind of embarrassing..." but that's not the case at all.

In fact, a training belt is a tool that beginners should wear.

When you first start training, most people don't know how to apply abdominal pressure. If you try to lift heavy weights in that state, you will end up with an unexpected injury. It would be counterproductive to start training and then get injured right away.

Furthermore, wearing a training belt makes it easier to exert force. By wearing a training belt from the beginning and continuing to train at a higher output, you can further accelerate your growth.

In order to develop the sense of increasing abdominal pressure, to prevent injury, and to exert greater strength, we strongly recommend that beginners first purchase a training belt.

Again, there is absolutely no need to be confused or anxious about whether you need it or not because you are a beginner!!

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4. Types of training belts

① Leather belt

Leather belts are the most common type of belt and are a versatile type that can be recommended to anyone.

The leather belt is characterized by its wide back and narrow belly, making it easy to move around in not only free weight exercises but also machine exercises.

This is an extremely versatile belt, so if you're unsure which one to choose or have just started training, you can't go wrong with a leather belt.

There are several types of leather belts, and the higher the price, the more durable they are.

Furthermore, the number of pieces of leather used also differs between single-piece and double-piece leather. Double-piece leather naturally has better holding power than single-piece leather, but it takes longer to conform to the body than single-piece leather. Single-piece leather has less holding power than double-piece leather, but is suitable for those who want a light and flexible material with a certain degree of holding power.

Recommended for people like this!

・Beginner to advanced

・Those who are new to training belts

・Those who want to use both free weights and machine training

②Power belt

The power belt is characterized by its thickness and uniform width from the back to the abdomen. It is mainly made of leather.

As the name suggests, this belt is recommended for those who primarily want to lift heavy weights. Its extremely strong support provides powerful support when lifting heavy weights in free weight exercises such as squats and deadlifts. It's recommended for intermediate and advanced lifters who are accustomed to training and want to increase the weight they can lift.

However, it should be noted that the belt itself is thick and the abdominal area is wide, making it a little difficult to use for machine training. Also, it is probably best to avoid it as a first belt for beginners.

Recommended for people like this!

・Intermediate to advanced

- People who like heavy free weight training

・Those aiming to compete in powerlifting

③ Nylon belt

Unlike leather belts, nylon belts are softer. The soft material and mild grip make them easy to use even for beginners, and many of them are reasonably priced, making them perfect for casual wear. Most belts are secured with a Velcro fastener.

It is light and can be folded up small, making it easy to carry around, and is recommended for those who want something less professional than a leather belt and want something more casual.

Also, leather belts can leave marks on the back or stomach if tightened too tightly, but nylon belts have less of that problem, making them popular among women.

Recommended for people like this!

・Beginner to intermediate

- People looking for a belt that is easy to use and convenient to carry around

- Women, especially those who are concerned about belt marks

④ Lever action belt

Unlike regular belts that are secured by inserting pins into the belt holes, lever action belts have a lever-type metal fitting attached to the buckle, allowing them to be easily tightened with just one touch.

The biggest feature is the ease of tightening and the fixing power.

With a regular belt, even the act of tightening the belt can feel like a hassle when you start to get tired in the latter half of your training, but the lever action belt can be fastened in just one touch. This allows you to shorten the interval, allowing you to concentrate on your training without stress.

However, since the metal fittings are usually fixed in place with screws, it's important to note that once fixed, it takes some effort to adjust the size. This isn't a problem if your waist size doesn't change, but if you work out immediately after eating, your waist size may change slightly and the size may not fit properly.

Recommended for people like this!

・Intermediate to advanced

- Those who want to easily attach and remove the belt with one touch

・Those who want strong fixing power

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5. How to wear a training belt effectively

The tighter the training belt you wear, the better. The key is to find a "moderate tightness."

The purpose of a training belt is to increase abdominal pressure. It is not intended to be tightly fastened. To achieve this, it is recommended to tighten it moderately with a little slack.

Specifically, you should be able to fit two or three fingers between the belt and your body.

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[Extra Edition]

Training belts actually used by staff

We would like to introduce you to the training belts actually used by fitness shop staff.

*This is just an example and does not guarantee durability.

■Product: GOLD'S GYM G3324 Pro Leather Belt
■Number of years of use: Approximately 5 years ■Frequency of use: Used every time I train approximately 4 days a week

Our staff has been using these for five years, training four days a week, and they have shown no signs of breaking. While the pins and holes inevitably get worn and scratched, there's no need to worry about the leather tearing. There are no noticeable loose stitching, and the buckle has never had a problem. They've become a natural fit for our bodies, are extremely easy to handle, and are a favorite.

It's so durable that I think I could continue using it for another 5 or 10 years.

By the way, I have not once cared for the leather (protecting it or moisturizing it) in the five years I have been using it. I have taken it out of the training bag after each use and have been able to use it without any problems, even if I just take care of it to make sure there is no moisture left.