Supporting your core with a weightlifting belt can be extremely beneficial if you are lifting heavy weights, but it can be a bit tricky to find the right one. Leather belts are typically used for powerlifting, hybrid belts can be used across all lifts, and nylon belts — like the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt — tend to be better suited for Olympic and CrossFit workouts. Due to its nylon build, this belt from Element 26 will allow you to stay pretty mobile during an explosive lift, like a clean & jerk, but since you can stretch the belt as tight as you want, it can also provide your core with a solid surface to brace against during a heavy deadlift.
Not only do the materials of lifting belts vary across the market, but so do the locking mechanisms. Some feature a lever, others feature a buckle, while this belt from Element 26 features a self-locking mechanism and a velcro strap to keep the belt tight against your core. This design enables you to quickly put the belt on or take it off whenever necessary. Because of its innovative design that provides ample support for powerlifts without taking away the mobility needed for more dynamic exercises, we think this belt from Element 26 could be a great addition to your gym bag.
Main Takeaways
- This 100 percent nylon belt is quite durable, and allows you to be mobile enough for Olympic and CrossFit workouts — but it can also provide stability for powerlifting.
- The self-locking mechanism makes this belt easy to put on or take it off between reps and sets, though it’s comfortable enough that you can likely leave it on throughout your workout.
- The velcro strap allows you to pull the belt as far as it’ll go for a tight fit.
The Element 26 Self Locking Weightlifting Belt is made with 100% nylon and offers a lifetime warranty. The locking system allows users to find the perfect amount of pressure and easily lock the belt into place.
Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt Video Review
Our reviews writer, Jake, puts this weightlifting belt to the test during his detailed video review. Tag along as he breaks down everything this belt has to offer.
Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt Highlights
When we worked out with the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt, we liked that we could go through multiple sets of hang cleans and squats in the same session without needing to switch to another belt. This is thanks to the nylon build that kept us feeling mobile, and the strap that ensured a tight fit for the proper support you need to brace for a heavy lift.
Because this belt is made from nylon, it’s thinner than a leather belt. This means it may be better suited for Olympic and CrossFit workouts, but we still felt like it could handle it all. The pairing of a velcro strap and self-locking buckle is an innovative feature, but it still might not be as secure as a powerlifting belt that features a lever. Despite the uniform four-inch profile, we didn’t have any issues in terms of breathing while wearing this belt. We also understand that some athletes prefer a tapered belt since you can also bend a little easier, but since this belt is made from flexible nylon, you shouldn’t experience too many issues.
Who Should Buy The Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt
- Athletes who are searching for a belt that allows them to be mobile enough for explosive movements like a power clean, and offers enough support for a heavy squat.
- Those who are looking for a belt that is easy to put on and take off will likely enjoy the self-locking mechanism on this belt.
- Athletes who compete in USAW and Functional Fitness Competitions will be happy to hear this belt is approved for use.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt
- Athletes who are concerned about the velcro strap coming undone may want to consider a belt that features a lever.
- Folks who are looking for a tapered design with their lifting belt will want to look elsewhere.
- Since this belt is thinner than a leather belt, powerlifters may want to find themselves a fully leather belt for a higher level of support.
Price
The Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt can be purchased for right around $35 on the Element 26 website, as well as on Amazon. This is pretty standard for nylon belts of this quality, with a few outliers costing a bit more — but there are also some of lesser quality that are going to save you a few bucks. Considering the high-quality nylon build of this belt though, we think it’s a pretty good deal. Plus, when you weigh the fact that you can use this belt across multiple lifts and compare it to spending around $120 on a leather belt that really can only be used while powerlifting, it’s definitely money well spent.
Overall Build and Quality
The Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt is made from 100 percent premium nylon that allows you to be mobile when working out. This belt features a uniform four-inch wide profile and is around five millimeters thick. Since it has a velcro strap, you can easily adjust to the exact amount of support needed for your lifts, and the steel roller buckle ensures that the strap will stay snug throughout the entirety of your workout.
Element 26 is so confident in this belt that they included a lifetime warranty. So if you experience any manufacturing issues with your belt, just send it back, and they’ll replace it. However, we think this is a high-quality belt that has the potential to last you a lifetime (without replacements).
Features
Lifting belts are pretty straightforward in their design, but each one still has some important features. With this belt from Element 26, we really enjoy the self-locking mechanism and velcro strap. This combination allows you to make the belt as tight as you need without the fear of it coming undone in the middle of your set. The uniform profile provides your core with four inches of consistent pressure for optimal stability. Some people may prefer a belt that’s tapered in the front, but we didn’t find this belt to negatively impact our ability to breathe, nor did it diminish our hip mobility.
Self-Locking Buckle and Velcro Strap
In our opinion, we think the pairing of the self-locking buckle and velcro strap is the best feature of this belt. While some powerlifters may be partial to the security blanket that a belt with a lever provides, we weren’t concerned about the strap coming undone while we were working out. It’s a simple process to adjust the support, and the strap provides an infinite number of adjustments since you can pull it as tight as you please.
The buckle is designed to stay locked as long as the velcro is secured, but once you undo the velcro and pull the release roller, the buckle will release immediately for quick removal.
Taper
This belt from Element 26 features a uniform width of four inches, which means it’s not tapered in the front. Some athletes prefer a tapered belt since they allow you to be a bit more flexible for a deadlift, but since this belt is made from nylon, we didn’t experience any issues regarding our mobility. This design is pretty common with nylon belts, so if you’re dead set on your belt featuring a tapered front, you’ll likely have to opt for a less versatile leather belt.
Color
Anyone looking for a belt that will match their gym attire will be happy to find there are eight different colorways with this belt. These colors include Black, Olive Green, Navy Blue, Tan, Gray, Red, Pink, and Purple.
Product Specs
The Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt is about five millimeters thick and has a uniform width of four inches that leads to consistent pressure for your core to brace against. It’s made of 100 percent premium nylon, and the self-locking mechanism is made from steel to assist the velcro strap. Not only are there a solid number of color options to choose from, but this belt is also available in six different sizes ranging from XS to XXL.
Materials
The beauty of Element 26 crafting this belt out of 100 percent premium nylon is how versatile it is. While it may be best suited for Olympic and CrossFit workouts, it still provides the proper support needed for a powerlifting session. Plus, if you’re someone who likes to hit some sprints between exercises, you’ll appreciate that you don’t have to take this belt off to do so since it doesn’t restrict your breathing. In addition to the nylon build, the self-locking buckle is made from steel, and the strap features velcro that prevents the belt from coming undone.
Weightlifting Belt Type
Since this is a thinner nylon weightlifting belt, it’s technically better suited for Olympic and CrossFit workouts that demand the highest level of explosiveness and mobility.
However, you can still use it for powerlifts since its high level of adjustability provides ample support for your core. Even if you adjust it to the tightest wrap, it still may not provide the exact amount of support that a thicker, fully leather belt can provide.
Sizing and Dimensions
Element 26 designed this belt to be thinner than their hybrid option. That belt features leather and is six millimeters thick, while this belt is about five millimeters thick. It also has a uniform four-inch-wide profile that is meant to provide your core with the consistent pressure it needs for optimal support. Since the Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt is available in six different sizes ranging from XS to XXL, there should be an option for the majority of athletes to choose from. Sizing is determined by the diameter of your midsection since that’s where the belt will be positioned.
The extra small ranges from 23 to 27 inches, small ranges from 27 to 31 inches, and medium ranges between 31 and 36 inches. A large is for those who range from 36 to 40 inches, an extra large is best for those who measure between 40 to 45 inches, and an XXL is going to be best for anyone who ranges between 45 and 50 inches.
Warranties
Due to the confidence they have in their products, Element 26 includes a lifetime warranty with your purchase that covers any manufacturing defects. This does not include normal usage, but if you have, say, a faulty buckle, just send it back for a replacement.
Places to Buy
You can buy this weightlifting belt directly through the Element 26 website or through Amazon.
Company Information
Since 2017, Element 26 has worked to provide the proper support athletes need to prevent injuries while training. If you’re interested in finding out more about the company or need to speak to a representative — you can contact them at support@Element26.co, and a team member will reach out to you.
Final Word
When the time comes for you to hit your one rep max, the right amount of support for your core can be crucial. This 100 percent nylon belt from Element 26 is going to allow you to be mobile enough for movements, such as the snatch, while also providing enough support for a heavy squat. Though it’s not tapered in the front, we didn’t find the uniform profile to negatively impact our ability to bend when leaning over for a deadlift.
The self-locking buckle is paired with a velcro strap and will keep this belt tight on your body without coming undone. When looking for a new weightlifting belt to add to your arsenal, we think the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt is a rock-solid option to consider. It’s affordably priced, easy to put on and take off, provides ample adjustability, and still allows you to stay agile while working out.
FAQs
Why would I want to use the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt?
Two main reasons an athlete would want to use a weightlifting belt such as this one are core support and injury prevention. Since this belt has a four-inch wide profile, your core has plenty of surface area to brace against. This can keep you in proper form, reducing your chance of injury, and may even help you reach a new one-rep max.
What workouts can I use the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt for?
Due to its nylon build, you’ll find that you can wear this belt for more lifts than you would a leather belt. This belt may be better suited for Olympic and CrossFit workouts, but we still used it during our powerlifting sessions with no issues.
How much does the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt cost?
This belt will run you around $35 on the Element 26 website and on Amazon. While there are a few outliers, this is a pretty average price tag for a nylon belt. Considering the high-quality materials used during the manufacturing process, and the overall versatility of this belt, we think the price is more than justified.
