Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Assessment (2024)

A weightlifting belt could not have an extended record of options, but it surely’s a helpful device that may assist preserve you protected, steady, and supported throughout your coaching periods. As a longtime rugby participant and energy athlete, I’ve been utilizing a powerlifting mannequin from EliteFTS that’s withstood loads of punishment during the last eight years with out sustaining any tears. However despite the fact that investing in a completely leather-based belt might be costly, you don’t need to spend $150 (or extra) to get pleasure from 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 evaluation, you’ll learn the way an organization began by a physician of bodily remedy and a US Military veteran developed a cheap resolution to resolve the issue of getting to pick between two completely different kinds 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 provides superior stability and the latter provides further consolation.
• The velcro strap and self-locking buckle system preserve you well-secured so you may 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 fans crushing dynamic Olympic lifts like energy cleans and snatches.

Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Professionals

• Factor 26 provides this hybrid weightlifting belt in 5 completely different sizes, which implies most lifters shouldn’t have any hassle discovering one that matches comfortably round their stomach buttons. From further small (23 to 27 inches) to further massive (40 to 45 inches), there’s a variety of choices for lifters of all sizes.
• The self-locking mechanism permits for easy transitions between units. You possibly can simply unlock the buckle and alter the strap to take the belt off whilst you relaxation, and it stays securely in place once you’re able to elevate.
• At round $60, this versatile weightlifting belt represents glorious worth. Though it’s considerably cheaper than a completely leather-based belt, it’s product of 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 completely 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 likely one of the best weightlifting belt options for powerlifters and athletes who prepare with heavy hundreds. 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 could present an additional layer of assurance and safety. Nonetheless, this comes all the way down to a matter of non-public 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 may cause some respiration restrictions, relying in your physique place.

Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Specs

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 energy and conditioning coaches have collectively carried out 1000’s of reps of squats, deadlifts, and different workouts through the years carrying dozens of various weight belts. After coaching with them extensively, we used a proprietary scoring system to rank them based mostly on elements comparable to design, sturdiness, and flexibility.

Right here’s how the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt scored.

Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt In-Depth Assessment

Earlier than you make room for the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt in your health club bag, you’ll need to be sure it’s the very best match to your type of coaching. In spite of everything, despite the fact that it may be used for several types of exercises, chances are you’ll choose 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 take a look at key parts like worth, versatility, and sturdiness so you may full the checkout course of with zero worries and one hundred pc confidence. 

Worth and Worth

Accessible on element26.co and Amazon for $59.97, this hybrid weightlifting belt gained’t make an enormous dent in your gym equipment funds. The truth is, you possibly can simply spend double that quantity to get a completely leather-based belt particularly suited to powerlifting — such because the 13mm Eternally Lever Belt by Izner — which prices about $140. 

Whereas investing that sort of cash could get you most sturdiness and stability, it might not be vital. For the reason that Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt brings the very best of each worlds by utilizing leather-based and nylon, you may 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 means, this belt earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for value and worth.

Design and Colours

It’s straightforward 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 ample 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 in opposition to 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, despite the fact that the absolutely 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 offer safety and peace of thoughts. Whereas there’s nothing essentially fallacious with nylon belts, relying solely on velcro to maintain you locked in whilst you elevate might be dangerous. Relatively 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 decisions. Accessible solely in black, their hybrid belt gained’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 by utilizing high-quality supplies, together with one hundred pc 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 come back. 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 significant 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 unfastened. But despite the fact that the system is ultra-secure, the strap is straightforward to regulate so you may take the belt off and catch your breath between units. This additionally is useful throughout CrossFit-style exercises, as you may shortly take away the belt whereas making a seamless transition from one motion to the following. As well as, the flexibility to make the belt as tight as you need permits for even strain distribution and higher breathability.

With no points tightening, loosening, or eradicating the belt fully, it earns 5 out of 5 stars for adjustability.

Versatility

Because of its hybrid leather-nylon design, that is the place this belt actually shines. Each inexperienced persons and professionals will recognize the flexibility to make use of this belt for every thing from powerlifting to CrossFit-style coaching that requires extra motion and agility. Our testing crew discovered that the belt supplied ample decrease again help for heavier lifts whereas nonetheless retaining sufficient flexibility to guard your stomach muscle groups and core throughout WODs and different varieties of generalized energy and conditioning work.

Does that essentially imply this belt is the very best for powerlifting? A completely leather-based model that’s not less than a couple of 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 will need to have a prong or lever-style adjusting mechanism, you can’t use the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt in sanctioned competitions. Nonetheless, a thick, heavy-duty powerlifting belt will possible be too inflexible and uncomfortable to carry out CrossFit exercises, Olympic weightlifting, and useful health actions.

However, a nylon weightlifting belt gained’t give the identical stability and help as a leather-based one. So, Factor 26 did nicely to design a hybrid model that may serve a number of functions at a rock-solid stage. 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 one hundred pc premium leather-based. A resilient materials that may face 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 nicely for practically a decade. That ought to offer you loads of confidence about investing in a belt that’s not solely sturdy but in addition versatile.

And in case you have any worries in regards to the belt’s means 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 gained’t discover many belts that may compete with the flexibility and worth of the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt. Nonetheless, it’s inconceivable 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, in contrast to 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 elevate closely and nonetheless be capable of transfer round with out restrictions. That tradeoff could not go well with you in the event you primarily concentrate on powerlifting-style exercises, as leather-based gives superior stability. But with a median score of 4.6 stars on Amazon, it’s clear 2POOD’s cross-training belt has left a robust impression on tons of of glad clients.

In the end, in the event you’re on the lookout for most help for heavy lifting, your finest wager 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 finished for about the identical value.

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

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Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Buyer Critiques

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 score of 4.6 stars based mostly on 113 Amazon opinions as of the time of this publication.

One buyer appreciated the flexibility to make small changes and that the belt labored nice for heavier lifts. One other glad person identified that the belt supplied “loads of help for an beginner lifter.” Total, many favored the mixture of inflexible leather-based with comfy nylon (plus the velcro strap).

Nonetheless, a couple of opinions talked about the belt’s thickness (or lack thereof) as a possible disadvantage, noting that this mannequin from Factor 26 will not be as thick as a standard powerlifting belt. This is a crucial issue to bear in mind in the event you primarily concentrate on the massive three lifts.

Closing Verdict: Is the Factor 26 Hybrid Leather-based Weightlifting Belt Value It?

Primarily based on its high-quality building, and glorious versatility, the Factor 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt deserves a spot in your health club bag. Able to getting used for WODs or heavy lifting periods, it gives loads of decrease again and core help with out being overly restrictive. For those who’re seeking to spend money on one belt that fits a number of kinds of coaching, this well-priced mannequin from Factor 26 will definitely get the job finished. 

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