So, you’ve reached the point where lifting your own body weight is no longer a challenge? Then it’s time to get a dip belt. This simple and inexpensive piece of equipment can add magnitudes of difficulty to your dips, pullups, squats, and hangs (amongst many other exercises). As a result, you can continue making those sweet gains and building phenomenal strength and muscle.
While the basic design of a dip belt remains fairly consistent across the market, there are some key differences in build quality, durability, and versatility. Picking up a comfortable belt that will last is important.
And so, we’re here to help: In this post, we’ll look at the 5 best dip belts currently on the market.
Later in the post, we’ll take a look at the components that make up a quality belt, as well as provide some pointers for anyone new to dip belts to help them start using the newest member of their fitness arsenal.
The Best Dip Belts on the Market
If you’re new to dip belts, you may be wondering whether they have any utility outside of traditional dips and pull-ups. The answer is absolutely yes! Dip belts can be used to great effect with a significant number of other exercises. This includes weighted pushups, squats and lunges, weighted muscle-ups, and weighted leg lifts.
Dip belts are also great for engaging muscles that we tend to under-utilize in certain exercises. Specific muscle groups you can expect to see gains from including your quadriceps, abs, spinal erectors, and other lower back muscles, forearms, traps, hamstrings, and shoulders.
#1 Rogue Dip Belt
Rogue has attached a ¼” thick chain to a 3″ wide, 30,5″ long strip of heavy-duty nylon to create a belt that supports 29,400 pounds of weight – about enough to lift everyone in the gym and their equipment. Two steel D-shaped carabiners are found at each end for easy adjustment and a reliable hold.
The comfort-fit belt is, well, pretty comfortable thanks to the light and flexible nylon material it’s made of. Some heavy stitching can be found throughout for added durability. The Rogue Dip Belt is made in the US and comes in either yellow or black colorways with a universal sizing option.
Check current price at Rogue Fitness
#2 Rep Fitness Dip Belt
Nylon construction, reinforced stitching, steel carabiners, and a solid steel chain make Rep’s dip belt a versatile and reliable option at a slightly lower price point. Measuring in at 3.75″ wide and 39″ long, it’s larger than most other belts on offer, which may provide a more comfortable fit.
The clean and simple one size fits all construction is finished in black and features some branding on a patch in the middle. Rep Fitness’ usual list of offerings applies here. This includes bulk discounts, same-day shipping, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check current price at Rep Fitness
#3 Rip Toned Dip Belt
The first belt on our list that’s sold on Amazon comes with a couple of extra goodies. This includes special offers on subsequent purchases, a free diet guide with online videos, free shipping for Prime members, and a lifetime replacement guarantee. The belt itself isn’t too bad either.
A thick steel chain is connected to the 6″ tapered strap with a pair of D-shaped carabiners. The belt is contoured and padded for a comfortable fit. While not as long as Rep’s, the chain here still fairly lengthy at 34 inches. This makes it more suitable for pull-up bars and platforms where there is sufficient space between your weights and the ground.
#4 Dark Iron Dip Belt
Dark Iron Fitness has gone the extra mile to design a dip belt unlike any other on the market. The traditional synthetic belt and steel chain combination is swapped for a premium, reinforced leather belt, and nylon strap to hold your weights. Thick padding is found throughout to combat the usual rigidity of leather belts.
The heavy-duty nylon strap measures 40″ in length and supports up to 6 Olympic plates worth of weight. Metal buckles and an adjustable non-slip waist strap ensure a secure and comfortable fit. Adding and removing weights from the belt is made easy with a pair of spring clips. As icing on the cake, a lifetime guarantee comes standard with each purchase.
#5 Harbinger PolyPro Dip Belt
If you’re looking for a budget option that’s comfortable and guaranteed to last, few can compare to the Harbinger. The polypropylene belt is contoured and reinforced with heavy-duty stitching. Two D-shaped carabiners are connected to the steel chain, which measures 30 inches in length.
This belt will easily hold over 100 lbs of weight and can be adjusted for a custom fit. It’s also sufficiently padded so that it doesn’t dig into your skin. Like all belts in this list, a universal sizing option is all you need to choose from. The chain here is shorter than most, but can easily be upgraded with some aftermarket chains thanks to the carabiners.
Choosing a Quality Dip Belt
While dip belts are a fairly basic piece of equipment, there are some key differences to look out for between the models on offer. It essentially comes down to four main factors: chain design, material, sizing, and weight support.
Chain Design
Dip belts usually feature either a chain or strap that’s passed through your weights and attached to the belt. Longer chains require space that only raised platforms may be able to provide. Depending on where you plan to train, ensure that the chain is short enough to keep your weights off the ground.
A pair of clips, better known as carabiners, connect the chain to your belt. Cheaper carabiners will bend faster and require replacement sooner. Ensure that those found on your belt are durable and easily adjustable to prevent headaches in the future.
Material
The majority of dip belts on the market are made of synthetic materials such as nylon and polypropylene. Some manufacturers also offer leather belts that have superior durability. Synthetic materials are usually softer, providing a more comfortable and flexible fit.
It essentially becomes a choice between the durability of leather or the comfort of synthetics. Although it’s worth noting that higher quality belts made of nylon and polypropylene are far from fragile. If you’re set on purchasing any of the belts listed below, it really comes down to personal preference.
Sizing
By having the weights between your legs pull down on the strap around your back, dip belts don’t fall off or fit too tight. This ergonomic design usually negates the need for anything more than one universal sizing option. If the default dimensions are uncomfortable, most belts feature an adjustable strap for a custom fit.
Weight Support
The amount of weight a dip belt is able to lift varies significantly depending on build quality and price point. Higher-end belts such as those made by Rogue can easily handle over 20,000 lbs. Of course, only athletes with superhuman strength can lift even a fraction of that amount. Belts rated to support 200 lbs or more will work just fine.
Getting Started with a Dip Belt
Depending on what you find most comfortable, you can either thread the chain through your entire belt or have it only hang in front of you. There are some advantages and disadvantages to both methods. As long as your belt has a ring to thread your chain through, you can go either way. In this case, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Threading the Chain or Strap Through the Belt
The first method involves threading the chain through the ring, then through your weights, and finally through the belt itself. By having the chain around your back, the weight will tighten the belt around your waist and provide a secure fit. However, if your belt isn’t properly padded, the friction can damage your clothes.
Another potential disadvantage is that there’s less chain available for weights as it has to run through the belt. Lastly, having to unclip the weight in order to slide your belt off takes a little more time than the method below.
Not Threading Through The Belt
With the chain attached to one of the rings, thread it through the weight and then attach it to the other side. It may initially look like your belt will slip down, but the weights will keep everything in place provided you’re in the dipping position.
The combination of your hips and butt being pushed out, along with the angled position of your body, allows the belt to stay put on your back. Of course, when you stand up, this is no longer the case and your belt will likely slide off. On the bright side, your clothing won’t be damaged, you’ll have more chain available and it’s much easier to remove the belt between sets.
Well, there you have it: The best dip belts on the market.
As simple and affordable as it is, a dip belt sure provides more than enough utility to make it worth your money. The possibility of significantly increasing your strength is something all athletes should take advantage of whenever the opportunity presents itself. And few opportunities are as easy to take as a dip belt.
As always, be sure to utilize proper form and fully understand how to safely and effectively use your new piece of equipment.
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As always, best of luck with your home workouts. Remember: When it comes to our health and fitness, we can make the effort or make excuses, but we can’t make both.
THFF (The Home Fit Freak)
