is inzer belt worth it?
If you’re looking for an Inzer Forever belt review, you’re in the right place.
So is the Inzer Forever Lever Belt worth the money?
I’ve used the Inzer Forever Lever Belt for the past 13 years. It’s one of the most durable powerlifting belts on the market and is made from the highest quality materials. Case in point: the belt buckles on other lifting belts will begin to break after a few years. This will not happen with the Inzer Belt, and if it does, Inzer has a life-time warranty and will replace the belt for free if there are any problems.
In the following article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the belt, so you can make your decision about whether you should get the lifting belt or not. Let’s dive in!
If you’re in a hurry, or you’re looking for an easy way to know more about Inzer Forever belt, this section will come in handy.
Not only will it give you a quick insight into the main features of the product, but it’s also a great way to be introduced to the details of the powerlifting belt without getting into much complexity.
Here’s everything you should know about Inzer Advance Designs and its powerlifting belt.
Inzer Advance Designs is an American company that specializes in producing powerlifting gear. The company’s headquarters is in Longview, Texas.
Unlike many workout gear companies out there, Inzer Advance Designs are all about powerlifting.
That’s great news for the powerlifting community, as many companies out there don’t have enough experience in making unique equipment for powerlifting, which is different from weightlifting, Strongman, and other strength-based sports.
That’s why they’re remarkably popular among powerlifting athletes. Moreover, almost the entire arsenal of products made by Inzer is approved for competition by large competitive federations like the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and USA Powerlifting (USAPL).
This means that, rest assured, you know your equipment will be allowed on the competition platform if you plan to compete in powerlifting.
The belt is made of good quality leather genuine leather, which gives it an excellent level of durability and longevity.
The leather is covered with a top layer of suede finish, which makes it remarkably comfortable on the skin as well as resistant to slipping.
The durability factor continues with the inclusion of 4 threads of high-density nylon which are lock-stitched to the belt body. The smart choice of dense nylon here provides an excellent level of durability and corrosion resistance all the while staying noticeably lightweight.
This makes the belt ideal for both beginners and advanced users, as it isn’t heavy enough to weigh them down while wearing it for a long time.
The belt has a competition approved thickness of 10 mm as well as an excellent closure mechanism. The lever buckle makes it much easier to put the lifting belt on and tighten it around your core.
Additionally, the belt is available in a wide variety of sizes and different colors, so it can suit all kinds of bodies and tastes.
It’s no secret that the product is on the pricey end of the scale. However, Inzer promises that this belt will be the last one you’ll ever buy!
In fact, I’ve owned my Inzer Forever Lever Belt for 13 years and it still works like new. Other powerlifting friends opted for cheaper-made lever belts and the lever buckle broke within a few years.
● Made of one piece of fine quality genuine leather
● Available in a wide variety of specification choices to pick from
● One of the most durable powerlifting belts on the market
● Easy to put on and take off
● The suede finish gives the belt an aesthetically pleasing look
● The belt is a bit pricier than most competitors on the market
● The lever version isn’t easy to adjust (a con for all lever-style vs prong lifting belts)
● Despite having various options, you can’t order custom made belts
Before heading into the juicy details of the belt, you need to know the aspects that make a good powerlifting belt.
In this section, I’ll provide you with a quick guide with all the things you need to keep in mind while choosing a good powerlifting belt.
As you already know, the durability of your belt is the golden standard of its true value. So let’s just clear this out of the way; if you’re a serious powerlifter, you don’t want to rely on a velcro belt to support your spine while lifting hundreds of pounds.
It’s only good for beginners or you can wear it under a more durable belt for extra support.
Instead, you need a belt that’s made of genuine leather, preferably full grain. These provide the highest level of durability and sturdiness to keep the belt in use for decades to come.
That being said, you need to look for a durable leather belt with multiple stitching lines along its length to provide it with an extra layer of security while you’re wearing it.
The specifications of the belts are the most crucial factors if you want to make the most out of your investment.
Among these specifications are the width, thickness, and length of the belt. These specifications are essential for sizing and choosing a belt that gives you a snug fit.
There are two common widths: 3 or 4 inch powerlifting belts.
The ease of use depends on many factors, including the closure mechanism as well as the rigidity of the belt and how long it takes the belt to break in and conform to your body.
With changes in body compositions, such as dehydration, bulking and others can affect your sizing. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the belt is easily adjustable if you undergo a lot of body changes.
Now that you have a better idea of what you should be looking for in a powerlifting belt, it’s time to apply this to what Inzer Forever offers as a belt.
Let’s have a deeper insight into the best features and benefits of the powerlifting belt.
When it comes to materials, every inch of the belt’s construction makes a huge difference. So, here’s a close inspection of the materials used in the Inzer Forever Powerlifting Belt.
Right off the bat, the first thing that makes Inzer belt special is the leather used in it. For example, almost all the belts on the markets are made of several pieces of leather that are glued together to give the final form.
The problem with these belts is that glue doesn’t hold as much as natural binding within the leather fabric.
As a result, these fabric’s lifespans are greatly affected. In fact, even if they don’t break, they eventually loosen up.
That’s one of the most important things about the Inzer Forever belt. It’s one of the few lifting belts on the market that’s made from a single piece of genuine leather.
On top of the leather, there’s a single layer of suede fabric that overlays each side of the belt. This layer has a lot of value that surpasses its aesthetic benefits.
Suede is much softer than leather, so it makes a much better sensation when it’s in direct contact with your skin. Not only that but its softness makes it more comfortable as an outermost layer than the leather itself.
For example, if you compare the Inzer Forever belt to other belts that have no suede outer layers, you’ll find a noticeable difference in lifespans and durability.
Suede is a hydrophobic fabric, which means that it resists moisture, which can damage the leather in the long run. In addition to protecting the leather, sweat can also cause the lifting belt to slide out of position.
This can cause the belt to bite into your hips while squatting, which can be quite annoying and even painful. Suede helps the belt to stay somewhat in place when compared to leather as it has better non-slip properties.
To keep everything attached in place and provide added durability, the suede is topped by 4 rows of lock-stitched, high-density, and corrosive resistant nylon. This one is much better than chain stitching for flexibility of the belt.
The stitching runs along the entire length of the belt. If you look closely you’ll notice that every single thread is sewn with care, which shows the level of accuracy and craftsmanship within Inzer facilities.
I don’t know whether the stitching is made by hand or machine (probably machine), but all I can say is that it’s extremely well made and stays put after years of beating.
Before speaking about the buckle itself, I’ll address the metal that the buckles are made of. Regardless of the types of buckles you’re opting for, Inzer puts a lot of attention to the metal used in that buckle.
The metals buckle is attached to the front part of the belt with 2 durable screws on the inner side. The lever buckle is a modern design, so you need a reputable brand that makes a flawless one.
Cheap levers can actually break under stress. While it’s extremely unlikely to happen with Inzer’s lever. The “Forever” part is there for a reason, as you have a lifetime warranty on the lever, so you won’t have to worry about it.
There are 2 main options when you’re choosing a buckle for your belt. These options are either a prong or a lever. Inzer Forever Belts are available in both styles. So, let’s have a quick overview of each type of them.
Prongs have been the classic choice for powerlifting belts for a long time before the lever buckles were brought to the scene.
Prongs can be single, double, or even triple. In my opinion, double and triple prongs are highly impractical in many cases. They don’t offer any true addition to single prongs. However, you’ll find it much more difficult to put them on.
In terms of security, Inzer made sure that its prong provides an excellent level of security. Not only that, but they’re also much easier to adjust. The holes are designed with the utmost care so that the belt doesn’t jam or feels too hard to remove.
Levers are relatively newer than prongs and have a lot of practical benefits. I like Inzer’s lever because they’re very well made and don’t break on pressure. It’s also the one I owned.
Inzer’s belt has holes on one side and the lever buckle on the other. The teeth of the lever are designed to “bite” into these holes. As you close and pull the lever, the belt gets tighter.
What I like about Inzer’s belt lever is how easy it is to tighten up to an ultra level. However, the best part about it is that once you finish your last set, you can release the lever to loosen the belt instantly!
The only drawback about the lever here is that it’s more difficult to adjust than classic single prongs.
To do adjustment with this lever, you’ll have to release the lever, slide it over, and tuck it back into the needed adjustment. Although it doesn’t take a lot of time, it still feels a bit more difficult with a lever.
However, if you’re not annoyed by the adjustment, the lever version should be your choice to go.
As you already know, the thickness of the belt depends mainly on your body type. If you’re powerlifting competitively, you should make sure that the thickness of the belt doesn’t exceed 13 mm.
However, the most common thickness for a powerlifting belt is actually 10 mm. In fact, this is the thickness that I owned and I didn’t need to change it ever since.
Luckily Inzer Forever is available in both 10 mm and 13 mm thicknesses, so you won’t have to worry about your body type.
I didn’t try the 13 mm version, and I’ve found many users who claimed that it’s a bit uncomfortable when compared to the 10 mm version.
While this is mainly because it wasn’t unsuitable for them, I think that the 13 mm version is an overkill unless you’re an elite powerlifter that’s lifting a ton of weight or you’re a bigger lifter who needs more material.
Check out my side-by-side comparison of the Inzer Belt vs Pioneer Belt.
The specifications of the belt won’t only affect the sizing of the belt, but they’re also within a critical standard if you want to join powerlifting competitions.
For example, here’s a handbook of all the technical rules set by the IPF regarding the belt’s specifications. Here’s a summary of the important specifications for you:
● The Maximum allowed thickness is 13 mm
● The Maximum allowed width is 10 cm
● The allowed materials are leather, vinyl, and other similar non-stretch materials
● Laminations and layers are allowed
● You can either glue or stitch the belt
● You can use Single prong, double prong, and lever buckles.
Also, IPF releases a list of the approved brands from competitive powerlifting. You can find the Inzer Forever belt in this list.
The performance of the Inzer Forever belt can be measured in a wide variety of ways. However, regardless of the way you’re choosing it, the belt just does its job flawlessly.
In terms of comfort, the belt provides a snug fit around your core with the suede layer making it much more tolerable.
Also, while adjusting the lever belt might be a bit difficult, it isn’t always that hard. To be honest, you won’t need to adjust it all the time, and it shouldn’t take long after all.
It might take you a bit of time to find the sweet spot for placement on your torso. However, this would happen with any belt and once you’re used to it, it won’t be a problem anymore.
When you first get the belt, you’ll notice that the belt is extremely stiff and rigid. Similar to all leather belts, this one needs its “break-in” time until it conforms to your body.
In the beginning, it’ll be very uncomfortable for you to use the belt. The more you wear the belt, the easier it’ll get, as the belts start breaking in.
In the Inzer Forever belt case, this took me a few weeks. However, it also depends on the number of times you use it.
Also, in my case, it was the 10 mm belt. On the flip side, the 13 mm belt will take much longer to break in.
If you want to get this step done quicker, you might need to soften it up by deliberately rolling it over in both directions. Don’t worry, the Inzer Forever is an extremely sturdy belt, so this won’t cause it to crack or break.
The belt is available in a wide variety of size options, starting from X-Small all the way up to 5X-Large. Here’s the sizing chart provided by Inzer:
● X-Small (22-25)
● Small (26-29)
● Medium (30-33)
● Large (34-38)
● X-Large (39-42)
● 2X-Large (43-46)
● 3X Large (47-50)
● 4X Large (51-54)
● 5X Large (55-58)
To get the right size, you should measure your waist at about 3 to 4 inches above your pants (where you’ll wear the belt).
Remember to stay relaxed and not suck your stomach in. By following this method, you’ll get a belt that suits your body size, as most users claimed that the sizing chart worked for them.
While it doesn’t have a direct impact on your performance, anyone should consider being comfortable in his own skin.
If you feel good about how you look, you’ll get a boost of confidence, which can be great for workouts and even competing.
What makes the Inzer belt special is that it’s available in a huge variety of colors, styles, and finishes to choose from. The only thing I have against Inzer’s belt appearance is the lack of customization.
You won’t have to worry about the durability of the leather when you get a colored belt, as the suede layer is the one that gets dyed.
When it comes to pricing, it might not be Inzer’s brightest highlight. Obviously, the belt is a tad more expensive than the average lever belt out there.
However, you’d still find other builds that can be even twice as expensive as Inzer Forever without providing any true edge of Inzer’s quality.
When I’m reviewing a specific product for use, I don’t only rely on my personal experience with it. Although the Inzer Forever powerlifting belt has been serving me for over 12 years now, I had to make sure that I wasn’t being lucky with an exceptionally well-made product.
I scoured the internet looking for users who shared their experience with the lifting belt and found tons of positive reviews. In my search, I made sure to check for testimonials of both beginners and advanced users who tried this belt.
What makes Inzer Forever extra special is that different users praised different aspects of the belt. This shows how the Inzer Forever belt is designed to suit all the needs of users from the powerlifting community.
My favorite testimonial was by someone who said: “The Inzer Forever Lever Belt gave me the confidence to lift heavier”.
At the end of the day, this is exactly what we want to achieve by wearing a lifting belt.
With that said, you now have an excellent idea about Inzer Forever powerlifting belts. This includes details about the manufacturers, general features of the belt, and even users’ experience and testimonials.
Let’s now see how Inzer Forever belt compares to some of its top competitors that some people may consider. Here’s a quick overview of the top 3 competitors and what they have to offer.
Related: Best Powerlifting Belt: In-Depth Guide & Review
Since lever belts are relatively new to the powerlifting belts market, there aren’t many belts that rock them. Even worse, a lot of these belts aren’t as durable as Inzer Forever. Take a look at my Lifting Large Economy Belt Review.
However, Lifting Large Economy belt is one of the few level powerlifting belt options that come close to the Inzer Forever. It’s a nice alternative if you’re looking for a decent lever powerlifting belt that can save you some money.
Another similarity between both belts is that they’re approved for almost every powerlifting competition out there. This one has the standard 10 mm thickness and 10 cm width along the belt. The suede makes them have a similar sensation of softness around the body.
● Unlike Inzer Forever, this one is made entirely of leather
● This belt is a bit heavier and takes a longer time to break in.
● Approved for competition
● This one is covered with a suede layer from the inside and the outside of the belt.
If you do more than powerlifting, the RDX lifting belt might be a good investment to make. I must say, this belt is one of the most functional and versatile options that you can find out there. Take a look at my full RDX lifting belt review.
While Inzer Forever is specifically designed for powerlifting whether casually or competitively, this belt can be used for other activities as well.
This includes some weightlifting movements and strongman competitions. Moreover, the best is approved for competitive powerlifting in a number of federations, but not all of them.
The durability also comes from the four stitching lines that go along the entire length of the belt to ensure its stability while lifting a ton of weight.
It also has one of these classic style designs that many weightlifters enjoy. However, this is a matter of personal taste, as it has nothing to do with performance.
● It’s made of oil-tanned Nubuck leather, which gives it a great balance between softness on the body and sturdiness.
● RDX is only available in a double prong buckle while Inzer comes in a lever closure as well as prongs.
● This belt is much more affordable than the Inzer belt.
● Can be used for different activities, where Inzer Forever is more exclusive for powerlifting
Similar to Inzer Advance Designs, ROGUE is among the biggest names in the lifting gear industry. They have a large selection of lifting belts, such as ROGUE Ohio, which comes in both single and double prong varieties.
Similar to Inzer Forever, this belt is made of American vegetable-tanned genuine leather. This gives it a comparable level of durability and sturdiness when it comes to heavy-duty lifting.
The density of the leather is also similar, as they both feel the same around the waist. It gives great support to your spine while powerlifting. ROGUE is also an approved brand by the IPF, as the belt has 10 mm thickness.
● It’s available in 7 cm wide versions, which are great for women and powerlifters of a smaller build.
● This one doesn’t have a 13 mm thick version
● Doesn’t come with a lever buckle
There you have it. A complete Inzer Forever Belt review with everything you need to know about it. Now that you know how it performs and how it stands among the crowd, it’s time to answer the last and most important question of the day: “is it worth the money?”
As you already know, Inzer forever doesn’t come cheap. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive belts for powerlifting out there.
But, when it comes to delivering what it promises, this belt does exactly what it says. As I’ve already mentioned, I’ve been rocking this belt for over a decade now and using it for countless hours of exercise and competitions.
It’s the only belt I’ve ever needed ever since, and it has maintained its integrity and rigidity over the years.
While it might take a week or two for the belt to break in, it feels remarkably firm and comfortable from there on. If you think that this powerlifting belt is the ideal one for you, click here to check it out!
Related: Top 10 Best Women Powerlifting Belts
This belt actually goes by two names. The Inzer Forever Lever Belt and the Crain Xtreme Power Belt. Both of these companies have a reputation for providing well-constructed and long-lasting belts made from high-quality materials.
For this review, we are looking at both the 10mm and the 13mm versions that are available.
The belt is made from one piece of leather which is very solid while cheaper belts often use layers of thinner leather that are fixed together and sometimes stitched. Some belts also have metal bolts which can begin to rust after a while.
Over time, these layers can become separated reducing the support that the belt initially provided. At some point, these layers on cheaper belts will come apart and the entire belt will need to be replaced. But this won’t be an issue with the Forever belt. The quality of the belt’s construction is perfect and it is held together by six lots of double lock stitches so no need to worry about rusted bolts.
The stitching is also of excellent quality with no loose threads to get caught and unravel. The holes for the lever mechanism are clean and clearly designed to not get worn out. The lever mechanism is heavy and feels robust so it will clearly take a lot of effort to break. This close-up of the clasp below shows the thickness and the sheer robustness you can expect from the mechanism.
The belt’s leather is covered with a non-slip suede which gives it a softer finish and prevents it from moving around during lifts. This feels very nice to touch, again a sign of good quality materials. Inzer provides this in a wide selection of different colors, including pink. But any colors other than black are made to order with a lead time of up to 5 weeks. So bear in mind if selecting a different color you could be in for a wait.
The belt’s lever is quite large, as shown in the picture above. It has two hooks that fit into the other side of the belt and then the lever is pulled to secure it to the body. When the belt is put on before securing it with the lever, it is loose fitting. But when the lever is pulled, the belt becomes very tight. This is the whole point of this mechanism. Inzer claims that their lever allows their belt to be adjusted to be up to 3 inches tighter than a normal belt. This can also make the belt so tight that it becomes uncomfortable.
When it is put on too tight, it can sometimes be difficult to take off. You release the lever to relieve the pressure but you also need to get the teeth of the lever out of the holes on the opposite side of the belt to remove it properly. This isn’t too difficult with some practice but for someone new to weight belts it could be a little embarrassing.
Here are the available sizes for each belt thickness:
The sheer thickness of the belt means that it takes a while to break in. It will probably take a few weeks of heavy use before the leather will fit really tight to your body. The thinner 10mm version will obviously be broken in easier. But even when new, the belt performs better than a lot of cheaper belts after they are worn in.
For those that enjoy a ridiculously tight fit, this will be a great belt for you. The lever mechanism is so convenient for easily creating that tightness that would be nearly impossible to get with a pronged belt. No more struggling with pulling the buckle tight and trying to hold it in place while putting the prongs in the hoops at the same time.
This belt is brilliant for squats! It provides a massive amount of support and you can really brace against it with no worries about it providing great stability. For deadlifts, this is also good but there were a couple of drawbacks. The stiffness of the 13mm version meant that it doesn’t fit the contours of the body until broken in and so for deadlifts, it doesn’t provide as amazing support as it does for squats until the leather is supple enough. Also, the bulkiness of the belt means that it can be difficult to use the glutes in the lift when initially lifting the bar off the floor. A softer belt (maybe the 10mm version) is slightly better suited for deadlifts.
At the end of your workout or set, again the lever is very convenient. Just pull it and all that pressure is released. It’s a good feeling!
This Inzer/Crain belt is of a very nice quality in both its 10mm and 13mm versions. It is more suited to the more serious lifters as it is quite costly too. Those who use it for Crossfit might find it overkill and the size of the belt means that it interferes with some of their exercises such as the clean and jerk. However, for serious lifters, it would be difficult to find a belt that provides as much support as this one and if you are currently using a smaller cheaper belt, this will seriously improve your squats.
