How to Clean Weightlifting Belts
Having a clean weightlifting belt is not just a nice to have but an essential if you want to maintain a fresh presence at the gym (in every sense of the word!).
With the average person losing between 0.8 and 1.4 litres of sweat every time they do a workout, it is clear why keeping your weightlifting belt clean is important. At Sports Maxx, we also understand that people don’t want to pay out to replace equipment because it has deteriorated over time.
In this article, we will share how top weightlifting professionals maintain their equipment so that you can do the same.
What is a weightlifting belt?
If you have come across this article as you take your first dips and lifts into the weightlifting world, you may still need to learn what a weightlifting belt is. The UK is no stranger to the intense sport of weightlifting. In fact, the country has been represented at the Olympic games every year since 1936! Whether you are lifting weights in hopes of pursuing a professional ambition or building some muscle in the gym, the sport is highly versatile and offers something for everyone.
A weightlifting belt is just one of the essential sporting equipment needed to lift weights safely. Known for its sturdy leather or nylon design with durable metal hardware, the benefits of using a supporting belt include the following:
- The belt provides a structure for the back, torso, and hips, allowing the correct stance to be used when lifting weights. By adding pressure to these key areas, the user minimises the risk of injuries and learns the discipline as to how to lift weights correctly.
- The design also helps users engage their core muscles, resulting in muscle building and improved definition.
- Stability is also enhanced, improving overall posture, which can be applied to weightlifting as a sport or in other forms of physical activity.
You can find weightlifting belts in many different shapes and sizes, but the best designs offer a wider plate at the front and a nylon inner lining for improved ventilation. Our 6” weightlifting belt is just one example of a design like this.
How often should you clean a weightlifting belt?
To stop the build-up of bacteria and deterioration of any sporting equipment, it should be cleaned after every use. This doesn’t mean a deep clean every time but should consist of at least a wipe down, as every gym session results in bacteria thanks to sweating.
We would recommend that you:
Wipe down your belt after every use. This removes any germs left behind by sweat and eliminates any chalk used during your session. You don’t have to do this, but it does mean your equipment will stay fresher for longer.
Treat your leather regularly. As well as washing your belt, you should treat any leather products with the right solutions to keep them supple and strong for as long as possible.
Deep clean every week or fortnight. This is up to you but going any longer than a couple of weeks can lead to dirty equipment which will not have you feeling or smelling your best.
How can you clean weightlifting belts?
When you want to refresh your weightlifting belt ready for another spree of intense workout sessions, you can follow these simple steps to have it looking brand new in no time at all.
- Firstly, you will need to brush away any remaining chalk or associated debris left behind on the surface of your belt. Most are made from leather, which means you can use a soft bristle brush or a cloth. It is important to do this step as leaving anything behind could lead to scratching the belt or becoming lodged when you get to the more rigorous stage of cleaning.
- You will always want to hand wash your belt, so next up, you will need to grab a bowl of warm soapy water. Whilst it could be tempting to pop your belt in the washing machine, this could end up causing damage to both the equipment and the machine itself due to the hardware. You can use a soft cloth and warm soapy water to start working away any marks and dirt.
If you have a non-leather belt or other materials to clean, you can adopt the same cleaning method but mix up the cleaning products if you would rather use something more specialist. Either way, you should always read the cleaning instructions for your belt to ensure a thorough clean with no damage.
- You can then treat the belt with a fabric freshener on any fabric parts if you wish to sustain that clean smell for even longer. This is completely optional.
- Belts can then be left to air dry and should not be used until they have completely lost all moisture. Adding heat of any form to the belt could cause it to lose its durable nature and leads to signs of weakening. It would help if you also left your belt sat on a surface to dry so that it does not lose any of its shapes caused by the weight of hanging.
Any metal hardware can be buffed clean using a soft brush or cloth. You should always ensure any metal is completely dry so that the risk of corrosion is eliminated.
How can you condition a leather weightlifting belt?
Most high-quality weightlifting belts are made from leather, which is the best material for strength and durability. If treated correctly, leather can last as much as five times longer than other fabrics. This is particularly important for weightlifting belts as they sustain a lot of pressure and movement when used as part of workout routines.
As well as washing your leather belt, you can treat it to prolong its life and performance. You can do this by opting for any of the following in addition to the standard washing routine:
Also, clean your belt with a specifically formulated leather cleaning solution. Available from most stores, these treatments are designed to really get into the grain of the leather for a deep clean. They also provide a protective finish, but help products stay cleaner.
Treat leather with either oil or wax. This is not just to create a protective layer but also to prevent any moisture from entering the grain, which can lead to the structure diminishing. You should be careful not to overtreat leather, though, as you don’t want a weightlifting belt to lose its structure. You are instead treating it to maintain the longevity of the belt.
How should you store a weightlifting belt?
How you choose to look after your belt in between cleans also refers to how it is stored.
Leather belts are liable to crack and lose their shape over time, so it is important to keep them in a drawer, specialist bag, or cabinet. As well as ensuring the belt does not change shape, it should also be kept away from heat or light sources as they can cause damage to the leather which can not be fixed via cleaning. In fact, if your belt has been damaged by either of these, you may find that cleaning causes more harm than good.
It is also vital that belts are only stored when they are dry, either after cleaning or after a workout, as any moisture will cause more bacteria to build up. This will mean you are having to deep clean your belt more often which can cause it to have a shorter use life.
If looked after correctly, you can keep a high-quality weightlifting belt for years, if not decades. If that isn’t an incentive to keep it clean and fresh, we don’t know what is!
How can I choose the best weightlifting belt?
As with any type of professional sporting equipment, choosing the right product is the first step to having a long-lasting solution. When considering how you can clean and maintain your weightlifting belt, it is important to consider what material it is made from.
Leather is our top recommendation as it is the most long-lasting. As we have outlined, it is easy to look after and provides elevated support for better performance. You should also look for a belt with a breathable lining, such as our 4” weightlifting belt. This helps in several ways. Firstly, the belt can breathe during workouts, reducing the chance of sweat getting trapped in the lining. It also means the product can dry more thoroughly when cleaning.
Finally, we also recommend that you ensure any metal hardware is made from a durable metal such as steel. This eliminates the chance of corrosion and means that no matter how many times you wash a belt, it is still fit for purpose.
A clean weightlifting belt will ensure you can work out without worrying about your equipment failing you. With some TLC and the right methods, you can invest now and not worry about paying for another weighting belt for years to come!
