If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best dip belt for adding resistance to bodyweight exercises, then I’d recommend the Dark Iron Fitness dip belt as the best one.
Some of the best body weight exercises include tricep dips, squats and pullups and many do these exercises without a dip belt which limits you to your body weight alone.
After a while, you’ll get used to your own body weight and won’t find it a challenge.
To solve this issue, many tend to use a dip belt to increase resistance and make more progress in building strength and muscle.
We reviewed 5 products to help you choose which one might be the best dip belt for you.
Here are the top dip belts we’ll be reviewing:
- Harbinger Polypropylene Dip Belt
- Dark Iron Fitness Leather Dip Belt
- DMoose Fitness Dip Belt
- RimSports Dip Belt
- Rip Toned Dip Belt
Choosing the Correct Dip Belt
Thankfully, there’s not too much to consider when deciding on the best dip belt for yourself.
The best dip belt will be comfortable and will be able to support the amount of weight you want to lift.
Adjustability is also a good feature although most of the time, dip belts will hang off the hips anyway.
Material
Most dip belts are made out of leather, and if you get one of exceptional quality, then it can last you quite a few years.
More modern dip belts can be made from synthetic materials and can be just as good as a leather belt.
Synthetic belts are usually made out of nylon, polypropylene, or polyester, each of which comes with their own benefits and drawbacks.
These kinds of belts are much cheaper than the leather kind, but be mindful that they can be a bit uncomfortable because of the firmer edges.
Leather loosens up more easily than these synthetic belts which is why it’s a worthy investment to consider a leather dip belt.
Size
A lot of belts are one size fits all, but some come with options for personal adjustment to make the belt fit your body more comfortably.
Many of them wrap around the back and the weights are hung off the hips.
The belt isn’t tight to the body, but it’s secure enough to not slip off during exercises which rids the need for specific sizes.
If you have back issues, make sure you try to find a belt that has a wide design for more support.
Chains
There’s usually a chain that’s passed through the center of the barbell weights which then attaches back to the belt.
The length of these chains can vary and are something to consider depending on where and how you do your dip exercises.
If you tend to do dips on a higher platform, then you should go with a longer chain. If you do them closer to the ground, a shorter chain would be ideal.
Be mindful of the carabiner clip which is at the end of the chain. This is usually the first piece that needs replacing, especially on cheaper belts.
Using a Dip Belt
In either way you choose, putting on a dip belt is rather simple.
Belt First
This is the quickest way to put on your dip belt. First make sure the weights are on their side and leaning against a wall or your leg as you crouch down near them.
Then proceed to unhook the clip from one end of the chain, and while you hold the belt around your waist with one hand, pass the chain through with the other hand.
Finally, reattach the chain to the belt and slowly stand and lift the weights off the floor.
Weights First
If you want to put on weights before your belt, first pass the chain through the center of your dumbbells.
Then, reattach the clip to the back of your belt to form a complete circle with the weights attached.
Now you can crouch down and step into the belt so it can more easily reach your waist without having the weights lift off the floor.
Next, pull the back part of the weight up to your hips and slowly stand up to lift the weights and you have now put on your dip belt.
Exercises Using a Dip Belt
Chin Ups and Pull Ups
Chin ups and pull ups help train the back muscles, and with a narrower grip, there’s more of an effect on the biceps.
It’s not easy to do this exercise with a dip belt, so when you’re first trying it out, take caution not to put on weights that are too heavy.
After you’ve loaded your belt with weights, hold the bar with your preferred grip and hang with straight arms.
The weights should be hanging between your legs and attached to the belt at this stage.
You can now begin to pull yourself up until your chin hits the highest point of the bar and then slowly come back down to the starting position and do a few more reps.
Squats
Squats are a less common exercise involving the dip belt. This is more of a leg exercise but there’s less force acting on your back compared to normal squats.
The weights on your belt are smaller in diameter to give you more movement, and with your feet shoulder width apart, you lower yourself just like in a normal squat.
After your legs hit a 90 degree angle parallel to the ground, you can then slowly stand up to the starting position and repeat for as many times needed.
It’s recommended you do this exercise with a pair of comfortable squat shoes to reduce the risk of injury.
Tricep and Pec Dips
If you’re looking to improve your pectoral and tricep muslces, the classic tricep dip is very effective.
When using a dip belt, the belt is placed around the waist and the weights are hanging in between the legs.
It’s advised to start with 10% of your body weight when loading to avoid injury.
Reviews of the Best Dip Belt
Harbinger Polypropylene Dip Belt
The Harbinger Polypropylene Dip Belt is made of durable polypropylene with heavy duty steel grommets to secure the chain to the belt.
This belt is ideal if you’re looking for back support thanks to its contoured design which makes it comfortable during intense training.
Its 30-inch steel chain and carabiner clip allows you to easily add weight up to 150 lbs for chin ups, pull ups, and dips.
It’s also a one size fits all with the options to adjust it for your comfort while lifting the weights up.
Overall, if you’re just starting out in your dip belt training, the Harbinger dip belt is one of the best choices since it’s so easy to use.
Pros
- Ideal for those just starting out with dip belts
- Simple to attach and remove weight
- Adjustable and provides good back support
- Durable material to last for years
Cons
- Not really meant for weightlifters
- Carabiners are susceptible to damage, especially when adding weight
Dark Iron Fitness Leather Dip Belt
As one of the most durable belts we’ve reviewed, the Dark Iron Fitness Leather Dip Belt is made with patented leather so you won’t have to worry about ripping, wearing down, or breaking during your exercises.
The weight strap is a bit long and the belt itself is somewhat bulky, but the built-in padding makes it comfortable to wear during dips and pull ups. The metal buckle and strap is able to fit any size waist for more security.
If you’re a powerlifter, you’ll be happy to know that this belt is able to hold over 270 pounds. That’s about six 45 pound plates which is just enough for most lifters.
While the price is a little higher than average, it’s quite the worthy investment because of how much weight it holds and the lifetime warranty it carries.
Pros
- Made of durable leather material
- Built-in padding for comfortable wear and less backache
- Able to hold over 270 pounds
- Comes with lifetime warranty
Cons
- Has a long weight strap
- Belt is bulky in size
DMoose Fitness Dip Belt
The DMoose Fitness Dip Belt now has improved long term stability in its wide belt design along with double stitching, a 36-inch heavy duty steel chain and super heavy duty neoprene material.
The belt, chain, and carabiner are all of high quality so you won’t have to worry about them breaking from heavier weights.
This belt is practical for exercises such as weightlifting, powerlifting, pull ups, Crossfit, and more.
Additionally, it’s 100% non-toxic, lead, and PVC free so there are no odd smells coming off of it.
It’s designed to eliminate aches, pains, and the overall hassle of exercising with a dip belt.
The attractive design will let you stand out in the gym and the material absorbs any excess moisture so it won’t slip.
The belt is also fully adjustable to accommodate to both men and women.
Pros
- Comes in many colors
- Provides you with a lifetime guarantee
- Double stitching to support tons of weights
- Excess moisture absorbing properties to prevent slipping
Cons
- The clasps are a bit small
- Can have excess length if you have a smaller build
- Takes a while to loosen up
RimSports Dip Belt
The RimSports Dip Belt offers maximum versatility for it can be used for dips, pull ups, squats, a weight lifting belt, sled harness, and much more.
The two anchor loops and carabiner can each be used for lots of different attachments and exercises.
The belt itself is made out of cotton which makes it a light, strong, and flexible material for multipurpose weight lifting.
With high durability in mind, the RimSports dip belt is designed with heavy-duty nylon threads and black steel hooks and carabiners.
It also has reinforced stitching all around on the belt itself and on the sling to further push its strength.
The chain is 38-inches long and the wide back of the belt comfortably conforms to your body for a better lifting or dip exercising experience.
Pros
- Wide belt design for comfort around the back
- Reasonable for the price
- Light and flexible material
- Chain is longer than average
Cons
- Carabiner tends to bend after 50 pounds
- Wide design may be a bit large for waists 40″ and lower
- No protective material behind D rings, could pinch if not careful
Rip Toned Dip Belt
The Rip Toned Dip Belt gives you a lot more flexibility when you’re using plates, dumbbells, kettle bells, or other kinds of weights.
The chain is about 34 inches long, which is significantly longer than most belt chains, and the heavy duty carabiner can carry any added weight without it bending.
The Rip Toned belt is the only one of its kind to be endorsed by 2014 World Champion Powerlifter Kevin Weiss.
The 6-inch tapered and wide belt with D ring and reinforced stitching is designed to last you years and is fully adjustable for all sizes.
You can get through your dip exercises comfortably with the belt’s premium back support and it can carry up to 200 pounds.
Like the Dark Iron Fitness belt, the Rip Toned belt comes with a lifetime warranty so you can replace it any time.
Pros
- Many different color combinations available
- Easily adjustable
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Holds high volumes of weight, a little over 200 pounds
Cons
- Chain might be toolong for some people
- Front of belt may be a bit uncomfortable
- Not recommended for powerlifting
Final Thoughts
We think the overall best dip belt out of the 5 mentioned is the Dark Iron Fitness dip belt.
It nails almost every important factor needed for a quality belt such as being able to add weight safely, durability, comfort, and ease of use.
It’s able to hold over a whopping 270 pounds which is very ideal for powerlifters, not to mention it’s made from patented leather.
The Dark Iron Fitness dip belt is also the best dip belt in terms of its price.
While it may seem out of some people’s budgets, it surely looks like it’ll be a worthy investment for those looking to improve their muscle strength or for those looking for a challenge.
