How to Choose Lever Belt Size (NZ Guide by Fitness Fox)

• Measure at your belly button (not your jeans waist). Tape snug, don’t suck in.

• Choose the belt where your measurement sits near the middle of that belt’s size range so you can tighten or loosen across training blocks.

• New to belts? 10 mm usually breaks in faster and feels more versatile. Chasing max singles? 13 mm is stiffer and more supportive.

• If you compete in IPF/USAPL style meets, the max belt width is 10 cm (≈4″) and thickness is 13 mm. 

Browse all options and size charts here: Fitness Fox Lever Belts 

Why sizing matters (in one minute)

A correctly sized lever belt helps you brace, raise intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), and stiffen your trunk so the bar path stays honest under heavy squats and pulls. Research shows belts and bracing increase trunk stiffness and IAP—useful for maintaining position when the load gets real. That doesn’t replace technique, but it does increase your margin for error.

Step-by-step sizing (do this once, buy right)

1. Measure at the navel
   Stand tall, relax your abs, wrap a soft tape around your belly button, snug but not crushing. Record the number in cm and inches. (Don’t use pant size—it’s almost always off.) 

2. Match the belt’s range
   Open the product page and pick the size where your measurement sits near the middle of that belt’s span. Mid-range gives room to adjust for bodyweight swings, water cuts, hoodie vs singlet training, etc. (Examples and ranges appear on Fitness Fox PDPs.) 

3. Choose thickness by use

• 10 mm → faster break-in, more versatile for most lifters.

• 13 mm → stiffer, more supportive for top singles and peaking blocks. (Both are legal in federations that follow IPF dimensions.) 

4. Lock the buckle strategy
   Lever belts are fast and consistent. If your bodyweight fluctuates a lot, keep a mini screwdriver in your gym bag to move the lever plate when needed, or consider a prong on days you swing wider. 

Read more: How to Use a Lever Weight Lifting Belt

Quick chooser: what size and thickness should you pick?

• You’re new to belts, measurement ~86–90 cm, want comfort + support → 10 mm in the size that puts you mid-range. Start with 10mm Cowhide Leather Lever Belt (CAMO) (https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/products/10-mm-weightlifting-lever-belt).

• You’re peaking heavy squats/deads and want max stiffness → 13 mm in the size that centers your number. See 13MM Suede Leather Lever Belt (Burgundy) 

• You compete under IPF-style rules → confirm your belt is ≤ 10 cm wide and ≤ 13 mm thick; both Fitness Fox 10 mm and 13 mm models fit within those limits.

Fitness Fox size spans (reference guide)

Most Fitness Fox belt listings show inclusive size spans you can use as a reference when cross-checking the chart on the product page:

These spans are pulled from active Fitness Fox belt PDPs and filters. Always use the specific chart on the product page as final authority because each belt’s cut can vary. 

Read more: How to Punch a Hole in a Leather Belt 

10 mm vs 13 mm: which thickness fits your training?

10 mm (all-rounder):

• Breaks in quickly; comfortable for longer sessions.

• Great for general strength, off-season volume, and mixed accessories.

• If you’re not sure, start here—then upgrade to 13 mm for meet prep if you need more stiffness. 

13 mm (max support):

• Noticeably stiffer wall to brace against; best for heavy singles and low-rep intensities.

• Takes longer to break in; most lifters reserve it for top sets or competition phases.

• Meets IPF thickness cap when paired with a 10 cm width.

Read more: How Do Lever Belts Work? (Fitness Fox Guide)

How tight should a lever belt feel?

Think “braceable tight,” not breath-stopping tight. You should be able to inhale, expand 360° against the belt, and keep a stacked ribs-over-pelvis position. Belts can increase IAP and trunk stiffness, which helps you keep posture under load—but they don’t fix poor technique. Warm-up, brace, and groove your pattern first.

30-second fit test (at home):

• Close the lever at your intended tightness.

• Take three big breaths and brace into the belt—no rib flare, no breath panic.

• Air squat and hinge 10 reps: no digging, no slipping.

• If you can’t get the lever shut without a full exhale, move the plate one hole looser.

Read more: How to Tie a Leather Belt

Product picks (choose by goal)

• Versatile daily belt (fast break-in):
  10mm Cowhide Leather Lever Belt (CAMO) 

• Max-support cycle or meet prep:
  13MM Suede Leather Lever Belt (Burgundy) 

• All 10 mm options (colours/styles):
  10MM Lever Belts collection 

• All 13 mm options:
  13MM Lever Belts collection 

• Lever Buckle (spare/upgrade for meet day):
  Fitness Fox Lever Buckle 

• Everything belts (nylon, dip, prong):
  Lifting Belts page 

Read more: how to clean leather belt

Decision map (use this flow to buy once)

1. Measure at navel (relaxed).

2. Open your target belt’s PDP, find the size that centers your number.

3. Pick thickness by block (10 mm for most training; 13 mm for peaking).

4. Confirm rules if competing (≤ 10 cm wide, ≤ 13 mm thick).

5. Add a spare lever buckle if you’re competing or cutting—nothing ruins a meet like a lost screw. 

Common mistakes (and the fix)

• Pant-size guessing → Always measure at the belly button. 

• Choosing the smallest possible size → You want brace room, not just “tight.” Aim for mid-range on the chart.

• Buying 13 mm as a first belt → Start with 10 mm unless you know you prefer very stiff belts. 

• No tool in the gym bag → Pack a mini screwdriver to adjust the lever plate when bodyweight or layers change.

• Skipping rules → If you plan to compete, verify width and thickness. 

FAQs

Where exactly do I measure?

• Around your torso at the belly button, tape snug, standing tall. Not your jeans line. 

Should my belt be so tight I can’t breathe?

• No—tight enough to brace into, not suffocate. You should inhale, expand 360°, and hold position under load. Belts aid IAP and trunk stiffness but don’t replace technique. 

Is 13 mm better than 10 mm?

• “Better” depends on the day. 10 mm is more versatile and comfy; 13 mm is stiffer for top singles. If unsure, start at 10 mm and move up for meet prep. 

What if my body weight fluctuates?

• Keep a small screwdriver to move the lever plate between holes, or keep a prong belt as backup for big swings.

Are Fitness Fox belts competition-legal?

• The 10 mm and 13 mm thicknesses fit within IPF-style rules, as long as width is 10 cm. Check the meet’s rulebook to be safe. 

Final call-to-action

Measure once, choose the thickness that fits your training block, and center your size in the range. Then lock it in:

• All Lever Belts 

• 10mm Cowhide Leather Lever Belt (CAMO) 

• 13MM Suede Leather Lever Belt (Burgundy) 

• Fitness Fox Lever Buckle

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