What Lifting Belt Does Eddie Hall Use? (And Is It Good)

Eddie Hall, unlike many strongmen, is commonly seen not wearing a belt for many of the events he competes in, so you may be wondering if Eddie uses a belt at all.

Eddie Hall uses the Alpha Designs “Beast” belt now that he’s retired from Strongman. Eddie rarely used a belt while competing in Strongman because the belt limited his range of motion in most events. Recently, Eddie has been seen wearing his “Beast” belt when lifting maximal loads in movements like the deadlift.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Eddie Hall's lifting belt, its benefits, and who would and would not benefit from wearing it. I’ll also compare Eddie Hall's belt to the Gymreaper's belt across several different criteria.

Does Eddie Hall Wear A Lifting Belt?

In Eddie's competitive strongman days, he mostly competed belt-less, which is why his Instagram profile consists of hundreds of videos of him lifting without a belt. However, for his world record 500kg deadlift he was wearing a plain leather belt under his shirt.

Here is Eddie Hall’s world record 500kg deadlift:

Like many strongman competitors when Eddie did wear a belt he likely wore a Velcro belt under his leather belt for extra support.

There are many events where he likely decided that the decreased mobility caused by the belt was not worth the benefits of wearing a belt.

Strongman, unlike powerlifting, is not always about lifting maximum weights but also doing heavy carries, medleys, and other varieties of events.

When the goal was to lift maximum weights, like his 500kg deadlift attempt, he chose to wear a belt for additional support.

Related Article: Should you wear a belt for deadlifts?

Why Does Eddie Hall Wear A Lifting Belt?

Having the right belt can help you lift heavy weights while reducing the risk of injury, which is why many strongman competitors like Eddie Hall wear a belt when they can.

In general, lifting belts are designed to provide additional support to the lower back during heavy lifts and create full-body tension. They work by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, which stabilizes the spine, helps prevent injury, and improves performance in heavy lifts.

This is especially useful in sports like powerlifting and strongman, where athletes are lifting extremely heavy weights.

For Eddie Hall specifically, wearing a lifting belt is likely even more important for certain lifts. As a strongman, he regularly lifts stones, logs, and other awkward objects which require unfavorable positions compared to traditional barbell lifts where you can keep your spine neutral (the safest position).

This puts a lot of strain on his lower back, and the lifting belt helps provide the extra support he needs to reduce the risk of injury and perform at his best.

Eddie Hall’s Lifting Belt

Eddie Hall uses the Alpha Designs Lifting Belt, which he also promotes. The specific version that he promotes is the “Beast” model. Eddie even signs this belt for those who purchase it.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this belt so that you can decide whether it suits your needs.

Pros

 

Tapered Design For Additional Mobility. Tapered belts provide extra mobility which could be good for strongman exercises like a stone lift or carry that require mobility as well as bracing under load.

Beginner-Friendly. The 8mm design of the Alpha Designs belt works well for beginners who aren’t used to the rigidity of a lifting belt and are not lifting very heavy loads. 

That said, most beginners do well with a 10mm belt to start so an 8mm belt likely isn’t required.

Style Points. This belt picks up some major style points for fans by having “Beast” written across the back and having Eddie Hall’s signature.

Cons

 

Tapered Design Limits Intra-Abdominal Pressure. The disadvantage of tapered belts is that they have less surface area in the front, meaning less surface area to brace into to create intra-abdominal pressure. 

Less bracing and pressure means fewer benefits in movements like squats and deadlifts.

8mm Thickness Offers Less Protection. An 8mm belt could be a good option for some beginners but most will likely end up outgrowing it quickly and having to purchase a 10mm belt anyway because the 8mm design doesn’t offer enough support for heavier squats and deadlifts.

Not Approved In Many Powerlifting Federations. If you have any future aspirations of competing in the sport of powerlifting you will want to make sure that the belt you purchase is approved.

The Alpha “beast” belt is not approved in the USPA or IPF meaning that if in the future you decide you would like to compete you will be limited to smaller federations, unsanctioned meets, or you will have to purchase a new belt.

Expensive International Shipping. Like Eddie Hall, the Alpha brand is based in the UK. This means if you live outside the UK you will be incurring expensive international shipping costs and potentially duty fees. 

While the belt itself isn't too expensive by the time all these fees are paid the price can end up being way higher.

Who Would Benefit From Wearing The Same Belt As Eddie Hall?

Those who compete in Strongman would benefit most from Eddie Hall’s Alpha Designs belt because the tapered design is better for certain Strongman events. The tapered design also works better for bigger lifters.

Bigger lifters may be restricted by their stomachs when they have to hinge at the hips (i.e. deadlift) or squat, and a regular belt would only create more discomfort. The tapered design is likely more comfortable for these lifters.

Eddie Hall’s belt could also be beneficial for those who are new to lifting and are starting to experiment with wearing a belt.

Who Would NOT Benefit From Wearing The Same Belt As Eddie Hall?

It's important to note that not everyone needs or should wear a lifting belt. If you’re not lifting heavy and not competing in strength sports, then you likely don’t need a belt at all. 

If you are a beginner lifter or are not regularly performing heavy lifts, it's best to focus on building a strong foundation of core strength and proper lifting technique before adding additional equipment.

If you are lifting heavy or competing in strength sports like powerlifting or weightlifting, then you would likely benefit from a belt but not the same one that Eddie uses.

A better option would be a 10mm or 13mm belt for regular gym goers or powerlifters, or a weightlifting belt for those who are Olympic weightlifting.

Eddie Hall's Belt vs. Gymreaper's Belt: Which Is Best?

Now, let's compare Eddie Hall's lifting belt to the Gymreaper's lifting belt. While both belts are designed to provide additional support during heavy lifts, there are some key differences between the two.

Price

When it comes to price, the Gymreaper's lifting belt is significantly cheaper than the Alpha Designs belt. The Gymreaper's belt typically retails for around $110-$130, while the Alpha belt can cost upwards of $200 when shipping and duties are factored in.

Winner: Gymreapers

Durability

Alpha’s “Beast” belt does have some great reviews about durability and so does Gym Reapers. Gym Reapers uses high-quality leather built to last. The Alpha belt uses french vegetable-tanned 6mm leather core and an outer layer made of black Italian upholstery.

The two layers of leather of the Alpha Designs Belt could be more prone to falling apart if the glue between the two layers doesn't hold together; however, the belt has a lifetime warranty on it. Gym Reapers also provides a lifetime warranty. 

Winner: Tie

Powerlifting Approval

Many Gym Reaper belts are approved in every federation and can be used in any powerlifting meet, whereas the Alpha “Beast” belt can only be used in smaller federations or unsanctioned meets. It does not appear on the USPA Approved List or the IPF Approved list.

Winner: Gymreapers

Performance 

Typically a thicker belt will be better for performance than a thinner belt assuming the thicker belt doesn’t cause discomfort. A 10mm seems to be the sweet spot for performance benefits and comfort.

The Alpha “Beast” is an 8mm belt meaning you will get fewer performance benefits from it than from a 10mm or a 13mm belt.

Winner: Gymreapers

 

• Related Article:  10mm vs 13mm Belts, Which is better?

Best Overall: Gymreapers

SHOP LIFTING BELT

Gymreapers lifting belts are cheaper, equally as durable, approved for competition, and offer better performance-enhancing benefits than Eddie Hall’s Apha designs belt.