This new belt arrived and I was able to test it out today for the first time.
I had some great exchanges with Pioneer about the sizing. Since I have lost so much weight, I was down to the final hole on my leather Rogue Ohio belt. I have been shopping around and while I dig the SBD lever belt, I wasn’t ready to pay the SBD price for it. Rogue had some lever belts but were out of stock. I saw they were made by Pioneer so I went directly to them. What I liked about Pioneer was communication with customer service. They asked several questions and put me in the best size possible. In fact, when I gave them my measurements, they said I would be right in the middle of a large. When the belt arrived and I attached the lever, sure enough, it was exactly in the middle.
I wore the belt this morning for tempo deadlifts and back squats.
The belt is still extremely rigid and in certain positions on the deadlift it was not comfortable. I know once it breaks in more that will change.
The lever is a really great addition to the belt, however. There have been times when I had my old belt cranked so tight that when I was done with a big set, I just couldn’t wait to get the belt off. I remember a few times just struggling to get the belt off. With the lever, all I have to do is unlock it. The Rogue Ohio belt sure was a great belt and it lasted forever. It is still a good belt. So good that I can’t bring myself to donate it to the gym just yet. I figured I will keep it at the house for now, even though I know I won’t be using it. Since I was down to the final hole on that belt, there was a lot of loose belt just hanging out the other end. This lever belt feels so contained with nothing to get in the way.
I’m thankful to have a top-notch belt for my crap lifting. Ha!