Harbinger Women’s Weight Belt: Review and Giveaway!! (contest closed)

by ~jenniferlynn on December 19, 2012

in CrossFit, Giveaways!, Product Reviews, Weight Lifting

I like to think that I can get big and strong by just using my sheer body and skills alone, but once in a while it is helpful to use various aids for assistance to see if there is hidden potential. When I was given an opportunity to try out the Harbinger Women’s Core Belt, I was unsure what to think, and honestly unsure how to use it, but since I read about others successfully using the belts I wanted to give it a try!

Why should I wear a belt?

While there is much debate on the effectiveness or efficiency of using weight belts, it is always important to first be able to practice good form on your lifting without a belt. From there, you can then play around with using a belt to see if has a positive impact on your performance.

One of the main functions of a weight belt is to help stabilize your lower back and encourage the shoulders, back, and thighs to all work together. By placing pressure on the back and the waist, it limits the stress on your lower back, preventing hyperextension, and allowing you to lift safer. Ideally, the belt should not be used for all lifting and accessory work, but rather used only when doing your heaviest lifts.

What makes this belt special?

  • Specifically targeted for women, with special shape to contour women’s curves and size
  • Breatheable lining
  • Adjustable buckle to provide the best fit possible
  • Pink (I’m telling you, I’m a sucker for pink colored gear..)
  • Affordable (around ~$20)

My Thoughts

I have had this belt for a little while but have not had a lot of opportunities to use it, especially since it is ideally not to be used for all lifting, but primarily just the heaviest lifting. However, once I returned from my mini vacation and after I had my two weeks of Crossfit, I was ready to get back into solitary heavy lifting. I have a small waist and large hips so was concerned about belt placement, but I followed the recommendations from Harbinger’s site and believe I sported it properly.

jennifer harbinger weight belt modeling home gym

On my first day back to lifting in our home gym (don’t judge the classy wallpaper..), I was eager to lift heavy. I wanted to get right back into heavy squats and deadlifts, even though I had not really focused on either in about a month. And honestly, I struggled.. not doing a lift in a month kind of gets in the way of trying to make maximum progress in a short amount of time! Nonetheless, I was determined to crank out some solid reps at a heavy weight. While my one rep max for squats was 135lbs months ago (after consistently squatting 3x a week), I had not squatted in a while, so was not expecting to hit 135lbs again without proper training. I started off with 95lbs, which was surprisingly DIFFICULT! Bad juju.. I was very bummed that a weight I would typically warm up with was now a struggle. However, after a couple more one-reps at increasing weights, I threw on the belt and decided to go for it.

And made it to 135lbs!

harbinger women's core foam weight belt squatting

While I should be a bit less than excited that I managed to only match my one rep max, I was quite pleased to be able to knock out that rep without training. Was it the magic of the belt? Possibly so!

I am going to continue to use this belt on my heavy lifts in the future and with extended use, plan on being able to understand the difference in attempting maximum lifts with our without the belt, but I recommend that you give this belt a try on your own if you are looking to do heavy lifting. If you are not ready to splurge on a belt for yourself, Harbinger has been awesome enough to offer up a belt to TWO of my lucky lady readers!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

clairechapman December 19, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Ok not gonna lie I am usually not big on giveaways but I am REALLY excited about this one… I am a huge fan of things that are manly in nature (i.e. weightlifting paraphernalia!) but then are PINK! Also way to go on your 1RM, mine is 135 as well and I\’m hoping to see it go up to 150 by our 1 year CF anniversary in March!

Jennifer Hudy December 19, 2012 at 1:41 pm

I\’m a sucker for pink.. seriously. Take anything and put pink on it, and I want it. lol. Good luck!! 🙂 And you\’ll totally get to 150!!

clairechapman December 19, 2012 at 1:43 pm

Exactly! Pink or sequins/glitter and I\’m in. Maybe we should start a company that makes gratuitously girly weightlifting gear 🙂

~jenniferlynn December 19, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Heck yeah!! 🙂 All the runner chicks get cute sparkly skirts and headbands.. why not sparkly barbells? 😉

martha b December 19, 2012 at 4:01 pm

First time I used a barbell – I was humbled!
Great giveaway! I hope I win 🙂

~jenniferlynn December 19, 2012 at 4:19 pm

Good luck!! 🙂

Nicole December 19, 2012 at 4:22 pm

Sounds like a great accessory for lady lifters!

Crystal Fun2Race December 20, 2012 at 9:20 am

I felt exhilarated the first time I used a barbell, loving the fact that I didn\’t need to be tied to a machine.

Sam Bangs December 20, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Man, I feel like such a boss with a barbell! I loved throwing the weights around in high school and showing the boys who was stronger.

SportsBras&SippyCups December 20, 2012 at 12:54 pm

I felt like a bada** lol I lOVE lifting and this is a stellar giveaway!!!

Keri R. December 20, 2012 at 1:25 pm

I\’m honestly working up to using a barbel. I love how my muscles feel after my workouts when I use my dumbbells. My next program I\’m planning to purchase is completely barbel based. My back is a little weaker so a weight belt would be essential. I absolutely love pink!! My hair even has hot pink in it. 😀

~jenniferlynn December 20, 2012 at 1:51 pm

Awesome, Keri! What program are you looking at doing??

Melissa December 20, 2012 at 3:45 pm

Like I was doing some serious weightlifting, so all of a sudden that made me a pro! lol:) Same reason wearing this belt would add an extra \”seriousness\”

Angela Agnieszka Hugle December 20, 2012 at 9:48 pm

My favorite colors! I would love to win it.

Jami Garrison December 20, 2012 at 11:06 pm

new to weight lifting this year and loving it. thanks for this blog – good info on the belt. I may have to try one of these belts to see how it helps me improve!

yukiemcgregor December 22, 2012 at 3:30 am

So small compared to the station around me! Eventually it became home, of course 🙂

Kimberly Ferrari
Twitter: Total_Workout
December 24, 2012 at 2:50 am

I felt nervous the first time I used a barbell. I was worried I would have bad form and hurt myself. Still do at times when increasing weight. 🙂

Lisa Stancil December 26, 2012 at 11:00 am

i HIGHLY recommend using a belt when doing max lifts. Especially squats and deadlifts. They really help me keep the right muscles turned on. I tend to \”burn out\” my lower back and the belt gives me the support I need to keep that to a minimum. I am excited to see a women\’s specific belt!!!

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