NoCo Lifting Belt Review – The BEST 2nd Belt You Can Buy?

Last updated on October 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am

I’ve owned the same powerlifting belt for almost 15 years. It has been through thousands of sets of squats, deadlifts, and more. But sometimes the thick and rigged powerlifting belt is a little too restrictive. Strongman lifts, even just general moving around the gym stuff, you need something that is there, but less in the way. This is where the NoCo Lifting Belt comes into the discussion.

Transparency Note

NoCo sponsored the Garage Gym Competition for several years. I ended up buying this belt during their last year sponsoring the event. I do not have an affiliate link or any ongoing relationship with the company.

Overview of the NoCo Lifting Belt

The NoCo Lifting Belt aims to blend design and aesthetics into one by redesigning the traditional lifting belt. Where your traditional belt is fairly bland and uses buckles, notches, and leather, the NoCo Lifting Belt uses a synthetic suede and a number of key aesthetic accents. On top of that, in the back support section is a black solid plastic insert to create a rigid support structure for your low back.

If we look at the traditional weightlifting belt vs the NoCo Lifting Belt, it is like comparing Converse All Stars to a pair of Nikes. Both “do” the same thing on paper, but one definitely took a leap in the fashion department.

Specs

• Brand: NoCo
• Made In USA: No
• Sizing: It comes in XS through XL options

NoCo Lifting Belt vs Other Lifting Belts

The NoCo Lifting Belt is actually more reminiscent of the old “lifting” belts you would see on Arnold and the bodybuilders of Golds Gym. It has a thick back plate for the “support” as it tapers around the waist and into the front of the body.

From a powerlifting perspective, we are taught to brace in a 360 degree fashion, meaning that we expand in the belly, obliques, and low back, to create a stiff torso. Hence why a powerlifting belt is the same size and shape all the way around.

A bodybuilding belt ideally serves a similar purpose of helping to brace, BUT we have to remember that bodybuilders and powerlifters perform wildly different Rep ranges. Powerlifters rarely go above 8 reps on the big lifts, and often stay in the 5 and below realm. Where bodybuilders rarely go below 5 reps and are often in the 10 to 15 range. So body builders need some more room to breathe. This is a delicate balance that the NoCo Lifting Belt aims to address. Maximum bracing without inhibiting breathing.

Fun for Strongmen Too

As much as I love my powerlifting belt, it is far from perfect for anything outside of the big powerlifting lifts. Which makes sense, it is a powerlifting belt. When I started tinkering with weighted carries, log clean and press, and sandbag work, I found I wanted some bracing support but needed the belt to essentially disappear.

Log Cleans

The front buckle on a powerlifting belt is 100% in the way for a movement like log cleans. And when you are trying to roll hundreds of pounds up your torso, you need the least amount of restriction possible. The problem is that going without the belt can be troublesome when trying to hoist that weight overhead. Overhead press is a HUGE core and low back exercise and that can often be your weak point in transferring power from your legs into your shoulders.

The same can happen with sandbags. Trying to get that bag into the right position can be incredibly difficult. Having the bag catch on the belt is a surefire way to miss the lift.

One of my favorite exercises of all time, is the weighted carry. Weighted carries and a powerlifting belt can work for the heaviest and shortest of trips. But once you try and get a little more distance, a little more speed, you start to run out of air.

Does the NoCo Lifting Belt Work?

Yes, and no. I’ve owned this belt for awhile and mixed it into my lifting in different ways. Some worked well and it is my go to. Otherwise worked ok but I’d choose something else. And some lifts I’d skip this belt entirely.

Accessory Exercises

The belt is easy enough to toss on during your accessory exercises, things like curls, triceps work, lateral raises, whatever it might be. It’ll be there and remind you to brace to get that extra rep or two, but it won’t be digging into your side or be tearing up your skin. Very similar experience to using the breath belt. Slightly different concepts, but the application and experience here is similar.

Right now, this is my main use for the NoCo Lifting Belt. And there is a good chance that I will be wearing it more and more during my accessory work. Yeah, even curls and stuff. Trust me, if you have never thought about bracing during a curl, you are leaving some gains on the table.

Totally NOT needed. My wife isn’t wearing a belt during her triceps extensions. And no one I coach does either. But I am liking this enough to grab it regularly.

Strongman Stuff

This is where I was really hoping the belt would shine for me. Good news is, it did. There isn’t even a hesitation on my end, when it is time for anything strongman related, I grab the NoCo Lifting belt. The belt gives me that low back support without being in the way on the clean and I can breathe better than with a powerlifting belt for moving exercises.

There are other offerings on the market that fall into the category by the way. If I was shopping today specifically for a belt in this realm, I’d look at Pioneer as well as Cerberus Strength USA.

Pioneer makes their hybrid belt, which I’ve heard is a winner for bodybuilders as well. And Cerberus has their strongman belt, which MIGHT be made by Pioneer since they make Cerberus’s other belts.

No knock on the NoCo, but buying from the champs if this is your deal is probably the right decision. I’m happy enough that I haven’t gone that route for my occasional strongman endeavors.

Powerlifting Stuff

This one is a little bit of a mixed bag, so stay with me. For bench, I used to use the Breath Belt. I then switched to the NoCo belt. It gave me a little better brace cue, but I’ve recently been going back to my powerlifting belt. I don’t find that it gets in the way of my arch, helps me maintain the most rigid core I can, and transfer power from my feet into my hands.

For the other two lifts, I tried the belt and had limited success compared to my powerlifting belt. Now keep in mind, I was still able to hit big lifts, just not as big, and not for as many reps. So I wouldn’t take the NoCo Lifting belt for a 1 rep max squat or deadlift, but you COULD get away with it for bench work.

If I’m buying a powerlifting belt today, I’m grabbing one from Pioneer. 100%.

One other note, is that the NoCo belt is not likely supported in most powerlifting feds. So make sure you check that before grabbing one for bench and not being able to compete with it.

Should You Buy The NoCo Lifting Belt?

When I commented on one of their posts that the belt wasn’t exactly a powerlifting belt, I got some comments that big lifters had set world records in it (or something like that). I think the issue with thinking that your belt is the one and only belt for everything, is that fit for purpose is a real thing in lifting.

The world’s biggest powerlifters use powerlifting belts. And the world’s biggest strongmen use strongmen belts. If you are a hybrid athlete, looking for a belt that is good enough in a lot of categories, or trying to find something that you can wear throughout an entire workout without being in the way, the NoCo Lifting Belt is a solid option.

I’ve tossed aside many of accessories over the years, this one keeps finding a way back into the rotation.

I wouldn’t recommend it for powerlifters, or for professional strongmen. All in, I’m keeping it, I’m using it, and it works for my needs. You just need to decide if your needs align or not.

💲Want to buy a NoCo Lifting Belt? Use this link.