I resisted belts for a long time. The argument I told myself was that I wanted to build genuine core strength rather than relying on equipment to compensate for weakness. It's a reasonable argument in principle. In practice, it meant I spent three years squatting without a belt, building genuine core strength, and then hitting a wall at a weight I couldn't get through regardless of how much core work I did.
I'm a 29-year-old physiotherapist based in Cardiff. I've been training seriously for four years, competing in powerlifting for two. My squat had stalled for about six months before I finally bought a belt. Within three months of using it, I'd added 15kg to my competition squat. I wish I'd bought it sooner.
Why a Belt Isn't Cheating
I want to address the belt-as-crutch argument directly because I held it for years and it held me back. A weightlifting belt doesn't do the work for you. It increases intra-abdominal pressure, which gives your spine more stability under load, which allows you to generate more force. Your core still has to brace. Your technique still has to be right. The belt amplifies what you're already doing — it doesn't replace it.
The analogy I use with my physiotherapy patients is chalk on a barbell. Chalk doesn't lift the weight. It improves the interface between your hands and the bar so that your grip can do its job more effectively. A belt improves the interface between your core and the load so that your bracing can do its job more effectively. It's a tool, not a substitute.
Why I Chose the Cerberus Infinity Lever Belt
The Cerberus Strength Infinity Lever Belt was the right choice for several reasons. The IPF specification was the starting point — I compete in IPF-affiliated meets and I needed a belt that meets the current Technical Rule Book standards. The Infinity belt is IPF spec, which means I can use it in training and competition without switching equipment.
The 10mm thickness is the standard for serious powerlifting — thick enough to provide genuine rigidity and support, not so thick that it's uncomfortable or restricts movement. The 10cm wide profile is the maximum allowed in IPF competition and provides the broadest possible support surface across the lower back and abdomen.
The lever buckle is the practical detail that makes it the right choice over a prong belt for training. A lever belt goes on and comes off in seconds — you set the lever to your preferred tightness, click it shut for the lift, and release it between sets. A prong belt requires threading and unthreading between every set, which at high training volumes becomes genuinely tedious. The lever mechanism on the Cerberus is a bespoke laser-etched stainless steel design with a lifetime warranty. It's not a generic lever — it's a properly engineered piece of hardware.
The non-slip suede finish on the inside keeps the belt in position during the lift. The 6 rows of high-strength nylon stitching is the construction detail that tells you this is built to last under serious use. And the pre-broken-in feel — the 10cm profile that's comfortable from the first session — meant I didn't have to spend weeks breaking it in before it was usable.
First Session with the Belt
I used the Cerberus belt for the first time on a squat session. Working up to a heavy triple at a weight I'd been stuck at for months. I put the belt on, clicked the lever, took a big breath, braced hard, and squatted.
The difference in stability was immediate and significant. The belt gave me something to brace against — a rigid surface that my core could push into, creating the intra-abdominal pressure that I'd been trying to generate without it. The weight felt more controlled. The descent was more confident. I hit the triple, racked the bar, and immediately knew I'd been leaving something on the table for months.
I added 5kg and did another set. Then another. I finished the session having done more volume at heavier weights than any previous squat session, and I wasn't limited by stability at any point.
The Sizing
Getting the sizing right is important with a lever belt — the lever is set to a fixed position, so the belt needs to fit correctly for the lever to work at the right tightness. The Cerberus sizing guide is accurate and detailed. I measured as instructed and ordered accordingly. The fit was exactly right from the first session.
Three Months of Training and Competition
I've been using the Cerberus belt for three months. In that time my competition squat has gone from a plateau to 15kg above where I was stuck. I competed in a meet last month and hit a competition personal best. The belt was part of that — not the only part, but a genuine contributor.
The leather has broken in slightly over three months of use and is now perfectly moulded to my body. The lever mechanism has worked without fail on every session. The suede inner hasn't worn or shifted. The stitching is intact. It's a belt that's going to last years of serious training, which at the price point is exactly the value proposition it should be.
My Verdict
If you've been training seriously without a belt and your squat or deadlift has stalled, the Cerberus Strength Infinity Lever Belt is the investment I'd make. IPF spec for competition use, 10mm leather with a pre-broken-in feel, lever buckle with a lifetime warranty, non-slip suede inner, and 6 rows of stitching that will outlast years of heavy use. It's the belt I should have bought a year earlier than I did.
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Rhiannon Davies is a physiotherapist and competitive powerlifter based in Cardiff. She resisted belts for three years, bought the Cerberus Infinity, added 15kg to her competition squat in three months, and has stopped telling herself that belts are cheating.
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