In the market for a new belt? Having a lot of problems using it? You may want to keep reading.

Case No. 1

When you put the belt on and squat down, does the back half of the belt lift off your back leaving a gap between your back and the posterior half of the belt? Does it feel like you're going to fall forward?

Case No. 2

After putting the prongs through the holes, are you able to get the remaining belt portion through the belt loop, or is the belt not flexible enough?

Case No. 3

Once you put it on, is it almost impossible to adjust and it takes what feels like an eternity to take the thing off?

Case No. 4

Do you end up forcing the belt down your hips and then just step out of it? And then after that, still have problems getting the hooks out of the holes?

The belt isn't tight enough. If you can slide it down your hips, then it's not close to being tight enough BUT don't go tighter yet.....

You need to break the belt in first, that's the biggest issue.

There are many ways to break a belt in, but the first and best way is to wear it for every session and every movement until it breaks in. Your body heat, movement and sweat will help break it in. If it's double-prong, then only use one prong until the belt become more flexible. Yes, it won't tuck well because one prong won't be in, but you'll be able to get in and out of it much easier. Just change what prong you use each time you adjust the belt.

You should also roll it up as tight as you can in each direction. You can do this while sitting at home, between sets, etc. You'll need to do this a lot.

Here are some other tips that have worked for me in the past, but will negate any warranty from any manufacture.

  • There are a few leather softeners out there for shoes, but I have yet to find one that really works.
  • Roll it up and make sure the prongs are inside the roll and facing away from the belt. Shove it under you tire (car or truck) and slowly drive over it. I'll let it sit on the roll for awhile and come back later and roll the other direction and do the same.
  • Roll it up and put in the dishwasher for a full cycle with no soap. I was not sure on this one, as it has a real good chance of screwing the belt up, but it worked very well. I did this to mine once in each direction.

We just got in the single prong belts, so I'm in the process of breaking one of those in and have done all of the above and after two days it's getting there. It's still damp from the washer, so I have it rolled up tight and sitting in the sun right now. I'm hoping by tomorrow it'll be ready to go.

If anyone else has any other tips to breaking in a belt, please post a comment to let us know and pass them along.