Altus Athletic Nylon Dip Belt

I was a fitness consultant for Gold's Gym for 3 years and exercise has been my #1 hobby for the past 7 years. I've used many a dip belts and this one is different than any i've seen. I'm pretty lean and therefore have a pretty small waste and this belt can't really be pulled tighter to stay on your waste any better. Unlike most belts that have a chain running from one side of the belt to the other conjoined by 2 loops, this is just a full nylon circle with a small chain hooked to the front of it... You pretty much have to rely on gravity and the curve of your rump to hold this belt up. It would work for most people, but doesn't feel as secure as others I've used. I already knew the chain was short going into it, but the other thing that makes this belt a little less secure is that it does not use carabiners to keep the chain linked, it's just an open hook. Atlus really tried to save money on making this belt I feel. I should have examined the picture better, I just assumed they were all the same. I've never seen one like this, so hopefully my review helps provide a little more detail on this item. It still gets the job done for me, but it's not as quality and as nice as the ones at the gyms I've worked and worked-out at. I'm disappointed but too lazy to mail it back since it does an alright job. Take it for what it's worth, I just prefer the style where the chain runs from one side, through the loop on the other side and links back to beginning with a carabiner clamp hook. Oh and like the other reviewers said if you don't have handle grips on the outside of your weights and only have the circle in the middle of the plate you can forget about strapping on two 45 plates to this guy. The chain is teenie.

I ordered this belt not so much for use with doing dips(which i will no doubt use for that too im sure) but mainly to use with a seated calf machine. Here's the idea: I bought a used seated calf machine for $95 bucks and needed a way to do standing and donkey calf raises without buying ridiculously expensive machines and using up space in my basement. I just take the knee pad attachment off the machine, put on the dip belt and connect the caribiner clip i got from HD to an eye bolt i mounted on the main beam on the machine and voila! instant all-in-one calf developement machine for around $120 all-in, that works as good as any dedicated standing machine i have ever used. The belt seems strong enough to handle any weight i can throw at it after several workouts with it. As for the chain being too short for super heavy dips, i dunno i took mine off completely and just use a big 3/8" stainless caribiner clip for my purposes. But if you needed a longer chain just go to HD, chain is dirt cheap!

Sits comfortably above hips, and stays put during the set. I haven't used more than 45 lbs. with it, and haven't done pull-ups with it yet, but for dips it's really good - easy to get on and off - and you can leave the plates attached to it if you take it off between sets.EDIT:After 6 months of use I still like this belt alot. I've used it for a range of exercises now, including pull-ups and it works very well. I still appreciate how easy it is to slip off and on again between sets. Still, I don't use more than 45 lbs. with it, so for the serious body-builders who use multiple 45-plates, I can't say much either way about this belt.

It seems well built and fairly comfortable. It's stitch together so you have to step into or slide it over to get this thing on which I don't think is a great idea. I have a 30" waist and it's a tad bit larger than I like, but not bad. The chain is just long enough for a single 45# plate or two 35's fit no problem. If you really needed extra length adding chain would be cheap and easy to do.

Comfortable, holds a lot of weight. Can also be used for pull-ups or chinups. put the belt on, push the chain through the middle of the weight, stand up, waddle to the equipment, blow up those pecs and tris.

This is my second dip belt and let me tell you this baby is the cats meow! thick, padded and comfortable..and at fifteen bucks cheap! the only reason I didnt give it five stars is the chain is a little short..luckily for me, the plates in my gym have holes/handgrips on the outer edge so I just chain em there...def worth the price of admission!

Firstly, this thing works. Bottom line. The only drawback is that the chain is too short. It'll hold up to a 35 pound plate. You can sneak 55 lbs. on it, but you'll have to be creative, and even then the plate will hang pretty low, making it hard to use a full range of motion.I also don't like that it doesn't open up to put on. It feels weird to have to step in and out of it.In short, if you don't plan to dip heavy, this will work for you. If not, pass on this one.

UPDATE 10/23/2013The belt slowly started tearing where the nylon is folded back and stitched into itself to hold the D ring. In the last 6-8 months I was using it, I loaded it with 70lbs. There was also added force from the bounce caused by my dismount from the pullup/dip bars.I use this belt for weighted pull-ups and weighted dips. I haven't put any more than 35lbs on it but, so far, it works great. Got it a good price. What more could I ask for?