The design of weightlifting belts varies. Powerlifting belts are four inches wide all the way around. Traditionally, belts were made of one or more layers of leather, but synthetic materials are being used as well. No matter what the construction, belts serve the same purpose. A weightlifting belt has two main purposes.
Some belts have a wide back and a narrow front.
Therefore, it would be advisable to wear the belt backwards if increased IAP is desired, as the area gives the contents of the abdominal cavity more surface area to push against. This not only limits back movement, but it also prevents sideward bending and twisting. A powerlifting-style belt that is the same width all the way around would be ideal for this purpose. Otherwise, a conventional belt can be worn in the usual manner with the wide part of the belt in the back. This is because the physical sensation of a belt against the skin provides additional information prompting the lifter to consider his or her back position and what muscles must be activated to maintain good posture.