Pioneer PAL Belt vs. SBD Belt - Best Lever Powerlifting Belt??

[@dwaynecunningham2164]

Great video. I met a girl who told me she had an SBD. I told her I was really into weightlifting too. Turns out she meant STD. Now I'm going to a clinic.

[@zack.schmidt.fitness]

lmao

[@ZacharyKlempke]

Doctor Mike humor lol

[@babber2536]

😂😂😂 You got your sausage in the wrong bun

[@dwaynecunningham2164]

@babber2536 😎 I take what I can get.

[@smjewett]

Coop, there is a very slight high pitched buzzing as you talk. It sounds like it's sourcing from the video itself and not my side, just fyi.

[@GarageGymReviews]

Yes, I notice it as well. Something happened in processing. Extremely annoying. It won't happen again.

[@luckynyaa2826]

I thought it was secret morze code messgae there

[@ketoketoketo]

@@luckynyaa2826 says coop is a god Morse code

[@KenanTurkiye]

That buzzing sound, which I hear as well, is the residual standing wave/echo left over from deadlifting 1500 lbs and dropping them, he has to give at least 1 day rest between deadlifting and making a video, otherwise the room will have this standing wave echo, getting caught in the recording. Beast!

[@fly1ngpapaya]

@@GarageGymReviews I kind of hope it does so you quietly rage 🤣 Anyway always solid with the reviews

[@wyattd1193]

Also, if you've never tried a Pioneer belt, that half inch increment adjustment is incredibly useful. Being able to adjust up or down by .5" instead of 1" jumps is a huge feature for me personally.

[@PadyEos]

It really does make it feel like the belt is adjusting to you an no the other way around. It's as close to a level belt as possible.

[@StretchyDeath]

I was surprised he didn't highlight the difference in adjustment fidelity. It's so nice to choose exactly how tight you want it. Sometimes with the SBD, I feel like one setting is too tight, and the very next setting is a little loose. Every half-inch matters.

[@wyattd1193]

@@StretchyDeath it definitely makes me feel more confident when I go for 1rms

[@datglasstho]

Absolutely. It's fantastic for those of us that start in frigid garage gyms in the winter with a few layers and then remove a layer or two when the garage warms up a bit with having small increments to match on the belt.

[@yokohamaborn]

@@datglasstho lol, this is exactly my situation here in Minnesota with this belt. It's been super useful for my garage gym.

[@zachkieri1185]

It’s amazing that none of that 100lbs of weight fluctuation never shows up in Coops face; genetics

[@Ricky-drip-go-woo]

It's all that chicken rice and broccoli #moreplatesmoredates

[@NAubc]

he was kidding.

[@gymreviewer]

😂🙌🏼

[@crim7ind]

I’m amazed it never shows on the scales either lol

[@kevinwheeler5595]

He carriea 450lbs very well

[@timk8258]

1/2” adjustments are a big advantage for the pioneer that you didn’t acknowledge. Most people won’t ever need more than two inches of adjustment range unless they lose or gain a significant amount of weight, so moving the lever assembly on the pioneer will be necessary only infrequently. Meanwhile having finer 1/2” adjustments is great between different lifts, days where you’re lifting on full vs empty stomach, different clothing, or just normal minor weight fluctuations.

[@witnesstothestupid]

Exactly. That's why it's no contest. Pioneer PAL,for the win

[@Ninjadude87534]

Link to buy pioneer belt?

[@HonkeyKongLive]

I bought one of their buckle belts for that very reason. Now I'm eyeballing this...

[@samharris9559]

I’ve been using the Pioneer belt for over a year almost every day. Absolutely love it, super sturdy, fits well and surprisingly comfortable after break in. A couple minor issues: the screws tend to back out slowly over a couple months (I keep a Swiss army knife in my bag to tighten them), there is a little wobble in the lever arm now (doesn’t effect performance), and because it’s unfinished leather I put leather conditioner on it every month or so to keep it from weakening/drying. If you’re thinking about buying one, it’s definitely worth the money and it won’t disappoint, but these are a few things to keep in mind.

[@my2l]

how has the finish of the lever held up? I've heard that it gets scratched up very easily

[@jonysun]

Who else here has gotten to the point of liking the video before it even starts lol? Great stuff as always Coop!

[@Ricky-drip-go-woo]

I love how you manage to include uprights and jcups in your videos to display what you're reviewing, it's a great little detail that I love

[@BasementBrandon]

Pioneer supports the basement. The basement supports Pioneer.

[@rjjoat6609]

TIL the structural integrity of Brandon’s basement is solely dependent on Pioneer belts. Imagine what they can do for your lumbar spine

[@teaguekuhn]

this is the way

[@hitleractually8180]

@@teaguekuhn this is the whey

[@rickygonzalez8206]

So what belt do I get y’all confusing me

[@basedabdu8653]

"350 to 450" lmaoooo I had to listen to that twice

[@sm-qw9mj]

Me too :D

[@n.lambert1305]

Same lmao

[@randumbmemes9308]

Haha🤣

[@freddiewilliams9939]

Is he not talking about his bodyweight? 😂

[@rhyseinlanzer4617]

Primary win for the Pioneer over the SBD for me, is the half inch adjustments. Tshirt > Hoodie > Soft Belt, I don't want 1 inch increments there, and at most I am adding 2in total which the Pioneer perfectly supports, as opposed to every notch on the SBD being 1 inch.

[@scarycloud]

The pioneer PAL also adjusts at 1/2" increments over a total of 2" before it needs to be re-screwed in. The SBD adjusts at full 1" increments.

[@Paulmight1]

I literally clicked on this only for PIONEER they have never failed me I own 3

[@Bloder20]

Have 2 myself love them

[@PadyEos]

Have a Pioneer cut. Love it. Have to say they know their leather.

[@toysfan9072]

And there’s the difference, you’ll only ever need the one sbd belt, forever.

[@Paulmight1]

@@toysfan9072 I have the 3 because I bought 3 different designs of my own choice they have not failed me

[@Paulmight1]

@@toysfan9072 as is cosmetics

[@kkent2198]

Love to see strongman equipment comparisons. Love to see the best gym equipment reviewer compare log bars and other strongman equipment.

[@WoodysGamertag]

FYI, Pioneer says they only suggest pairing their adjustable buckle with their 13mm belt. That will likely have an impact on the break in and comfort category of your review.

[@Yeerrr31]

Damn never thought I’d see woody on here😂

[@dojanjanjan]

I've got the PAL with a 3 Inch belt / 10mm. It's perfect

[@flippino35]

i tried it on a 13mm strenghtshop belt and it was not stiff enough. the lever would pop open

[@mskerr187]

Interesting. I have it on a 10mm. I bought them together and reached out to them before I bought, and they said it'd be a great choice. No problems thus far.

[@scottdodds]

I have 2 pals. One on my 13mm pioneer and one on my 10mm cerberus. Works great on both

[@StrickenBiged]

Love my SBD. It's like bracing my core against a ring of steel. Never felt support like it, its amazing.

[@PortableHayzuse]

Awesome review, I definitely dig the comparison/review format. I own the pioneer PAL and at the time I bought it purely for the value and obviously for the genius behind it, but I always wondered if I missed out skipping on the SBD adjustable. I love my PAL and my Pioneer belt but it is cool to know how close a contender the SBD is and how they paved the way for the adjustable option on a lever belt.

[@clownpocket]

You forgot something very important: The Pioneer belt can be adjusted in 1/2 inch increments, the SBD only in 1 inch increments. Sometimes on a 1 inch increment belt one size is just too tight, the other is just too loose. Big win on the Pioneer for that, with 1/2 inch increments it fits just right every time.

[@iamthemobey]

I've had an sbd belt for about 4 yeahs and I love it. I personally love how tough it is and the feeling of being completely locked in before a big set. Since getting one almost all of my powerlifting mates have gotten one.

[@iamthemobey]

Also I've fluctuated in weight by over 20kg and also still fitted. So no getting a bigger or smaller one.

[@iamthemobey]

@Logan M. Elliott I recommend large. I highly doubt you’ll be to big for it right now. My friend has an XL and I’m 95 kg right now down from 115 kg at my heaviest and I don’t think his would fit me right now but my large still does. I think a large would be perfect for you especially once you’ve lost a little weight. Let me know once you’ve got one and how you get on with it mate.

[@iamthemobey]

@Logan M. Elliott I’m also 6ft 4 for reference. 193cm.

[@THExJMC]

The SBD looks so premium and clean, but if I were ever going to upgrade my belt I'd probably go with the pioneer for the functionality. Like many others have said, you rarely want such a wide range of adjustability within the same time period. For reference on my Inzer prong belt I never need to adjust more than one space over the course of a workout. Maybe if I'm feeling particularly lean I will go from warm up with sweater on to serious with sweater off and go over 2 holes. With that being said, the Pioneer adjustment is enough for that. I always find that one hole over is sometimes too tight or too loose by just a bit. Having more fine adjustments is a huge pro. Another thing, that doesn't apply to me because I have a prong, but you can buy just the lever mechanism for a pioneer belt and this makes it significantly cheaper for others who are already using a lever belt. In addition, in this case there is no break in period or anything and it is much cheaper.

[@kozmo7]

COOP, I’m a man of details and analysis when it comes to spending my hard earned dollar so I really appreciate the in-depth format of these videos in addition to your more general overlooks. Love what ya doing dude!

[@martinrios-ayala6152]

“Big, bad and thicc”, that apology made me laugh

[@48Boxer]

Yep, he's going to pay for that one

[@Ricky-drip-go-woo]

😅 hes gona go sleep in his home gym shed for a little while.

[@SoyLaBonBon]

OMG, I laughed so hard!

[@javb115]

These are then moments set u apart coop 😂😂

[@velliott8071]

Was gold 🤣

[@tonyc9683]

Thank you! Just placed my order with Pioneer. I really wanted to get the SBD belt, I just wasnt willing to shell out the coin... also thankfully they are out of stock, or i may have lol. I needed another option that was comparable in quality at a better price point and this video really helped me make up my mind.

[@YingGodson]

Loving my SBD belt now. But yes breaking in is not easy, bruised my ribs, my hip in the beginning. Now it’s my favorite!

[@Anthony0855]

How do u know what size to get between 4inch and 3 inch belt

[@snorlaxcom]

PAL V2 just dropped. Has a foot like the original Inzer lever, so it doesn't bend the leather as you clasp it shut. There is also a riveted hinge pin to prevent it from coming loose as it did in some defective batches.

[@928guy]

Coop never disappoints.. great review 👍

[@evancook6155]

I've had an Inzer PR belt for about a decade, and the strap is starting to wear down. I would say it's been a great belt, but the durability of these two looks a lot better than the ratchet system.

[@Fran07Chile]

The reason I went with pioneer is because I already had an Inzer belt for years. It was still in great shape, so I just needed to get the new lever and replace it with the old one. It works wonders, now I can adjust based on how bloated I feel or if I have a hoodie on or off when I’m working out.

[@CasperWK]

Very worth noting that pioneer belts and the PAL system are not IPF competition apporoved

[@bmstylee]

Yes but A7 has Pioneer make their belts. last time I looked A7 was IPF approved. The PAL not so much.

[@Paulmight1]

They are still waiting on approval but they have submitted

[@Gratefully-]

@@bmstylee so that’s basically a pal belt but ipf approved?

[@Falhurk]

I picked up the Pioneer PAL belt because of this review.

[@mplussant]

...you’re getting really good at this...appreciate the perspective...thx...

[@TonyDrecaps]

Good honest review. Thank you!

[@R1Garrett]

In the market for a belt and this is super helpful.

[@victorjimenez7213]

I brought my PAL and put it on my Inzer. It feels amazing squatting and deadlift with my sweater on!

[@franciscomiranda6882]

Did you have to do anything with the Inzer holes? Like did you have to make the holes bigger so the PAL can fit?

[@victorjimenez7213]

@@franciscomiranda6882 no. I think since I used my inzer a lot my pal screws where too small to reach the new pal attachment. I ended up fixing this issues by using one of my own screws then 3 of the 4 that came with the pal stuff. I think it’s impossible to explain. There’s a video on my channel where I sorta describe what I did and show My belt off with the screws

[@franciscomiranda6882]

@@victorjimenez7213 just saw your video, thanks! I’m wondering if it’s because your belt is 13mm and so the thickness of the belt was the problem. Mine is 10mm. Worse case scenario, I’ll head to Home Depot and get longer screws. Thanks, man!

[@ThatboyWrong]

I just got my custom pioneer belt in. Amazing quality and top notch craftsmanship. Well worth the money and the wait

[@jrfty1]

I have the PAL with 0.5inch increments vs. SBD 1inch increments. So much more functionality to have 0.5inch increments! I am from the UK and shipped the PAL from US. I have put the PAL on a 13mm rogue lever belt (also made by Pioneer)

[@zachkieri1185]

Keep the format: too much equipment coming out seems like almost the same thing (or exactly the same thing) that someone else is making

[@Aaronism]

I bought the Pioneer PAL and adjusted my VULCAN roller buckle belt and have been using it for a couple of weeks. I used to be a leatherworker but anyone could do it, I actually recently sold my leatherworking tools so I used a utility blade and a drill. Took my 80 dollar vulcan cut off a piece, drilled some holes, BAM, adjustable lever belt.

[@oradinum]

If you're looking for a high level of adjustability, easy to use, a stable and smooth mechanism then definitely SBD Belt!

[@Bearded360]

Great comparison with the marks and categories.

[@idek3867]

The fact that I watched the entire vid even with the annoying beeping sound says enough. Great video sir!

[@Lowtan]

Didn't hear it until reading this. Still don't hear it super well.

[@UrbanLegend2k11]

I love my Inzer Forever belt, but man that lever from Pioneer is sexy.

[@Fran07Chile]

Just get the lever, that’s what I did. I have my inzer belt for years and loved it, but just replaced the lever on it.

[@UrbanLegend2k11]

@@Fran07Chile oh man I did this about a month ago, the P.A.L. is a game changer for sure!!

[@boomersooner3187]

I love the pioneer bc of the half inch adjustment and the lower price, the half inch adjustment is so nice bc when you’re a little bloated or cutting you don’t need a screwdriver to change it you can just drop it a notch or two

[@bentom5516]

Really wish I hadn't read the comments about the beeping noise before watching the video, now it's all I can focus on 😭😂 still loved the video tho

[@quiet2361]

I don't know if only I hear it but there's a slight high pitched noise in this video and maybe it's the mic so you might wanna check that. Thanks for the good review it really helped and have a good day🤝💯

[@d4-6n]

Friend had the SBD for a week and within that time frame a "teeth" that goes into the hole broke off after dropping it to the floor (stall mats). Looked like the metal was casted; I expected it to be milled for that price point (not a metal worker, I could be wrong). It took him so time to get in contact with SBD Netherlands but he got it replaced eventually.

[@johnr9907]

Both are great belts! I love my 13mm pioneer and my SBD

[@prescottosegie]

Very informative coop I appreciate the information keep up the good work dude💪💯

[@MohammadDakkak]

I reaaaaally wanna try a Pioneer belt 🙌🏻

[@quatie]

I've had the SBD a couple of weeks now, worth the money. My Ribs Though!!

[@getstrongby4038]

Is it at the back? Lower ribs? I was getting some issues with that but not any more 👍🏾

[@Oyashio202]

You sold me sir. Pioneer it is. Hopefully I can write w/e federation PRO on it in the future.

[@nKrandom]

Pioneer all the way! 👌🏻 I got rid of my SBD to get a Pioneer...

[@alfredkaiser6908]

video has some sound issues with headphones overmodulation i think

[@Eee00123]

Great review Coop!

[@kadenbaugh8934]

I just got my black out pioneer pal belt in and i can say its a very good and well built belt. Ive been competing in powerlifting for 4 years and i back this belt

[@avargas000]

Just got a pioneer belt and I love it. Love flicking the lever right after a heavy lift.

[@John-dk3wj]

Now get a SBD belt

[@yanivgoft]

You haven't mentioned one of the biggest selling point for the PAL and that's the half-inch hole increments like the pioneer cut Vs 1 inch spacing of the SBD

[@Worldgonemad]

Or the fact that Pioneer isn't approved by the IPF or the USAPL while the SBD is approved in all federations.

[@clownpocket]

Glaring omission.

[@Tiger2000Lion2005]

Have the SBD its been awesome! The build quality is fantastic

[@janisinisalo1906]

Does with anybody else sound very annoying noise exact same time during the talk or is it just my phone? The noise doesn't appear in other videos (at least so far)

[@shifter8207]

Bad feedback , ive got it too

[@janisinisalo1906]

@@shifter8207 so most likely the problem is in the video

[@GregsWorkshopOregon]

Same here

[@BeGrizzlyStrong]

Video. He apologized to another commenter.

[@jonwarren9979]

Like the comparison breakdown

[@zack.schmidt.fitness]

Great video, going to buy a pioneer belt right now

[@Applefanatic1000]

You should review all of the high end power bars against each other. Eleiko, Kabuki, Rogue, etc.

[@robkillian7758]

I like the knurl mark comparison!

[@zachscrazyblogs]

I was happy to see the neuromark ranking system back!

[@BartTrojanowski]

Love the knurl marks as a ranking system. Very clever. :-)

[@danguilfoyle1736]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@samsetiaboedhi4202]

Another great review! Keep it up!

[@ozzy6162]

SBD now does a 10mm thick lever belt but in the UK it costs £219.99 ($276.46) exactly the same as the 13mm thick belt. I like the newer PAL V2 lever that Pioneer has now which allows half inch adjustments rather than the usual inch adjustment. As well as offering customised belts Pioneer also do 3" wide lever belts which many shorter powerlifters really appreciate. I should say that SBD lever belts are the best coz I'm English but I don't think you can beat a Pioneer PAL V2 lever belt in any department - which is why I bought one.

[@CyBeRjUnKiE2005]

Pioneer is definitely the clear winner. Problem with the SBD is their buckle is very big. Unfortunately, Pioneer isn't IPF approved. I'm currently using Titan adjustable which is IPF approved, and pricing is between the two. Buckle for Titan is also smaller and also customizable. Belt is 13mm

[@lideajuarez9694]

Great review... 👍

[@dannymarcial9139]

Another vote here for the audio coop 😂

[@SurfinBird0953]

Coop, video on the best singlet for powerlifting in the future ??

[@Liftsbysid]

Been using sbd all i can say is its the best one yet

[@thestoryofpattyb7202]

Those review are amazing

[@gonzalourdapilleta8061]

My main concern is that Pioneer belts are not IPF aproved, and that´s a major thing to considere if your planing on compete on any IPF tournaments, maybe for training and in small championships they let slide the pionner but thats it, then you will need to spend again on an aproved one.

[@kylelavallee2505]

I think the pioneer has finer quick adjustments. The SBD is only 1 inch increments right?

[@getstrongby4038]

Yeah but only up to a certain point, you still have to move the buckle to get full adjustability, which makes It lesser ill

[@dfryers3422]

True, for me this alone makes the PAL a winner

[@kylelavallee2505]

@@dfryers3422 most people won’t have to make that big of adjustments throughout a training session

[@dfryers3422]

@@kylelavallee2505 exactly 2inches in 0.5 increments is great.

[@Pryma80]

Great comparison. I would choose Pioneer because of how fine adjustment you can make. The step in SBD is slightly to big for my liking. I often wish I could go "in between"

[@miguelcardenas8490]

Pioneer quality control sucks, mine got unstitched the first day i used it. I thought it was a bad batch but there are a lot of stories out there (exodus strength forum) that people's belts from pioneer got delaminated after 1 year. I also have a sbd that i bought 7 years ago and not a single thread had come off. My Inzer of 10 years is intact also. Probably Pioneer uses best quality leather but their quality control and construction is really bad...

[@pawadventures5544]

Good video review. 👍🏻

[@luukunger1701]

How does the stiffness of the SBD compare to the 13mm pioneer? I have tried the SBD of a friend in the gym and I find the stiffness to be absolutely amazing. I think the half inch increments of the PAL is better though. Note: I live in Europe, so I'd be getting the A7 instead of pioneer. Im assuming its just the name that's different. Here the A7 Pal is 285euros and the sbd is 260 euros.

[@Schyluer]

just found this thanks i know which belt im getting

[@alivideo403]

Coop is being clobbered with SPD belt by his wife, after his comment about "Big Bad W...." 😅

[@jmac6973]

Coop. You missed the most important function… the PAL allows for the 1/2 in adjustments! That’s exactly what makes the pioneer cut so unique! That is what sets this lever system apart. No other lever belt comes with the ability to adjust 1/2in

[@brandoncarter4918]

Can we see a Dream rack 2? Love the channel.

[@ShayanGivehchian]

Do a review on the Inzer as well

[@tedp9945]

With shipping it was 200 to get a pioneer belt with pal 13mmx4 inch xxl. Will be here Friday. Ordered it on Jan 10th. They said they were waiting on leather.

[@woosinator7371]

Very humble of Coop to say that a lifter could lift 10 times more than him

[@Worldgonemad]

I mean not really. He's not that strong no offense lol.

[@JLeddy72]

Hey. There is something wrong about your mic settings/interface. When you speak, there is a high pitch beeps at the back ground. It stops when you stop speaking. I thought it was my speakers at first and i cleared those with a speaker cleaning program but it wasn't that. It's in the recording. Just that u know. 👍🏻

[@MaxwellArquette]

Why no inclusion of Inzer? I've never even heard of the PAL belt

[@kieransimmonds9264]

Dear coop...its weird but somehow each time the microphone pics up your voice while speaking it generates a high pitch "beeping" noise...I'm listening with my airpod pros. Don't know if it's just me..but it's pretty noticeable. But otherwise great content as always 👌 much love from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@ainjuhl4509]

I hear it too

[@joecowan3719]

Coop's next review is on what is on best bench to sleep on in the garage gym for a week after the wife comment...

[@furatal2541]

Hey Coop i like your J hook display stand. 👍creative

[@Jomaxp]

my main reason why i would consider the sbd belt belt over the pinoier one ist just it being as profen as it is so many world rekords so many situations where something could have happend where already done with the sbd belt and i can count on it and since at a really heavy lift i basicaly have to trust this belt with my life i might tend to ignore the higher price just the higher garanty of safety

[@Kmatamo19]

I was hoping Coop would do the Rogue lever belt too

[@georget3790]

The PAL lever is the best, by far!

[@Oscar-gl2ys]

Inzer would seem to be comparable to these too. I've had mine for about 3-4 years now.

[@davidliew2386]

Great vid!! Which pioneer belt is that exactly?? I like the look a lot...thanks!!

[@gregdedrick2150]

Love my PAL belt.

[@jmac6973]

No joke, I have 9 pioneer belts that either I own or that I bought for lifting buddies.

[@Xplora213]

I need the micro adjustments. Dropped 20 pounds. Very hard to brace now. SBD is the obvious choice for strongmen using under belts, so much variation required but mere mortals can just get away with 2” of adjustments.

[@josueparedes6314]

Hello. Great video. Thanks! I have a question: Is Pioneer Belt IPF approved? In the IPF 2023 official list I see the PAL system approved, in A7 and Fortex Brands, but not in Pioneer Brand.