belt storage/break-in

[Jeff Yan]

I just got my first belt.
Is there an ideal way to store a belt when you're not using it?
Do I want to break it in to soften up some of the stiffness, perhaps by storing it notched up to the same setting that I wear it?
Or should I just hang it flat?

Thanks!

I realize this title might be misleading, in case you thought that I was reporting that someone broke into a lifting belt storage facility.

[hatmanii]

To break mine in I did two things:

1) I wore it when I trained.
2) I rolled it from the non buckle end into a pinwheel in both directions.

I store it in my gym bag, that stays in my car.

-Hat

[stronger]

I store mine circled and buckled because it's easiest to carry it that way. The first few days I owned my belt I was so concerned about breaking it in that I wore it around the house and obsessively kneaded it every few hours to break in the fibers. This works, or you could just wait a bit longer by squatting or lifting otherwise in it

[RobertFontaine]

10mm thick belt needs no break in. I've heard the 13mm belts can be a little stiff. mine just sit's rolled up in my gym bag in the car.

[Getstronger]

I hang my belt from a nail on the garage gym wall. My belt broke in after a half dozen uses. Don't over think this IMHO.

[gzt]

There's a video on 70s big about breaking in belts. http://www.70sbig.com/?p=1594 Basically, crunch it in your hands both directions a few times. I store my belt coiled up in my gym bag.

[Jason B]

My new belt is currently rolled tightly, has rubber bands around it, and is sitting underneath two plates and a 60# dumbbell. About a week of crushing it under that in different positions every night will have it nice and loose and comfortable.

[squat_gnome]

velcro belts don't need any breaking, do they?

[melody]

I'm breaking in a new belt right now. Wearing it loosely between sets has helped a lot.

[drskillet]

I keep mine in a climate-controlled belt storage facility. I am constantly worried about break-ins.