Lever weightlifting belt

A method comprising:

• placing a weightlifting belt around a waist of a person, the weightlifting belt comprising:
• a flexible strap portion that comprises a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, wherein the flexible strap portion defines a first set of holes near the first longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion and a second set of holes near the second longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion;
• an anchor assembly attached to the flexible strap portion and in contact with the second major surface of the flexible strap portion near the first longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion, wherein the anchor assembly defines a plurality of notches arranged in one or more rows that extend longitudinally along an outwardly-facing surface of the anchor assembly, wherein the anchor assembly comprises anchor projections that extend from a back of the anchor assembly and that pass through holes of the first set of holes in the flexible strap portion;
• a lever-actuated hook assembly attached to the flexible strap portion and in contact with the second major surface of the flexible strap portion near the second longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion, wherein the lever-actuated hook assembly comprises a support beam mounted to and in direct physical contact with the flexible strap portion, a lever mechanism connected to and in direct physical contact with the support beam, and a hook portion connected to and in direct physical contact with the lever mechanism, and pins that extend in a laterally-outward direction from a distal end of the hook portion of the lever-actuated hook assembly, and
• a pair of back plates that sits against the first major surface of the flexible strap portion and facilitate securing the anchor assembly and the lever-actuated hook assembly, respectively, to the flexible strap portion,
• wherein the lever-actuated hook assembly is configured to engage the anchor assembly so as to hold the first longitudinal end of the strap portion close to, or in physical contact with, the second longitudinal end of the strap portion so as to form a loop that can fit around the waist of the person, and fastening the weightlifting belt on the waist.