I am not surprised that the instructor requires you to own weight/belt..some places do,so do not.At the LDS I am at now does not require it,we use facility weight and all class bcd's are wreight integrated..For those that require it, the students no longer ask "how much weigh do I need?' as once the amount is established correctly and on the belt the problem is eliminated.
With todays gear weight belts are almost eliminated.Weight integrated bcds are very common and for warm water divers a belt is actually becoming less and less common.Many divers that use alot of lead sometimes break it up between weight integrated bcd pockets and a belt.Less wear/tear on bcd that way. Op says he weighs 215 lbs.I would start him with 12lbs in a 3mm suit and adjust from there(2 4lbs weights and 2 2lb weights).If he shows up to class with 12lbs and discovers he needs more weight ,a prepared instructor should have a few lbs to loan him during that particular class session.
With todays gear weight belts are almost eliminated.Weight integrated bcds are very common and for warm water divers a belt is actually becoming less and less common.Many divers that use alot of lead sometimes break it up between weight integrated bcd pockets and a belt.Less wear/tear on bcd that way. Op says he weighs 215 lbs.I would start him with 12lbs in a 3mm suit and adjust from there(2 4lbs weights and 2 2lb weights).If he shows up to class with 12lbs and discovers he needs more weight ,a prepared instructor should have a few lbs to loan him during that particular class session.