My Favorite DIY Belt Squat - Effective and Inexpensive
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- čas přidán 20. 10. 2023
- In this video, I return to one of my first home gym hacks: The DIY Belt Squat. I list the Pros and Cons of this set up and I include a couple additional channel updates.
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This hack is one of the best feeling belt squat setups I've used. It's a great option for those not looking to spend much. Your channel continues to be a awesome resource for home gym info. Thanks for your time and effort!
I sincerely appreciate that, Carter. Thank you!
By far the best home gym hacks CZcams channel in the game. 🙌
I really love these cost/space-saving hacks, they're great for people who lack the space/funds to invest thousands in gym equipment.
That is an awesome compliment coming from you, Bullseye! Thank you.
Your doing people a great service by making these videos
That is awesome to hear. Thank you.
Low key one of the best home gym channels on CZcams right now. Your straight-forward and honest style is greatly appreciated. You've convinced me to buy a Levergym. Now I just have to wait for the Black Friday deals next month. 😃
You have no idea how much I appreciate that. Thank you! I hope the Levergym works well for you.
Agreed. It's like a brother or old friend showing you his cool stuff just because he loves sharing it and seeing others use it! Big breath of fresh air for sure.
@@ABQ3000 one of the best comments I’ve received. Thank you.
Thank you 🙏
Great video! I used to reduce the swaying of the loading pin by attaching an heavy chain touching on the ground
Solid solution. The only issues I could potentially see without trying it…is the chain may go under the loading pin when touching down to the ground or returning the weight to the stool. I like the idea and I’ve seen some people do it for Pulldowns; I might give it a try and it does offer a bit of accommodating resistance.
Great belt squat hack! I’ve been using an Olympic par in my squat rack using the spotter arm to hold on too. Not as vertical as yours but better than most lever type setups because the Olympic bar is 7ft long therefore the longer the lever the closer you get to a vertical move.
Thank you and that’s a solid option. Like you said, a short lever arm, like the ones that attach to racks, make the belt squat look very awkward.
Great idea ..thanks
I appreciate it.
WOW..getting rid of those 2 machines?!..youve blown my mind again lol..Hey thing is you have a passion for Powertec and a lot of fun diy and hacks..so keep up the good work and keep having fun with what you do..
Hey, BBD! I appreciate you checking out this video because I know you’ve been busy. The Torso Arm is definitely going. However, today, I posted a Story about having second thoughts on returning the Bicep Machine. TBD.
I bet your dad is excited to have that Nautilus machine back. That thing looks amazing!
Excited to see the results of your powertech experiment.💪
Now that he’s back into lifting, I think so. Thanks so much! I’ve done the Powertec only training a couple times before and I posted a picture in one of my newer videos, but I can’t remember which one.
Excellent video!!!
I'm thinking about buying a Squat Max MD when it comes back in stock, but my current Plyo Box Belt Squat set-up, which is similar to yours except mine is facing a Swedish Ladder (or stall bars as they are also called) is already very effective. I just deadlift my loading pin with weights with a detachable short bar onto a 12 inch high plyo box, because I rather not load and unload my loading pin, and detach the short bar so I can use the loading pin to do belt squats. I also have 1 and 1/2 inch climbing ropes attached to the top bar of my Swedish Ladder that I hold on for stability instead of one of the rungs, which allows me to sit back with my back erect without worrying about losing my balance.
The Squat Max MD looks cooler than my current belt squat set-up, but the only advantage that I really see is that it would allow me to use resistance bands and split squats, which I don't use or do anyway.
After watching your video, I am debating whether I should bother buying a Squat Max MD since what I already have, set-up, and use is already very effective.
The way I look at it, deadlifting the loading pin on the plyo box for my first set is just more exercise, which is a good thing.
You have an outstanding CZcams channel.
Frankly, I like your CZcams channel better than Garage Gym Review with "Coop" because your content is better presented and more practical for the average garage gym or basement gym owner.
I really appreciate your comment. I am very happy with this set up too. The Squatmax really has the advantage over this if you are super strong…and I’ve hooked bands up to this before…I think I show that in my original Rhino review…but it’s more trouble than I think it’s worth. I do like that I can have a narrower stance with this DIY than I could with the squatmax because I never had the riser which Brian stopped making. Also, this isn’t as tall as the Squatmax which has its advantages and disadvantages. Good to hear you’re happy with this too and, luckily, both are great choices. Thanks again!
👍🏻Your garage is getting bigger😊
It really is. I can almost park my truck in the garage.
run some light bands across the loading pin at the top to greatly reduce the swaying
@@CoolColJ I showed that in my original Rhino review and used that set up for a while, but for me, the swaying isn’t really an issue…I just wanted to mention the potential for sway in this video if anyone tries a similar set up.
One of the only channels I upvote before watching. Great use of the Levergym. Squats are its weakest link for me, due to its awkwardness at first. Always looking for ways to enhance that aspect.
I really appreciate that. I do like squatting with wedges on the Levergym, but when the weight gets heavy enough to be challenging to the legs, I can start to feel my back…which is largely why I went back to this old homemade belt squat.
I never really liked the default, low starting position, squat with the Levergym. I usually just start at the top position, then pull the pin out and hold it until I'm done, then reinsert it. No matter what it's a bit awkward. Also, loading up even just 315 lb in that top position seems a bit dangerous too. All that said, I've put a lot of miles on mine and it still operates like new. @@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@ABQ3000 really good to hear. Same with me, when I was squatting on it more regularly, I would start from a standing position and remove the pin, hold on to it, and put it back at the end. Powertec should add a holster for the pin. Also, I added another pin in the range of motion bracket as a safety in case I ever failed.
I made the block and dolly Design, Build, and Lift has on his channel. It works great, and I like it a lot. It looks like a similar setup, except you don't need a separate machine. This was probably easier to set up cause you aren't building anything.
For the majority of my hacks, I try not to build anything - largely because I don’t have many tools 🤓
You are great , you and Jeff Cav are all i need for my workout nothing else! Can tell me what do you think about a Roman chair bench squat? ( some call it sissy squat bench and is wrong beacause not sissy squat movement! ) ,more like an hack squat but much more inexpensive like this! Have you one or tried ever? I do it on triplex atx with a partticular configuration of the lever arm and squat bar and with dumbell on feet, also with plate in my hand. I fell good work on quad and absolutely no low back pain! When you can tell your opinion/experience for all us!
That is quite the compliment, thank you!
I’ve tried various sissy squats and they aggravate my knees, but I know plenty of people swear by them and I’m glad to hear they are working well for you.
Excellent update. I've recently switched to the Mentzer method of working out, with reduced workout times and increased intensity. I've revisited each and every one of your levergym hacks in the last couple of weeks to make the most of my available equipment, and for it to be in sync with my changed workouts.
Your latest video is easily one of the best updates for lower body focused workouts while keeping loading off of the spine and focusing on joint health. Power to you, H!
Really cool to hear and I wish you much success with HIT. Thanks so much for checking out the older videos and I appreciate your comment about this video, thank you!
Good video and good info, thank you. A belt squat for a 1/10 of the price of a Rhino, definitely worth trying.
Thanks so much!
Instead of loading pin can this be hacked with your functional trainer? Have a attachment chain to allow to start the movement from the top? Maybe an option to progress as I have the larger trainer. Love the vids!
Thanks so much. With the functional trainer, I would lose the vertical line of drive and I couldn’t load the functional trainer as heavy. My FT has a 500 pound weight capacity and at a 2:1 or 4:1 pulley ratio, it wouldn’t be heavy enough. This is a lot easier and a lot better.
Looks like a great inexpensive option!
Definitely. I lucked up because I already had the belt and loading pin, so it was only 100 to get back to belt squats.
See if you can get your hands on a TuffStuff Lying Hack Squat/Leg press. It’s plate-loaded but uses a cable so it’s 1:1 resistance. It’s like $3k new but I saw one sell used for $1850.
I just looked it up. It looks like a pretty cool machine. Thank you for the recommendation.
Crazy that you had both squatmax and rogue rhino. Then sold them. Im so envious, lol
One of the biggest reasons I got them both was to review and compare. Truthfully, aside from set up, I feel this DIY more in my quads than I did with either of the other two.
Have you ever tried doing your leg extensions with a more reclined position? A lying leg extension, if you will. I'm thinking that could be a nice advantage for these bench attached leg extensions. By lying back you get to to train the rectus femoris through longer muscle lengths, which should theoretically induce more growth, and I don't think there are any downsides.
I have but it doesn’t agree with my lower back.
Another option if you wanted to add stability to the boxes would be a length of 2x4 screwed across the boxes connecting them together (obviously setting the boxes at your correct spacing first).
That would definitely work. It would make storage and getting them into position a little more difficult and limit the other exercises I can do, but a good solution for added box stability.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Yeh I suppose you could always sink 2 protruding dowels into each end of the 2x4 & 2 holes in each box which marry up so you can just pop the 2x4 on/off when needed. Or use those bolts with with the plastic hand turn heads through the 2x4 into threaded inserts in the boxes to be more secure, just depends how much DIY you are up for :)
@@northeastcorals good quick-change solutions. When I start to get strong with this exercise again, and I’m moving more and more weight, if I ever feel one of the boxes move, I will definitely have to do something.
Look into the Ironmind Super Squat Belt. It's $200, but worth it. I've had one for almost 30 years and would definitely buy another one if needed.
I looked into that product before making my first DIY Belt Squat. Interestingly, my first loading pin was the standard Ironmind. Really good to hear it has served you well for so long.
Wonder how it works out using lower cable on the powertec ?
I show that in Levergym Hacks 4. Unfortunately, the lower cable isn’t that great for belt squats.
Was there something you didn't like about the pendulum squat or did you just want more space? I'm looking to buy a pendulum squat, and the Fettle Fitness pendulum is one I'm considering.
I needed to clear up space. Everything I said in the review still holds true.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Cool. Thank you.
Free weight belt squats are the best!
While I raved about the Rhino for years, once everything is set up, this definitely feels as effective as the Rhino.
Odd question but I am very curious what your meals look like now since you’ve gotten your blood sugar into better levels. Is it the same thing just smaller portions or different foods entirely? Always enjoy the videos!
Greatly appreciated! I’ll do an updated video at some point going into more detail. I am pleased to say my blood sugar is staying low as long as I don’t go carb heavy. If I eat popcorn, rice, etc., the next morning my blood sugar is high.
At the moment, oats, protein powder, eggs, and vegetables comprise most of the food I eat. I have more carbs around my workout window and almost no carbs towards the end of the day.
Hi sorry of i have missed this but what Rogue belt is this as i cant see anything similar on their euro site? Thanks
It’s the Rogue Multi Belt.
Excellente - My only affiliation is with Home Gym Hacks
Thank you and that shows you are wise beyond your years.
Great content. Two questions: why did you sell the Rhino? Any limitations to the machine? Im thinking of buying one. I know you preferred the Squat Max over the Rhino. Why? Thx.
Thank you. In order to have space and money for new reviews, I have to periodically sell equipment. Also, I was ready for a change.
I have a video comparing the Rhino to the SquatMax; in that video, I gave the win to the Rhino, but only by a little…mainly due to more stance options and easier loading.
thx
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
I do similar leg extension hack but i wedge yoga blocks on my shins for the extra ROM. By the way any reason ur ending ur affilation with iron master? I can understand titan but I thought iron master was legit
The yoga blocks are a great idea too!
Ironmaster is legit. I just thought it was disingenuous of me to rep their brand when I no longer had any of their equipment.
Like this better than my revolt equipment!
Pretty close to the feel of the Squatmax MD.
rogue the best feeling belt? or any budget compareable options?
I honestly didn’t notice that big of a difference between the Henny and the Rogue (somewhere in this video, I briefly compare the two). I also had the old Spud Inc belt, but that was my least favorite of the 3. I’m not sure about any budget options.
On the squat max they have a quite Rod that guides you when you squat down you don’t have any stability issues going right to left not even a lil ?
I had the Squatmax. I actually like this set up just as good, if not a little better. I feel this more in my quads than I did the Squatmax. The Squatmax offers greater stability…on this set up, I cannot move left to right (like you can on the Squatmax), I can only go up and down on my set up. However, I only want to go up and down, I never did any of the twisting exercises that are possible on the Squatmax when I had the Squatmax.
What height do you use for step ups (can you use those boxes for step ups)?
I meant to include a word about step ups and box jumps. First, I don’t think this is a good box for jumps because it’s too small. Also, I think I’d get a foam box if I was doing box jumps.
Secondly, for step ups, it should be fine. I would use the largest setting for the greatest range of motion.
I know you said you don’t like lever style “belt squats” but the ER Kang BS is hard to beat.
I just went to Amazon and couldn’t find it. I’m more opposed to the lever arm rack-mounted belt squats…especially the ones with a really short lever arm.
what is the name of that vest for push ups?
Quickplay. I have a CZcams Short called, “Powertec Levergym and Ironmaster IM 2000 Weighted Push Ups” showing the harness in action with more details if you want to check it out.
Where do you buy the two boxes?
Amazon. I have a CZcams Short where I give mini review for them if you want to check it out.
Can you do a belt squat on a Powertec t row ?
If you’re talking about the old machine Powertec no longer sales, I’m not sure. However, I feel with a little creativity it should work similar to a landmine belt squat. I have an older video called, “5 Home Gym Belt Squat Hacks” that shows the landmine belt squat set up.
I would like to know your leg exercises for both days
I posted both leg days within the last few weeks: CZcams Shorts.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews ah thank you
If price/space isn’t an issue would you chose this over the squat max? I feel like this would replicate it almost to the t. Having a hard time trying to justify the squat max the price even tho Titan got the price point really nice. I’d only use the squat max for belt squats and nothing else
If price and space wasn’t an issue, the Squatmax is better; more than 3 times higher weight capacity and greater stability. Although, this is easier to load than the Squatmax because I can walk between the plyo boxes rather than reaching across the platform to load the Squatmax loading pin.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews I appreciate the response! You’re the only person who’s had this set up and Squatmax for me to ask this so it really helped out!
@@Nick-1828 glad to help.
Hey Man, I've wondered about belt squats. I'm not a fan of regular barbell squats and after studying Biomechanics I dislike them even more.
I might fix me up a system like you and try some.
People laugh at Sissy Squats but man they light my quads up.
I believe the name throws off most guys, they should be called angled squats or bent back squats, anything other than sissy squats and guys would take them more serious.
They offer more load to the quad than regular barbell squats but you know that.
Belt squats have a great stimulus to fatigue ratio not having the bar on your back so they can't be a bad exercise
Hey BH! I think I’m getting close to 2 years without putting a barbell on my back…and that was an SSB. It was never an exercise I loved, so I don’t miss it.
I’ve tried a couple versions of sissy squats and my knees have trouble with them, but I know there are many people who swear by them.
I really liked belt squats from the day I tried them. In addition to feeling effective, they feel somewhat therapeutic.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
Been a while for me too with barbell on my back.
The older and smarter I got the more of a waste I knew barbell squats are. You cant tell young and dumb guys anything. My friend almost died squatting, another friend saved him, I was across the gym benching, another waste and I helplessly watched it unfold as I was running to him, a friend saved him, I would not have gotten there in timebut as I was too far away, scared us bad.
I really want to try belt squats but I'm in a small gym compared to my last one. I would have to store boxes somewhere else and bring them in and out, honestly I might not do that. Rack attached ones are useless, no ROM, I would never try them. Sissy's can hurt knees yeah but they dont mine, I can do them. I'm in middle of hooking up a Pendulum squat by Doug Brignole. Check it out if you haven't seen it. It's on his
Smart Training 365 podcast, then go to playlist and find it.
Take Care
@@bobbyhunt3009 thanks so much for the suggestion and good luck with the Brignole sissy squat set up.
The lever arm ones are good with the correct setup, most reviews have embarrassingly shitty setups which makes the line of pull and ROM nowhere near as good as it can be. The key is to not attach the lever arm super high. As u squat, there will be hardly any forward pull with a decent setup. Love Brignole’s pendulum squat btw, I do sissy pendulums the way I saw him do them.
Oh Yeah, I meant to tell you about the DELTECH LAT PULLDOWN machine.
Sturdy, nice, 200 lb. Stack for $955 to your door. Next closest selectorized version is Titan's at $2140 to your door and Bells of Steel at $2150 to the door.
Titan and BOS look at little sharper with metal here and there but man selectorized Lat pulldown sturdy as one can be for under $1,000
Now I checked all their stuff and their racks, barbells, benches, etc. are not great, they are budget pieces at budget prices but their lag pulldown and Leg Extension machine are prime stock sturdy and they are prime pieces for budget prices.
For a home gym they are great, they are not Prime Fitness, Rogue, etc. Quality but man growing up I would've killed for both pieces.
For a selectorized stack, that is a really good price. Their Leg Extension looks pretty good too…I like how the angle is greater than 90 degrees.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
I told you and Gluck about the Deltech leg extension in case yall were not aware of that company .
Yeah, they have a couple pieces I'd be proud to put in my gym
You and Gluck wouldn't put them in your gym but Yall could tell the public about the equipment in a review.
I'd like both of yall to do a review on the leg extension and lat pulldown.
Both of yall could tell the public about Deltech, especially these 2 pieces.
Call them and have them send you one of each machine and if they wont send you one free then to heck with them.
Yall can make them so much money by reviewing their stuff so surely they will send you the 2 pieces, if they dont then dont mention them
Take Care
make your own boxes with 2x4's and plywood.
Part of the purpose of the video was to also review the Yes4All boxes (because not everyone is going to make their own) and I did mention how making your own could potentially be even more cost effective.
9:11 plates on pins is bad. Connect the belt on a cable machine to be able to put more weight
Do you feel like using 25KG calibrated plates are probably too wide to do this? 🤔
I don’t think I’ve ever tried that wide of a stance. I guess it depends on your height and the squat width that works best for you, but that width wouldn’t work for me. You have to add on a couple of inches beyond each side of the plate so it doesn’t hit the boxes.
Thanks for the reply! You know what… I am already somewhat comfortable landmine doing belt squats with 25kg plates. Turns out the width doesn’t change when it’s parallel vs perpendicular to the ground 😂
Doesn't look like too many plates will fit on a pin like that though.
I can get over 300 pounds on the pin…more if I use 45s.
Belt squats need easy set up.
@@drewyoung2102 this takes about 1 minute to set up. Since this video, I have a new set up that’s even faster to set up. And while there is some set up, that’s also its benefit because it stores out of the way and doesn’t take up any valuable floor space.
Can we please rename this exercise “teabag squat” 😂
I second the motion.
No one at Max Aita’s gym ever held onto anything and the weight was on the floor so you started the movement at the bottom. Never be a regular person going to elite oly lifter gyms. You will feel weak AF.
Many years ago, I tried this set up without holding onto anything and it’s extremely dangerous. During my warm up sets the loading pin swung ever so slightly and pulled me off the boxes. I am extremely lucky the loading pin didn’t crush and snap my shin in two when this happened.
6:22 this belts are so fkin stupidly designed its unbelievable.
there should be a chain that goes through the belt and be the only thing that is connected to the weights.
the only thing a belt should do is blocking the connection between chain and your skin
Unnecessary risk standing on the blocks, your a regular average person who's into fitness, if lifters dont need to take this risk you don't either just because it's popular to do
I feel like you didn’t watch the entire video. I’m not copying anyone because it’s popular. This is the set up I’ve used hundreds of times for nearly 10 years. What’s going to happen? Is the box going to break? Each has a 450 pound weight capacity. I am far more worried about loading my spine with a barbell than I am doing this exercise. And as I said at the beginning, I don’t recommend anyone do what I do…I’m just showing what works for me.