5 Best Belt Squat Machines For Training With Back Pain

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If you have been training hard for some time, there is an unfortunate chance that you may be familiar with the frustration of injury that can delay your training goals. Although you can do everything in your power to avoid nagging injuries in the gym by following a sound training program, staying mobile, and recovering as best as you can sometimes, the stairs align and things just happen.

As a Performance Physical Therapist and Fitness Coach, one of the most commonly injured areas on the body that I help fitness athletes recover from is the lower back. The lower back has to withstand high amounts of shearing forces with exercises like Back Squats, Front Squats and Deadlifts and even with proper form, the heavy weights that are used in training can be too much to withstand.

But, a common error I see fitness enthusiasts make is getting injured and throwing in the towel on their training altogether until they are completely pain-free or opting for upper body training only. I see this as a huge mistake based on the options available to train the lower body muscles without having to perform the typical barbell squat or Deadlift.

I have had my run-in with lower back pain that prevented me from training. So, I can relate to you if you are reading this and feel frustrated over the fact that you cannot do what you love and get to the gym to train whether that’s a CrossFit gym, Powerlifting gym, or an outfitted home gym.

Five years ago while Deadlifting I injured my back during a lower body workout and ultimately sustained two herniated discs that left me unable to stand up for several days. But I knew that as soon as I was able to stand I needed to get back into the gym and train again.

Fortunately, the Belt Squat machine exists and some companies have made outstanding products to allow you to train the lower body in the presence of a lumbar spine injury, a shoulder injury where assuming a rack position is not possible or simply wanting to add variety to your training as you decrease the loading on the upper body and spine.

In this guide, we will review my top five belt squat machines that are designed to give the best lower body training experience possible whether you are a seasoned lifter or just starting on your fitness journey. All of these a great options for you whether you are looking to splurge on the best available or are training on a budget and need a more affordable option. So let’s dive in!

What is the best belt squat machine?

The best belt squat machine: Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat Machine

In my experience, the best belt squat machine that you can buy is the Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat. I used this belt squat for almost a full year when I was injured and not only did I not lose strength, muscle endurance, or size on my lower body but I even gained strength during my time away from Barbell Squats and Deadlift. If you are in a hurry and just want the best belt squat option out there. Look no further than the Rogue Monster Rhino.

My Short List For The Best Belt Squat:

Best Overall: Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat

Best On Amazon: Pit Shark Belt Squat

Best Deal: Bells of Steel Belt Squat

Best Price: Syedee Belt Squat Machine

Best Attachment: Signature Fitness Belt Squat Attachment

What is a Belt Squat Machine?

A belt squat machine is a training apparatus that allows you to train traditional movements like Back Squats, Romanian Deadlifts, the Good Morning exercise, and a host of other common barbell movements without a barbell or a squat rack. It is a great option for athletes looking to train around lower back injuries or with upper body limitations due to injury to the upper body where they are unable to support the axial loading of a traditional Back Squat or shearing force of traditional Deadlifts.

But, it is not only for injured athletes it can provide a great deal of variety for your training and pack on tons of strength and muscle or even be used for muscle endurance training as well.

How to perform a Belt Squat

The Belt Squat Machine typically is a stand-alone piece of equipment where the lifter stands on its platform and fastens the squat belt around its waist. This squat belt is attached to either a chain or pulley system that descends into the platform and attaches to plate loaders being helped up by a loading pin.

When ready, the lifter disengages the loading pin and can descend into a squat, hinge, lunge, or any movement they are performing and reverse direction against the load of the plates without spinal loading and placing the majority of the force on the pelvis and legs. This redistribution of force away from the spine and onto the hips is why the Belt Squat Machine is a great option for lifters with lumbar spine pain who may not be ale to tolerate a heavy load on their back.

The Top 5 Belt Squat Machines

1. Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat Machine

The Rogue Rhino Belt Squat is overall the best option for you if you are looking to get the highest quality product on the market and don’t mind paying a little more to do so. The Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat Machine may be tough on the budget now but you will have it for the rest of your training days!

Material: Built with commercial-grade steel.
Design: Designed with over or underhand adjustable handles, a patented weight trolley design, with a black powder coat diamond tread plate and four mounted legs for stability.
Resistance: Patented weight trolly with 15.75″ weight pegs on either side.
Handles: Adjustable 1.25″ handlebar with UHMW plastic cover.
Advanced Training: (2) Welded-on band pegs.
Assembly: Some assembly is required and various tools are not included beyond a monster 1″ wrench.

Specs:

Weight Capacity: 700lbs (317.5kg).
Dimensions: Weight 530lbs (240.9kg) and measuring 60.5″L x 49″W x 78.5″H (L: 1539mm, W:1244.6mm, H:1993mm).
Footprint: 2,964.50 sq inches

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2. Pit Shark Belt Squat Machine

The Pit Shark Belt Squat Machine is another great option for belt squat training. The adjustable belt height accommodates various body sizes and fitness levels, ensuring a customized workout experience. It has a compact design, and the Pit Shark Belt Squat Machine is suitable for home and commercial gym settings. The Pit Shark was one of the first belt squat machines that I used, and if not for the high-level quality of Rogue products, this could easily be a number-one pick.

Key Features

Material: Crafted from durable 2.5mm heavy-duty steel tubes with an electrostatically powder-coated finish for strength and a sleek look.
Design: Wide steel foot plate, tread grooves, and secure belt and chain connection hardware offer flexibility in exercises.
Resistance: Four adjustable weight horns allow users to tailor their workout intensity based on fitness levels.
Handles: Multiple adjustable handles enhance grip strength and target specific muscle groups for efficient leg workouts.
Advanced Training: Integrated adjustable resistance band anchors for incorporating varied resistance and advanced training techniques.
Floor-Friendly: Non-marking foot pads provide stability without compromising your floor’s integrity.
Assembly: Freestanding standalone unit eliminates complicated setups for seamless integration into home or commercial gyms.

Specs:

Weight Capacity: Impressive 661lbs (300kg)
Dimensions: Weighing 339.5 lbs (154kg) and measuring 64.1″L x 70.8″W x 60.6″ H (L:1630mm, W:1800mm, H:1540mm)
Footprint: 4538 sq. inches

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3. Bells of Steel Belt Squat Machine

Best for overall deal, as it combines the quality of the Pit Shark and Rogue Rhino but won’t break the bank as it is priced at 50% of the other two machines.

Key Features

Material: Built with 11 gauge steel and a black powder coat.
Design: 13 unracking heights with side or top-mounted pegs and a low grip bar and bushings on pivot points.
Resistance: Two 13.5″ weight horns allow users to load weight plates laterally.
Handles: Adjustable .98″ handlebar for various lifter heights allowing for optimal squat depth.
Advanced Training: Integrated adjustable resistance band anchors for incorporating varied resistance and advanced training techniques.
Assembly: Freestanding unit that only requires three different socket wrench sizes for assembly.

Specs:

Weight Capacity: 700lbs (317.5kg).
Dimensions: Weight 264lbs (119.7kg) and measuring 75.43″ L x 50.57″ W x 41.73″ H (L:1916mm, W:1286mm, H:1060mm).
Footprint: 3,814.50 Sq. Inches

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4. Syedee Belt Squat Machine

The Syedee belt squat machine is a great option for you if you are training on a budget since out of all the belt squat machines listed it is the most affordable price.

Key Features

Material: Built with 11-gauge alloy steel.
Design: Designed with a knurled nonslip pedal, adjustable belt positions, an ergonomic squat platform, and a solid durable frame.
Resistance: Comes with weight storage posts measuring 10.2″ and (2) loading posts of 11.8″.
Handles: Motorcycle-style handle that moves forward upon standing.
Advanced Training: No band pegs.
Assembly: Some assembly is required and various tools are not included beyond a monster 1″ wrench.

Specs:

Weight Capacity: 750lbs (317.5kg).
Dimensions: Weight 530lbs (240.9kg) and measuring 42.5″L x 53.2″W x 49.2″H (L: 1079mm, W:1351mm, H:1249mm).
Footprint: 2,261 Sq. inches.

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5. Signature Fitness Belt Squat Attachment

If you don’t have the space, need, or budget for a full belt squat machine then the Signature fitness belt squat attachment is a great option for you as it simply attaches to a squat rack.

Key Features

Material: Built with alloy steel.
Design: Designed with a black powder coat and sleep design to allow users to replace belt squat machines.
Resistance: Comes with a 9.8″ weight horn.
Handles: none.
Advanced Training: No band pegs.
Assembly: No Assembly required, Fits 2″ x 2″, 3″ x 2″, 3″ x 3″ squat racks, with rack hole diameters of 5/8″ or larger.

Specs:

Weight Capacity: 500lbs (227.27kg)
Dimensions: Weight 530lbs (240.9kg) and measuring 32″L x 16.5″W x 4″H (L: 812mm, W: 419mm, H:101.6mm)
Footprint: N/A

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Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Belt Squat Machine

Quality

I am a firm believer that choosing brands that have the highest standards for quality when designing their training equipment is critical for making your dollar go as far as it possibly can. It is no secret that purchasing a belt squat machine is a hefty investment no matter which product you go with. But, if you can be a smart consumer this one-time investment can last you a lifetime.

I have tried every DIY belt squat setup that you can think of and no variation can replace a quality heavy-duty belt squat machine. The problem with the DIY belt squat set-ups is that most often they cannot handle heavy weight and get the similar muscle activation as traditional squats that is required to maintain leg strength through injury or build strength as a variation to lower body strength training.

The different options listed above stand out as excellent options for belt squatting machines and will make a great addition to your training setup. As well as offer customer service if you need assistance assembling the machine or run into trouble using it.

Size

Not everyone who purchases a belt machine will be doing so for a commercial gym. As I mentioned the belt squat machines is a great option to have in your home gym if you either don’t have the ceiling height for a traditional power rack or if you want to keep another device accessible in the presence of injury or for variety.

But, when space is limited it is important to know the size of the belt squat machine you are purchasing as they can vary quite a bit between products. For example, if you have space to blow you may opt for the Pit Shark which has a footprint of 4538 sq. inches and if you don’t, then maybe the Syedee Belt Squat Machine is a better option with a footprint of only 2,261 sq. inches. And if you don’t have a lot of space utilizing an attachment like the Signature Fitness Belt Squat Attachment is your best option.

In addition to footprint, your ceiling height will be a critical factor to consider when choosing your belt squat machine. Most in-home ceilings will be around seven feet. So, that means your machine will have to be under this height. Fortunately, most belt squat machines and none of the ones listed here have a height that surpasses this level.

Any of the products mentioned can work wonders for your training you just need to understand what the needs are of your facility and go from there.

Price

It is no secret that with strength equipment you will get what you pay for. The more expensive the belt squat machine is the more likely it is to be of the highest quality. But a high-priced piece of training equipment may not be in the budget for you and that’s okay. The good news if you’re training on a budget is that there are a variety of pricing options.

For instance, if your price is no object then you may opt for the Rogue Rhino, but if you want to stretch your dollar as far as possible then the Syedee belt machine is a great choice.

Weight Capacity

Now once you have measured out your facility and you know what kind of space you have available for your purchase and made the investment into a belt squat machine, the last thing that you want to happen is to not be able to use enough weight to build lower body strength.

The whole idea around why belt squat machines are an excellent option for lifters with back issues is because they are a great way to maintain your squat form than endless reps on the leg press or other squat substitutes.

But, to do so you need to be able to use enough weight. When selecting which belt squat is right for you it’s important to ensure that the plate pegs on the machine you choose will be long enough and the machine can handle as much weight as you will need in training.

The products listed above are great options for almost any beginner to advanced lifter as the weight capacities range from 500 up to 750 lb weight capacity.

The Wrap-Up!

If you are a lifter with lumbar spine issues then you may want to hold off on the traditional strength training movements like Back Squats, Deadlifts, or Good Mornings. These exercises can place a high demand on the lower back through increased shear forces or axial loading. While you train your core muscles to support your lower back a belt squat machine can be a great choice for you like it was for me.

After injuring my lower back and sustaining two herniated discs that initially left me unable to bear weight, the belt squat machine allowed me to train my legs with a high degree of intensity as my lower back healed. When I was done rehabbing my lower back not only was the strength in my leg maintained but it was even better than when I got injured.

The five options mentioned above are excellent choices for you to do the same. Whatever your fitness goals or preference are with purchasing strength training equipment there is a belt squat option for you.

Now get ready to take your workout routine to a whole new level and build stronger legs by grabbing one of the belt squat options above and get training.

CrossFit Athletes: Enhance your fitness without joint pain!

5 Best Belt Squat Machines For Training With Back Pain

What is the best belt squat machine?