The Ultimate Guide to Belted Squats

The Ultimate Guide to Belted Squats

January 29, 2025

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6 min. read

If you're looking to level up your leg day and protect your back while building serious strength, belted squats are just what you've been missing. This exercise is ideal for anyone who wants to target their lower body effectively without putting unnecessary stress on their spine.

Whether you’re an elite lifter, rehabbing an injury, or just someone who wants to crush leg day, let’s dive into everything you need to know about belted squats—and how BodyKore’s Squat Box takes this exercise to a whole new level.

What Are Belted Squats?

Belted squats are a lower-body exercise where you use a dip belt or specialized belt attached to weights instead of a traditional barbell on your shoulders. The weight is suspended from the belt, allowing you to squat without loading your spine. This makes it a safer alternative for people with back or shoulder issues while still engaging your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and even your core.

Benefits of Belted Squats

1. Spine-Friendly Leg Training

One of the standout benefits of belted squats is the relief they provide to your spine. Since the weight is distributed around your hips, your back doesn’t bear the brunt of the load. This makes it an excellent choice for those recovering from injuries or with conditions like lower back pain.

2. Targeted Lower-Body Strength

Belted squats allow for a full range of motion and concentrated activation of your lower-body muscles, especially the quads and glutes. The movement isolates these muscles, ensuring every rep counts.

3. Versatility for Athletes

Athletes love belted squats for their ability to improve explosive power and functional strength. The exercise mimics natural lower-body movements, making it great for boosting performance in sports like basketball, soccer, and track.

4. Progressive Overload

Using a belt and weights allows you to progressively increase the load without compromising safety. It’s perfect for beginners looking to build strength or advanced lifters aiming for hypertrophy.

5. Knee-Friendly

The mechanics of a belted squat reduce shear forces on the knees, making it an ideal option for those who need a joint-friendly alternative to traditional squats.

Leg Workout with Belted Squats

Warm-Up:

– 5 minutes of dynamic stretches (hip flexors, hamstrings, quads)

– 10 bodyweight squats

– Light resistance band work for glute activation

Workout:

Belted Squats – 4 sets of 8-12 reps. Focus on controlled movement and full range of motion.

Lunges (Weighted or Bodyweight) – 3 sets of 12 reps per leg. Pair these with the belted squat to target your glutes and quads.

Romanian Deadlifts (With Dumbbells or Barbell) – 3 sets of 8-10 reps. Use the straight bar attachment and hit the hamstrings to round out the posterior chain work.

Calf Raises (Weighted) – 3 sets of 15-20 reps. Don’t forget the calves for a well-rounded lower-body workout.

– Core Work (Plank or Weighted Russian Twists) – 3 sets of 45 seconds or 15 reps per side. A strong core supports your form in all squats.

Cool Down:

– Static stretches for quads, hamstrings, and glutes

BodyKore’s Squat Box Edge

The BodyKore Squat Box is an innovative piece of equipment that changes the way you approach belted squats. Unlike bulky machines or complicated setups, the Squat Box is compact, portable, and incredibly versatile.

Features of the BodyKore Squat Box

Weighted Pulley System: Attach weights to the pulley, and the Squat Box becomes the perfect anchor point for your belted squats. No more makeshift setups with plates and benches!

– Compact Design: Its portable size means you can take your belted squat routine anywhere—whether that’s your home gym, the garage, or even outdoors.

– More Than Just Squats: The pulley system opens up a world of exercises. Use it for rows, bicep curls, tricep extensions, and more. It’s a full-body solution.

User-Friendly: The Squat Box is designed for all fitness levels. Its sturdy build ensures safety and stability, whether you’re squatting with 50 lbs or 300 lbs.

Why Choose BodyKore’s Squat Box?

Versatility: Beyond squats, you can use it for an entire workout, maximizing the value of your investment.

– Space Efficiency: It’s small enough to fit in your home gym or even a corner of your living room.

Cost-Effective: With its multi-functionality, the Squat Box replaces the need for multiple machines, saving you money and space.

– Durability: Built with BodyKore’s signature quality, it’s designed to withstand the toughest workouts.

Full Body Squat Box Workout

Warm-Up:

– Bodyweight squats with resistance bands (2 sets of 12)

– Light rows using the pulley system (2 sets of 15)

Workout:

Belted Squats – 4 sets of 10-12 reps. Attach your belt to the Squat Box’s pulley system for smooth resistance.

Cable Rows – 3 sets of 10-12 reps. Target your upper back with the pulley system.

Overhead Tricep Extensions – 3 sets of 12-15 reps. Use a handle on the pulley to blast your triceps.

– Bicep Curls – 3 sets of 12-15 reps. Attach a bar to the pulley and work your biceps.

– Pulley Deadlifts – 4 sets of 8-10 reps. Use the bar attachment and target your hamstrings and glutes.

Conclusion: The Future of Leg Day Is Here

Belted squats are an incredible way to target your lower body while protecting your spine, and BodyKore’s Squat Box makes this movement more accessible, effective, and versatile than ever before. Whether you're a seasoned lifter or just starting your fitness journey, the Squat Box lets you perform more exercises in less space, all while maintaining BodyKore's hallmark quality. For more Squat Box workout inspiration, check this out.

Ready to take your training to the next level? Check out the BodyKore Squat Box today and experience the ultimate in convenience, performance, and innovation. Your legs will thank you!

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