Belt Squat Machine

Belt Squat Machine

Type: Compound Muscle: Quadriceps Equipment: Machine

A squat performed with load attached to a belt around the hips, allowing heavy leg work with minimal upper-body involvement.

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+Great for high-volume leg training with low spinal stress
+Lets you push quads and glutes hard without taxing shoulders or arms
+Useful when managing back or shoulder fatigue
–Setup and belt position can feel awkward
–Belt pressure may be uncomfortable under heavy loads
–Poor technique can still stress hips or lower back

This exercise targets:

Quadriceps

Quads

Glutes

Glutes

Abductors

Hamstrings

Hamstrings

Adductors

Ratios are approximate and can vary depending on form and technique.

How to perform

Strap the belt around your hips and clip it to the machine; stand on the platform and unlock the lever if needed
Take a shoulder-width stance, toes slightly out; feet centered over the belt path
Lightly hold the handles for balance; chest tall, back neutral
Inhale and brace your core
Sit straight down between your legs; push knees out to track over toes
Lower to parallel (or your safe depth) without tucking your pelvis
Drive through midfoot/heels to stand tall; extend hips and knees together; exhale at the top
Keep weight centered; avoid knee cave or yanking on the handles; re-lock the lever to finish