DIY Belt Squat Machine - Homemade Belt Squat

In this video I show how to build a high quality DIY Belt Squat Machine for under $100!
DIY Cable Pulley Setups (4 options): • DIY Home Gym Pulley Sy...
Parts List:
(Links are affiliated and will help the channel if you use them)
(These are not the exact parts I used. I purchased my parts in local stores. These are close approximations.)
3 10 ft 2x4’s - low.es/38K1rwp
1 4x8 ¾ inch plywood - low.es/3yG84Kx
1 Block Style Pulley - amzn.to/3thinnx
6 ft ⅛ inch coated steel cable - amzn.to/3BClFEC
2 Cable thimbles - amzn.to/2Yjt3X4
4 Cable Ferrules - amzn.to/3DPCjCA
4 Lag bolts - amzn.to/3h4gyoP
1 box 3-inch wood screws - amzn.to/3kYHFTB
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Power Supply: EVGA Supernova 750W G5: amzn.to/36hr0Bt
Case: NZXT H710: amzn.to/2RrBk5X
(Second)Monitor: Asus VZ279HE 27”: amzn.to/36jh6j7
Keyboard: CORSAIR Strafe RGB MK.2 Mechanical Keyboard: amzn.to/2PiZ4GI
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Desk Legs (Not affiliated): bit.ly/2Y51cXX
References:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
bit.ly/3gBzTNY
bit.ly/3sRf1qU
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24153...
bit.ly/3jlgsLa
link.springer.com/article/10....
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Intro - 0:00
The Problem with Belt Squat Machines - 0:38
Platform Build Process - 1:05
Cable Build Process - 7:00
Final Product - 9:14
Price List for Parts - 13:42
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#TreadawayTraining #BeltSquat #DIYBeltSquat #BeltSquatMachine #DIYGarageGym

[@hanzo52]

Would be great to see an overall shot of you using the thing

[@RyanTreadaway]

Yup. You're right. I dropped the ball. I was in a hurry and didn't realize there was no test footage. I do show it in use in this video. I timestamped it for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqnHnItspNGGfpI

[@KaizenDIYGym]

Very nice build, I love the idea of adding the pulley to the top of the platform. Great job man!

[@RyanTreadaway]

Thanks! My original design was actually almost identical to yours but I ended up putting the pulley on top because I (like most people) have little woodworking experience.

[@craigjones4810]

Have given up on barbell squats because I keep tweaking my lower back, and at my age (54) I just don't think I should be loading my spine like that. So I want to try belt squats and have been scouring KZbin trying to find the best way to approach them, and this looks like a great way to go about it. My squat rack has a lat attachment that this could hook right into. I just wish there was a way to start from the upright position instead of from the bottom. Thanks for the idea, great video!

[@RyanTreadaway]

You could come up with a DIY for that too. Maybe build some type of A-Frame with a notch at the top.

[@Choedron]

It is easier to make a lever belt squad gadget, which you can add to the power rack. You can also use it for sitting calf raises if you add a small seat to the other side of the weight plates. Then you do not have any problems with the platform moving.

[@RyanTreadaway]

That would definitely be easier but it isn't the exact same movement. I wanted a true vertical resistance rather than an arc.

[@1966johnnywayne]

That is an AWESOME build, I always liked the cable belt squat over the lever (Wenning) style. That said, if I ever get around to building this, I will look at a few changes. First, I would go with a 2x6 frame to allow the pulley to mounted on the underside with the cable running up through a hole in the platform and the same out the front. Second, I would reduce the size of the platform by the DB section, and instead use a length of 2x4 T-brace with a drop-in or dowel locking system on the front face of the platform that braces against the jack post (or maybe just make the platform the width of my squat rack and brace it that way as i don't have a pulley system built yet). Finally, in your build, I would use nuts and bolts with an additional stiffener plate on the underside to ensure that those threaded bolts don't rip through that plywood and possibly injure the user should you get into some heavy weights. Thanks for the post.

[@RyanTreadaway]

Thanks! I will say, the pulley is definitely not going anywhere. All 4 bolts are going into the studs. It can handle all the weight I can lift easily, plus some.

[@1966johnnywayne]

@@RyanTreadaway You probably called that out in the build...sorry, I jumped over the build itself. Thanks again.

[@RyanTreadaway]

@@1966johnnywayne no worries! Those are good ideas for modifications you came up with

[@thomasavona1]

No demo ? Wtf man

[@RyanTreadaway]

Yup. You're right. I dropped the ball. I was in a hurry and didn't realize there was no test footage. I do show it in use in this video. I timestamped it for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqnHnItspNGGfpI

[@siriusbusiness2351]

Great idea! Have you thought about handles to help in getting used to the movement or getting up if you're stuck?

[@RyanTreadaway]

Great question! I don't care to have handles as an aid for the movement because I want it to be as similar to a barbell squat as possible. You don't need them for if you fail a lift because the weights will touch the ground at the very bottom so you aren't in any danger. I have thought about it from the perspective of being able to get up off the ground easier for the first rep. The easiest idea I've come up with (but would require a partner), is to have a plyo box under the weight pin so that you could start the exercise standing up. Then just have the partner pull the box out from under the weights.

[@futbol1972]

I wonder if I could set up belt squats with titan selectorized lat pull down machine? However I would like to start on top due to bad knee

[@RyanTreadaway]

It'd definitely work. You'd have to have a second pin to hold the weight up in the air and someone to pull that pin and put it back in for you.

[@erisd8452]

What’s the closest already assembled for sale version of this for use with a cable?

[@RyanTreadaway]

Probably this but it's meant to be mounted to a rack: repfitness.com/products/belt-squat/#5e7cba1060b64

[@nicholasdouville4696]

What's the max weight on your pulley system?

[@RyanTreadaway]

My pulley system is supported by the house itself so it can hold however many plates you can stack on a weight pin. Personally, the most I've ever used is ~270 lbs. I have a video where I show myself making it on the channel if you want to go check it out. The link is in the description of this video.

[@bigdogkropp]

Pulley should be below your feet to allow for full range of motion. Try again

[@RyanTreadaway]

I can go well below parallel without bottoming out. Thanks for the comment. Try again.

[@silasgroenning]

Abit disapointing theres no demo of it. I followed your link and only saw some small footage of it, and no unloading either.. so overall that not so great. Ty thou

[@RyanTreadaway]

You're completely right. I was so focused on the build itself, I completely left out the demo portion. Sorry about that.

[@jawbaw6471]

Build an $87 belt squat machine using $1,000.00 tools.

[@RyanTreadaway]

True. But this could easily be built with a cheap skill saw and drill. (Or even a regular saw and screwdriver if you're willing to put in the time and effort.)

[@zulutangoxray]

I'm going to tell my wife to never bake cookies again as the oven costed way more than dough and chocolate chips. BTW, $87 in materials ≠ $87 squat rack. One of the beauties of having tools is the final project is worth much more to one than the cost of materials.

[@RyanTreadaway]

@@zulutangoxray good point. Better start making those cookies on top of a fire. Lol

[@btred2]

Did you say power lifter that’s prone to back injury? Lol

[@RyanTreadaway]

Did I hit close to home? lol

[@btred2]

@@RyanTreadaway maybe not the power lifter part but more of a strong guy prone to back injuries haha

[@RyanTreadaway]

@@btred2 I feel you. Lol

[@rodregester1923]

That whole video and then you don’t even show it in action WTF

[@RyanTreadaway]

Yup. You're right. I dropped the ball. I was in a hurry and didn't realize there was no test footage. I do show it in use in this video. I timestamped it for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqnHnItspNGGfpI