Why the Belt Squat is the BEST Squat Assistance Exercise

www.sikastreng...

[@angryuser0]

Great quad variation for hypertrophy too since fatigue management is so critical if you want to hit legs 2 to 3 times a week. It's just a bummer it's not common in many gyms to see the proper machine.

[@maxb8468]

(good) leg machines in general aren't very common in many gyms...

[@MrAmadeus1998]

Pretty much any assistance work is good for hypertrophy. The whole reason we do it is because it will have less fatigue than the main left and build muscle in the target muscle.

[@MrAmadeus1998]

@@maxb8468very true. My uni just redid their gym and the leg machines they have outside of the standard leg Press are very bad.

[@Kaicepsen]

Really want a to see a video on the Seal row. It looks like the Seal row as been gaining a mot of popularity these last few years as big companies as eleiko and Rouge has launched there own official Seal row benches. As a rower the Seal row has been a staple in my strength training for as long as I can remember. Tha main argument for rowing seems to be that it's a horisontal pull that doesn't load the lower back and therefore is sport specific and a low injury risk. Would love to hear if you could get into the different varieties of the Seal row, like a slight incline, different grips and bars that will give longer rage of motion and the difference in letting the bar rest between each rep or having it constantly up from the floor. Love the channel and love the content. Best regards from a Norwegian rower

[@TheRealLachlan]

Mot

[@teiwaztim1482]

after 5 years of putting off split squats, i started doing them. my squat hasn't "gone up" [I've not tried to 1rm since 2021] but every squat 75% and higher feels so easy and locked in. lunges just didn't do that. lads! your channel is brilliant. just had to say so. we love yer lot.

[@korgtritonextreme100]

I use the front end of a t bar row machine attached to a squat belt. I just lift the attached weight from the t bar platform and take a half to one step to the right and begin the movement. Easy and simple with no platforms needed.

[@joelhamilton9677]

Have been wanting a belt squat for almost three years and my gym recently just purchased one, I had heard Louie talking about his invention before and other lifters singing its praising but as soon as i used it for the first time i knew it was a game changer. Its ability to shift load of the spine and onto the quads is incredible.

[@DredFulProductions]

Tried these for the first time in one of your programs and I gotta say I believe now. Looking forward to experimenting with them more. Just gotta keep the ol' family jewels safe..

[@Dillpickles66]

By far my favorite lower body exercise, especially as an individual with long legs. I love front squats but obviously there’s other limiting factors. The belt squat by far feels the best for truly just hitting my legs, and I do see that is has carryover to my actual squat. Especially when doing it paused, I really get that leg drive out of the bottom of my comp squat

[@adam702702]

Did you find that belt squats had more carry over to your back squat compared to front squats?

[@SUPER8ALTERN8]

belt squat is the number one thing I'd love to have as a home gym only guy, might have to MacGyver something up as a lot of people I respect including yourselves and Bromley are such strong advocates.

[@Mickevostyle]

Hope your going to invite Alan Thrall for a chat soon. ..especially since your using him for demo squats so often !

[@paulsohns3930]

Same here. One of the few good fitness youtubers.

[@AndrewHeffernan]

Love the belt squat. Little plug for the squat-specific belt-squat belt by Spud, inc-super comfortable. Dip belts, in my experience, are not comfortable-chains digging into thighs is just not a positive experience unless you’re using less than 100 lbs. ALSO: another setup option is to place your stack of weights on the second or third step of a set of stairs, and your boxes on the floor below. Stand on the boxes with your belt on, bend slightly to clip onto the weight stack, use the railings to steady yourself as you shift your weight back onto the boxes, and squat, lowering the weights between the boxes. Works brilliantly!

[@danoontjeh123]

I wish my gym had a belt squat machine or other decent setup for it. The idea with the Smith Machine was pretty good though, might try that. Thanks for the great video as always lads

[@KuuntZilla]

I found quad Nordics really built that mind muscle connection you spoke of. Its like connecting the the top of the patella to the hipflexor, I'm gonna try these now for sure

[@jakdexter2832]

I use my low cable attachment on my squat rack cable system with a dip belt and two boxes. Works perfekt although the weight has to be lifted by the hook first to attach to the velt so above 60kg it gets a bit tedious.

[@colingibson5966]

I've had slip discs which I've rehabed, but always had anxiety loading up a normal barbell squat. Have switched to belt squat and love it, don't have to think about my back at all to go heavy or to failure (correlate - my barbell squat, is 2/3 of the belt squat machine). So slight downside is having to load more plates for same output. Added bonus that by slightly changing your foot position you can target using alot more hamstring, glut or quad.

[@footba11fan41ife]

Westside Barbell introduced me to the importance of the belt squat

[@Guilherme-fd2bw]

Never seen one proper machine where I live

[@Swordofmichael333]

Looked at this piece of equipment for some time now, I appreciate the lesson. I See the benefits and will apply these little gems tomorrow! Big love

[@Iheartlifting]

I think people forget how to use their quads and lose connection because they don’t have enough explosiveness out of the hole. They waste so much energy getting out of there that their body just feels its easier to “good morning” the squat up. The faster they get above the hip crease, the sooner the quads can do their job.

[@keatonsstrengthtraining]

Excellent video!

[@gmelliot19]

Careful. Belt squats are better for back if done properly with belt on hips. But many people perform the exercise with belt on lumbar spine, which can increase injury risk.

[@MrAmadeus1998]

Definitely recommend a loading pin if you’re going to use these.

[@fglebocki]

As someone without a belt squat handy, I get a similar outcome from doing Spanish squats with loading (dumbells generally). Great for knee extension and mind muscle with the quads, and limited axial loading. Give it a try!

[@TheRatchet35]

probably the sketchiest thing I've ever done was do belt squats on 2 of those shitty white plastic outdoor chairs. I weigh 120kg and just sitting in them is terrifying, nevermind climbing on top of two with another 120-140kg dangling between my legs.

[@pinkypromise111]

Just starting thank you for this video !☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@Pi03k]

Leg press also doesn't load the spine, right? Could you please compare it with belt squat. Good job on educating how to set up the machinery in various ways.

[@tdogable]

I think belt squat has better carryover and to actual squats as the movement is more similar than leg press.

[@Observerofworlds]

Please do a video on the bulgarian split squat. Noticed it got a lot of hype in Zacks last video.

[@originaljungle]

got a pit shark at the gym where i train and i love it

[@SuperSilver316]

Would for you guys to talk about the hack squat

[@Hirooshii1]

Was finaly able to use a belt squat, and the gym had 2 different kinds. And fuck me im buying one when i can, it feels great, it feels like a comfortable frontsquat, great positioning, force produce feels nice and pushing through more reps is way easier. Tried doing it different ways to, wide stance/close stance/shoes/no shoes felt good in all the forms and like it would carry over nicely.

[@philmalin179]

Just bought a power rack belt squat attachment on the basis of this - I will haunt you in your dreams if instant success is not achieved

[@Fredbernier14]

How would you use the belt squat? Once a week after squats for a few sets? Any programming input would be appreciated.

[@adam702702]

How did you end up programming this into your weekly routine?

[@slajmlord3211]

Can you do a video on pullups/pulldowns? I remember you talking about too many pullups often results in a worse rack position due to the internal rotation. So they are good, but perform them in moderation? Maybe you can talk about behind the neck pullups too. A coach I had preferred btn, he said it works your upper back more.

[@shannonheathcliffmul]

just curious why they're not in rta if they're your favorite squat accessory exercises? also i love this style of video excited for the next in this series

[@DrAJ_LatinAmerica]

Excelente!

[@petercarroll684]

What would be the highest bodyweight multiples that are achievable for average natural people

[@balthazarwalrustitty5108]

You cts are onnn

[@gamebrotherhood]

Did not put the masterclass in the description again

[@electivirethrows4298]

Hi lads, regarding squat exercises, I know a number of throws coaches love Hatfield squats and the loading effects you can get from them, what are your thoughts? A separate query- what do you both do to develop your coaching abilities beyond just increasing your knowledge? Talking anything from chatting with other coaches to reading to waking up in the middle of the night after dreaming you are Ivan Abadjiev (RIP)

[@silkecarina991]

I can’t put the belt on properly unfortunately. First I put it above my hips which blew out my low back, then I tried putting it lower but with every squat the belt moved and smashed the skin and little fat on my hip and now I’m in pain again :( I’m not overweight, I just have really wide and high hips

[@bhalls100]

Question? Is the podcast no longer on spotify? It shows October of 2022 as the last show when i look it up.

[@jamesjohnson7905]

I do mine on a t bar row

[@junkfoodeater]

I just don't see the difference in movement between this and a regular leg press, which is available in most gyms.

[@pacmanfl]

My new gym has a Hammer belt squat and a pendulum squat machine. This is the first time using these though I’ve known about them for years. I’m the only one using these and I can’t figure out why. This is an extremely busy gym. Serious question, why would someone ever do a traditional back squat if a belt squat machine is available? This makes no sense to me.

[@MrSpicabooo]

Mainly for sport. If u werent competing in a barbell sport then you can probs get away with just belt squatting

[@purplejerry1]

i forget exactly the details but bald omni man mentioned at some point belt squats limiting movement of the SI joint or something else down there, is there anything like this to be concerned about or worked around? cheers (i love belt squats i built one in my garage to attach to my power rack since it isnt rogue and it toasts my quads faster than anything else)

[@petercarroll684]

Welcome to the belt squat corner 😏

[@bulldawg_8474]

We have just that in the gym I go to. A Monster Rhino belt squat tucked away nicely in the corner. Love to supplement this at the end of my leg workouts to just destroy those quads to exhaustion.

[@petercarroll684]

@@bulldawg_8474 personally I just superset back squats and goblet squats until the voices stop

[@petercarroll684]

@@bulldawg_8474 though on a serious note currently working on figuring out how to set up belt squats at the college gym

[@pannonianfit1582]

most gyms dont have it 😮‍💨

[@jamesjohnson7905]

Great exercise with belt squat you can go to total failure in safety

[@michaelderenne9838]

Lol the ssb bar is the best. There is a reason for sure that people that compete in strongman use it.

[@jackmurray5432]

hey lads, what's the anabolic substance of choice in Sikastan for bringing up your stripper squat?

[@soumyas6132]

I dont belt squats is there any other choice

[@jamesjusten7198]

I love how they spent 12 minutes explaining why the belt squat is the most superior accessory to the back squad 🤓☝️

[@tedhicks5431]

I'm 62 getting belt for Christmas gonna rig something at home fill like an idiot at the gym do this besides always someone in the way

[@Slideglideride]

What do you lads think of a SSB bar hand supported (squat rack) squat ? In the case belt squat isn't an option

[@abaratien]

still some load on the spine but harder to fuck up formwise , Alec enriki does them

[@user-le8yj8ki3c]

what about a kbox?

[@32srt32]

belt squat belt recommendations? my pull up dip belt has chains that pinch my inner thighs.

[@Smittjitsu]

Swap out the chains for ropes

[@SUPER8ALTERN8]

i got a strength shop dip belt with a nylon strap that should be perfect for this

[@spiloFTW]

can the leg press do the same?

[@tdogable]

No

[@josephparkes6412]

Tempo squats! I.e. specifically slow eccentrics!

[@157MattH]

I believe this information to be true but only because you have lab coats on in the thumbnail.