I have experimented with various types of blocks...But THE best type of block was built from 2' x 10-12" from 7-8 ft. planks, cut in even sections, and then wood glued together...They make GREAT, STURDY blocks that won't slip out from under you the way cement blocks or loose types of block might...Two other ideas I have found to help a lot: Build not only 2 blocks, but build, at the same height, a wider block acting as a possible "deck", that you can stand on with spread feet as you strap the belt onto your weights, before taking a small step forward onto the two spread blocks before you squat....This also worked better than trying to step up on the two blocks with heavy weight attached, risking slippage and serious injury...Finally, set a bar of some sort about--or lightly lower than nipple-line height to hold onto as you descent into the squat...Make sure it is secure!!! When you have this set up, you can really get "down and back" into your squat, gaining full benefit from it....Make sure you have a set up where you can get FULL DEPTH when you go down in the hole, make sure your blocks are set high enough....And also keep in mind that smaller plates allow you to use a closer stance when going down, really burning the quads, the width of your plates on the load pin will determine your foot stance....Also make SURE you have the ability to "bale out" safely, should you go to failure and have to sit the weight down, have it set up so you can safely rest the weight pin on something below you safely while still getting a good stretch/depth downward....This is a great movement...I hope this advice helps you all some!!!
You could use a length of chain run through the holes of the plates instead of the loading pin. Also you could get/make a longer loading pin and use 25lb plates instead of 45s. Hope that helps!
The only problem with not using the pin is that you are limited in the amount of plates you use to keep your narrower stance...Eventually the amount of plates you have hanging on a short chain may force your thighs out anyway...Get a long loading pin made, and use say 25's instead of 45's, and be sure your blocks are set high enough to get the proper depth for you....
@@JustinCzaplicki I'm not sure , but I feel ok for the first 5 reps , then my form goes bad after that, and it's hard to get to 10 reps for me in a normal squat . I really would like to try this though.
You might just be trying to go too heavy for the given amount of reps. How long have you been training? I would suggest making sure your technique is 100% dialed in and keep your sets to 5 reps if that's where your form is breaking and just do more sets to get your volume in. This belt squat setup will also help get more leg work in without putting more stress on your back, which will help build up your leg strength while you perfect your technique.
Belt squats are great to build the legs while taking your back out of the equation, but I would also say you should figure out why barbell squats are hurting your back as well.
Hey Justin ive been doing the same as you except I have made a really high bench with a gap in the middle and have been doing belt squats with 140kgs and my right side of the body it feels like some one has punched me around the lower back rib kidney area if I was to describe it I guess and sore in the front area around the appendix, does this happen to you? I've got a spud inc belt.
kieran franey First off thanks for the comment!! Secondly, I have not had that happen to me. I would try repositioning the belt either up or down slightly and see if that helps. If that doesn't work maybe take a week or 2 off of that exercise to let your body heal a bit. Hope this helps!!
I am going through that very injury right now, wondering how in the hell I got it, and now I think you helped me, I have the same exact injury on my right side, low ribs, as if I'd been hit there!!!....I was just complaining to a friend of mine about this in the gym yesterday!!! The belt is probably a bit too high on the beck and needs to come down a bit...
what's the height of the wood boxes you're standing on? what's the height of the middle stand you have the plates resting on? I want to make a similar setup, I'll diy making the boxes that's why I'm asking the heights. thanks in advance
I believe the wood boxes are about 24" and I think the center box is approximately 18". You want the boxes to be high enough that at the bottom of your squat the weight is still about 2" from touching the ground. Hope that helps!!
I haven't personally tried it with a barbell but I imagine it would work fine. Just be sure that you have the belt attached to the barbell so that it is balanced. Let me know how it works out for you.
@@JustinCzaplicki thanks again!! also im sure you know this but that red & yellow tie is adjustable so it can go closer to your waist. your boxes are working nice but just in case you wanna get deeper (and not hit the floor!)
I have experimented with various types of blocks...But THE best type of block was built from 2' x 10-12" from 7-8 ft. planks, cut in even sections, and then wood glued together...They make GREAT, STURDY blocks that won't slip out from under you the way cement blocks or loose types of block might...Two other ideas I have found to help a lot: Build not only 2 blocks, but build, at the same height, a wider block acting as a possible "deck", that you can stand on with spread feet as you strap the belt onto your weights, before taking a small step forward onto the two spread blocks before you squat....This also worked better than trying to step up on the two blocks with heavy weight attached, risking slippage and serious injury...Finally, set a bar of some sort about--or lightly lower than nipple-line height to hold onto as you descent into the squat...Make sure it is secure!!! When you have this set up, you can really get "down and back" into your squat, gaining full benefit from it....Make sure you have a set up where you can get FULL DEPTH when you go down in the hole, make sure your blocks are set high enough....And also keep in mind that smaller plates allow you to use a closer stance when going down, really burning the quads, the width of your plates on the load pin will determine your foot stance....Also make SURE you have the ability to "bale out" safely, should you go to failure and have to sit the weight down, have it set up so you can safely rest the weight pin on something below you safely while still getting a good stretch/depth downward....This is a great movement...I hope this advice helps you all some!!!
If you can't afford to buy or make the boxes....just use some cinder blocks... that works for me.
Is there a way to have the weights upright rather than flat and wide so that your legs on the platform can be closer together?
You could use a length of chain run through the holes of the plates instead of the loading pin. Also you could get/make a longer loading pin and use 25lb plates instead of 45s. Hope that helps!
@@JustinCzaplicki thanks good idea!
The only problem with not using the pin is that you are limited in the amount of plates you use to keep your narrower stance...Eventually the amount of plates you have hanging on a short chain may force your thighs out anyway...Get a long loading pin made, and use say 25's instead of 45's, and be sure your blocks are set high enough to get the proper depth for you....
Nice vid , I'm going to try this out , as I find squats really uncomfortable once I get into higher reps.. thanks
Let me know how they work for you. What's uncomfortable with squats for you? Just the higher reps or you feeling pain?
@@JustinCzaplicki I'm not sure , but I feel ok for the first 5 reps , then my form goes bad after that, and it's hard to get to 10 reps for me in a normal squat . I really would like to try this though.
You might just be trying to go too heavy for the given amount of reps. How long have you been training? I would suggest making sure your technique is 100% dialed in and keep your sets to 5 reps if that's where your form is breaking and just do more sets to get your volume in. This belt squat setup will also help get more leg work in without putting more stress on your back, which will help build up your leg strength while you perfect your technique.
Could I just use two 12 in plyo boxes with a iron mind belt sqaut and a Olympic pin
Yea that would work great!!
@@JustinCzaplicki thanks so much need to build legs and regular barbell sqauts are starting to hurt my back
Belt squats are great to build the legs while taking your back out of the equation, but I would also say you should figure out why barbell squats are hurting your back as well.
Can you please give me the height of the outside box and the inside box please 🙏!??
I'm no longer at that gym, but I think the height of the larger boxes was around 30" and the smaller box was about 12"
Hey Justin ive been doing the same as you except I have made a really high bench with a gap in the middle and have been doing belt squats with 140kgs and my right side of the body it feels like some one has punched me around the lower back rib kidney area if I was to describe it I guess and sore in the front area around the appendix, does this happen to you? I've got a spud inc belt.
kieran franey First off thanks for the comment!! Secondly, I have not had that happen to me. I would try repositioning the belt either up or down slightly and see if that helps. If that doesn't work maybe take a week or 2 off of that exercise to let your body heal a bit. Hope this helps!!
I am going through that very injury right now, wondering how in the hell I got it, and now I think you helped me, I have the same exact injury on my right side, low ribs, as if I'd been hit there!!!....I was just complaining to a friend of mine about this in the gym yesterday!!! The belt is probably a bit too high on the beck and needs to come down a bit...
what's the height of the wood boxes you're standing on? what's the height of the middle stand you have the plates resting on? I want to make a similar setup, I'll diy making the boxes that's why I'm asking the heights. thanks in advance
I believe the wood boxes are about 24" and I think the center box is approximately 18". You want the boxes to be high enough that at the bottom of your squat the weight is still about 2" from touching the ground. Hope that helps!!
Hey another question, is the barbell loading good? Im thinking of buying this belt and theres only a few demos of the barbell load.
I haven't personally tried it with a barbell but I imagine it would work fine. Just be sure that you have the belt attached to the barbell so that it is balanced. Let me know how it works out for you.
@@JustinCzaplicki thanks again!! also im sure you know this but that red & yellow tie is adjustable so it can go closer to your waist. your boxes are working nice but just in case you wanna get deeper (and not hit the floor!)
No problem. Yea I have played around with the length of the straps a bunch since making this video.
Never trust a man with a mohawk
Haha, I don't have it anymore, so am I trustworthy now??