REP® Belt Squat

This ain't it, fam. Especially given Rep's emerging reputation as a premium brand, it's surprising that this is still a product that you can buy from them. Putting it lightly, it seems like Rep did very little research before launching this attachment, and as a result, they made plenty of avoidable mistakes, and the final product feels unfinished. Anyway, more to the point-- the shortcomings of this unit begin with how difficult it is to install. Fitting it between the cross members takes some skill and the holes never seem to align in a way that allows you to insert the hitchpins easily (I had to use a mallet). Even if you manage to overcome this challenge, the unit isn't fun to use at all. It doesn't come with an out-of-the-box solution to squat from a standing position, and the chain and hook that they sell to fix this feels like an afterthought-- it's not any better than a DIY solution, and it really only works with the lat/low row. Apart from that, they don't make handles for it, and it's difficult to achieve adequate depth. With the amount of time and money it would take to make this unit workable, most people would be better off buying an alternative product.

There's a reason why a lot of people hate this thing--with a traditional weight stack you have to start from the bottom. That's a totally legit complaint and the hook chain "solution" Rep has it's pretty ridiculous. But if you have a Voltra this thing is actually pretty good. You can get into position, set the weight to auto load after standing still for 3 seconds, and start from the top. Using the pulley trick you can even get up to 400lbs of weight. Joe Gray has a great video on how he uses it that I copied and it's become my go to for squat movements. I also love it for Bulgarian split squats. If you don't have a Voltra though ... stay away from this.

I can't believe they still sell this thing. I bought it when it first came out and complained to CS that you had to start the rep from the ground and that the whole thing came up in the front when you came up out of the hole. They told me about some clownish rigging with a hook - which by the way was sold out for a really long time. And so I sold it as soon as I could. I lost a lot of the investment in the thing, but I was debating just throwing it in the garbage. Terrible product. Stay away at all costs.

Save your money for a real belt squat. Had this used it once and sold it. IMO there are no rack attachments or good substitutes for a Rhino or Pitshark that mimic a real belt squat so I’m a bit biased. I’d rather just pick a different exercise than try to use one of these things ever again. Annoying to set up as well.

I wasn’t a fan of this attachment. Not only was it annoying to set up, but it was hard to load effectively and get a full ROM. Storing this thing also was a pain bc of its odd shape and size. The biggest thing this has going for it is integrating into an existing rack at an affordable price.