I got the Vector Athletics split squat belt to help relieve pressure from my low back on leg days.
If you love working out legs but have an achy back, this belt may be a good tool to keep in your home gym.
In this Vector Athletics split squat belt review, I’ll show you everything about the belt, how it can be used, and who can benefit from it.
Let’s check it out!
Unboxing
The split squat belt came bubble wrapped with no damages to report.
Here it is out of the box and it is much nicer than I expected.
I can tell they really took their time designing it because it’s well built.
It feels tough and has a lot of reinforced stitching which is needed in a belt with a weight capacity of 500 lbs.
Specs
- Material: Heavy duty polyester
- Buckle: Quick release
- Hooks: Steel
- Padding: Neoprene
- Stitching: Reinforced
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
- Sizes: Available in S (27″-31″), M (31″-36″), L (36″-40″), XL (40″-44″)
What Is The Split Squat Belt?
The split squat resistance band belt was made for people who want to add resistance to their legs while reducing stress on the lower back.
It sits on top of my hips and has an adjustable strap with a metal hook on each side.
Top Benefits Of the Vector Split Squat Belt
Top benefit of the split squat belt is that I can workout my legs without my lower back paying for it afterwards.
And I can hook it up to several types of resistance…
I can attach resistance bands, cable machines, anything with a carabiner or eye, and even hang dumbbells from it (I’ll show you later).
Best Features of The Vector Athletics Split Squat Belt
Steel Hooks
The steel hooks are solid and have enough space inside to fit up to a 4″ thick resistance band.
With the opening being narrow, it keeps bands from slipping out.
Adjustable Straps
Each hook is connected to an adjustable strap that is sewn into the belt.
The buckle on the strap has metal teeth so there should be no issues with it slipping while carrying weight.
Reinforced Stitching
Vector Athletics rates the weight capacity on this belt at 500 lbs and now I see why.
If you follow the the strap going into the belt, you’ll see there’s four vertical stitching patterns that keep the straps on the belt.
On top of that, there’s horizontal stitching going through it so there’s lots of reinforcement.
Neoprene Padding
The entire inside of the belt is lined with comfortable Neoprene padding so the belt doesn’t dig into my skin.
Back Support
The lower back area is wider than the rest of the belt so my lower back is supported.
Quick Release Buckle
I really like the quick release buckles because they’re easy to clip on and off.
These are similar to the buckles used in my OmniStrap and climbing harnesses so I know they can take on A LOT of weight.
And the buckle is attached to a very long strap that gives the belt room for adjustability.
The belt does have loops on the sides to insert the leftover strap and keep it from flapping around.
Exercises Using The Split Squat Belt
Squat Wedges
Since the belt was made for resistance bands, I’ll start with that.
I don’t own many resistance band platforms other than the Ripped Ramp so I use the belt more with other types of resistance.
I can feel good resistance at the top of the squat…
But at the bottom the resistance band tends to lose tension.
To be fair, I don’t own resistance bands of different sizes so a shorter band would be better for this platform.
Arena Platform
I do have the Arena Platform which is not made for bands but I’m able to slide a resistance band underneath it.
From here I can stand on the platform and connect the band to the hooks.
I can do squats with full resistance because of its height but because I’m limited on bands, I’ll show you other forms of resistance.
Since I’m already on the Arena Platform, I’ll start with this one.
This uses constant magnetic resistance and has a cable connected to a carabiner.
I insert both hooks into the carabiner and I’m ready to go.
From here I can go right into a split squat.
And if I want a bigger challenge, I can do deficit reverse lunges.
And of course, I can also do squats.
The straps on the split squat belt are long enough that I can use have them in between my legs without a problem.
Cable Machines
Another machine I use with the split squat belt is the Voltra cable machine.
The Voltra has loops at the end of each cable so I insert the hooks into them and I’m ready to rock n’ roll.
Leg Press Machines
And finally, I like to use this on my compact leg press machine by wrapping the resistance band under the footplate and on to the hooks.
I like this combination of weights and bands because I’m under constant tension but it feels much harder at the top of the movement.
The split squat belt is obviously meant for leg days, but I’ll show you some ways I use it for my upper body…
Upper Body
For dips I like using the UClips, a Snode adjustable dumbbell, and the split squat belt, better than using a dip belt with a chain.
The belt’s open hooks make it way easier and faster to get the weight on.
Then I hop on the dip bar with the dumbbell in between my legs to keep it from swinging.
When I’m done I just unhook the UClips and I can keep the belt on until the next set.
Another upper body exercise I like to do while wearing the split squat belt is pull ups.
I do these with a pair of resistance bands attached to band pegs or with the Voltra cable machine set on resistance band mode.
The belt is a good alternative to a weight vest because I don’t have anything on my torso so I can move my arms freely.
Split Squat Belt Pricing
Vector Athletics currently sells the Split Squat resistance band belt for $79.99 which I feel is a fair price….
It’s made with high quality materials, versatile, and has a high weight capacity so it’s built to last.
Vector Athletics Discount Code
I’ve negotiated an exclusive discount with Vector Athletics so you don’t have to pay full price.
Click here and use coupon code SD20 for a 20% discount.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No spine loading: I can give my legs a workout without any weight pushing down on my lower back
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs weight capacity is more than I’ll ever hang from a belt
- Materials: Built with heavy duty polyester with reinforced stitching
- Versatile: Works with resistance bands, cable machines, smart equipment, and dumbbells
- Buckle: Heavy duty buckle that’s easy to clip on and off
Cons
- Straps: I wish the straps could be adjusted to a shorter length to maintain tension with longer bands
Split Squat Belt Alternatives
Ripped by Rosenblatt sells a squat harness with similar hooks as Vector Athletics’ that hang by the sides.
And even though the harness distributes weight across my torso, it still puts slight pressure on my lower back so it’s different in that regard.
Jaquish Biomedical has a split squat belt that comes with a resistance band bar.
The belt straps connect to the bar that goes in between your legs for split squats.
That product is exclusive to people with an X3 membership, which I am not a member of so I can’t see many details about it.
Is The Vector Athletics Split Squat Belt Worth It?
I think it worth it because I can workout my legs without putting any pressure on my lower back.
And it offers so much versatility for different attachments so it can be used by people with all sorts of gym equipment.
Vector Athletics Split Squat Belt Review
In summary, I like Vector Athletics resistance band belt because it’s a great alternative to barbell squats.
Will I be able to throw weight plates on it like barbell? Of course not, but I can still add lots of resistance to my legs without the back pain.
It’s built tough, adjustable, comfortable, and works with all types of equipment.
Check Out The Split Squat Belt
Vector Athletics Split Squat Belt
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