The Rogue Rhino Belt Squat is Rogue Fitness’ first foray into belt squats and, in typical Rogue fashion, they went all out. Rogue partnered with Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell to create an affordable, cable-based belt squat.
In this Rogue Rhino Belt Squat review, we’ll tell you why we’d recommend this to anyone wanting a belt squat with a lot of variety at a surprisingly affordable price (compared to a lot of the competition).
Rogue Fitness
Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat
Product Highlights
The freestanding version of the Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat (patent pending) requires no separate rack/rig for set-up, as the system includes a pair of 53.925" steel legs for mounting and two angled 3×3" front feet for platform stability.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Rogue Rhino is the most versatile belt squat we've tested. The only belt squat that may be more versatile is the Westside ATP, however, it takes up twice as much space and costs over twice as much.
- The size of the Rhino lends itself to working in just about any space from a garage gym to a commercial gym.
- There are three versions available and thanks to it's drop-in nature, it can perform extremely well in a Monster Series Power Rack.
- The same 3"x3" 11-gauge steel is used as the frame for the Rhino.
- The price makes it one of the most budget-friendly versatile belt squats on the market.
- The Rhino is one of the best engineered products we've tested from Rogue. There are an insane amount of custom parts.
- The platform size is small enough to fit in most places, but large enough to be very useful. We were even able to stack rubber tiles on top and use it for step ups.
- The platform is made of diamond plate that is then sprayed with a textured powder coat that allows your shoes to grip the floor well.
- Eventually, we foresee the Rhino having multiple attachments like a lat pulldown.
- The weight trolley is very smooth and because it's not uncoated metal like most systems have with guide rods, it doesn't need any lubing or maintenance.
- The new belt squat belt that comes standard with the unit is great, although we still prefer the Spud INC Belt Squat Belt.
Cons
- The assembly for the Rhino is pretty intensive. Here's what one user had to say, "The instructions are utterly pathetic but once you get it put together after the 5th attempt, the machine is awesome.
- The Rhino can be a bit difficult for taller people to use. One user had this to say, "Our tall members need an additional height setting ( 1' higher ) on the middle horn position. Also, we added more quick links to the belt to make it easier to hookup."
- Although squatting on the Rhino is nice, the SquatMax-MD is much better in that regard. However, the Rhino blows it away when versatility is taken into consideration.
Bottom Line
The Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat is by far the best belt squat we've tested. There are many contenders now on the market, however, the Rhino is the most versatile and offers the best value. We don't recommend lever based belt squats due to the sheering forces that occur on the knees as well as lower versatility. If you're in the market for a belt squat, the Rhino is what we recommend.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve been a belt squat enthusiast for as long as I can remember. Heck, I’ve picked up close to every single option there is on the market to test. This includes popular options like the Sorinex J*Squat Belt Squat, Squatmax-MD Belt Squat, and Titan Fitness Belt Squat.
I even made an entire article on how to DIY your own belt squat machine for all you crafty folks out there. You can trust that I’ll give you my honest thoughts on the good, the great, and the not so great on everything belt squat related.
A Quick Look at the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat
Coop’s Tips:
- You can add the Drop-In Version of the Rhino into a squat rack to use with barbell movements and weighted pull-ups and dips.
- The edge of the platform works extremely well for seated rows.
- If you have a back injury, the Rhino Belt Squat is a great way to rehab while strengthening without putting undue stress on your spine.
My Favorite Things:
- Extremely durable and well-made piece of equipment
- Versatile and has the capacity for a variety of movements
- Comes with the Rogue Multi Belt, which is extremely high quality
- Smooth trolley system
My Callouts:
- Lengthy assembly process
- Black powder coat looks cool, but stainless steel would have been more practical
- Platform could be larger
Video Review
Is the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat Worth It?
If you’re looking for a belt squat machine for your home gym, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat. However, you can be the best and still not be the best fit for everyone (wow, so philosophical). Anyway, here’s who I think should get this machine and who should look for something else.
Great for:
- People looking to get lots of versatility out of one machine
- Those who want a cable-based belt squat
- Individuals who do not have space concerns
Not recommended for:
- People especially tight on space
- Those who have a strict budget
- Home gym owners that would prefer a true-weight type of belt squat machine
Rogue Rhino Belt Squat Specs
| Footprint | 53″ x 60.5″ |
| Weight | 530 lbs |
| Made in USA | Yes |
| Length | 60.5″ (total depth) / 26.25″ (platform depth) |
| Color | Black |
| Width | 49″ (upright to upright) |
| Height | 78.5″ |
| Brand | Rogue Fitness |
| Manufactured in | Columbus, Ohio |
Using the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat
The Rogue Rhino Belt Squat can be used for marching, jumping, rowing, curling, extending, and much more. This isn’t to say that other strength equipment can’t be used for this purpose, but it’s quite obvious that cable-based belt squats have plenty of options available.
Want to increase the variety available for a machine with an already insane amount of movement choices? Allow it to be dropped into a rack. One of the most underrated aspects of the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat is the potential options available with a rack-attached, cable-based belt squat.
In order to use this machine, the user attaches the belt, steps on the platform, and pulls the second set of uprights using the lever arm handles to remove the Rhino Horn (J-Cup) away from the weight trolley. It’s extremely easy to use, and thanks to a pair of rubber stoppers, there is no metal-on-metal contact.
The lever arm handles work extremely well for this purpose, although I wonder why they use Rogue’s rough powder-coat instead of the glossy-coat that’s featured on the rest of the machine. I would assume for grip purposes, but they do stand out a bit in person.
The Rhino Horn J-Cup is a cool idea that is essentially a mini sandwich J-cup. It would actually be quite cute if that were possible for something made in one color, black, and used for this purpose. Forget it, I’m going with it; it’s cute. The Rhino Horn attaches to the two uprights that are used for freeing the weight trolley.
Weight Trolley
The weight trolley has a cool laser-cut Rogue logo on both sides and uses rollers to allow the trolley to move smoothly up the 3-inch x 6-inch trolley tower. It’s a unique design that works extremely well. I was actually quite surprised with how smooth it moves and the overall durability.
The Trolley Tower also features band pegs welded to the bottom for attaching bands to the trolley. They work as well as one would hope.
One feature of the Rhino that I hope Rogue extends to other equipment, like their specialty bars, is the stainless steel weight posts. They’re long enough to handle any weight you’d ever want to use, and they don’t scar and chip like powder-coat.
To Bolt or Not to Bolt?
To answer the question we’ve been receiving quite a bit, the Rogue Rhino can be used without being bolted to the floor. I know they tell you in bold on their website,“it must be bolted to the floor before use.” However, I would assume that’s for legal reasons more than anything else.
I maxed out on the Rhino (I have a 210 kilogram back squat for reference) and felt zero instability. The only time I noticed the unit rock was when I was off the platform and testing it for jumping, and even then, it didn’t move much. So, following that “requirement” from Rogue is up to you.
Weight Load Ratio
Another question you may be wondering is, what’s the weight load ratio? I asked this question to a Rogue rep, as it’s not on their site (which seems like an incredibly important spec for something of this nature) and I was informed, “The weight ratio on the Rhino is 1:1. The weight of the unloaded trolley is 27-lbs.” In use, it definitely feels 1:1 and warming up with just the belt on feels similar to an empty bar.
Larger Platform
Speaking specifically to the Stand-Alone Version, I would like to see the platform be larger (it is currently 26″ deep x 48.5″ wide), making it more similar to the ATP. I don’t think it’s needed for most people or uses, but it would be cool to have the option. Although, Westside Barbell may not allow it.
Squat Belt
An essential piece of equipment that’s included with the Rhino is the Rogue Multi Belt. This is an upgrade from the Spud Inc Squat Belt, which I actually also enjoyed. However, Rogue really outdid themselves with this extremely comfortable and adjustable belt squat belt that comes standard with the Rhino. Bonus points: This is still made in the USA, much like the Spud Inc Squat Belt.
Durability and Construction
The Rogue Rhino Belt Squat is built using Rogue Monster Line components. The frame of the machine is built out of 3-inch x 3-inch, 11-gauge steel with black zinc 1-inch bolts (they look mean, too). The 3-inch x 3-inch, 11-gauge steel has pretty much become the standard for most racks being made these days, and as such, most accessories that attach to racks use the same tubing.
Stand-Alone Version
The Stand-Alone Version features the same angled feet used on the Rogue Monster Collegiate Half Racks, which allows for increased stability for the unit. Along the feet and every piece of tubing are holes that allow for attachments. I’m not sure what attachments you’d want to go along the feet (band pegs, maybe), but you have the option should you need it.
The Stand-Alone Version also features uprights that accessories like Spotter Arms or J-cups could be attached to for using barbells while the belt is attached. Unfortunately, the uprights are too short to attach J-cups to for barbell squats while using the belt.
Due to how long most spotter arms are, they aren’t that effective for most people on movements like rack pulls that have been popularized on the Westside Athletic Training Platform (although the Rogue Monster Spotter Arms may work okay). That said, it is possible to stack mats on the machine to increase your height and therefore decrease the lowest height of the spotter arms for greater depth on rack pulls/deadlifts.
Floor Materials
The floor of the Rogue Rhino is made of a thick piece of powder-coated, diamond-tread plate. The texture of the diamond plate (along with the roughness of the powder-coat) allows for sure footing. However, if you prefer, it would be easy to cut out a piece of stall mat to go over the diamond plate. In the middle of the floor is a cut out for the cable to pass through, which is then flown through three pulleys to where it’s attached to the weight trolley.
Cable
The cutout features rollers on the sides and back of the cutout to prevent the cable from rubbing against bare metal and getting frayed. This also allows the cable to be used for things like seated rows at the edge of the platform (one of my favorite variations I’ve used the belt squat for).
Aesthetics
The murdered out look of the Rogue Rhino is cool and allows the machine to scream, “I’M MADE BY ROGUE.” However, I foresee the powder coated platform chipping quite a bit over time. Stainless would have been more practical, even if it took away from the look of the machine.
My biggest complaint, and again, this is trivial, but the Rhino sticker on the top of the tower trolley is the equivalent of Maserati throwing a crown sticker on their Alfieri. It makes no sense and looks silly. Laser-cut a Rhino or something. Make that as unique as the rest of the device.
Comparison to Similar Products
More belt squats have been released within the past year and more talk about them, in general, has happened than at any time in the history of strength training. It reminds me of when Sorinex came out with the Center Mass Bell and Rogue with the Thompson Fatbells. Everyone talked about them, compared them, and wanted them.
Thankfully, all of this talk and competition forces companies to go all in on producing their best possible machines at the most affordable prices.
If you wanted a belt squat five years ago, you had a couple options and most of them were average at best.
Here are your options as of this writing (and I’m likely missing quite a few):
- Westside Barbell Athletic Training Platform
- Titan Belt Squat
- SquatMax MD
- Wenning Belt Squat
- Sorinex J* Squat
- BeastMetals Belt Squat
- Raw Motive Works Belt Squat
- Edge Fitness Belt Squat
- Legend Fitness Belt Squat
- Atlantis Strength Belt Squat
- EliteFTS Belt Squat
- Williams Strength Belt Squat
- Pit Shark Belt Squat
That’s a ton of options for a large and pricey niche piece of equipment. Although others will try to take credit, the reason for this is largely due to you, the home gym owner, not gyms.
RELATED: Home Gym vs Gym Membership
With all of these options cropping up, it was only a matter of time before Rogue Fitness stepped up to the plate to release a version quite different from all of the others.
Types of Belt Squats
There are three types of belt squats that have come to market. These options are leverage, like the Wenning Belt Squat, true-weight, like the SquatMax MD, and cable-based, which is the category the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat falls in.
Each of these types of belt squats has its advantages and disadvantages. Rather than talking too much on the other categories (we’ll do that in the future) I’ll speak specifically to cable-based systems like the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat.
Cable-based systems require the most amount of parts and engineering to do properly. Sure, leverage style belt squats need to have the proper geometry and length of the arms, but with more parts come more potential problems, and it can’t be denied that cable-based systems require the most amount of parts.
Here’s the biggest positive for cable-based belt squats: they are far and away the most versatile style of belt squat. The main reason for this is due to the travel that cables allow compared to fixed arms that leverage systems have or the loading pins that true-weight systems have. This versatility allows the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat to not be used for the singular purpose of squatting with weight around your hips.
Ordering and Assembling the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat
The Rogue Rhino Belt Squat showed up at my gym’s doorstep about six weeks after I hit the order button on Rogue’s website. Due to the Rogue Rhino being made to order, it takes a bit longer than most of their other equipment, although I could see that changing in the future as it increases in popularity.
The Rogue Rhino showed up on a long pallet, mostly in separate boxes. I spoke with a representative after receiving the Rhino to ask some further spec questions and was told that they have since created a separate box that has padding and spots for all the various parts of the machine. This said, after inspecting all of the various parts of the machine upon unboxing, I didn’t notice any damage from shipping.
Although unboxing a bunch of different sections was tedious, I’m glad everything was protected and came out unscathed. Due to the amount of equipment we receive for review, the quality of packaging we see runs the gamut, so we’re always happy when things show up without any hiccups.
In the same way unboxing took a bit, assembly took even longer. The Rhino Belt Squat is engineered incredibly well. However, due to everything having to fit just perfectly and the entire unit being bolted together, section off an hour or more of your time to assemble this. Thankfully, I have a large audiobook library that I’m constantly trying to tackle, which I put on in the background.
One reason the Rhino took some time to assemble is that I don’t have a power tool that allows me to tighten 1-inch bolts. Thankfully, Rogue provides two 1-inch branded wrenches (that are definitely going to be displayed on the wall) that can be used.
However, all of that time and energy is worth it when you can take a step back and see this beautiful machine ready to make you a bigger and better performing version of your current self.
Customer Reviews
With close to 100 reviews on the Rogue website, the Rhino Belt Squat gets an impressive 4.8 stars out of a possible 5. Customers seem to love the durability, versatility, and overall smoothness when in use.
Complaints were pretty much limited to the long and complicated assembly process.
Final Verdict of Our Rogue Rhino Belt Squat Review
Without a doubt, the Rhino Belt Squat is one of my favorite pieces of equipment Rogue has come out with. In fact, I like it so much I created a Frankenstein Rack of sorts called the “COOP Squat” and use it as my main rack.
Although there are a couple minor things we’d like to see improved, overall, it’s pretty incredible the amount of versatility a pulley from the floor can provide. Yes, it’s expensive for a lot of home gym owners, but compare it to the other options and you’ll see that there are a ton of movements it can be used for. Here are my main takeaways from testing the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat:
- It is a versatile, cable-based belt squat.
- The weight trolley is smooth and durable.
- For just squatting, I prefer the SquatMax-MD. But prefer the Rhino for its versatility and quality.
Full Rating
Rogue Rhino Belt Squat
The Rogue Rhino Belt Squat is Rogue Fitness’ first foray into belt squats and in typical Rogue fashion, they went all out. Rogue partnered with Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell to create an affordable cable-based belt squat that in our testing, is the best value belt squat we’ve tested.We highly recommend the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat to anyone wanting a belt squat with a lot of variety at a surprisingly affordable price (compared to a lot of the competition.)
Product Brand: Rogue Fitness
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 2235
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.6
Rogue Rhino Belt Squat FAQs
Are belt squats any good for a home gym?
Yes! If you have the space (and the money for that matter) to get a belt squat, I would highly recommend it. I find that I use my Rhino Belt Squat frequently because it is so versatile.
Is the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat worth it?
In my opinion, yes. However, something being worth varies from person to person. It all goes back to figuring out your budget, if you have the space for this machine, and how often you’d use a belt squat.
Are belt squats good for taking the pressure off your spine and lower back?
Yes, they can help take stress/pressure off your upper body and back that you might feel with a traditional squat rack. I particularly like the Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat because of the included, high quality adjustable hip belt, which helps you focus on lower body activation versus an uncomfortable belt squat belt.
For your average lifter, is the Rhino Belt Squat a better buy than something like a monster rack or power rack?
Depending on the workouts you like to do, you have a lot more weightlifting options on something like a power rack. However, a belt squat like the Rhino is great for lower body movements without agitating the body more than necessary.
Where to Purchase
Rogue Fitness
Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat
Product Highlights
The freestanding version of the Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat (patent pending) requires no separate rack/rig for set-up, as the system includes a pair of 53.925" steel legs for mounting and two angled 3×3" front feet for platform stability.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Rogue Rhino is the most versatile belt squat we've tested. The only belt squat that may be more versatile is the Westside ATP, however, it takes up twice as much space and costs over twice as much.
- The size of the Rhino lends itself to working in just about any space from a garage gym to a commercial gym.
- There are three versions available and thanks to it's drop-in nature, it can perform extremely well in a Monster Series Power Rack.
- The same 3"x3" 11-gauge steel is used as the frame for the Rhino.
- The price makes it one of the most budget-friendly versatile belt squats on the market.
- The Rhino is one of the best engineered products we've tested from Rogue. There are an insane amount of custom parts.
- The platform size is small enough to fit in most places, but large enough to be very useful. We were even able to stack rubber tiles on top and use it for step ups.
- The platform is made of diamond plate that is then sprayed with a textured powder coat that allows your shoes to grip the floor well.
- Eventually, we foresee the Rhino having multiple attachments like a lat pulldown.
- The weight trolley is very smooth and because it's not uncoated metal like most systems have with guide rods, it doesn't need any lubing or maintenance.
- The new belt squat belt that comes standard with the unit is great, although we still prefer the Spud INC Belt Squat Belt.
Cons
- The assembly for the Rhino is pretty intensive. Here's what one user had to say, "The instructions are utterly pathetic but once you get it put together after the 5th attempt, the machine is awesome.
- The Rhino can be a bit difficult for taller people to use. One user had this to say, "Our tall members need an additional height setting ( 1' higher ) on the middle horn position. Also, we added more quick links to the belt to make it easier to hookup."
- Although squatting on the Rhino is nice, the SquatMax-MD is much better in that regard. However, the Rhino blows it away when versatility is taken into consideration.
Bottom Line
The Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat is by far the best belt squat we've tested. There are many contenders now on the market, however, the Rhino is the most versatile and offers the best value. We don't recommend lever based belt squats due to the sheering forces that occur on the knees as well as lower versatility. If you're in the market for a belt squat, the Rhino is what we recommend.
