Independent Review: James Sharman Tests the GymPin Belt Squat Collar and 20-Inch D-Handle Bar

Active GymPin affiliate James Sharman recently shared an honest YouTube review of two GymPin products: the GymPin Belt Squat Collar and the 20-inch D-Handle Bar.

What makes the review useful is that it is not a polished sales pitch. James explains that he bought the products himself, the video was not sponsored, and his verdict is based on actually using the equipment in a home gym setup.

That matters, because small gym accessories only earn their place if they solve a real problem. A product does not need to transform your entire training life, heal your knees and make your coffee in the morning. It just needs to be well made, useful, and easy to keep using.

The Products Reviewed

James looked at two GymPin accessories designed to help lifters get more use out of equipment they may already own:

• GymPin Belt Squat Collar
• GymPin 20-inch D-Handle Bar

Both products are compact, simple, and designed around one of the most important rules of home gym training: buy for versatility.

GymPin Belt Squat Collar Review

The first product James reviewed was the GymPin Belt Squat Collar, a heavy-duty attachment designed to fit around an Olympic barbell sleeve and help turn a landmine setup into a usable belt squat variation.

For anyone training in a home gym, this is a smart idea. Dedicated belt squat machines are expensive, large, and unrealistic for many garage or spare-room setups. The Belt Squat Collar gives lifters a more compact way to create a belt squat pattern using a barbell, landmine and belt.

What James Liked

James highlighted several practical benefits:

• Heavy-duty build: He described it as tough, simple, and built to last.
• Multiple attachment holes: The front holes allow the carabiner position to be adjusted, helping users fine-tune the line of pull.
• Better use of existing kit: It helped him get more value from his landmine setup.
• Usable belt squat pattern: While not the same as a dedicated belt squat machine, James found it gave him a very usable alternative.
• Easy loading setup: By resting the landmine across a rack and J-cup, he found it easier to step in and clip onto the belt without starting from the floor.

One useful observation from the review was that James preferred facing towards the landmine rather than away from it. In his setup, that made the movement feel more quad-dominant, with more knee flexion compared with a more glute-focused pattern.

Useful Caveat: Range of Motion

James also pointed out something important: depending on your setup, you may need to stand on platforms to get a deeper range of motion.

Without some elevation, he found the movement could sit just above parallel. This is common with many belt squat variations, so it is worth considering your setup before expecting the exact same feel as a commercial belt squat machine.

GymPin 20-Inch D-Handle Bar Review

The second product in the review was the GymPin 20-inch D-Handle Bar. James reviewed the stainless steel LITE version, made from 8 mm steel, with holes spaced along the bar to allow different handle positions.

He described it as a very nice-looking piece of stainless steel and used it to create more cable attachment options in his home gym.

Why the D-Handle Bar Stood Out

The real value of the D-Handle Bar came from how many different setups it unlocked.

James used the bar with rotating hooks and cable handles to create multiple grip options for rows and other pulling movements. This allowed him to simulate different handle positions without needing to buy a full wall of individual cable attachments.

That is the key point: the D-Handle Bar is not just one attachment. It is a platform for building different attachment combinations.

Training Options Mentioned

In the review, James mentioned using the setup for:

• Cable rows
• Chest-supported rows
• Bicep curls
• Lat pulldown variations, if using a high pulley setup

For home gym owners, this is exactly the kind of product that makes sense. Instead of buying multiple fixed attachments, one adjustable bar can open up several useful training options.

The Big Takeaway: Small Accessories, More Training Options

James was clear that neither product should be sold as a magic solution. They are not “absolute game changers” in the exaggerated internet sense. And that is exactly why the review works.

His conclusion was more practical: both products helped him get more out of equipment he already owned.

The Belt Squat Collar made his landmine more useful. The 20-inch D-Handle Bar gave him more grip and cable row options. Both products were compact, reasonably priced, well built, and versatile.

Why This Review Matters

GymPin is best known for the original GymPin, but reviews like this show the wider idea behind the brand. The goal is not just to make shiny bits of metal for the sake of it. The goal is to create clever, practical accessories that solve real training problems.

For lifters with home gyms, space matters. Cost matters. Versatility matters. Every product needs to justify its place.

That is where accessories like the Belt Squat Collar and D-Handle Bar make sense. They are not essential for everyone, but if you already have the right base equipment, they can help you unlock more exercises, more variation and more value from your setup.

Final Verdict

James summed it up well: the best accessory is not always the one that looks the coolest or costs the most. It is the one you actually use.

For home gym owners looking to squeeze more variety out of their existing equipment, the GymPin Belt Squat Collar and 20-inch D-Handle Bar are both worth serious consideration.

They are simple, strong, compact and useful. Which, in the world of home gym accessories, is exactly the point.

Watch the Review

You can watch James Sharman’s full review on YouTube to see how he uses both products in his own setup.

Reviewed products:

• GymPin Belt Squat Collar
• GymPin 20-inch D-Handle Bar