Squatting at the gym is an awesome exercise. Usually people hate this exercise, and hate leg-day. But that gym-bro mentality shouldn't be taken into consideration. I don't mind them, they offer a good workout. Gets the blood pumping, and it does so quickly, not like some lame-ass cardio would.
Plus cardio is just like a warm-up, run to the gym or something if you're that keen on it, using the belt seems kinda weird to me. I get the appeal of it, but it's just so god damn boring.
The only issue I have with squats is that you might tire out your legs too much and have them be sore the next day. But all is well. Just a day of having to limp around, and then you're all golden, free to run like the wind.
What's your favourite gym exercise, and what's your least favourite one?
My favourite is the bench press.
My least favourite are the leg raises.
My most meh one is the squat.