Best barbell pad, short answer: the AbMat Barbell Pad is the best barbell pad for most people: a single molded piece of dense foam, 17.5 inches long, 3.5 inches wide and 1.25 inches thick, made in the USA and sized for Olympic bars, so it stays put through heavy hip thrusts. The Gymreapers Barbell Squat Pad (17.5 inches, 1.3 inches thick) is a near match, and the Iron Bull Advanced Barbell Pad is the light, strapless budget pick.
For hip thrusts, thickness and grip matter most. A dense pad about 1.25 inches thick that grips the bar without straps protects your hips under heavy loads. Soft, thin pads flatten and roll. Check the AbMat Barbell Pad at Amazon
Squats only? A Manta Ray spreads the bar onto your shoulders. Heavy glute training gym? BC Strength Pad Pro, used at Glute Lab.
Our 3 quick picks
Quick answers
- Hip thrusts are the main use: a pad spreads a heavy bar across your hips so you can load the glutes without bruising.
- Squats: many coaches prefer learning to sit the bar on your upper back; a pad can make the bar less stable. Use it if it lets you train.
- Length: 16 to 17.5 inches covers the hips comfortably.
- Thickness: about 1.25 inches of dense foam is the sweet spot.
- Fit: most pads here are made for Olympic bars; check if you use a standard 1 inch bar.
Barbell pads compared
The table lists each pad’s size and build from the makers’ pages (and one retailer listing where noted), read in November 2026. “Not stated” means the figure was not on the page we read.
| Pad | Best for | Size | Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AbMat Barbell Pad Check price on Amazon | Most lifters | 17.5 x 3.5 in | 1.25 in | Single molded piece, made in USA |
| Gymreapers Barbell Squat Pad Check price on Amazon | Alternative | 17.5 in long, 3.5 in diameter | 1.3 in | Hip thrusts and squats |
| Iron Bull Advanced Barbell Pad Check price on Amazon | Budget | 16 x 3.5 in | 1.25 in | 0.6 lb, clip-on, no straps |
| REP Fitness Barbell Pad Check price on Amazon | REP owners | Not stated | Not stated | For hip thrusts, squats, Zercher |
| DMoose Barbell Pad Check price on Amazon | Standard and Olympic bars | Not stated | Not stated | High-density foam, non-slip |
| BC Strength Pad Pro Check price on Amazon | Heavy glute training | Not stated | Not stated | Used at Glute Lab |
| Manta Ray Squat Pad Check price on Amazon | Squats only | About 2 lb (Fitness Factory) | Molded shell | Shifts load onto shoulders |
Which one should you buy?
- Hip thrusts at home: AbMat or Gymreapers.
- On a budget: Iron Bull Advanced.
- Very heavy hip thrusts: BC Strength Pad Pro.
- Back squats hurt your neck: try a Manta Ray, or first adjust where the bar sits.
- Also use a standard 1 inch bar: DMoose lists fit for both.
The 7 best barbell pads, ranked
1. AbMat Barbell Pad: best overall
Rogue sells the AbMat pad at 17.5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide with 1.25 inches of padding. It is a single molded piece made in the USA and designed to fit Olympic bars, and AbMat says it uses high-density foam.
Dense, one-piece pads keep their shape and stay on the bar without straps, which is what you want under a heavy hip thrust.
Buy it if you want the dependable standard. Skip it if you need it for a standard 1 inch bar.
Check the AbMat Barbell Pad at Amazon
2. Gymreapers Barbell Squat Pad: best alternative
Gymreapers lists its pad at 17.5 inches long and 3.5 inches in diameter, 1.3 inches thick, for hip thrusts, squats and more.
It is almost the same size as the AbMat with slightly more padding.
Buy it if you want a close AbMat alternative. Skip it if you want a molded one-piece pad.
Check the Gymreapers pad at Amazon
3. Iron Bull Advanced Barbell Pad: best budget
Iron Bull lists foam rubber, 16 inches long, 3.5 inches wide, 1.25 inches thick and 0.6 lb. It clips on without straps and comes in several colors.
It is slightly shorter, which still covers the hips for most people.
Buy it if you want a cheap pad that stays put. Skip it if you have wide hips and want more length.
Check the Iron Bull pad at Amazon
4. REP Fitness Barbell Pad: best for REP gyms
REP’s pad is built for hip thrusts, back squats, Zercher squats and other lifts where the bar sits on the body.
REP’s product page did not list dimensions when we read it, so compare in person or check the listing.
Buy it if you are already buying REP gear. Skip it if you want published dimensions.
5. DMoose Barbell Pad: best for mixed bars
DMoose describes high-density foam with a non-slip grip that fits both Olympic and standard bars.
That makes it a good pick if your gym has a lighter standard bar as well as an Olympic one.
Buy it if you use both bar sizes. Skip it if you only want published specs.
Check the DMoose pad at Amazon
6. BC Strength Pad Pro: best for heavy glute work
BC Strength says the Pad Pro is mainly used at Glute Lab for barbell hip thrusts and glute bridges and their variations.
It is a specialist pad for lifters who hip thrust heavy and often.
Buy it if hip thrusts are a core lift for you. Skip it if you mostly want a squat pad.
7. Manta Ray Squat Pad: squats only
The Manta Ray is a molded shell that clips under the bar and spreads the load onto your shoulders for squats. Fitness Factory lists it at about 2 lb shipping weight.
It is not for hip thrusts. Some lifters like it for high bar squats when a bare bar hurts.
Buy it if bare bar squats hurt your upper back. Skip it if you want a hip thrust pad.
How to set up a hip thrust with a barbell pad
Sit with your upper back against a bench edge, roll the padded bar over your hips, and center the pad over the crease of your hips. Plant your feet about hip width apart. Brace, then drive through your heels until your hips are level with your knees and shoulders, and pause. Large diameter plates (like bumpers) make it easier to roll the bar into place. Start light and add weight steadily. Not medical advice.
Pair the pad with a sturdy bench and bumper plates.
Barbell pad alternatives and add-ons
Folded mat or towel: works in a pinch for light hip thrusts but slides and compresses under heavy loads. A proper pad is cheap enough to be worth it.
Hip thrust belts: DMoose and others sell padded belts for banded or dumbbell hip thrusts. They do not replace a barbell pad for heavy barbell work but add variety.
Squat sleeves for the bar: if your goal is comfort on back squats, first try moving the bar slightly lower onto your upper back muscles and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Many people find this removes the pain without any pad.
Bench height: for hip thrusts, a bench around 16 inches high suits most people. Too high and you lose range; too low and the bar rolls toward your stomach.
Wash foam pads with mild soap and let them dry fully; sweat and chalk break foam down faster.
Barbell pad buying checklist
- Use: hip thrusts (most pads) or squats only (Manta Ray).
- Length: 16 to 17.5 inches.
- Thickness: about 1.25 inches of dense foam.
- Grip: stays on without straps.
- Bar size: Olympic, standard or both.
Related guides
- Best adjustable weight benches
- Bumper plates vs iron plates
- Best belt squat attachment
- Olympic barbells compared
- Best barbell collars
How we ranked these barbell pads
We compared and ranked barbell pads using the makers’ published specifications, read in November 2026, plus one retailer listing where noted. We weighted size, padding, how well the pad stays on the bar, and value. We did not use these products ourselves. See how we rank for our full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is a barbell pad for?
Mostly hip thrusts and glute bridges, where the bar rests on your hips. Some people also use one for squats or lunges.
Should I use a barbell pad for squats?
Many coaches suggest learning to sit the bar on your upper back muscles instead. A pad can make the bar less stable. If a pad lets you train without pain, it is fine to use.
How thick should a barbell pad be?
About 1.25 inches of dense foam, like the AbMat and Iron Bull pads, protects the hips without making the bar wobble.
Do barbell pads fit all bars?
Most are made for Olympic bars. DMoose lists fit for both standard and Olympic bars.
Is a Manta Ray the same as a barbell pad?
No. A Manta Ray is a molded shell for squats that spreads the load onto the shoulders. It does not work for hip thrusts.
How long does a barbell pad last?
Dense molded pads last years. Soft open-cell foam pads compress and tear sooner, especially with heavy hip thrusts.
Can you use a barbell pad for lunges?
Yes. A pad can make back-loaded lunges more comfortable, though many lifters prefer a bare bar for stability.
What bench height is best for hip thrusts?
About 16 inches suits most lifters. Your shoulder blades should rest on the bench edge.
Bottom line
The AbMat Barbell Pad is the best barbell pad for most people, with 1.25 inches of molded foam over 17.5 inches. The Gymreapers pad is a near match, Iron Bull’s is the budget pick, the BC Strength Pad Pro suits heavy glute training, and the Manta Ray is for squats only.
Not medical advice.
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