Versatile: regularly switch up your strength training routine? 'Barbell pads can be used for exercises such as squats, lunges and good mornings.'

While gymgoers are understandably torn on the benefits of using this kind of pad for barbell squats, when it comes to hip thrusts, there’s no question that they will help you lift more weight more safely.Technique: Effective strength training is all about good technique. 'With a good quality barbell pad, you can easily find your balance and posture, as it is comfortable.' A barbell pad is a must-have gym item for someone looking to intensify their home workouts or even step up their game in the gym. However, it can be difficult to find the best barbell pad for you with so many elements to consider. Best Non-Slip Barbell Pad: Fit Viva Barbell Pad for Standard and Olympic Barbells with Safety Straps Anecdotally, it’s very difficult to perform heavy barbell hip thrusts without a pad. By the time your hips get to the top of the lift and your hips have fully extended, the barbell—and all of the weight plates loaded on it—are drilling into the hip joint. Instinctively, lifters will pull short, not doing the full range of the lift, leaving behind significant gains. Lifting with good form is paramount. Lousy technique means we are overcompensating with muscles that aren’t supposed to be used, opening ourselves to injury, and leaving a lot of unrealized gains in strength, muscle and power behind.

Not sure where to start? We've narrowed down the main factors to consider when shopping for barbell pads: 1.MaterialHere at PowerliftingTechnique, we’re a team of expert passionate powerlifters and coaches with years of combined experience in powerlifting and strength training. We’ve used our knowledge and professional experience to offer up-to-date, accurate information about the best powerlifting and weightlifting products on the market so you can find the most suitable fitness equipment for your home gym. How We Chose the Best Barbell Hip Thrust Pads Instead of using a barbell pad, choose a lighter weight and then progressively add load over time as you get more experienced. “All this to say, that the stronger you get, the less you need the pad,” Delgado-Lugo says.