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13 best barbell pads for women, to make hip thrusts, squats and lunges *so* much more comfortable
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So, you've braved the free weights section of the gym, found your spot between the grunting beefcakes and proven you can lift heavier than most men in the room. Bravo! Now it's time to get serious about strength training with the help of a barbell pad.
To get the most out of your workout and give your training the edge, alongside lifting straps and mastering compound exercises, every weightlifter worth her salt will have a barbell pad stored in her gym bag.
But what exactly is a barbell pad, what exercises are they good for, and which one should you buy? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about this essential strength training accessory, including our edit of the best barbell pads to shop in 2023.
The best barbell pads for women to buy in 2024
In a hurry? Here are the best barbell pads for women at a glance. Keep scrolling for the full list and our thoughts below.
What is a barbell pad, and what exercises is it good for?
Also known as squat or hip thrust pads (they can also be used to make lunges more comfortable), a barbell pad is essentially foam cushioning to protect you from the barbell (and the barbell from you!) when you lift heavy weights. But the right pad can also help you train more efficiently, improve your technique and enable you to push yourself further.
'A barbell pad is designed to take the pressure off of your hips, neck, and upper back when you're using a barbell,' explains Sarah Campus, Personal Trainer and founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS.
'When frequently using a barbell during a weight training session, a barbell pad made of supportive foam will significantly help to minimise the stress of the barbell on your body, especially during exercises like squats where the heavy bar would normally rest right on your skin,' she adds.
What are the benefits of barbell pads?
Barbell pads come with a number of benefits which can fine-tune your strength training routine.
- Comfort: Struggling with sore wrists, chafing or grip? 'Barbell pads provide comfort when weight training, especially as your load increases,' says Campus.
- Injury reduction: Lifting big weights is a risky game, so it pays to be prepared. 'Barbell bars can get slippery during a sweaty strength session. One wrong move and the bar can slip and cause harm,' says Campus. 'The added comfort and support from the barbell pad prevents this from happening and reduces your risk of injury.'
- Support: Ready to push yourself further and harder? 'Having the barbell pad gives adequate support, allowing you to achieve more reps, making them easier and more efficient,' says Campus.
- 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.'
- Portable: If you don't have a home gym set up (who does?) owning your own barbell pads can keep you comfortable wherever you choose to train. 'They are lightweight and durable, allowing you to take the barbell pad with you anywhere you go,' adds Campus.
- Versatile: regularly switch up your strength training routine? 'Barbell pads can be used for exercises such as squats, lunges and good mornings.'
Help choosing the right barbell pads
Not sure where to start? We've narrowed down the main factors to consider when shopping for barbell pads:
1.Material
It's worth paying attention to the material and thickness of the barbell pad. 'The material should be durable, but soft so that it's comfortable, and thick enough so that there is enough cushion between your body and the barbell,' says Campus.
'The best barbell pads are made with rubber or foam material because they tend to last longer and are comfortable. You might also want it to be an extra thick foam depending on your needs.'
2. Covering
Look for a barbell pad that is fully covered in order to protect it from tearing and sweat, recommends Campus.
3. Secure straps
To avoid injury and maximise efficiency, make sure your barbell pad is secure. 'Exposed barbell pads slide on and off the bar, and there's no way to secure the pad to the barbell,' explains Campus.
'Therefore make sure that your barbell pad has straps or a strong velcro that safely secures the pad to the bar. This will ensure that it doesn't move around during your training.'
4. Ergonomic design
It's also worth ensuring it has an ergonomic design and is specific for your needs. 'If you're looking for a barbell pad for hip thrusts, avoid ones that have the neck cut out, and opt for one that is cylinder-shaped. But if your goal is to go heavier on squats and lunges then look for a barbell neck pad with the neck portion carved out,' suggests Campus.
13 best barbell pads to shop now
From Beast Gear to Everlast, keep scrolling for our edit of the best barbell pads to buy in 2024, to take your strength training to a whole new level.
Rhalou is a senior digital editor specialising in health and wellness with over fifteen years’ online and print publishing experience.
Rhalou has worked for various health platforms including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Netdoctor, Women’s Running, Men’s Running, The Running Bug and Women’s Fitness.
Covering everything from sexual health to fitness, parenting, marathon running and self-care, Rhalou loves creating fun and accessible lifestyle content and feels strongly about demystifying complex medical jargon and empowering people to better understand their health.
Previously, Rhalou was a freelance social media specialist for several major sporting events and race listings including The London Marathon, Breca Swimrun, Findarace, The Westminster Mile and Prudential Ride 100. She has also been a reporter on a local newspaper in remote Scotland, penning breaking news stories about killer otters, cats stuck up trees and the Scottish hill racing scene.
Over the years, Rhalou has been lucky enough to run 15 marathons and even a few ultra-marathons. She is still a passionate runner, but these days she can mostly be found at her local parkrun or chasing after her young son.
Hattie Parish is the Health and Fitness Ecommerce Editor for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World, covering the best gym wear, latest fitness tech and wellness launches worth investing in, plus the best deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. As well as clocking up the miles in myriad running socks, pummelling her muscles with massage guns, testing out fitness mirrors and donning dry robes every other weekend, Hattie consults leading experts in the health and fitness industry to help readers make informed decisions when shopping online. Brought up by two medics, Hattie worked in health clinics before completing a BA in English at King’s College London. She qualified as a journalist in 2015 and has since written for titles such as Healthy magazine, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Red, as well as worked commercially with health and wellness clients such as Holland & Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy and Superdrug. Hattie is passionate about arming readers with honest, unbiased product reviews and has a particular interest in the role of technology in our wellbeing, as well as gender-based inequalities in healthcare. When she’s not putting gym wear through its paces on the Pilates reformer or kitting out her home gym (garage) with the latest equipment, she’s attempting to make progress on her teetering pile of bedside books, cycling round South East London or sampling wellness retreats for the Women’s Health travel pages.
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