If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this piece of fitness equipment is a must-have for safer training while lifting heavy weights. Barbell pads are also called shoulder pads, squad pads, and many other names describing what they do.
These pads are designed to offer support and protection to certain muscle groups involved with barbell exercises. These mainly include squats, hip thrusts, and lunges. As you increase weight while training with barbells, the pressure on your neck, upper back, shoulders, and hips also increases. You need proper support and protection to manage this pressure and prevent injury or bruising.
To help you find a comfortable and functional pad, we’ve curated a list of the highest-rated barbell pads for 2024. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide to help you find an ideal product.
Comparing the Top Barbell Pad of 2024 in Detail
Iron Bull Strength Advanced Barbell Pad — Best Overall
This barbell pad provides premium support during squats, hip thrusts, lunges, and other shoulder and neck exercises. This option is engineered to distribute weight equally across your shoulders and help prevent excess neck pressure as you squat. This allows you to focus more on your form and also helps relieve pain.
The open and close cell foam reduces the chances of injury by helping absorb shocks and making your workouts more comfortable. This option also features an ultra-thick quick-slip design that ensures fast and easy installation on almost any barbell. We rated this product as the best overall on our list because it is highly durable and offers a great deal of value for the price.
Pros
- Anti-slip, matte surface to reduce slipping
- Quick and easy installation
- Reduces pressure on neck and vertebrae
Cons
- Does not wrap around the bar fully, might require frequent readjustments
Elevator Fitness Barbell Pad — Perfect for Beginners
This barbell pad from Elevator Fitness is designed to give a padded grip during squats, lunges, and hip thrusts. Its ergonomic design features neck grooves that offer more support and comfort as you lift. This also helps you achieve better overall form and posture for a more effective workout. This option uses a high-quality, rubberized memory foam that works to relieve pressure on the shoulders and neck during training.
The safety straps will also help keep the pad attached securely to the bar. You will not have to worry about readjustments or it slipping while training. The matte, anti-slip surface enhances your grip and further reduces chances and accidents and injuries.
Pros
- Thick, high-density support foam
- Shock-absorbent design helps reduce injuries
- Easy to strap on
- Ergonomic design for added comfort
Cons
- Poor customer service
Power Guidance Barbell Squat Pad — Most Multipurpose
This barbell pad features an ergonomic design to distribute weight equally along your neck and shoulders. This helps relieve painful pressure on your hips, shoulder, or neck even while using the heaviest equipment. The surface has an advanced, anti-slip surface that makes sure that the pad does not roll around or come loose while you train.
In addition to the comfort-oriented design, the lightweight construction makes this option highly portable and easy to install and remove from the bar. This product also includes two securing straps that help to keep the pad in place to prevent slipping and reduce the chances of injury.
Pros
- Suitable for all Olympic-size bars
- Highly portable design
- High-density, absorbent-foam construction
Cons
- Not heat-resistant
Nuviqo Barbell Pad — Most Ergonomic
Perfect for cushioning your neck and shoulders, this barbell pad comes with thick, soft, and highly durable foam. The option is designed to help cushion heavy pressure on your neck, shoulders, and hips as you perform squats or hip thrusts. It is comfortable and easy to use with any standard gym bar.
This product also features two safety straps that cling tightly for more protection as you lift. This single pad will help distribute weight evenly across the body areas in contact with it while also working to enhance your form, stability, and overall performance. This combined with its lightweight and compact design, makes this a highly portable piece of exercise equipment.
Pros
- Absorb impacts, shocks, and vibrations
- Helps improve form and balance
- Anti-slip surface for better grip
Cons
- Might lose shape if stored incorrectly
Fragraim Barbell Pad — Easy to Use
This barbell pad is designed to fit any standard-size, Olympic-weightlifting barbell bar. It’s highly portable owing to its lightweight and easy-to-carry design. This option is made from a high-density, thick-foam sponge pad that will retain its shape and form even after years of heavy lifting. The foam absorbs shocks and impacts and helps reduce the chances of injury during deep squats, hip thrusts, and lunges.
A special neck groove also helps absorb impacts from the bar’s pressure. This offers comfort and prevents bruising and soreness as you train. You get two securing straps as well to minimize chances of slipping and accidents.
Pros
- Easy to install and take off
- Can assist in many types of exercises
- Neck groove for extra comfort
Cons
- It might not feel as supportive with heavier weights
How To Find Your Next Barbell Pad: A Buyer’s Guide
Here’s a detailed buyer’s guide to help you pick a good, high-quality barbell pad.
Things To Look For When Buying a Barbell Pad
Here are some factors you should check before buying a barbell pad:
Thickness and material
Look for a barbell pad that cushions your hips, shoulders, and back while using at least 100-pound bars. Go for pads made from foam and rubber that are extra-thick. A pad should also be long enough to cover your shoulders entirely for maximum support.
Coverage
Barbell pads come in various styles, some are uncovered with exposed foam, while others typically have vegan leather or polyester covers around the foam. Covered barbell pads are more comfortable, durable, and easier to keep clean. Exposed foam pads soak up sweat, are prone to damage, and crack up easily.
Ergonomics
A good, ergonomically built barbell pad offers more comfort and better balance while lifting heavier weights. You can also consider pads with neck grooves, or curves cut out for hip bones, for added comfort.
Velcro quality
Some barbell pads come in a simple, wrap-around design that might come loose or slip when wet. These are convenient but not always as safe. Look for options that have securing straps to keep the pad on the bar. Check the quality of the velcro to ensure that it won’t let the pad start moving.
How Thick Should a Barbell Pad be?
Barbell pads should not be so thick that they put extra weight on you and also shouldn’t be so light that you still feel the bar’s pressure. Most barbell pads on the market vary in thickness from ¾ inches to 2.1 inches.
The suitable thickness for you will depend more on your preferences than a general rule. For instance, if you bruise easily, you will want a thicker pad than someone who doesn’t.
Reasons You Should Use a Barbell Pad
If you’re still wondering whether you should or shouldn’t buy a barbell pad, take a look at these benefits:
Support
Everyone who lifts heavier weights knows that they need some type of support. This could be in the form of wrist wraps, lifting straps, gloves, and more. Barbell pads offer support for lifting heavier weights to help minimize the risk of injury. The added support can also improve your form and balance.
Comfort
Barbell pads are made with high-density, thick foam that absorbs shock and impacts to ease the pressure from heavily weighted bars. They essentially create a barrier to prevent direct contact between your body and the bar.
Reduced risk of injury
Sweat and moisture can make barbell bars dangerous as they get more slippery. When you use a barbell pad, the added support will help prevent the weights from slipping.
Minimizes bruising
Heavy lifting often leaves you with a few bruises, bars can cause a lot of pressure on contact points. Barbell pads help absorb and distribute this pressure more evenly and safely to help prevent bruising and other injuries.
Things You Can Use a Barbell Pad For
Here are a few uses of barbell pads:
- Barbell pads are great for hip thrusts and bridges. They help reduce the pressure the bar places on your hip bones
- You can also use these pads for deadlifts as they tend to make contact with your shins while lifting. Place the pad in the middle of the bar to prevent scratching your legs
- Use pads during squats to prevent excess pressure on your neck, shoulder blades, and upper back
Final Note
Barbell exercises can be brutal without taking the right precautions. Investing in a good barbell pad from our list, or using our criteria, can help minimize discomfort and reduce the chances of injury.
