Hip Thrust Pad vs Squat Pad: Which Barbell Pad Do You Need?
By Gym Equipment | Built to Work | Home & Commercial | NORTHERN | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Northern Hip Thrust Pad and Barbell Squat Pad on padding, shape, colour options, and price so you can pick the right barbell pad for hip thrusts or squats.
Quick answer
Choose the Northern Hip Thrust Pad if hip thrusts are your priority and you want dense, shock-absorbing foam plus a pink colour option. Choose the Northern Barbell Squat Pad if you squat more often and want a lower-cost pad that also works for hip thrusts, available in four colours.
Shape and padding: why the two pads feel different
The Hip Thrust Pad is built around high-density, shock-absorbing foam that distributes weight across the barbell. That matters most when the bar sits across your hips during thrusts, where a narrow or thin pad can concentrate pressure. The Barbell Squat Pad is a simpler comfort pad designed to reduce bar discomfort across your shoulders or back during squats, and it also works for hip thrusts.
Neither pad is a substitute for technique: the pad changes how the bar feels, not how much load your hips or spine can safely handle. If you are choosing your first pad, match the pad to the lift you do most rather than buying the most expensive option.
Colour and price: the practical differences
The Hip Thrust Pad comes in pink only, at a catalog price of USD 31.19 (comparison price USD 47.99). The Barbell Squat Pad is available in black, grey, lilac, and pink at a catalog price of USD 19.70 (comparison price USD 26.99). If matching your gym style matters, the squat pad gives you more choices; if you specifically want a pink barbell hip thrust pad, the Hip Thrust Pad is the dedicated option.
Both are slip-on designs intended for home and commercial gym use. Neither listing states a thickness or weight limit, so if you need a specific dimension for a rack or travel bag, check before ordering rather than assuming.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Hip thrust focus vs versatility: The Hip Thrust Pad is purpose-built for hip thrusts and lower-body barbell work, while the Barbell Squat Pad is positioned for squats and also handles hip thrusts. If you do both lifts equally, the squat pad covers more ground; if hip thrusts dominate your program, the dedicated pad is the better fit. Count your weekly hip thrust sets versus squat sets before deciding.
- Colour choice vs dedicated pink: The Barbell Squat Pad offers four colours; the Hip Thrust Pad is pink only. Choose the squat pad if you want black, grey, or lilac to match other gear, or the Hip Thrust Pad if pink is exactly what you want.
- Price vs targeted padding: At catalog prices, the Barbell Squat Pad costs less than the Hip Thrust Pad. The trade-off is that the Hip Thrust Pad's shock-absorbing foam is described specifically for hip and pelvis pressure, so pay more only if that comfort matters to you. Set a budget first, then decide whether the hip-focused padding is worth the difference.
Product facts at a glance
- Hip Thrust Pad - Pink: High-density, shock-absorbing foam designed to reduce pressure on the hips and pelvis during hip thrusts and squats. If hip thrusts are your main lift, this targeted padding is the more comfortable choice under heavy bars.
Hip Thrust Pad - Pink - Barbell Squat Pad: Slip-on barbell pad available in black, grey, lilac, and pink, built for squats and hip thrusts in home or commercial gyms. It covers both lifts at a lower price and lets you match your gym setup with one of four colours.
Barbell Squat Pad
Which pad fits your training?
Best for
- Lifters who prioritize hip thrusts and want dense, shock-absorbing foam across the hips
- Anyone who specifically wants a pink barbell hip thrust pad
Not for
- Shoppers who want a choice of colours beyond pink
- Budget-first buyers who squat more than they hip thrust
