Squat Sponge 18" Long, 3.5” Diameter & 1.25" Thick Olympic Barbell Pad in Pink

This is the second squat sponge I’ve purchased for my gym. We rarely use it for back squats as it tends to be too bulky and awkward. Its a better fit for barbell hip thrusters, as it’s allows heavier weights usage without the bar digging into the hips.

I’ve been buying this squat sponge for about 3 years now. I hip thrust 250-300+lbs 3x a week so it’s understandable that some wear is going to happen. Typically I’ve had to buy a new squat sponge every2-3 months. However, since this year the quality seems to have gone way downhill! I’m now having to buy a new one every month and this last time only lasted a few weeks! Super annoying considering I’m very familiar with this product and know I’ve gotten more use of it in the past.. Just a heads up to anyone considering buying. It definitely works, very heavy hip thrusts can be done comfortably. Just be prepared to replace it frequently.

4 stars because my pink squat pillow didn't come in this thickness in manly black or gender neutral white/blue/red/green - 5 stars because there is nothing awesome about the red skin ripped marks squatting 405 for reps leaves across those awesome traps and shoulders you've worked so hard for and now can't show off because it looks like your manly wife beats you across the shoulders with a bone whip because you don't know how to work on your own car. Oddly, this is the same thing a PINK squat pillow makes people think, who knew. So, unless you can squat 800 and are competing next week where they don't let you use a bar pad, or you think (if you are a woman) men (or women) are looking at the squat pillow when you are squatting, and if you are a guy that women give two ______ about how much you squat with your pink pillow, buy this awesome piece of back saving innovative awesomeness. (or use a thick pool noodle you have to replace every time you go over 315)

You can't make much progress on the hip thrust without this. Once you get up to some heavy weights, the barbell presses so hard against the front of your hip/groin area that it's just plain hurts, and if you're in pain your muscles aren't doing a whole lot of work. This this is amazing. I was only able to do maybe about 160 lbs hip thrust comfortably without any padding before and about 200 with a thin foam pad, beyond that, it would just hurt and I'd get bruises. I couldn't even progress because it was just too painful. But with this squat sponge I went to being able to do 280 no problem, no pain, no discomfort. I've used this for back squats too, but it's a little bulky and awkward in that position, but if you're doing your max or the barbell bothers your spine/shoulder area then this would be very helpful. Even if you only use this for hip thrusts, it's a must!

The padding is thick enough for me not to feel the barbell digging into my shoulders (when doing squats) or groin (when doing hip thrusts). It also has a snug fit so it does not move around the bar. These two features have enabled me to go heavier on these two exercises ! The only complaint I have about it is that the external material is not is not made of something smoother and firmer that would have protected it from wear and tear and made it easier to clean. The central part is grainy and collects dirt balls, so it looks dirty even after just one use. Otherwise, it is a wonderful product and I would recommend it

Used this for the first time today, and I love it! These always seem to disappear at my gym, so I decided to get my own. The extra padding is SO worth it, as the smaller ones are very thin and my shoulders are always sore after. I also like that it has a groove in the middle for my neck, which makes it even more comfortable. It's a little bigger than I thought, but necessary for the extra padding. I can easily fit it into my gym bag and get it out of my locker when I'm ready to do my squats. I'm so glad I have my very own squat sponge! Its bright pink, so my gym won't mistake me for stealing theirs lol!

I bought two of these and did a review for a grey squat sponge. In short, these things really help alleviate the pressure on the neck, traps and shoulders while providing additional stability to the bar while squatting. The result is that I can squat more deeply and comfortably. I got the two because I hate pink but at 1.5", this one was .25" thicker than the others - and I really wanted protection for my neck. I wanted to try the slightly thinner pad to see if it made any difference. It didn't. I use the grey one and will keep this one as the backup. But really - does everything for women have to be in pink???

This device has saved my neck and upper back. I LOVE that it is pink! I got gloves to match. It is functional, of course, as well as attractive. You "snap" it onto the bar, and it has an indentation for the neck. Therefore, it's cushy against the neck when doing squats and lunges. A secondary use is for hip thrusts (I hope I am calling that exercise by its correct name.) If you work out with free weights, this is a must.