Squat Sponge Gray 18" Long, 3.5" Diameter & 1.25" Thick Olympic Barbell Pad

I do like the 18 inch length (better than most comparable others), but the padding density is inferior to others - compresses easily and does not bounce back any time soon. The other brand I got (which costs just under $16 vice the Squat Sponge which costs just under $21) is shorter ( a negative), but a much firmer padding that does not visibly compress when you rerack and bouces back to full size immediately. If your weights are light, this is fine; however, if you are going heavy, this falls significantly short as compared to competitors.

EDIT: I had originally rated this 5 stars but with more use I have realized it is quite annoying. Yes I still love how thick it is and it really does cushion the bar from bruising my hips, but that's pretty much all I can use it for. It is only decent for hip thrusts or glute bridges. You can't use it for front squats (because why would you really), and it's SUPER uncomfortable for back squats. Since the sponge is so thick it pushes your head forward too much making the movement really uncomfortable. Also the bar rolls around in it A LOT for any exercise you do with it, so I'm afraid it isn't very practical and I don't use it unless I'm going really heavy.The sponge is great - thick as can be. Haven't tried it with too much weight since I'm not at that level yet but I do have to say it scratches very easily. I have had it for a little over a month and I only bring it from a bag in my car to the gym and it has a few scratches here and there so I don't think it will hold up looking good for very long and with heavy, constant use.

This has been a game-changer for hip thrusters. I was having a lot of hip/pelvis pain and bruising from using a rolled up yoga mat and using this gives me virtually no pain. A lot of reviews said their sponge moved around the bar but I do not find that to be the case at all in an Olympic (standard) bar. The opening is pretty small and is snug on the bar so it stays put. I researched a lot of hip thruster pad options and this one was the thickest. Also, apparently Bret Contreras recommends it for hip thrusters and I listen to everything he says so ;) and if you’re wanting to grow your glutes and don’t know who he is, look him up!

I don't use this for it's intended purpose, but it seems like it would do that job just fine. Like a lot of people, I got this for doing hip thrusts with a barbell. I was wrapping the bar with a yoga mat before, and this is infinitely better. I wondered if I might need some type of secondary cushioning, but this is doing the job fine by itself.

I first used this at a gym that provided me this to squat. I changed gyms and since the gym doesn't have this particular squat pad, I decided to buy my own. Works as expected. There was a little lump in the sponge when it arrived. Not a big deal to me. Works fine. Better than the one my current gym has.

I bought this because everything else I had tried to pad my hip bones with while doing barbell hip thrusts still left me with excruciating pain using a mere 75 pounds, not to mention gnarly bruises after workouts. Just using it today, I was able to move up to 115 pounds with no discomfort. I'll finally be able to make progress on this lift! I can't speak to its longevity yet, but it seems to be made much better than anything available in my gym so I have high hopes. But honestly, for $25, heavier lifts, and no bruises, I'll just buy it over and over again.

I originally purchased this for hip thrusts based on recommendations from others from a group I belong to. The Squat Sponge definitely delivers comfort when going heavy on thrusts. For thrusting the pad can sometimes spin out of place so I keep it secure with two velcro strips I cut down to size (picked up at Home Depot)—also a recommendation from one of my group members! The Squat Sponge is also great for what it is intended for, squats! I've seen folks lift heavy with just the bar and I have no idea how the do it, but I know I don't squat or thrust without the Squat Sponge.

As far as comfort, no question the pad gives you a very comfortable workout experience. My issue is with the overall thickness of the pad as it adds "height" to the bar when you are under it. That changes the balance point, at least for me, in that the weight feels different when you are under the bar than without it. Not a big deal for the lower weight warm up sets, but when you are under 300 pounds the balance point of the bar gets to be pretty important. It works, it does a great job, but the feel of the pad and bar while using it may be a bit funky for some.