Dark Iron Fitness Barbell Pad - Extra Thick Padding for Weight Training, Squatting, Hip Thrusts Exercise Bar Protection & Support

I've only had it for a few weeks, and I can only compare it to the ones at the gym. I have a shoulder problem, so I must use these paddings because the bare bar puts my shoulder in an uncomfortable position.But compared to the gym ones (24-hours fitness or Lifetime Fitness), this one seems firmer and sturdier (and, of course, not as beat up). But maybe my standards are low because the gym ones are not in their best condition, and often don't even fit the bar well. This one hugs the bar snugly and stays put, and generally the material feels good.Anyway, short review for me, I find this one an upgrade over the standard gyms ones, and that's good enough for me.

By far the best!Don't buy any other barbell pad. This one is the best I have ever used. My wife says it was the best for the money we have spent on home gym equipment so far. Thick by not bulky. Soft but not too soft. High quality stitching and hook pile tape (velcro). Very comfortable to use. And anything that just plainly says "SHUT UP..." is at the top in my book.Every opportunity I have, I support local small business. This barbell pad is sold by a small business. With the power of today's internet and speed of delivery, all small businesses are local.I have received emails in the past from sellers but not one like this. Alexis made me believe she genuinely cared about my experience with both the purchase and the product. The email was not full of links of different places for me to go depending on what my need was. I could directly reply to that email for any reason. In my eyes, that kind of internet customer service is very rare and valuable. I responded to the email just because I could. Alexis responded very quickly with an email that I know was not just a copy and paste or a default response. She was happy to be there for me.

Just what I wanted! The pad is a little thicker than I expected (thicker than the typical Harbinger squat bar pad sold at Academy), but it works great. I am a female and it wasn't too bulky on my shoulders. The bar sits in a great spot and provided the needed cushioning to squat 135. I don't plan on squatting any heavier, but the bar with only a 10 on each side had bothered me, so I was happy this relieved discomfort, and I had no discomfort when working up to a 45 on each side.It also was thick enough to use for hip thrusts with a 45 on each side of the bar. If thrusting heavier, I think I would need something with thicker padding or would use a rolled up mat like before.The Velcro stays secure, and the vinyl covering does keep pad secure on shoulders even if they are sweaty.I am very pleased with the purchase and highly recommend!

I went with plain as it is for a basement gym and I am not a flashy guy. It was about the perfect length for me. I can leave it on the bar and still do deadlifts with my normal grip. It went on easily and I was able to cover up all the Velcro so there wasn't a rough edge exposed. It was a little firmer than I expected, but I suspect it will break in some. This should also make it last longer, and it is certainly softer than the bar which was the idea.Overall it was cheaper than a lot of options, seems to be made well, and fits what I need. As long as it holds up, which other reviews seem to indicate it will, I will be quite pleased. If not, they do have a good warranty which is a nice back up.

I recently purchased this barbell pad in order to add the hip thrust to my exercise program. I wanted a commercial quality product that would last for years to come and the Dark Iron Fitness product fits that bill. It is top notch quality and offers a lifetime warranty. When properly fastened to my Olympic Bar it will not slide or freely rotate, but securely remain in place, despite the fact that my Olympic Bar does not have a center knurl. It offers firm, yet comfortable padding.I will work great for squats as well, for those who place the bar high up across their traps (high bar squats). I would not use it, if you, like me, do low bar squats, as the pad cause the shoulder angle to be extremely uncomfortable. FYI, in the high bar squat the bar is positioned to sit on the traps, in the low bar squat the bar is moved down to sit on the rear deltoids, right above the spine of the scapula.

I just used this for the first time today and OMG IT WAS AMAZING! It offered so much padding that I was able to add more weight to my squats and hip thrusts. The quality of this is top notch. The pad is hard but very comfortable on my shoulders/neck and pelvis. The nylon material on the outside is thick and super durable. It fits nicely in my small gym bag. The only thing that's a negative for me is that it barely fits around the smith machine barbell. It did fit, but I had to pull it really tight to have the velcro parts make contact. Now, that could be because it's brand new and the material is really good quality and not stretchy. It may fit better as I break it in. This is the best $8 I've ever spent. I can't believe the quality of this for the cost.

The Dark Fitness Pad is a crowning achievement. The comfort and thick padding make a huge difference for Hip Thrusts, front squats, squats that they are kind of enjoyable. Lol, call me a sadist but you know what they say if you are enjoying your work out you are most likely doing it wrong. Anyway here are some shots of the pad, and belt that I might add match my Titan Fitness power rack and gear perfectly. I have also ordered the leather wrist wraps, straps and knee support sleeves. Their product are top notch! The weight belt is made of Buffalo hide so it is really soft and strong, over all a sweet set-up. Thank you Dark Iron Fitness