If you're all about those hip thrusts, then barbell pads can be a total game-changer. According to D.J. Gibson, a fitness trainer in Harlem, New York, "The barbell pad will mainly be for the hip ...

This is the same type of pad that I’ve told you not to use for squats (it just interferes with your ability to position the barbell correctly), but it’s great for hip thrusts. You’ll want ...

where your upper back is elevated on a weight bench (or hip thrust box). It would then normally be performed with a barbell placed across your hips, but some people use a dumbbell or kettlebell.