That’s not because it’s ineffective. In fact, hip thrusts can offer a ton of benefits for powerlifters, athletes, and anyone trying to maximize their glute growth. Rather, my disdain has everything to do with how cumbersome it can be to perform traditional barbell hip thrusts. 

However, if you’ve been skipping this key posterior chain builder, it’s time to pencil it back into your workout routine. In this AbMat Pivot Pad review, I’ll open your eyes to the possibility of safer, more comfortable hip thrust workouts (among other movements) for a fraction of the cost you might expect. 

You Can T(h)rust our Experts to Deliver the Truth About Home Gym Equipment

The Garage Gym Reviews squad includes CPTs, certified nutrition coaches, CrossFit enthusiasts, and an Olympian weightlifter. As dedicated fitness professionals and seasoned product testers, we take pride in researching and reviewing everything from the best kettlebells to the best multivitamins to inform fellow health and wellness-minded folks about what’s worth buying and what isn’t. 

While the hip thrust machine and accessory market isn’t nearly as vast as something like dumbbells, our team has tried some of the top options, including the Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine. We utilize our proprietary fitness testing methodology to rate products using a 1-5 scale on key factors such as: 

• Construction
• Durability
• Versatility
• Value

For this AbMat Pivot Pad review, Garage Gym Reviews Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele put her posterior chain strength to the challenge to examine whether this innovative training tool is a worthwhile alternative to traditional hip thrust setups.

AbMat Pivot Pad

AbMat Pivot Pad

GGR Score: 4.45

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Turns any squat rack into a variable-height hip thrust machine

• Accommodates all types of hip thrusts, including barbell, dumbbell, and banded hip thrusts

• Patent-pending keyhole design allows you to snap it directly onto an Olympic barbell

• Collaborative effort between AbMat and Dr. Kelly Starrett of the Ready State

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy to store
• Affordably priced
• Embossed logos
• Improves comfort and support for hip thrusts

Cons

• Requires two barbells to use properly
• Must have access to squat rack
• Hip thrust pad sold separately ($50)

Bottom Line

The Pivot Pad is a useful tool for making hip thrusts safer and more comfortable at home. The patent-pending design allows you to snap it directly onto an Olympic barbell. Be aware that barbells with an aggressive center knurling could damage the pad over time.

A Quick Look at the AbMat Pivot Pad

The Pivot Pad is just the latest addition to AbMat’s lineup of strength training equipment. The Illinois-based company’s extensive product line includes silhouettes such as:

• Hip thrust pad 
• Preacher pad 
• Landmine grip
• Zercher pad
• Split squat pad 
• Medicine balls 
• Barbell pad
• Box squat pad

RELATED: AbMat Reviews

Seeking a better way to perform hip thrusts, the Pivot Pad is the brainchild of a collaborative effort between noted exercise and mobility expert Dr. Kelly Starrett, Fringe Sport Mammoth Belt Squat co-inventor Kyle Divine, and the AbMat team. The patent-pending design allows you to turn any squat rack into a variable-height hip thrust machine. Plus, this affordable accessory can open the door to other exercises including single-arm presses, glute marches, Copenhagen planks, rear-elevated push-ups, and more. 

Before You Buy

• The Pivot Pad can accommodate all types of hip thrust variations, including barbell, dumbbell, and banded versions.
• You will need two barbells to utilize the Pivot Pad. According to Lindsay, a men’s barbell will fit more snugly than a women’s barbell due to the wider bar diameter. 
• While the Pivot Pad only costs $135, you’ll likely want to add the Hip Thrust Pad to your cart, too. Luckily, you can save roughly $35 by purchasing them in a bundle on the AbMat website.   
• AbMat only accepts returns within 10 days of delivery of your purchase. All items must include their original packaging and you will be responsible for paying the return shipping costs. 

AbMat Pivot Pad Video Review

Is the AbMat Pivot Pad Worth It?

It’s rare for Lindsay (or any of our product testers) to have no drawbacks about a product. However, the Pivot Pad earned the ultimate sign of respect when she said she had no callouts about this affordably priced product. 

“Seriously, it’s tough to find anything wrong here,” she exclaims.

For $135, you get a high-quality, uniquely designed pad that allows you to knock out hip thrusts with less frustration. Plus, this isn’t a one-trick pony—the Pivot Pad’s versatility can support movements beyond your standard hip thrust, too, to get even more bang for your buck (and more use from your expensive power rack). Considering a standalone hip thrust machine can cost 10 times that amount, this is absolutely worth it. 

AbMat Pivot Pad Specs

Using the AbMat Pivot Pad

If you’re tired of slipping off a weight bench or trying to find the right height plyo box for optimal thrusting, the Pivot Pad can save you from further pain and suffering. Lindsay was highly impressed with the functionality and build quality of this affordable answer to your hip thrust woes. Besides the obvious, she also tested it with other exercises to showcase its versatility. 

Let’s dive into the details of her experience using the Pivot Pad.

Construction and Durability

Measuring 18 inches wide, 10 inches high, and 3 inches deep, the Pivot Pad is a compact, space-saving solution that doesn’t take up anywhere close to the amount of real estate required of a machine or traditional hip thrust setup. It blends a rigid core with a soft exterior to produce a comfortable pad offering excellent support.

“It’s just leaps and bounds above any sort of Amazon product promising the same functionality,” Lindsay says. 

Weighing less than 6 pounds, it’s easy to move and store. In addition, the Pivot Pad is easy to clean—a key advantage for maximizing its longevity. 

“You can easily wipe this down because of the texture on it, whether it’s chalk, mud, or anything else,” Lindsay explains. 

How does the Pivot Pad work, exactly? There’s a groove built into the pad that allows you to snap it directly onto an Olympic barbell.You then rest your back against the pad and use the AbMat Hip Thrust Pad (which costs an additional $50) or another type of pad to provide cushion between your body and the loaded barbell. Lindsay warns, though, that the pad can spin when paired to a women’s barbell, but a men’s barbell will fit more snugly. 

Overall, our team found no flaws with the construction or durability of this patent-pending design, awarding perfect 5-out-of-5 scores in both categories. 

Versatility

While the Pivot Pad’s main purpose is to make hip thrusts safer and more comfortable, it does much more than that. This is why we believe it’s a better investment than spending north of $500 on a standalone machine. 

“This actually allows you to do a couple different movements—think Copenhagen planks or decline push-ups. You can even do one-leg glute marches,” Lindsay explains. 

In testing, Lindsay utilized the Pivot Pad for all of those exercises, and she even tried out some dumbbell presses. She felt well-supported throughout all those movements, including the presses. 

“It really helps you stabilize those muscles,” she says. “You’re not just limited to doing hip thrusts using this Pivot Pad—you have a variety of movements you can do with this, as well.” 

With this exhibited versatility allowing you to achieve an effective full-body workout, the Pivot Pad earns 5 out of 5 stars in this key category. 

AbMat Pivot Pad vs Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine

Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine

Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine

GGR Score: 4

Check Price

Save 5% using the Home Gym Builder See Details

Product Highlights

• 17" weight horns

• 600-lb weight capacity

• Resistance band pegs at the bottom

• Elevated weight horns for easy plate loading

• Pivoting back pad

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Budget-friendly compared to competitors
• Wide, stable footplate
• Allows for a smooth, wide range of motion
• 17″ sleeves can hold a lot of plates
• Rubber feet to help prevent scratches on the floor

Cons

• Lower weight capacity than other hip thrust machines
• Shorter individuals may have trouble getting the belt tight enough
• Footplate angle is not adjustable
• Sharp edges on the footplate
• No wheels for portability

Bottom Line

While it has a lower weight capacity than other machines, it should still be sufficient for most lifters.

It’s tough to make an apples-to-apples comparison to the Pivot Pad since there isn’t anything quite like it currently on the market. Sure, there are DIY gym hacks you can do to add some cushioning around your barbell, but that’s not always the most ideal solution. If you’re strictly looking to level up your hip thrust game (and have a sizable budget), the Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine could be a worthwhile consideration. 

RELATED: DIY Gym Equipment

Right off the bat, let’s be clear that this is a substantially more expensive investment. While the Pivot Pad falls just north of the $100 price point, the Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine costs over $1,000. That’s quite a chunk of change to prioritize your posterior chain. 

Furthermore, the Pivot Pad is far friendlier from a footprint perspective. If you’re already limited on space, it’ll be tough to fit a machine measuring over 5 feet long, almost 6 feet wide, and nearly 3 feet high in your training space. 

For more insight on this expensive alternative, check out our full Bells of Steel Hip Thrust Machine review.

Customer Experience 

Unfortunately, this is the only area where we do have some callouts. First, AbMat does not have a clear warranty policy listed for this product. This is also the case for many other AbMat products. Even though you’re not spending a ton of money, it would still be nice to know how long the Pivot Pad is covered (if at all). 

Secondly, AbMat’s return policy is not as customer-oriented as we’ve experienced with other companies. According to their website, returns are accepted within 10 days of delivery of your purchase, and all items must include original packaging. The customer is also responsible for paying return shipping costs, and the original shipping amount will not be reimbursed. 

On a positive note, AbMat offers multiple ways to contact customer support, including by phone and email. The company even has a process to submit a product idea for collaboration, which is a unique feature in its own right. 

Ordering the AbMat Pivot Pad

You can order the Pivot Pad directly on the AbMat website. Although it’s originally listed for $135, it’s on sale for $105, as of the time of this writing. You can also score some savings by bundling the Pivot Pad with the company’s Hip Thrust Pad. 

During checkout, you can select from a number of payment options including PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, or financing through ShopPay. Shipping costs are calculated based on your location. Overall, just like the product itself, the ordering process is simple and straightforward. 

Customer Reviews

The Pivot Pad has earned an average rating of 4.7 stars based on 132 reviews on the AbMat website. Customers appreciate its versatility, small footprint, and quality construction. Many noted that it’s one of the best accessories they’ve added to their home gym. One callout is that the pad is quite smooth, with some users wishing it had a grippier texture. 

Final Verdict of Our AbMat Pivot Pad Review

Thanks to some smart design work by AbMat and Dr. Kelly Starrett, you can transform your hip thrust experience from a nightmare to a dream for $135. When you factor in the number of other exercises this accessory allows you to perform, you can’t go wrong, either. We also recommend spending another $50 on the AbMat Hip Thrust Pad, which Lindsay admires for hip thrust integration and back squats comfortability, as well. 

Overall, the Pivot Pad is a well-priced, well-designed product that will pay dividends for building a strong, resilient posterior chain. 

Full Rating

AbMat Pivot Pad

The Pivot Pad is a useful tool for making hip thrusts safer and more comfortable at home. The patent-pending design allows you to snap it directly onto an Olympic barbell. Be aware that barbells with an aggressive center knurling could damage the pad over time.

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 135

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.45

AbMat Pivot Pad: FAQs

References

1. Delgado, J., Drinkwater, E. J., Banyard, H. G., Haff, G. G., & Nosaka, K. (2019). Comparison Between Back Squat, Romanian Deadlift, and Barbell Hip Thrust for Leg and Hip Muscle Activities During Hip Extension. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(10), 2595–2601. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003290

Pound Pad

Pound Pads

Check Price

Product Highlights

The original “Pound Pad” is the product that let us sleep at night without fear of email, phone and neighborhood harassment due to dropped barbells in our gym. Our noise & vibration killing pads are each sized at 24″ x 30″ x 5″ (sold as a pair) and will give you a whole new level of peace and quiet.

Pros & Cons

Bottom Line

Unboxing

The Pound Pads showed up on my door-step in a beautifully branded, khaki-colored, corrugated box.

The box was surprisingly heavy, which meant the Pound Pads themselves were much heavier than expected. This is obviously a good thing as I plan to drop 300+ pounds from overhead on them, and some light foam probably wouldn’t cut it.

I proceeded to cut open the box because I’m a rebel and the box said not to. Thankfully, unlike mistakes on my part in the past, the pads came out unscathed.

Pound Pads Review

Pound Pads are a very simple product. They combine a high-density foam with a tough shell to reduce the vibration and noise associated with dropping weights.

Without a doubt, one of the most popular questions I receive is, “how do I make it so my neighbors stop complaining about my weights dropping?” Although my natural inclination is to tell people to set the weight down gently instead of dropping it, there is now an even better option.

Although I haven’t done any testing on the amount of force that is applied to the ground when a heavy barbell is dropped from overhead, I’m sure it’s quite a bit based on the noise and vibration that is produced. Not only is dropping weights on your garage gym floor bad for your relationship with your neighbors and spouse, but it’s also not the best thing for your foundation

Sure, there are ways to mitigate the damage done to your foundation. Things like matting (I use horse stall mats), deadlift platforms, bumper plates, setting the weights down gently and other precautionary measures can help. This said, I use a deadlift platform on top of stall mats and there’s no stopping the house from shaking when I drop a heavy deadlift or max clean and jerk.

If you want to guarantee that your foundation is protected and that hardly any noise will be produced, then you’re going to have to turn to alternative methods of reducing noise then the standard fare previously mentioned.

The best option we have found for reducing noise and vibration associated with dropping weights are Pound Pads. In fact, we’ve tested many different options including Thug Mats designed for dropping Atlas Stones, and there was no comparison to Pound Pads.

The secret behind Pound Pads is the density of the foam they use to suppress the noise.

This foam that’s used is what I would assume to be the same as what’s used on high-end foam ply0-boxes that have begun to become more popular. This foam is able to take immense amounts of pressure, yet remain rigid. It’s actually pretty cool to see because when you pick it up, it feels like a hard block of rubber.

Gyms all over the world have begun replacing their hard-edged wooden ply0-boxes with the same high-density foam that’s used in the Pound Pads but in a different shape. This foam is designed to take repeated abuse and keep on suppressing sound.

Encapsulating the foam is a fire retardant, non-slip vinyl cover. The cover features a non-skid bottom to keep it from shifting when weights are dropped, and it does a pretty good job of meeting its claims. The cover is available in two different colors, black and blue, and although I’d like to see more color offerings in the future to go along with gyms branding, these are a good start.

On the side of the boxes are nylon handles that are said to be “indestructible.” Although I didn’t completely test this claim, I don’t ever foresee them coming undone.

Pound Pad has done well with the details. Everything from the stitching to the handles to the perfectly sized and placed logo screams premium. The size of the Pound Pads is just right as well. They’re not so big that they take up a ton of space, but you don’t need to be crazy accurate to make sure the weights land on the pads.

For those that follow us on YouTube, you likely saw the video test I did with seeing if Pound Pads could wake a sleeping baby. It turns out dropping over 400 lbs from the front rack on the Pound Pads makes so little noise that they do not wake a sleeping baby. If I were in charge of marketing, that would be a tagline I’d be pushing.

The Pound Pads are the best option for reducing noise from dropping weights that we’ve found and although they’re a bit pricey, we still highly recommend them.

Suggested Improvements

Although we’re big fans of Pound Pads, there are a couple things we’d like to see done to improve them.

The biggest improvement that could be done is making the high-density foam that’s used able to keep from deforming over time. Pound Pads will continue suppressing noise and retain their general shape for many training sessions, but what we’ve heard from users is that over time they start to develop a dent in the middle of the pads. Obviously, this is hard to avoid when dropping hundreds of pounds from a pretty far distance, but it would be something that could make the product even better than it already is.

The last improvement we’d like to see is implementation of Pound Pads into other applications. Things like specific sizes for the tops of jerk boxes or to cover wooden plyo-boxes. Due to this foams versatility, I’d like to see it used in further applications.

Full Rating

Pound Pad

Pound Pad makes a simple product that does one thing extremely well, reducing the noise of dropping weights. Combining high-quality foam with a durable shell, Pound Pad's are the best option currently available for reducing the noise associated with dropping barbells.

Product Brand: Pound Pad

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 395

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.5

Pound Pad FAQs

Where to Purchase

Pound Pad

Pound Pads

Check Price

Product Highlights

The original “Pound Pad” is the product that let us sleep at night without fear of email, phone and neighborhood harassment due to dropped barbells in our gym. Our noise & vibration killing pads are each sized at 24″ x 30″ x 5″ (sold as a pair) and will give you a whole new level of peace and quiet.

Pros & Cons

Bottom Line