Thompson Fat Pad - 1+ Year Review

Big boys disserve a big bench. The Thompson Fat Pad is still the king of big benches all these years later. You might want to toss it on a quality flat bench frame from Rep Fitness, but the pad itself is the go to for big benchers all around.
The Thompson Fat Pad has survived over 5 years in my gym to date.
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[@mstang61]

Awesome review, I've been on the fence about this pad for a while, after two shoulder surgeries I think I'm going to get one.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

I've seen a lot of big benchers really happy with their shoulders after this. Keep me posted

[@MJA89]

Thanks man, that was helpful!

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Glad I could help! It's been awhile since this one went live... Still my bench pad.

[@TheSjeize]

good vid i've always found it annoying how my rear shoulders aren't tight on these small pads.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

It's bizarre that we just accepted thin benches as the norm.

[@dbsasuke]

Buy the Rep Fitness bench. It is competition standard, it is very easy to move around with wheels (great for women), and has a single post on the end so it does not get in the way of your feet to plant. Plus it is compatible with the the Thompson fat pad.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Wheels in my current set-up are unfortunately not helpful. Too many things in the way, platform, etc. Plus, the feet on this bench have never been a problem for me or my wife. In fact, they give me wife some extra heel support. If I ever relocate, I could be in the market for a bench with wheels and Rep is certainly the king right now for garage gym benches.

[@OptimalTraining]

Great review.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Thanks!

[@mdjak3686]

Ty. I typed my comment before getting to the end where you said only works for flat bench.

[@mdjak3686]

Just got a rogue rack and was thinking of getting this pad but I have a bench that inclines and has a different shape at bottom than top so guessing this would not fit. Good review. Ty.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Correct. Only fits flat benches. I believe a few companies are working on a fat pad for adjustable benches, but nothing I've seen yet.

[@manicmandownup]

Nice set-up man

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Thanks man. Years of investment and hustle.

[@manicmandownup]

@@GrayMatterLifting I hear that…been working on mine for a few years, as well

[@garage-gyms7788]

Rock on, Joe! Great review.

[@erickg.7439]

How do you clean and condition the grabber vinyl on the Thompson Fat pad?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Honestly, outside of wiping it down, I haven't done anything. And I bench on this thing weekly... sometimes two or three times a week. Might need a different answer if you are in a commercial environment. But mine hasn't needed any treatment.

[@erickg.7439]

Thank you. Just purchased so looking for longevity.

[@erickg.7439]

@@GrayMatterLifting Reached out to Rogue who mentioned using a "mild detergent like Simple Green."

[@GrayMatterLifting]

If you hit my email, I can send you a picture of what mine looks like at this point with no maintenance. [e-mail]

[@rudyrich9817]

Hi , nice gym setup! Do you think floor press is okay with the fat pad?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

I haven't done it myself, but ive seen plenty of others do it. Don't see why not

[@abomosab100]

thanks for the review this pad can be mounted on an regular rogue 2.0 flat bench instead of buying the monster flat bench agin just to save some money?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

definitely. Mine is on a non-Rogue bench, so you can definitely get away with rogues standard line.

[@tavokgs]

@@GrayMatterLifting out of curiosity how did you mount it onto a non rogue bench?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

@@tavokgs drilled some holes in the back of the pad, and used lag screws instead of bolts.

[@ivars5730]

do you think the fat bad makes any difference on muscle gain i feel like you dont get as big of a streth?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Not entirely meant from a hypertrophy perspective. Meant for powerlifting, so you can get your shoulders down in a stable set up so you can press more. If you are looking for more scapular movement and greater ROM, you'd want a skinnier bench and something like a duffalo bar or cambered bench bar...

[@ivars5730]

@@GrayMatterLifting yea that’s what I thought thank you

[@DERDM]

I am 5'5" and about 165lbs. Do you think I would benefit more from the Rogue competition pad or the regular fat pad? I didn't know if the 14.5" might be too wide for me.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

You are fairly close to my wife's dimensions, and she uses it fine. I can't be sure if she'd be better off with the Competition pad or not, as we haven't tried it. That said, you could test your shoulder width and see. I think that would determine it more.

[@DERDM]

@@GrayMatterLifting Thanks for the info.

[@AmorFati777X]

Is there like a shoulder width or some measurement to use for a guideline to know if the pad is right for you?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Interestingly enough, I haven't seen one. You could try DMing Donnie Thompson on Instagram, he seems to be pretty on top of responding. The only thing I've heard over the years, is women don't tend to like it as much, men do. Even if my wife went on a bulk, her shoulders would never be set out as wide as mine.

[@AmorFati777X]

@@GrayMatterLifting I'm not a *big* guy but I am 6' tall and I was at rogue yesterday and laid on it. Seemed to be supporting my rear delt area and Ive had shoulder surgeries already so it made me curious to look into it.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

@@AmorFati777X there are other guys like Jonathan Harder, huge benchers, but under 200lbs, that love it.

[@AmorFati777X]

@@GrayMatterLifting thanks I think Ill take the plunge.

[@AmorFati777X]

@@GrayMatterLifting Just letting you know I bought one and I cannot be happier with that decision. I actually felt stable, safe, and like my biomechanics were exactly the way they were supposed to be. The width is like a perfect match for my anthropometry. Thanks!

[@terminatorbatspawn]

Helpful 💪😎👍

[@90bub]

Hi, can you seal row with that?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

It's pretty wide. Might be difficult depending on your structure, bar, etc. You'd need to put it on blocks too

[@90bub]

@@GrayMatterLifting thanks!

[@Thomas-ky4wc]

Hi, If i already have a bench (not rogue) and buy the pad, I can put it on it on should I buy a rogue bench too?

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Do you need two benches? If not, then there's no reason to. My Fat Pad is on a TuffStuff bench and I only have a second bench for my PowerTec Levergym. Only other reason I could see needing a second one, is an FID or a competition bench.

[@Thomas-ky4wc]

thks

[@FREEfitnessCOACHING]

Audio sucks

[@GrayMatterLifting]

Appreciate the constructive criticism.