For glute growth
For glute growth, Smith machine hip thrust rates higher on our research criteria: easier on the joints.
Both are good choices that train the glutes the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Barbell Hip Thrust. Grew the glutes about as much as squats in a head-to-head trial, despite loading them mainly when shortened.
Smith Machine Hip Thrust. A hip thrust on rails: stable and simple to load, with the glutes working mostly at the top.
For glute growth, Smith machine hip thrust rates higher on our research criteria: easier on the joints. Both are good choices that train the glutes the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Barbell hip thrust needs a barbell and a bench, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Smith machine hip thrust needs a Smith machine and a bench, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Smith machine hip thrust: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Strong for barbell hip thrust.