Dollars to donuts this exercise is number one in primes fitness regimen 
You betcha.
Learned to do them from my physical therapist when I was having issues with my lower back, (degenerative disk disease). It's one of the core exercises designed to strengthen the muscles that help support the spine.
Hip Thrusts involve squeezing your glutes and lifting hips up toward the ceiling. They engage the glutes, hamstrings, core, lower back, abdominals, obliques, and hip flexors.
Never, have I done them at the gym or with added weight. Not planning on it either.