Exercise Benches

What To Consider When Looking For A Bench

Space

It is important to determine how much available space you have when deciding what bench to purchase. There are very sturdy benches that have a small footprint. Fold up benches are an option for a user that has very little space to work with or is planning to use that space for another purpose. The height of the individual will also come into play when choosing the right bench. Taller people will need a bench with a longer back support in order for their head to remain on the bench during the exercise.

Purpose

There are many possible intended purposes for a weight bench, so it is important to narrow down the main exercises you will be performing with it. If the weight bench is purely for heavy weight lifting, then finding a sturdy bench with a high weight capacity will be ideal. If the weight bench will be used for other exercises like step ups, tricep dips, or abs, then the width, adjustability and height will need to be taken into consideration.

Usage

The workout intensity and amount of weight being lifted on the bench will have a large impact on what type of weight bench to choose. If the bench is being used by multiple people or will be placed in a commercial or club setting, the bench needs to be larger and heavier in order to cater to everyone.

Weight Capacity

The overall weight capacity is an important aspect to consider, especially if the bench is to be used for heavy weight lifting. The last thing you want is for your weight bench to break, while you are in the middle of a heavy lift. It is much safer to err on the side of caution and go with a bench that has been tested at a high weight capacity (over 500lbs).

Cost

Types Of Weight Benches

Flat Benches

Flat benches will vary in size, comfort, and durability. The less expensive flat weight benches will have a low weight capacity and lack structural integrity. The best flat benches will be comfortable and sturdy, with a higher weight lifting capacity. They can be used for exercises like chest presses, bent over rows, lunges, step ups, and more. The higher end flat benches are built for commercial use, and will often have the option to be bolted down in a club environment. They will also have very high weight capacities and sturdy frames.

Flat to Incline Benches

There are two main types of flat to incline benches; ladder style and pull pin style. The benches that use a pull pin tend to get stuck over time and are not as easy to adjust. The benches that use the ladder style are very easy to adjust and do not get stuck in a fixed position. Some of these benches will also offer optional attachments such as leg extension/curl or preacher curl options to allow the user to perform more exercises.

FID Benches (Flat/Incline/Decline)

FID benches will generally only have one angle for decline and multiple angles for incline. The best option is to find a durable flat to incline weight bench and a fully adjustable decline/ab bench to attain optimal results. FID benches will also be bulkier because they require a foot holder in the front of the bench to stabilize the legs during ab exercises.

Decline/Ab Benches

Decline benches are one of the best ways to get a great core workout by changing the angle to increase or decrease the difficulty of the exercise. There are a few different types of decline benches. The ones in most gyms are commercial grade and will have a much higher weight capacity, as well as tougher upholstery to withstand multiple users. They also tend to be bulkier and take up more space. Residential decline benches come in a few different sizes. The mini ab benches are designed to work the core, while keeping a very small footprint. The larger residential decline benches tend to have less substantial frames and easy accessibility.

In order to save space, there are many benches (flat or adjustable) that are able to fold up. Although they do save space, these benches will generally lack stability and sturdiness in order to maintain the capability to fold. They will also be lighter to make it easier to be folded and stored. Some of these fold up benches have the ability to stand up on their own in a folded position, while others need to be propped up against a wall or another surface.

Olympic Benches