The weight bench is unquestionably the most important piece of bodybuilding equipment when you want to train at home. In fact, it is an essential alternative if you don’t have time to go to the gym or if you want to deepen your routines.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned sportsman, the weight bench is a piece of equipment that brings great versatility to work all your muscles and improve your physical condition. To help you in your choice, we have tested and selected for you the best models currently on the market.
Specification
The Sportstech model has dimensions of 161 x 68 x 106-120 cm once mounted and the backrest has a surface of 110 x 29 cm. It supports a maximum weight of 170 kg. It is foldable and has support for bar and discs.
Key Features
This Olympic side has a robust structure with adjustable height, which makes it a multipurpose model: bench press, squats, bending… In addition, the backrest is made of EVA, resistant to wear and tear and breathable.
Specification
This model has a 30 x 27 cm seat and a 76 x 31 cm backrest, both with PU leather cover. It is resistant and supports a maximum weight of 330 pounds. It has 7 backrest positions, leg restraints and 2 elastic bands.
Key Features
This adjustable and tilting bench is ideal for exercising at home. You can use the included rubber bands or other accessories to work the whole body. It is an easy model to transport and store, ideal for homes with limited space.
The 5 best weight benches according to Musclopedia
If you already work out at home and you have certain accessories such as dumbbells or elastics, for example, acquiring a weight bench will be a plus to improve and vary your routines.
Discover below a complete comparative table with the most outstanding models on the market, selected by the Musclopedia team. In addition, you will find in the table the most important features, so that you can compare and choose according to your needs. Take a look at it!
Benefits of a sturdy weight bench
Exercise while staying at home
You no longer need to spend money every month at the gym to get access to quality fitness equipment.
Now you can buy a cheap weight bench and do your routines in the garden or in the living room.
These benches give you the opportunity to add variety to your workouts, with the benefits that this brings. In addition to motivating you to keep exercising, which is always good and necessary to maintain good health, they will help you exercise and strengthen various parts of your body that you would not have access to without this accessory.
Varied routines
On the other hand, when you buy this type of equipment, you are buying many sports accessories in one because it offers a wide variety of exercises that you can do with it and, if you also combine it with other accessories such as rubbers or dumbbells, the possibilities are even greater.
The main objective of this apparatus is to make you do a complete exercise. Of course, just because you have an adjustable weight bench or something else does not mean that you automatically have a fitness level of ten. But it is a step forward. Having one of these tools at your fingertips makes it a lot easier.
Why use a weight bench?
Main objective: to strengthen your muscles
One of the main reasons to use this element is that it will help you develop and tone your muscles, as well as gain strength in different muscle groups in the body.
A versatile accessory
Most weight bench models are very versatile machines that will allow you to do a wide variety of exercises. Depending on the type you choose and the structure and functions it has, you will be able to do more or less types of exercises.
Even with a simple model, you will already have a machine that will allow you to strengthen the muscles of your abdomen, back, legs or arms, for example.
Complete workouts
In addition, integrating one of these benches into your workout programs will serve to complement the workouts you already do and you can amplify the usefulness you get from other accessories you already use, such as dumbbells, rubber bands, kettle bells, disc bars or dominoes, for example.
In short, with this equipment you will reduce the risk of back and spinal injuries because you will develop good support and posture during certain exercises. Although the risk of injury cannot be avoided 100%, the more you reduce it, the better!
How to choose a weight bench?
Its size
The dimensions of this device are also an important criterion to consider when you are in the selection or disposal process.
To begin, you need to consider how easily the model will fit where you plan to store it and where you will perform the exercises.
On the other hand, like the maximum weight criteria below, height also influences who will be able to use it. A very small bench can be unstable for a very tall person, and a very large bench can be uncomfortable for a small person.
Keep these aspects in mind when you discard your models, to ensure that the one you choose will finally have the ideal size for your space and physical needs.
Its maximum capacity
A very important factor that we sometimes overlook is the maximum weight that the bench structure can support so that it is safe and the exercises can be performed properly.
When calculating this weight, keep in mind that you must take into account the weight of the person who will use the bench as well as the weight they will be carrying. In other words, if the bench supports a maximum weight of 330 lbs and the person using it weighs 176 lbs, you can carry up to 155 lbs of extra weight for your exercises.
This factor is very important, especially for people who already lift large amounts of weight, as they will need a high capacity model. Although many models have a capacity of 330 lbs, there are those that carry more weight. Calculate and choose carefully so that you don’t limit your workouts afterwards.
The type of bench
The type or style of bank is an important consideration. The main classification is made according to the options it offers. Below, we leave you with the details of the models that exist on the market.
Sit up benches
It is the simplest model on the market. It’s a bench on which you can do a lot of exercises with dumbbells, discs. It’s a bench on which you can do a lot of exercises with dumbbells and discs, but at a very interesting price, this model allows you to train in different positions so that you can work all your muscles.
The only downside is that flat benches are rarely equipped with a folding function, which makes it a bit cumbersome.
Ajustables benches
Also known as a bench with adjustable backrest, this model is similar to the previous one, although it has the characteristic that one of the ends (or both, depending on the model) can be adjusted in height, while the other is fixed. This makes it possible to recline the back and perform other more varied exercises.
In addition, it is often equipped with additional accessories, such as elastic cords, to strengthen your muscles with different exercises.
Benches with bar rack
Also known as a weight bench with guided loads, this model is equipped with the necessary supports to hold the bars. This will allow you to practice the press, for example. These bars are generally adjustable in height.
In addition, on this bench with weight plate stand, you can also perform the same exercises that you can do with a fixed bench.
Olympic Weight Benches
Also known as the weight station, it is the most complete and robust model on the market. It has adjustable weights, pull ropes, pull bars and other accessories, allowing you to perform a multitude of exercises.
Thanks to its different features, which may vary depending on the model you choose, you will be able to vary your routines with more complete exercises and develop more muscle mass in different areas.
Its stability and comfort
For safety and convenience, you should choose a stable bank, even if you carry quite heavy weights. Make sure that the frame is solid and securely fastened once assembled. This will help you avoid accidents that could end badly. On the other hand, when it comes to comfort, it is important that you choose one that you will not have problems with or find uncomfortable when doing the exercises.
In addition to health issues, it is also a question of motivation. If you find it uncomfortable every time you sit on the bench, you will lose the desire to use it, won’t you? And maybe that will end up in a chain reaction that we don’t want to see happen. That’s why it’s important that all the padding you have is cushioned, but strong. That way, in addition to the fact that it will last longer, it will allow us to enter comfortably with low and high weights.
Its use
As with the vast majority of sports equipment and accessories, the use you intend to make of them will set the tone for your choice, or at least help you get rid of models that are not geared to your needs.
For example, if you do not intend to do weightlifting with bars with or without discs, an Olympic model or a model with frames will be too much and will not meet your needs. Although sometimes more is better, in this case it can be counterproductive.
On the other hand, if weight training is an essential part of your workout, a simple or tilting model will not help you achieve your goals and you will have to purchase other accessories. You’ll end up spending more money to buy them separately than you would on the same product.
As you can see, how you use it is important. To make things clear, you can write down the exercises you intend to do with this bench, then check what this bench needs so that you can do them and, finally, select or eliminate the models that don’t come up or review their options or features.
FAQ
Q. What is the best brand of weight bench?
A. There are many brands on the market today that design and manufacture this fitness equipment. Among those that stand out for having better quality models are BH Fitness, Tunturi, Salter, Adidas or Titanium, among others.
Q. What is the price of a quality weight bench?
A. The price is a factor that will depend on other aspects, such as type, weight, design, etc. To give you an idea, a simple bench costs around 70 euros, while a complete bench can cost 200-300 euros.
Q. How do I use a weight bench?
A. This is a complex question, as it mainly depends on the type of exercise you want to do at any given time. For example, for a bench press with a bar, bend at the appropriate height, extend your arms to grasp the bar, release it from the anchor and do the repetitions of the series.
Q. What weight bench should I buy?
A. There are several factors to consider when deciding which model to purchase. The most important ones are the size of the accessory, stability, comfort, how you plan to use it, and the specific bench you need to do your exercises.
Q. What is a weight bench used for?
A. This type of sports equipment serves several purposes. The main objective is to vary your exercise program. It can also make your workouts safer and prevent potential injuries due to lifting certain weights during more complex exercises.
Q. Where can I buy a weightlifting bench?
A. There are many places where you can purchase this equipment. However, we recommend that you take a look at the Amazon-type markets, as they offer good policies and warranties, as well as a wide variety of models of all types and brands.
Highlights of the weight bench
As you’ve seen throughout this article, having one of these weight benches at home or elsewhere offers you many benefits, including a greater variety and safety of your exercises.
Ultimately, this will translate into better fitness and better health, which will greatly improve your quality of life.