When it comes to fitness and wellness, we can never be too particular about the kind of products we use because it’s our health that hangs in the balance here. And just as it was said in times past—and still holds true today—health is wealth.
In the business of staying fit, there are different categories of people. There are those that need the cajoling and motivation. These people might register at the gym and
take some Yoga classes or
maybe some Pilates.
And there are others who have the motivation of Arnold Schwarzenegger and will push themselves to and beyond the limit to get a ripped body that people die for. These people rarely need a tutor and many of them
have their own home gym where they get all the workouts done. They might go to a public gym, but that’s either because they tutor there or they need particular equipment they can’t afford to get at home just yet.
But don’t get it twisted though, a lot of guys can have a complete home gym and still not do a single push up. The gym becomes more like a museum, but that’s not what we are here to talk about today.
Adding a weight bench to your gym at home, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fitness major, is quite important especially for workouts that involve weightlifting. Of course you know you can’t be lifting weights on a gym bag or mat. Choosing a weight bench might seem like an obvious process, but it isn’t always so.
Many might think that just any good ole bench will suffice for a weight bench, but boy are they wrong! Weight benches come with lots of accessories and upgrades that help you do more than just lift weights; they actually help you get more out of your workout.
Because there are lots of options to choose from, we will quickly run through the features that are essential. Keep reading!
Price
If you know your gym, then you should know that weight benches don’t come cheap. And the more accessories you need on a bench, the more you will have to spend. So, generally, the more experienced folks spend more for a weight bench than the beginners because their needs are more advanced. That said, to get a good weight bench, you might want to consider setting about $150 to $350 aside. The thought of getting a cheap weight bench might have crossed your mind, but, for your sake, you should shirk that idea as fast as it came. For your own safety and comfort and also for the sake of durability, it is best to stay away from cheap weight benches. Buying a cheaper bench might save you a few bucks now, but you will pay for it in the long run because you will have to replace the bench more often.
Features
So, let’s quickly run through all the factors you need to consider before settling for any weight bench.
- Performance
- Space
- Setup
- Adjustment and settings
- Stability and durability
- Comfort and safety
Let’s get into the details already!
Construction and Design
When it comes to the construct of your weight bench, ensure that you pick one with a backrest that’s large enough for comfort. You definitely do not want something that does not allow you to do your presses at an incline in comfort.
Also, the seat of your bench should be comfy, stable, and adjustable as well. This way, you’ll be able to perform your exercises correctly and get more out of them.
Shoulder stands should be adjustable in both height as well as size, and all the safety catches and spotters must be in place and in optimum condition as well. It’s for your own safety.
If you really want to make the most out of your bench’s life, then consider going for a weight bench that comes with upgrades and/or accessories readily available for purchase.
A weight bench with the full squad of features is also a great buy as it affords you the opportunity to exercise all your muscle groups as well as carry out a good number of different exercises. A lot of weight benches today come with a number of accessories which significantly increase the number of workouts you can get from one weight bench. Some of these accessories include the butterfly for your pectorals, leg levers to work out your legs, cable pulley for the muscle group in your back and your triceps, etc.
All these accessories and more are available, but the truth is not all of them are essential for an effective workout. For the sake of budget, we will advise that you just get an upgradable weight bench; this way, as time goes on, you can successively add more accessories, instead of racking up huge debts acquiring every single thing now—some of which you might not necessarily need.
Performance and Ease of Use
When getting a weight bench, it is essential to check its maximum user load as you do not want to crack your spinal column in the name of exercising it. And it isn’t just limited to the seat alone; you should also check out the max user load for the bar rest, as well as each training position.
Ensure that you check out the dimensions of the bench you want to get, especially as it relates to the available space in your gym. Check out how much space it occupies both when it’s open and when it’s folded. Be sure to also check how the incline mechanism works.
Setup is another big deal. You don’t want something that’s too technical to put together. However, if it must be technical, then let it, at least, come with a comprehensible manual. It might also be an added advantage if the bench is foldable, so you can easily store it when necessary.
Finally, check out how your bench matches your height, weight, and strength. If you have put in a significant amount of years into fitness business, you definitely would be a lot stronger than someone who’s just starting. The same weight bench will not work for all fitness levels. If you are a more experienced exerciser, you might want to get a tougher weight bench because it’s most definitely going to have to withstand more abuse since you will be working out more often than a beginner.
We doubt that you will have any issues finding the right weight bench for you. We will be heading into the reviews now, so grab your checklist and order that one that checks all the boxes!
Hopefully you have found a great weight bench after reading our review. There are a variety of weight benches, but each brand chosen is a trusted fitness brand with multiple products. No matter what your specific needs, fitness goals, or budget, we believe you can confidently purchase a weight bench that will suit all of your needs!
