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A review of 4 excellent weight benches for the home gym.
A home gym without a weight bench is like a car without seats, like a pod without peas, like the Parthenon without pillars, like . . . like . . . I can’t think of anymore examples so I’ll conclude my opening gambit with a statement:
If you’re looking to build a home gym, or make your quasi, bench-less gym into a real home gym, a weight bench is not only essential but is an invaluable piece of exercise equipment.
Why?
A good quality, well-made, bomb-proof bench is a highly versatile fitness tool. And only a simpleton sees the bench as a platform on which to perform dumbbell presses. Pish! Get this, trade secret coming up, you can use a weights bench for more than merely dumbbell presses [pause for stunned silence] – [a bit longer? You got it . . .]
‘So, erm, like, wh-what else can you do with a weights bench?’ I can hear some doofus at the back ask, scratching a bold patch at the back of his head.
Before I start get your Polly pocket notebooks out. Pencils at the ready? Right, as well as the classic dumbbell press, you can, if you're endowed with neoliberal sensibilities, you can also do dumbbell flys [pause for more stunned silence].
Also – yep there’s more – also you can perform seated shoulder presses, curls, reverse curls, hammer curls, lateral raises, single arm rows, double arm rows, triple arm rows, triceps extensions, triceps press, triceps dips, inclined press-ups, single leg squats, double leg squats, triple (easy), bench hops, ski jumps, plyo jumps and . . . the fabled forearm curl.
But when it comes to the mesmerising multi-faceted application of the weighted bench the book does not stop at the single most pointless exercise in the universe. Listen, the quickest way to lose your kudos and street corner credibility is by being sighted in public performing forearm curls. Just don’t do them – please!
Where was I? Done the multi-faceted bit, the book stop line. That was it . . . If you’ve a spot of DIY (aka man’s arch nemesis) to catch up on the weights bench comes in handy as a sturdy object to saw wood on or flat surface over which to drape sheets of wallpaper whilst lathering them up with paste.
Now that I have you convinced on the integral part the humble weight bench plays in the home gym environment, let’s take a look at some . . . benches!
A review of 4 top rated weight benches
1: FLYBIRD adjustable weight bench (£149.99)
Product Overview (click image for availability)
Fashion design with unique triangle structure, made of heavy-duty commercial quality steel, 500LBS weight capacity will ensure a safe fitness experience.
Designed with 6 back positions & 4 seat positions.
Installed 9.7" thickness backrest, and the pad is filled with soft foam to 1.8" thickness and made of high quality leather, all this is fit for up to 5.9".
FLYBIRD’s adjustable weight bench is a substantial piece of kit. Seriously. Fashioned from heavy-duty commercial steel from one of Russia’s Cold War submarines, this gutsy bad ass could support Terry Holland during a warm-up set.
So for us mere mortals, who can’t power press a Mini Cooper (for reps!), it’ll more than suffice.
The technical engineering that’s gone into this bench would put NASA to shame. Listen to this. You have the option of 6 back positions and 4 seat positions. Not that’s just showing off.
Also, if like me you are utterly incapable of assembling anything more complex than a kinder egg, this is the bench for you as it boasts super-simple construction capabilities. And – AND! – it costs a mere £149.99.
570 reviews with 4.5 stars
2: JX adjustable bench (£89.99)
Product Overview (click image for availability)
This multi workout bench offers a variety of exercise options making it perfect for a home gym.
Classic flat & incline bench, as well as dumbbell & barbell exercises.
Solid and durable tubular construction ensures stability and safety for your exercise.
Built-in wheels for easy moving.
Assembled dimensions: 52*16*11 inch. Maximum weight capacity 440lb.
The JX adjustable bench is as versatile as they come. For not only can you perform the plethora of exercises listed in one of the paragraphs above, but you also have the option of using the inbuilt resistance bands; which could be used either separately or to add extra resistance to your dumbbells/barbells (lifting weights attached to resistance bands or chains is all the rage in this brave new world of ours).
Another impressive feature of this bench is its load capacity. For less than a hundred pound coins you get a bench with not only an inbuilt multi-fitness feature, which is pretty damn cool if you ask me, but one that can support 440lbs! Truly, you are getting a lot for your money here. Which probably accounts for why this has received Amazon’s coveted ‘Best Seller’ award.
4 stars with over 700 ratings
3: YOLEO adjustable bench (£84.90)
Product Overview (click image for availability)
YOLEO adjustable weight beach has 7 backrest pad positions.
The adjustable weight rack is ideal for home usage.
High-density foam padding and seat ensure comfort and durability.
The adjustable dumbbells bench is built with thickened supported pipe that’s guaranteed to withstand 330lbs capacity.
YOLEO (weird name I know) has entered the market with a product almost identical to JX’s. It’s for this reason why I’ve wasted few words discussing it.
For the difference of the price of a cup of coffee and a chocolate brownie, YOLEO’s adjustable bench comes with the same features – multiple positions/resistance bands/etc. – but just doesn’t offer the same load capacity; 330lbs as opposed to 440lbs.
So really, if this is the style of bench you’re looking for, the deciding factor between the two is going to hinge on a cute cost/benefit analysis: is a saving of five pound and one penny worth sacrificing 110lbs load capacity? That’s a toughy.
4.5 stars after nearly 200 reviews
4: WINNOW’s adjustable weight bench with dip bars (£85.99)
Product Overview (click image for availability)
The 4 in1 multi fitness bench provides you tons of training options.
6-Position height adjustable barbell rest with pull-up hand grips enable you to perform a wide range of exercises.
Comfortable cushions switch quickly and easily between the incline and flat training positions.
The weight bench can be set in a declined positon providing the option for ab exercises.
With just three hand movements the workout bench can be folded into a compact size making it the perfect addition to any home gym.
The four leg supports are capped with non-slip rubber pads to improve stability when lifting.
Next up we have WINNOW’s adjustable weight bench with dip bars. ‘Wait a second, did you say with dip bars?’ [Nodding] ‘Holy smokes! Dip bars on a weight bench, that’s like some next level, Elon Musk invention.’
Though I personally don’t think it’s quite on par with driverless cars, reusable rockets and gigafactories, I can’t deny it, a weight bench with the added feature of dip bars is pretty awesome.
This genius of engineering enables the Arnold Schwarzenegger wanabe to pop up from a chest press straight into triceps dips. Also, unlike the other benches featured above, those dip bars double up as a barbell rack! The question were left asking is: is there anything this bench can’t do?
4.5 stars with 165 reviews
To Conclude
I’m not going to bang on any more about the versatility of the weight bench; I should think you’re thoroughly indoctrinated by now. But before we part company I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that, the benches reviewed in this article were built with the home gym in mind and, as consequence, perhaps aren’t as durable as what you’d find in Gold’s.
However, in saying that, any one of them will provide you with a sturdy, durable platform on which you can confidently exercise.
For more on bench exercises follow the links below:
(As we are very interested in user feedback at Hungry4Fitness, I would be very grateful if you could take a few seconds out of your day to leave a comment. Thanks in advance!)
Blog Author
Adam Priest is a former Royal Marines Commando, personal trainer, lecturer, boxing and Thai boxing enthusiast.
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