The fitness industry is bombarded with infinite amounts of equipment, which can be overwhelming when deciding what type of equipment is better suited for you and your goals. This is where I come in.
Although fitness can sometimes seem like a chore, it serves a great purpose for our everyday health and overall happiness. It’s a great idea to own a workout bench. However, don’t be those that fall into the trap of buying expensive gear to then let the cobwebs take it over in a few months.
Working out with the right equipment is essential but even more so, having the right mindset is even more important.
You can increase your overall mental and physical state simply by exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, so imagine the benefits of owning a state-of-the-art workout bench and training for 45-60 minutes a day. You might even mistake yourself for Arnold Schwarzenegger in the mirror one morning!
The Top 5 Best Workout Benches
What better way to start with none other than the best of the best! Just from laying eyes on this beauty you can tell it was crafted with care and attention to detail. Everything from the colour, the padding and the stable base it is clear to see why this we consider this bench as the best one there is!
The Bowflex SelectTech is a finely constructed piece of equipment and comes complete with the very most efficient features to enable you to produce an array of different workouts with different exercises.
Okay, you may be thinking, “But how many features can a bench have?” to which I would reply, “This isn’t a regular bench you sit on in your local park and eat a picnic”. This is a high-performance workout bench!”.
Said features include six adjustable height settings for anywhere between 17-degree decline to 90-degree incline, a removable leg hold-down brace for additional decline support, and the bench itself helps stabilize and correct posture for its given shape!
Although the features may seem standard in most benches, it’s the fine details that matter. The crafted quality of the bench, how it stabilizes you during workouts, the variation of degrees it can offer are all valid reasons why this separates the boys from the men. This doesn’t mean boys can’t use this bench. It’s just a figure of speech.
Pros
- Six adjustable positions (17-degree decline to 90-degree incline)
- High-quality padding and upholstery
- Helps correct posture and positioning
- Removable leg hold-down brace to added decline
- 30-year warranty on frame and one-year on upholstery
Cons
- Only good for free weights
Sometimes it’s good to have choice and variety in our lives because, well, let’s face it, things get boring when they’re always the same. However, this bench couldn’t be boring if it tried. Just looking at its features you can tell this isn’t a bench for your average Joe.
Body Champ has created a very stable and versatile workout bench here which, I might add, isn’t easy. There are many alike in the industry that bombards the user with so many different features that the companies who make these benches forget the most important feature of all, quality.
This isn’t the case here as Body Champ have ensured variety and quality all under one roof. The bench sports a rack that can be used with an Olympic barbell, a preacher curl function which is joined to a leg extension, and a crunch handle. Oh, and did I mention it also has seven adjustable positions?
I really admire this bench as it can be hard to put so many features into one product while ensuring that the integrity of its reputation can be sustained. The reviews from others speak for themselves, and I can firmly say that Body Champ has created a grade-A workout bench here!
Pros
- Olympic barbell rack for both pressing and squatting
- Seven adjustable backrest options
- Preacher curl rest
- Bicep curl and leg extension attachment
- Great build quality
Cons
- Maximum weight set to be loaded is 300lbs
So, the Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max Bench sounds like it was made by Thor himself, doesn’t it? Well, it could probably withstand Thor’s power I’ll tell you that much.
The bench itself has a great feature that many competitors may not offer and that’s because it’s built to last as it can endure 800lbs of weight! Just to put that into perspective, that is the weight of an adult giraffe.
Now, I know the likelihood of waking up one morning and deciding you want to bench press a giraffe is low, kudos to you if you do, but it’s still an impressive feature!
Other notable features include an upgraded 12” backrest and 2” wider seat for added stability and comfort along with having 12 adjustable positions from the footrest to the backrest to hit multiple angles.
Furthermore, the bench also has transportation wheels and folds away in an ironing board like fashion for convenient storage and easy transfer. Snazzy aye?
The reality is that this bench is a very durable choice for an avid workout fanatic. It holds multiple benefits across the board that will enable anybody to have many optimal workouts without having to worry about insufficient longevity issues. A very worthy choice indeed!
Pros
- Can withstand 800lbs weight limit
- Upgraded 12” backrest and 2” wider seat rest
- 12 adjustable positions from footrest to backrest
- Easy foldaway feature accompanied by travel wheels
- Built for long-term usage
Cons
- Only good for free weight usage
Although workout benches are not Flybird’s primary specialty, they have undoubtedly outdone themselves with this flat training bench!
Straight off the bat, you can tell the bench was made with premium quality and care just from analyzing the upholstery, thick padding, and sturdy frame. Furthermore, the bench comes in the style of an oversized pad, which is 2.5” thick and contains high-density foam to deal with comfort and heavy lifting.
The compact, foldable, and low-profile design is sleek in looks, but what can it deal with in regards to nitty-gritty weight lifting? It can survive 1000lbs of weight, which means you could rest a right whale’s testicle on this bench and it would survive. Probably isn’t the most practical way to use it, however.
As far as flat benches go, this will be up there with the very best, and I have no doubt about that. Flybird is able to invest in quality manufacturing for such a product, and it’s obvious they have done so here with this very reliable and eye-catching piece of equipment!
Pros
- Perfect for small spaces
- Large diameter and steel tubing
- Oversized bench pad with 2.5” thick high-density foam
- Compact and low profile
- 1000lbs weight limit
Cons
- Not suitable for someone who needs adjustable positions
Finally, end with yet another FLYBIRD weight bench. This bench is packed with many handy features that many fitness enthusiasts or bench addicts would appreciate.
Plainly put, this is a very good investment, and I’ll tell you why! First of all, FLYBIRD has been designing fitness equipment for 20 years, so they know what they’re talking about when it comes to workout benches.
They pride themselves on the quality of their products, especially with this weight bench. It’s made from commercial heavy-duty thickness steel and can endure weights of up to 620lbs, which is very sturdy yet durable.
It also comes with a fast adjustment and automatic lock design for its seven-position back and three-position seat options.
But wait, there’s more! It’s also made from leather and filled with 2” of soft foam padding to avoid material cracks and enhance comfort. We’re not done yet, as FLYBIRD has kindly taken into account storage space for their customers by making sure the bench’s design can be easily folded into tight, compact spaces to make the most of your space at home.
In my opinion, FLYBIRD has gone to great lengths to ensure this bench can meet a criterion of high regard amongst its competitors by including a fast array of versatile features whilst ensuring the quality isn’t compromised. It’s a big thumbs up from me!
Pros
- Made from a commercial heavy-duty thickness
- Fast adjustment of 7 back and 3 seat positions
- 2” soft foam padding
- Easily foldable to enhance storage space
- 620lbs weight limit
Cons
- Doesn’t look too eye-catching
The Only Buying Guide You’ll Ever Need
I bet you must be thinking, “So where do I go from here?”, after digesting all that information on 5 different workout benches. So yeah, this is the hard part or the easy part depending on how you look at it.
It will be easy if you know exactly what you’re looking for, however, if you have no idea what you’re looking for then it might be on the more difficult side. But fear not my friend, this is where I come in. I will list the most important features to consider in the below, just for you!
Frame And Quality
In my opinion, this is the most important thing to consider when picking a workout bench. It’s vital to pick a winner based on the potential longevity because let’s be honest, we don’t want to pay for new equipment often do we?
So, ensure the bench you pick is crafted with reliable metals, has a sturdy but strong base, and includes quality upholstery, so it doesn’t crack often!
In addition to this, I would also consider how much weight can be utilized on the bench you chose as some can handle considerably less or more than others but this all depends if you require the bench for heavy lifting of course.
Functionality
The functionality will probably be the most important for the majority of people and I understand why. People want to get the most from what they buy and why shouldn’t they? Some of these benches can add up! However, the most practical features to look out for should be how many positions the bench can be equipped with.
From decline to incline, I would say a minimum of six positions as this should be sufficient to hit all necessary angles. I would also advise purchasing an adjustable bench as opposed to a flat bench simply because it has the same capability and more which means getting more for your money!
With this said, please beware of choosing benches that are overloaded with too many functions, as this can take away the quality and care of the bench in some cases.
Storage And Space
Some workout benches can take up a lot of space with their widespread frames which can inevitably be an inconvenience when choosing where to leave it. Although this may be a problem with some benches, I would seriously lookout for ones that have a fold-away feature where they can be placed in small gaps around the house or in tighter, more compact areas.
This will open space by not having to leave a big chunk of metal lying around all the while. It may even serve as a preventative measure from getting an earful of grief from your significant other too. See, I care about my readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bench to bench press?
The answer is in the question! You would indeed need a bench, to bench press. However, there are adaptive exercises you can do that are similar, such as a dumbbell floor press, but you do not get a greater range of movement as you would on a bench.
How can I bench without a spotter?
To bench without a spotter can always be risky but measures such as using lighter loads can help gauge oncoming fatigue better. Using dumbbells is also great as you can simply drop them to the floor but if you need to use a barbell, I would suggest lighter loads and a sturdy rack to replace the bar safely.
How wide should a weight bench be?
It’s commonly accepted that most quality benches should come in a range of widths from anywhere between 10-12” wide.
Should I buy a flat bench or incline bench?
In my opinion, I would suggest using an incline bench as more often than not, their adjustable position settings enable them to be flat benches anyway so it’s a double whammy!
Should you arc your back during a bench press?
Okay, so this is dependent on your training goals or level of experience. It’s important not to put too much stress on your back and over-arc if you will. But it does serve a purpose by taking tension off the shoulders, thus meaning more strength can be maintained in the chest area.
Final Set
I hope you enjoyed this review and it’s helped you in terms of being able to choose the best workout bench for your needs. As you can see there are many to choose from, all of which have different functions, shapes, sizes, weight capacities and looks but always remember to pick a bench that will last longer, suit your training goals and more than anything keep you safe at all times!
