Weider Utility Bench 8 Adjustable Seat Positions

Product Information

For the past few years, we consulted with Men's Health's Fitness editors and writers on the top weight benches they’ve experienced firsthand. Experts including our fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., have tested dozens of weight benches throughout the years, from high-end, commercial-grade versions all the way down to budget models. If you're a powerlifter, or you're buying a bench for a particular program, a flat bench might be perfect.

Spotter catches’ refers to the bar holders at the top of each upright that support the barbell. Often they are adjustable so as to be positioned at various heights. This type of adjustability is an important feature to look out for, to ensure you can position yourself at a safe distance within easy reach to comfortably lift off and replace the bar. Why We Like It: This versatile platform can be used to help you target your entire midline, as well as an anchor for weighted exercises.Exercise variety: "Adjustable benches give you so many more options for your exercises," explains Otey. "Instead of just working at flat or upright, all of the angles in between can give you variety and diversity in your training options." Those angels allow you to bias muscle groups in different, more selective ways. A flat weight bench limits you to exercises that can be performed on a flat surface.

Be warned: As you start your weight bench search you’ll be surprised by just how different weight benches can be from each other! As it goes, weight benches vary based on factors like adjustability, angle, weight capacity, and stability.Even though the construction is especially *great* for abs, it's still a versatile tool that can be used for upper body and arm workouts, too. For instance, you can kneel on the pad to do exercises like bent-over dumbbell rows. Bonus: When your session is over, the bench simply collapses and folds down to be stored out of sight in a closet or under your bed.

It's Worth Noting: There is a bit of a steeper learning curve for this tool than other weight benches. Padding: The right balance between stiff and cushioned padding is essential to ensure your bench will stay in good condition with use. Highly cushioned benches might feel nice, but they tend to deform over time, creating an even surface. While most padding is stitched to the bench, some is stapled, which tends to lift away from the bench’s frame eventually. Not enough padding isn't good either, as you'll feel like you're lying on a plywood board, according to Otey. SAVE 90% SPACE】 Yoleo foldable bench, easy to carry, folded size: 31.9" L x 17.1" W x 8.67" H. You can put it in the corner or under the Bed when you finish workout. The FB-5000 distinguishes itself with incredible value, but it does come with the same limitations as any flat bench: You miss out on a range of exercises that incline positions on adjustable benches provide. A flat bench is great for most powerlifters, but limiting to the rest of us lifting at home.Stability: We first note if the bench sits flat and has rubber grips to prevent sliding. We use each weight bench to complete sets of eight to 12 repetitions of bench presses, dumbbell incline rows, chest flys, lying tricep extensions, and dumbbell step-ups. We then note how stable and secure we feel with each exercise: Does the bench feel wobbly or slide around? Plus, if one is limited in space in their home gym, a bench that has a lot of angle options is really a great investment that saves their wallet.”

Portability: To test the portability of each weight bench, we first pay attention to the overall weight of the bench and whether it includes a handle or wheels. If the bench is foldable, we note how easy the folding process is and whether it needs two people to fold or carry it. Incline and falt bench positions: adjust the angle of your bench to give you additional exercise options and proper exercise form. Storage: Like all home gym equipment, weight benches can take up a lot of room. If you’re tight on space or just appreciate being able to move your equipment out of the way, consider a collapsible weight bench or, at the very least, one with wheels. Bowflex's flagship 5.1S Stowable Bench is a good mid-range weight bench for small spaces. What we love most about this bench is its collapsible design—when not in use, it can be stored vertically to reduce its footprint by more than 50 percent. For those who only use a bench at home from time to time and aren't pushing hundreds of pounds per exercise, this stowable option is a great choice.

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Assembly was difficult, and we found the included instructions not very helpful, so we recommend setting some time aside to get started with this bench. Flat benches often support more weight than their adjustable counterparts, but the REP Fitness FB-3000 tops the charts with the best weight capacity and comfort features of any flat bench we've tested. To be clear: you *can* use a floor for certain exercises if you don’t have a weight bench. For instance, the floor press is a suitable substitute for the bench press or chest press. And regular split squats are a fine replacement for Bulgarian split squats if you don’t have a bench to leverage your foot.