Weight Benches

Gym benches

A gym bench is a staple piece of equipment for any fitness space, but what should you look for when buying one for your home or gym? One key consideration to bear in mind when purchasing a weight bench is the support and sturdiness of the equipment. In essence, it needs to support both your weight and the weights that you are using!

We recommend that the primary pieces of the workout bench should be made out of metal and thick enough so they do not bend. The bench should also not tip when you are using it, particularly as many exercises will take place at one end of the weight bench. And don’t forget to check the feet or the base and see if they are made of non-slip material.

Angles of weight benches

Some of the pieces in this exercise bench collection can be positioned at angles to help work specific muscle groups. These are known as adjustable weight benches. If you are lying on a bench with your head up, you are effectively doing an incline exercise. When your head is down, you are working a decline exercise. These types of exercises are normally harder than when the weight bench is flat.

Additional equipment

Large barbells can be positioned over the weight bench to help with a bench press, while leg attachments can be added to aid with leg curls. You can also add bench extensions which can help when doing crunches and sit-ups.

It can be useful to have a weight rack attached too. This rack could be situated underneath the bench or hooked on the side. The beauty of this addition is that your workout area is kept clear and tidy but you can also reach your weights whilst on the bench.

Folding weight benches

One of the downsides of weight benches is that they can take up a lot of space, so you may want to consider a folding bench. These can be folded up and stored in quite small rooms. Whether you are buying a folding or non-folding weight bench do measure up before you buy and remember to include any attachments in your measurements.

Olympic weight benches

You may want to consider an Olympic weight bench if you want a model that holds a good amount of weight. They also come with attachments which can support different muscle groups, so it can be worth the extra money. Olympic benches can also benefit taller people, simply because they are longer than the average fitness bench.

Buy a weight bench set from GymEquipment.co.uk today. Looking for even more strength equipment for your gym set-up? Shop the full collection now for cable machines, gym rigs, plate loaded machines, squat racks, and more.