Table of Contents
- 1 Features To Look For
- 2 Exercises You Can Do
- 3 BARWING Adjustable Weight Bench Review
- 4 Marcy Multi-Position Utility Bench Review
- 5 Bowflex Select-Tech Adjustable Bench Review
- 6 CAP Barbell Deluxe Utility Bench Review
- 7 Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max
- 8 AmazonBasics Flat Exercise Bench Review
- 9 My Pick
- 10 Why You Should Have A Bench At Home
- 11 Closing Remarks
Owning a weight bench is essential for performing a variety of exercises at home. If you already have a barbell, dumbbells, and a power rack, then a bench will truly get the ball rolling. There are a plethora of brands out there, but the hard part is deciding what the best weight bench is for your needs. Some factors to take into consideration are the price, adjustability, and level of comfort.
In this article, I will be providing the pros and cons of several different benches on amazon. I will also be highlighting why you should consider getting a bench for your home gym if you have not already.
Features To Look For
These are subject to change from person to person, but there are certain features you should look for before purchasing a bench.
Adjustability – Unless you are specifically looking for a flat bench or incline bench, an adjustable bench is generally the best option. If you have an adjustable bench, you will never have to buy another one to suit your needs. I recommend looking for one that adjusts from a flat position up to a 90-degree angle. This will ensure you can perform incline movements.
Sturdy Base With Wheels – A sturdy base is crucial for staying grounded while you’re exercising, thus helping to prevent injury. Wheels are always a nice bonus if you need to move your bench from place to place. If you worry about scratching your floors, I definitely recommend looking for an option with wheels.
Comfortable Padding – Some basic benches have no padding whatsoever. Although this is not a huge deal, I would venture to say that most people prefer having some padding. Comfortable upholstery will make most exercises easier on the body.
Exercises You Can Do
Normally when you think of a weight bench, the first thing that comes to mind is the bench press. Let me assure you, however, that the exercise possibilities are endless. The list below is just a taste of the plethora of exercises you can do.
Bench Press (Barbell or Dumbbell)
Incline Bench Press
Dumbbell Flyes
One-arm dumbbell rows
Seated shoulder press
Reverse flyes
Skullcrushers
Glute bridges (Hip thrusts)
Leg raises
Incline dumbbell curls
The list goes on, and the possibilities are endless. One thing is for sure, owning a weight bench allows you to effectively workout at home.
BARWING Adjustable Weight Bench Review
Pros:
Both the seat and backrest are adjustable on this bench. The backrest adjusts from a 30-degree decline to a 70-degree incline. Moreover, the seat adjusts from a 40-degree decline to a 20-degree incline.
It is completely foldable. You can easily fold up this bench and store it away until its next use.
There’s no required set-up because this bench arrives at your house completely assembled.
30-year warranty on the bench frame and a 90-day warranty on upholstery.
Cons:
Some customers have noted that the upholstery was loose upon arrival.
Many users say that the decline option is uncomfortable
Some reviews say the instructions are vague.
There have been issues securing the folding pin.
This is one of my personal favorites from this list because of the many adjustable positions. Several of the negative reviews mention the cons that I’ve listed above, but the positive reviews greatly out-number the negatives.
Marcy Multi-Position Utility Bench Review
Pros:
The backrest has six different positions. You can use this as a decline, incline, or flat bench.
Folds flat and takes up minimal space. This bench measures 11.5’ feet long when folded.
2” high-density foam upholstery for added comfort.
Intelligently placed leg rollers to keep your legs secure for certain exercises.
Cost friendly compared to similar options
Cons:
It does not come assembled, so you will have to put it together.
Several customers say the instructions are poor
There have been instances where the bench arrives bent or damaged
Issues with misaligned bolts and holes
The weight capacity on this bench is not great, approximately 300 pounds.
Overall, this is one of those products where you get what you pay for. This is a solid bench, but it’s not the same quality you would see in most commercial gyms. If you’re on a budget and not concerned with average weight capacity, then this would be a great choice for you.
Bowflex Select-Tech Adjustable Bench Review
Pros:
Adjusts in six different positions from a 17-degree decline to a 90-degree incline.
Sturdy base constructed with commercial-grade heavy-duty steel.
480-600 pound weight capacity depending on the model
Wheels for easy relocation.
30-year frame warranty and 1-year upholstery warranty.
Cons:
There have been complaints about the leg pads being low quality.
The bench does not come assembled, you will have to do it yourself.
Screws have been stripped while being assembled.
The 5.1 model of this bench is no longer manufactured by Bowflex, so support is limited.
There is no 30-degree or 60-degree incline position, only 45-degree.
It’s worth noting that there are three different Bowflex bench models. This is great because there’s an option for every budget. The most expensive option is the 5.1s which has a 600-pound weight capacity. Both of the other two models, the 3.1 and 5.1, have a weight capacity of 480-pounds.
In my opinion, Bowflex makes a reliable bench that gets the job done. The biggest issue is the lack of incline positions, but you can work around this.
CAP Barbell Deluxe Utility Bench Review
Pros:
Sturdy base with a handle to easily move the bench around.
The backrest adjusts in 7 different positions, the seat adjusts in 3.
500-pound weight capacity on the flat bench, 400-pound capacity on an incline.
The bench has wheels and 2 power band posts.
Fairly light when assembled, weighing 46 pounds.
Cons:
Reports of the backrest padding being misaligned.
There is a relatively large gap between the seat and backrest compared to other benches.
You will have to assemble this bench yourself
Reports of rusted parts and faulty bolts
Customer service is apparently hard to reach if you need support.
Overall, this CAP bench is a good buy for the price. Plenty of reviews have noted that the weight capacity is much larger than advertised which is always a plus. There might be a few inconveniences with assembly, but the bench does its job.
Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max
Pros:
800-pound weight capacity with a sturdy triangular base.
Adjusts in 12 different positions from -20-degree decline to an 80-degree incline.
Removable leg pads
Recently upgraded wide backrest measuring 12 inches.
Completely foldable for storage purposes.
Thick, comfortable upholstery, and wheels for transportation.
Cons:
Reports of the bench arriving damaged or with ripped padding.
Before the width of the backrest was upgraded, people had problems with it being too narrow.
Customer service is hard to reach if you have any problems
It does not lay perfectly flat.
There is no mention of a warranty.
I think the pros truly outweigh the cons of this bench. After all, there is a reason this is one of the top-rated benches on Amazon. In the past, the largest issue was how narrow the backrest was, but this was fixed by the company in 2019.
For the price, you cannot beat the comfort and quality of this bench. However, if you do run into problems, it’s worth noting that customer service is hard to get a hold of.
AmazonBasics Flat Exercise Bench Review
Pros:
Easy to assemble.
Sturdy steel base.
It only weighs 24 pounds.
Possibly the best budget option if you’re just looking for a basic bench.
One year warranty
Cons:
It does not adjust at all, this is only a flat bench.
The weight capacity is only 385 pounds.
Low-quality hardware and rubber feet caps
Reports of missing parts and shipping damage
I was debating whether or not to include this product because it does not have the features that the best weight bench should have. Despite this, it is very inexpensive, and if you’re looking for a basic flat bench, this is a good choice.
In terms of simplicity, this product is about as simple as it gets. It’s easy to assemble, has good stability, and it serves its purpose. Consider other options if you want an adjustable bench.
My Pick
Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max Weight Bench
To me, this is the best weight bench money can buy, and the customer reviews speak for themselves. You will not break the bank by purchasing this product, and it’s suitable for any fitness level.
My favorite aspects are the large weight capacity (800 pounds), the adjustability, and the sturdy triangular base. Fitness Reality is a reliable company that listens to the concerns of their customers, which is evident through the upgraded bench design.
This product has all the bells and whistles that an expensive commercial-gym bench has. It is foldable, easy to transport, and has removable leg holders. Although all of the options in this article are great for home use, I think this one takes the cake.
Why You Should Have A Bench At Home
If you prefer working out at home and do not have a bench, you’re truly missing out. Moreover, if you’re in the process of building a home gym, then you definitely need one. A single bench allows you to perform exercises that you would not be able to do normally.
Perhaps the best thing about owning a bench is being able to improvise at home when you cannot make it to the gym. Benches are inexpensive to begin with, and you will no longer have to rely on a gym membership to get a good workout in.
Closing Remarks
Throughout this article, I reviewed the six best weight benches for home use. Hopefully, the pros and cons of each product give you an idea of what to look for.
If you’re looking to add to your arsenal, I recommend pairing this bench with an adjustable dumbbell set or a power rack. The possibilities are endless with just a few pieces of equipment. If you already have weights or a rack, then one of these benches is all you need to get the ball rolling.
Remember to do your own research, as the products listed here are simply recommendations. As always, if you’re new to fitness, remember to consult your physician before starting a new exercise program.
