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. 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. It's Worth Noting: The product only comes with 100 pounds of weight plates, which may not be enough for experienced lifters. 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.

Style: Flat | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 48 pounds | Adjustable Positions: None | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5 Adjustability: Adjustability allows a weight bench to be more versatile. While using the weight benches, we note how many different adjustments the bench offers. We also evaluate how easy it is to make adjustments, including the mechanism style and whether it can be done one-handed.The Skillbench has everything you need to get in at-home workouts, making it optimal for someone who doesn’t currently have any equipment at home. Because the “bench” itself is so sleek, you can easily place it in your living room, basement, or office without worrying about it being an eyesore. Because of its heavier weight and added attachments, this set is bulky and not as portable as other options. In these examples, however, the floor variation does not work your muscles through the same exaggerated range of motion as the bench variation. During the floor press, you can only lower the weight to chest height because the floor physically barricades your elbows from going lower. During the bench press, your elbows are able to drop lower than your torso, which works your chest muscles through a greater range of motion. Generally speaking, the greater the range of motion, the greater the strength gains. So, long term you’ll see more strength gains if you press from a bench than the floor. Why We Like It: This competition bench is for people who have aspirations of competing in the field of powerlifting. Adjustability: In general, the three types of weight benches are flat, adjustable incline, and adjustable incline/decline. The first two are pretty self-explanatory and the latter, of course, adds versatility for decline-angle exercises.

Something else that really makes this Weider Home Gym option stand out from the rest is that it has a superior steel frame that is not going to bend, break, or come apart anytime soon. Moreover, this thing has a very stable base with wide feet for a wobble free workout experience, plus it has a 300-pound user weight limit to support even the biggest of people with ease. 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.Most weight benches that are incline or decline allow you to edit the angle of the incline or decline. The greater the number of angle options there are, the greater the number of exercises you can use the bench for, says online performance and nutrition coach Seamus Sullivan, C.S.C.S. Why We Like It: This tried-and-true simple, flat bench is a great option for people putting together a home gym set-up on a budget: The heavy-duty bench is crafted from commercial-grade steel and boasts a 600-pound weight capacity. While it’s heavier than other benches on our list, Bowflex's Stowable Bench has built-in wheels on one end to make moving it easier. And we love that it can be stored upright in the corner of a room if you’re short on space. Why We Like It: This wallet-friendly bench has 16 (!) different adjustment levels, making it ideal for people looking for a do-it-all option.

It's Worth Noting: This bench is lower to the ground than other benches, making it suboptimal for taller exercisers. Plus, it's portable enough to stow away for those of us who are short on space. We also like that the seat covers are sewn on, which we've found much more durable than traditional stapled-on alternatives. From Samuel's point of view, this is one of the sturdiest benches he's ever used. "Its tough surface lets me create a great base for bench presses." Heavy lifters will love how immovable this bench is: Unlike some lighter benches, it won’t slide away from you with exercises like chest-supported rows—regardless of the surface. With a weight capacity of 1,000-pounds when flat and 600-pounds in an incline position, we felt confident and stable pushing heavy weight on this bench. That said, measuring about 4 feet long by 2 feet high, these benches are much smaller than things like a treadmill, rower, and plyometric box. Ultimately, if you have a small(er) home gym space, your goals are going to have to dictate which types of equipment you dedicate space to.After testing 25 different weight benches, FLYBIRD's Adjustable Bench is our clear top choice. It's reasonably priced, has a high weight capacity, and folds up for storage. We also think the ten different adjustable positions make the bench very versatile for all types of exercises, and it is comfortable and stable. Our extensive testing process involved a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors, including size, durability, performance, suitability for different fitness levels, and value, to ensure that we recommend only the best. We put each weight bench to the test through exercise routines that included flat and adjustable bench moves, covering a wide range of motions and use scenarios. Weight benches are typically easy to clean, thanks to their durable upholstery and materials. Wipe down your weight bench using a disinfectant wipe or a paper towel and disinfectant spray after each workout, and you should be good to go.

Incline and falt bench positions: adjust the angle of your bench to give you additional exercise options and proper exercise form.Finally, this home gym option also comes complete with a dip station for targeting your arms, specifically your triceps, as well as your chest and shoulders. All in all, there are a great number of upper body and core strengthening exercises that can be done with the Weider Power Tower. 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. Short return or warranty period: Return policies and warranties represent the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. And with most home gym equipment manufacturers, the better the quality, the better the warranty. In the case that something goes wrong with your bench, it’s important to know your investment is protected, so look for benches that come with at least a 1-year warranty. In some instances, you can use a floor or couch instead of a weight bench. Though, in most instances, these are suboptimal replacements. However, while a floor is a suboptimal replacement for certain exercises because it (usually) leads to a reduced range of motion compared to bench variations, the couch is suboptimal because it increases your risk for injury. More ahead. Convenience: Adjustable benches offer more convenience overall (especially well-built ones), offering access to more movements and angles. Adjustable benches also offer support for extra movements, such as overhead presses and lateral raises, which can allow for greater loading of those movements in the long term. But flat weight benches win for convenience in two areas. They're generally lighter, so you can more easily move them around your gym, and they're easier to stow when not in use, too.