The Best Adjustable Weight Benches Options, Features, Reviews

Weight benches come in many varieties and with different options.  Benches can become complex with many contraptions that are connected to the bench that provide a more diverse workout.  But in my personal option, the best bench is one that is the least complicated one and can easily be adjusted so I can finish my workouts without any interruptions changing the bench’s positioning.  I also look for a bench that is stable and able to hold a lot of weight so I don’t have to worry about it tipping over.  I recommend a bench that has a brand name, like Body By Jake, rather than a cheap generic brand.  I usually invest more money in brands that I trust, over cheaper brands because I don’t want to have the bench fall apart when I’m in between sets.  You may also look at the design of the bench, if a bench doesn’t look sturdy or looks as if it were put together poorly then don’t buy it.  I have been to many garage sales that are selling adjustable weight benches and at first they look promising, but when I look closely much of the bench is deteriorated and many of the joints are poorly welded.

The feet of the bench should look promising and make sure they are not wobbly.  No one wants to start lifting and suddenly have the bench move like a wobbly chair.  You should also take into consideration, if you are going to bolt it down to the floor.  If it’s just going to be a temporary weight lifting bench then make sure there aren’t any holes for bolts.  Many of these benches are specially designed to be bolted down and if not bolted down they won’t be stable.  You should also take note if in your home gym what type of flooring your going to install.

 Adjustable weight lifting Bench Features

The main feature that gets used the most is the incline on the bench.  So it is crucial to find a bench that can be easily inclined or declined.  Most benches have a pin feature that allows you to pull out and adjust the bench to your liking and then you have to put the pin back into the hole.  After a while this may seem like an annoying task if you are constantly repositioning your bench.  So you want to avoid bending down and look under the bench to find the hole, there are several benches that have other options for you to choose from.  Make sure the bench is capable of declining.  With the decline position you can do some amazing workouts for your lower chest.  Take the time to physically check out every position that the bench has to offer.  The more positions the bench can incline and decline the more intense workouts you can do and more of them.

Anther feature that I like is benches that allow you to lower and raise the “crutch”- (the place where the barbell rests).  This feature can come in handy if are performing different exercises or if you want to adjust it for more comfort.  The crutch should be set at a height that is just below the height of your arms.  Any further up will make you have to lift your body up to put it on the rest.  This is also a great feature when you are doing inclines because you will have to raise the crutch in order for you to make it comfortable.

Anther feature that more benches include is a leg roller.  There are two options with these, you can either be sitting up and work on your quads or you could be laying down working on your hamstrings.  Both can be pretty intense and are virally very easy to perform.  I usually take off the leg rollers on my benches because I have other exercises I do for my legs and the rollers get in the way.  If you feel like there getting in the way you may find I brand that allows you to take the leg rollers off easy.  I have yet to find a bench that allows you to take them off without using a wrench.  A lot of benches provide you with a preacher pad. And essentially it’s for rest your arms when doing curls.  I’m sure you can do a lot more with preacher pads but just like leg rollers I take them off because the only get in the way.

You also find a feature that many adjustable weight benches include is a side curl.  I don’t know if there called side curls, but that’s what I call them.  These allow you to perform fly’s to help you work your chest.  These will help you develop your chest similar to how dips will.  Or you can simply use free weights to do fly’s.

 Best adjustable weight bench

Only you can determine the best bench for you because we all don’t have the same fitness goals, but I can recommend some.  The bench that I personally use is the Weider Pro 235.  That’s just personal preference, but it does everything I need to do and hasn’t let me down.  If don’t like that specific model Weider offers many benches that are pretty affordable.  This bench offers every feature that I mentioned above and also has a power catch, which makes it easier to put the barbell back on the rest.

•  Marcy Adjustable weight bench

These benches are reliable and are pretty affordable.  The Marcy Diamond MD 389 (pictured below) is one of the best I have come by.  It has a stable base with some extra-added features that allows you to diversify your workouts.  The padding of this bench is made for comfort and will not rip.

•  Best Fitness BFOB10 Olympic Bench

This bench is simply designed and is not complicated to adjust at all.  It is small so it won’t take up space and will give you a nice stable workout.  This is perfect for a beginner that’s just starting to lift weights.  Even if you are an experienced weight lifter this is also a good option because it is cost effective.