Top 5 Best Weight Benches of 2024

Weight Bench Introduction

[Updated February 2024] When I was a little kid, my oldest brother had a weight bench and a set of free weights in the basement of our parent’s house. He would use them often and when I was older, I would use them as well. The bench was a little wobbly, being nothing more than a flat board with some padding attached to four legs; two of which were extended to act as a bar holder for the weights. There were no adjustments for different people. Also no headrest, and no safety features to avoid dropping a weight on your head.  It was better than lying on the floor, but just barely.

Today, the science and engineering that goes into the modern home gym and weight bench make these products far more comfortable, user-friendly, effective, and safe. And with the added popularity of creating and using a home gym. The market of consumer weight benches and the other products to go with them; has exploded with literally hundreds of choices available to the average person.  There are well-designed and comfortable weight benches for just about any budget. So where do you begin when you first start shopping for one?

When shopping for a home weight bench, there are several factors to consider:  Design, weight capacity, and price.

Weight Bench Design

There are four main types of weight bench currently available:

• Flat Benches
• Adjustable Benches
• Olympic Benches
• Specialty Benches

Flat Weight Bench

Like my older brother’s bench, this design is the simplest and the easiest to construct.  Its height is not adjustable and is usually lower to the ground than adjustable benches. The Flat Weight Bench has no hinging or seat, just a flat deck which is easier to move around as it typically weighs less and comes with either wheel, handles or both.

Adjustable Weight Benches

With a simple frame and typically one or two adjustable areas for the back and legs, this style is a step up from the Flat bench and allows for a customized height for the user and varied positioning for inclined weightlifting. This gym bench usually has steps or pins that hold the bench at the desired incline. These can be a little heavier, but will also come with handles or wheels to help move it.

Olympic Weight Benches

These are a popular design because they come with a built-in racking system for the free weights. This increases the safety of lifting the weights and adds to the size of the bench.  One other drawback is that this workout bench design tends to have a fixed bench angle and height. But, like the flat bench, the lack of moving parts makes it very sturdy and reliable.

Specialty Weight Benches

Designed to be used only for specific exercises, specialty workout benches are the most supportive, but least popular design as they can only be used in limited ways. Typically, these are bought by commercial gyms.

Weight Bench Capacity

The capacity of the bench is a critical feature.  The key is to understand that the rated capacity is for the total weight of both the user and the free weights.  So a bench with a 500 pounds. capacity means that if the user is 200 pounds. Then the maximum weight the bench can support is 300lbs.  

Weight Bench Price

As with most things, the more you spend, the better the quality of the product. But, you can still get a decent weight bench which will do most, if not all, of the things you want without having to break the bank.  But you will need to budget at least $200 to get a weight bench that is sturdy, well designed and well made, and allows you to do the exercises you want to do. Since all weight benches are made of metal, the price only goes up from that base price point.

Top 5 Weight Benches for 2024

Marcy SB-670 Adjustable Weight Bench

If you are on a tight budget and looking to maximize the bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with this weight bench from Marcy. An elegant and visually-pleasing design, the March SB-670 still delivers great value through its 6 adjustable positions and a weight capacity of 600lbs.  And with a small footprint of 52” x 25” x 46.5” and weighing in at only 51.4lbs. this bench is a great choice for someone looking to buy their first weight bench.

The Marcy comes with a 2-year warranty on its frame and foam padding and is an excellent buy for those not looking to spend too much money.

Features

• Best for full body workout
• Build the muscles of your chest, upper body, back, abs, and more

PowerBlock Sports Weight Bench

Another great beach for beginners, the PowerBlock comes fully assembled and offers 14-gauge steel construction,  a 550lb. weight capacity and 5 adjustable positions for a below $200 price point. There is also an optional leg brace available.  At only 57lbs., the steel frame has a footprint of 50 x 21.5 x 18 inches, the bench can adjust to flat, military, 30-, 45-, and 60-degree angles, has built-in wheels and handle for easy mobility, and stands 16 inches from seat to floor in flat position.

Features

• Ideal for fitness enthusiast
• Helps in strength training of your full body

Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Weight Bench

Maximizing your workout flexibility while not making you take out a loan to buy it, the Bowflex SelectTech comes with six different position adjustments that give you versatility and customization at a very respectable price. A leg brace is included with the weight bench. Made of commercial quality steel, the SciTech has an incline range of over 70 degrees, going from a low of 17 degrees to a straight up 90-degree angle. Maximum weight capacity is 480lbs.

You get a one year warranty on the upholstery and a 30-year warranty on the frame. Weighing in at 63lbs. and has a small footprint (54 inches by 19 inches by 9 inches) this weight bench can fit in just about any space you need it to. And when you are done using it, the attached wheels help you move it for storage. 

Being able to go from flat, 30 degree, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees is great for a bench at this price and it allows you to perform over 30 different exercises. However, Some users did not like not being able to add any attachments to the bench and a large gap on the bench located between the back and the seat was called out as an issue by some users.

Features

• Improve posture or health
• Muscle-building free-weight workout

XMark 7630 Adjustable FID Weight Bench

This is perhaps the best overall home gym weight bench.  At a whopping 1500lb. weight capacity, it dwarfs the other benches and stays competitive in cost with benches that have only one third the capacity.  The 77lb. the frame is incredibly sturdy to allow for this capacity and the bench itself has 21 possible lifting positions which makes it one of the most versatile of the weight benches. Add to that a lifetime warranty on the frame and wheels for easy moving and you have a strong contender for Best in Class weight bench.

The frame allows you to adjust the back to seven different positions and the seat to three different ones, making it one of the most flexible weight benches on the market. With 3″ of Duracraft padding covered in sweat and tear resistant Duraguard vinyl and a foothold down the bar, the Xmark is probably the most sturdy and effective bench around.

Using 11 gauge steel construction and having a footprint of 60″ L x 22.50″ W x 50.50″ H the XMark can fit into most spaces you need it to and can take the strain of long and hard workout sessions and then be easily rolled into storage by the attached wheels.

Features

• Advanced Fitness Equipment
• With the help of this piece of equipment, you can do variety of exercises

Rep Adjustable Weight Bench – AB-3000 FID

There are many bench options, but this home gym equipment is all you need. The heavy hitter weight bench, the Rep Fitness AB-3000 has a 1000lb. weight capacity for its 85lb. frame and has 7 adjustable positions provide an incline from 85-degree to 20-degree decline.  The flat, incline and decline (FID) bench have a vinyl texture wrapping on the bench pad for durability. With a footprint of 54” L x 26” W x 17.5″ H, it will fit easily into a home gym or garage. There is a 10-year warranty on the frame, but the padding only has a 30-day warranty.  As with most weight benches here, there is some assembly required with it arrives.

The very solid frame is made of commercial-grade steel that is powder coated to prevent rusting. But where metal meets metal, the steel is bare to avoid paint chipping.

Although this bench costs a bit more, many users found the extra cost worth the quality of the build. And the weight capacity and the versatility of exercises you can do on the bench.

Features

• At reasonable price
• Equipment for complete training exercise

Top 5 Bench Press Variations

Flat Bench Barbell Press

The most basic and effective technique on a bench press.

• Both feet planted on the floor. Buttocks and upper back pressed on the bench.
• Breathe in as you pull down. Breathe out as you push up.
• Take advantage on the full range of motion. Keep the scapulas tight at the bottom and wide apart with fully extended arms as you go up.

Incline Bench Barbell Press

Best for balancing the chest for a more beefier look.

• Slide up the bench to an inclined position.
• Same position as with a flat bench, raise the weight vertically over your head following the same range of motion and breathing.
• Also works well developing the traps and deltoid muscles at the same time.

Dumbbell Bench Press

A level higher than the barbell version. Can be done flat or inclined.

• Make sure to plant the feet firmly on the floor and the buttocks pressed on the bench.
• Work the dumbells at a symmetrical position left and right all the time and prevent them from going to different directions between reps.

Single Arm Dumbbell Bench Press

Work this out for a symmetrical chest.

• Still with the same position and breathing.
• Push the dumbell up with one arm and use the other arm to balance yourself on the bench. Use a counter balance weight if necessary on the resting arm.

Decline Bench Barbell Press

Works well to give you the well pronounced chest look. Do this while working out the upper and middle sections of your chest.

• Lock the bench on flat position and place a few weights under the bottom feet of the bench. Make sure that it is stable enough to support both your weight and the equipment your carrying.
• With your glutes and your upper back firm on the bench push the weights vertically as you would on a flat bench.

Top 5 Bench Press Mistakes

Arch Bench Lifting

Often seen on weight lifting competitions, a lifter will sometimes lift his entire lower back along with his butt off the bench as he pushes the weight up. Though it is completely legal on competitions, it is not advisable when your building strength as it could cause a strain to the middle and lower back.

To safely position yourself –plant your feet apart firmly on the ground, resting your buttocks, upper back and the back of your head flat on the bench.

Resting the bar on your chest

Getting near the end of a set, a beginner sometimes gets the sudden urge to rest even for just a short period of time. What better place than the chest right before you can lift it up again?!

This is a bad habit for bench lifters. It loses the gains on the following rep and can be dangerous especially with heavier weights as it can damage the chest and rib cage.

Lifting heavier weights that you can manage

One of the classic beginner mistakes on building strength and muscles –

“The heavier weight I can carry, the faster I can build muscles”.

Developing muscles takes time, effort and sometimes pain. There are no shortcuts.

Starting with lighter weights and increasing reps over time works better than increasing the weight itself. And it is safer for you too.

Keeping the shoulders still

Working the bench very rapidly and not pulling the weight entirely down increases reps. But it can also be dangerous because this can dislocate the scapula or cause other forms of injury. Not to mention you’re just doing half of the rep and not working the chest at all.

The best way to become stronger is to take advantage of the full range of motion.

• On the ‘up’ position, the shoulder blades should be far apart.
• On the ‘down’ position, the shoulder blades should almost touch one another.

Improper breathing

The first thing to remember on lifting weights is to inhale down and exhale as you push up. Making this a habit on any weight training routine is a must. This prevents you from getting tired and maximizes each set.

Weight Benches Conclusion

Whether you are looking for your first weight bench or looking to upgrade your workout with a better one, these benches are a great place to start your search.  Like exercising, when looking to purchase a weight bench, you need to stick to the fundamentals: good design, enough weight capacity, flexibility and a price that won’t break your bank.

Do you have other great weight bench choices? Want to add to the conversation?  If so, leave a comment in the comment section below.

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