A quality weight bench is a staple of any home gym. Whether you’re primarily a weightlifter or you use some strength training to balance out your cardio and help you perform better in general, if you’re going to work out at home, you need a weight bench. Of course, there are countless options available to you. If you want to get the most value for your money, you’ll want a weight bench that adjusts so that you can do a wider range of exercises, like a classic bench press, seated presses, reclining presses, dips, bent-over rows, Arnold presses, preacher curls, and much more. Knowing that an adjustable weight bench will help you create a more versatile home gym without buying a lot of extra equipment will help you narrow your search down some, but there are still a lot of different manufacturers, brands, and models to choose from. That’s why we’ve tested out a wide variety of weight benches and chosen the five best benches to choose from for your home gym.

• York Adjustable Weight Bench

• Dimensions: 22" X 18" X 45"
• Total Weight: 31 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 220 lbs.
• Number of Positions: 1
• Dumbbell Rack: Included
• Price: ~$110

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• Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Bench

• Dimensions: 54" X 26" X 20"
• Total Weight: 63 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 400 lbs.
• Number of Positions: 6- ranging from 17 to 90 degrees
• Dumbbell Rack: NOT included
• Price: ~$225

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ListofFit Best Value

• Body-Solid Powerline Weight Bench

• Dimensions: 61" X 18" X 19"
• Total Weight: 61 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 600 lbs.
• Number of Positions: 7- ranging from -15 to 90 degrees
• Dumbbell Rack: NOT included
• Price: ~$260

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• Universal 5 Position Weight Bench

• Dimensions: 51" X 17" X 25"
• Total Weight: 33 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 250 lbs.
• Number of Positions: 5- ranging from -10 to 45 degrees
• Dumbbell Rack: NOT included
• Price: ~$160

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• Rep Adjustable Weight Bench

• Dimensions: 54" X 26" X 17.5"
• Total Weight: 85 lbs.
• Weight Limit: 1000 lbs.
• Number of Positions: 7- ranging from -20 to 85 degrees
• Dumbbell Rack: NOT included
• Price: ~$320

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ListofFit Best Pick

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In Depth Weight Bench Reviews

York Adjustable Weight Bench

Materials

York’s adjustable weight bench boasts really solid construction. It’s made with oversized tubular steel that won’t buckle and will let you lift heavy weights at any angle you need to. In fact, according to the manufacturer, a 100-kilogram (220-pound) athlete working on this bench can safely lift up to 100 kilograms of weight. That means that this bench can safely handle 200 kilograms, or 440 pounds, of total weight with no problem. The extra-thick cushioning on the seat and backrest of this weight bench allow you to lift heavy weights without sinking too far into the padding, allowing for more comfortable and stable lifting. For your convenience, this bench has wheel rollers and a handle to easily move and store it when you need to, and it has a rack that will hold three pairs of dumbbells.

Value

The list price for York’s weight bench is around $110 including shipping, making the York adjustable weight bench the least expensive bench that we reviewed for this article. If you’re just getting started, and you don’t have a lot of cash to spend on home gym equipment, this weight bench might just be the perfect solution. On the other hand, if you’re a more experienced athlete and you know that you’ll be lifting heavier weights as you make new gains, you might want to invest in a more professional weight bench. After all, the average bench press for men in their early thirties weighing around 180 pounds is 167 pounds. So, if you’re planning on bulking up and/or getting stronger than those numbers, this might not be the best option for your home gym.

Performance

We found that the York adjustable weight bench was really sturdy, and we liked how easy it was to assemble. We also noticed that there’s no wobble once the bench is set up at any angle, which is really important when lifting heavier weights, especially when doing reclining bench presses and other exercises. Our only real complaint about this bench was that the seat is fixed. If you’re trying to do reclined presses, and you can’t adjust the seat angle, you might be in for a challenging workout, especially as the weight gets heavier. Other than this detail, we were definitely impressed with how much this bench offers for the price.

Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Weight Bench

Materials

Bowflex is a household name in the fitness industry.  Bowflex’s quality has led to their products being featured on other ListofFit articles, and their weight bench is no different.

The Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 adjustable weight bench can be adjusted to six different positions and has an incline range of 17 degrees to 90 degrees. If you’re looking for more support in your decline position, you’ll appreciate the removable leg hold-down brace. And, with a 30-year warranty on the frame and a one-year warranty on the upholstery, you know that you’re getting a bench that will last.

Value

The list price on the SelectTech 5.1 is around $225, and it comes with free shipping. This is a wonderful value when you compare the price of the Bowflex SelectTech to the Body-Solid.  Not only with the Bowflex do you get a better bench for the money, but you also have the added bonus of buying a product with the Bowflex name and reputation.

Performance

We noticed absolutely no wobble in this bench, even when lifting heavy weights at different angles. We also appreciated that the seat is adjustable to create the perfect position for any lift at any angle. Unlike the York adjustable weight bench, the Bowflex doesn’t have space to rack dumbbells, but that’s not a major loss, especially when you consider features like the added weight capacity and the removable brace for your legs. We’re happy to say that the Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 lives up to Bowflex’s claims and that it does a great deal to correct posture and put you in the perfect position to lift precisely and with great form. And it’s affordable enough that even those just getting into fitness won’t feel like it’s too big of a financial commitment.

Body-Solid Powerline Weight Bench

Materials

Another affordable weight bench, Powerline’s Body-Solid model is simple yet versatile. In fact, while it may not look quite as impressive as the Bowflex, it actually has seven positions to choose from instead of six. If you’re looking for a good, solid bench for dumbbell workouts or to use with a rack for bench presses with a barbell, this is a great option. In fact, it has one of the higher weight capacities of the weight benches we reviewed, with a total capacity of 500 pounds including your body weight.

Value

The Body-Solid Powerline weight bench is one of the best benches on the market for the price. Its list price is about $260, and it comes with free shipping.  At this price the Body-Solid is a pretty expensive compared to the Bowflex SlecTech.   The bottom line in terms of value is that there are better options than the Body-Solid on this list.

Performance

With a 500-pound total weight capacity, this simple weight bench is a serious performer. Like the York, though, the seat doesn’t adjust, making it a bit less versatile for some types of lifts. It does have a pair of bars to help hold your legs down during decline exercises, but they’re at a 90-degree angle to the seat, and aren’t adjustable. Basically, if you’re looking for a really sturdy weight bench that can stand up to even your heaviest workout, Powerline offers a great product. If you need adjustability in the seat or you want some adjustability in your leg braces, though, you won’t find it here.

Universal 5 Position Weight Bench

Materials

Universal by Nautilus’ five-position weight bench is simple and sturdy. It doesn’t give quite as much adjustability as some of the other benches we reviewed here, but it’s very stable with no wobble and can hold up to 430 pounds of weight including the user’s body weight. At 51” long, it’s a few inches longer than the York and a few inches shorter than the Bowflex, making it a pretty average bench that will work for most men and women who want to use it in their home.

Value

At around $165.00 with free shipping, it’s competitive with the Powerline weight bench that we reviewed, as well. That said, though it costs the same as the Powerline, it has a slightly lower maximum weight capacity, which may make a difference for some buyers. Overall, we consider the Universal Weight Bench an average value compared to our other selections.

Performance

With angles ranging from -10 degrees to 45 degrees, this weight bench is better for some exercises than others. If you’re looking for a bench that will allow you to sit up at a 90-degree angle, this isn’t the one for you. However, if you’re looking for a bench that will allow you to do bench presses and a wide variety of dumbbell exercises, this is a high quality product at an affordable price.

Note: to see more Universal products that have made our lists go here. 

Rep Adjustable Bench

Materials

With seven positions starting at -20 degrees and moving up to 85 degrees, Rep Fitness’ adjustable bench is one of the most versatile and high-performance weight benches on the market today. Its stainless steel frame is as sturdy as they come and can hold a maximum weight capacity of up to 1000 pounds including the user. The frame comes with a 10-year warranty, and the pads have a 30-day warranty that basically covers them against damage during shipping or premature wear and tear. The leg brace rollers are vinyl-covered and adjustable, so they’ll be comfortable, and you can place them where you need them for different exercises.

Value

At around $300, this is the most expensive weight bench we reviewed for this article. Even with free shipping, if you aren’t a serious weightlifter, you might find the price a bit high. That said, if you’re planning on lifting more than your body weight and you want to continue to make gains, this is a weight bench that you likely won’t outgrow anytime soon. Even the likes of Dwayne Johnson could use this bench (at least on a light day for The Rock).

Performance

With seven positions that automatically adjust both the back and the seat, this weight bench is perfect for a wide variety of exercises, and it can stand up to even a very heavy user and/or really heavy weights. From decline crunches or sit-ups to supported Arnold presses and barbell bench presses, this is the kind of bench that would be perfectly at home in a professional gym, as well as in your garage gym. At 85 pounds, it isn’t the easiest of these benches to move around, though. So, if you’re going to go with this model, you’ll want to have a dedicated space for it in your home gym.

ListofFit Top Pick: Rep Adjustable Weight Bench

Any of these weight benches would make a great addition to a beginner’s home gym, and some of them would be great for even professional athletes looking to add a good weight bench to their home gym equipment. Two weight benches in particular are both great choices: the Bowflex SelectTech and the Rep Adjustable Weight Bench. There’s no doubt that the Bowflex is the better value, however, we give materials and performance greater weight when crowning our top product for each category.  With the focus being on materials and performance there’s no other weight bench that compares to the Rep Weight Bench. It has a massive 1,000 lbs capacity and seven different positions so that your workout is never boring.  You can bet that every person reading this can use this bench without worrying about going over the weight limit.

See the latest reviews and pricing on the Rep Adjustable Weight Bench

Things to Consider When Buying a Weight Bench

Materials

When it comes to buying a good weight bench, you need to know that it will stand up to your body weight and the weights that you’ll be lifting as you do a variety of exercises on it. You’ll want one with good padding and a durable cover, and you will want to ensure that the frame is made of sturdy stainless steel.

Value

You can pay $50 for a weight bench, or you can spend $1000 – what’s the difference? Cheaper benches aren’t made to stand up to higher weights, and they may be wobbly or unstable. More expensive weight benches do tend to be sturdier and more reliable, but you may not need a bench with an ultra-high weight capacity if you’re a runner trying to build some core strength and stability. On the other hand, if you’re a competitive Olympic or power lifter, you might want to spend a few more dollars on a bench that will hold more.

Performance

Make sure that the bench you get will accommodate all of the positions you need. If you’re just going to use it for bench presses, and you don’t need any back support for Arnold presses and other lifts, then you can get a flat bench, but most people will want an adjustable bench for more versatility. Another thing that may be important to you in performance is having a built in rack to put your dumbbells.  This is an added convenience seen on some adjustable weight benches.  So, if you don’t have a dedicated weight rack in your workout space, consider this feature when choosing a bench.

Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/York-Barbell-Adjustable-Fitness-Bench/dp/B00JXQ7U7I/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467916892&sr=1-1&keywords=york+weight+bench

http://www.enkivillage.com/average-bench-press.html https://www.amazon.com/Bowflex-5-1-Adjustable-Weight-Bench/dp/B000BH283O/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467917042&sr=1-1&keywords=bowflex+select+tech+benchhttp://www.bowflex.com/products/selecttech-5.1-bench/140004.html

http://www.bowflex.com/products/selecttech-5.1-bench/140004.html https://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PFID125X-Incline-Decline-Folding/dp/B000R11G2I/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467917136&sr=1-1&keywords=body+solid+bench

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-5-Position-Weight-Bench/dp/B002QJZAE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467917357&sr=1-1&keywords=universal+5+position+bench