Buying Guide for Standard Weight Benches
The weight bench, sometimes also called a fitness bench, is an inexpensive piece of equipment that is used in weight training. Weight benches generally are a padded board supported by legs and their primary purpose is for weightlifters to sit or lie down on. What separate weight benches from normal benches is their sturdiness and ability to support a large amount of weight. They are adaptable and adjustable benches that allow people to perform different exercises and work out more muscle groups. But, these benches usually cost more than static options. You can find the best deals on amazon for a wide variety of best premium standard weight benches.
Benefits of Standard Weight Benches
Benefits Overall Physique
First and foremost, a weight bench is the safest way to lift heavy weights from a sitting or lying position. Indeed, many popular exercises like the bench press, their variations, and seated shoulder press, all require a weight bench to perform safely.
Gives your Arms a Free Range of Motion
The elevation of a bench gives your arms a free range of motion. Unlike laying on a bench, laying on the floor will physically restrict your arms from moving below the torso. Not only is this annoying, but you will also lose out on a lot of muscle activation.
Allows You to Incline and Decline
Many weight benches allow you to incline and decline. And as you will see later, this is essential for building certain muscles such as the upper chest. Ultimately, a weight bench benefits as a basic but essential platform to build a great physique.
Benefits Dumbbell or Barbell Training
An adjustable bench allows you to lay and sit at different angles. These angles are referred to as flat, incline, and decline (FID). The best thing about FID angles is that they allow you to do a variety of exercises that you would not otherwise have been able to do. By including various exercises in your training, you will capitalize on the full potential of your dumbbells and barbell. And this will help you reach your training goals faster.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Standard Weight Benches
The Frame Should Match Your Body Type and Have a High Weight Capacity
Individuals with broad shoulders should go for a bench with a wider backrest and vice versa. Ensure the weight rating is higher than the sum of your body weight and the heaviest weight you will be lifting. For example, if you are going to be lifting a maximum of 240lbs and your body weight is 200lbs, the weight rating must be more than 440lbs.
Removable Foot Rollers
Some weight benches will come with a set of foot rollers near the seat. These foot rollers let you stick your legs between them to perform abdomen exercises or bodyweight leg curls. But foot rollers ahead of the seat mostly end up being an impediment, especially when doing pressing exercises, so make sure that they are removable.
Look for Sufficient Padding and Thick Upholstery
When you lift weights on a bench, you are usually pushing your body against the frame. A thick layer of 2-3” high density foam on the frame will make sure you are comfortable while lifting and will prevent your back from getting injured by pushing directly against the hard bench. Additionally, inspect the thickness of the upholstery since thin upholstery tends to peel off very quickly.
Load Capacity
Another important thing to consider before buying a weight bench is the overall weight it can support. This includes the weight of the user as well as the weights. Be careful when reading the specifications. As a rule of thumb, when the description mentions load capacity, it usually means the overall weight, but not always. And just to state the obvious, you will need to subtract your weight from the overall weight capacity to find out the maximum amount of weight you can hold when using the bench without it collapsing.
Conclusion
A weight training bench is a piece of exercise equipment used for weight training. It may be of various designs; fixed horizontal, fixed inclined, fixed in a folded position, with one adjustable portion, with two or more adjustable portions, with racks to hold bars, etc. There are many weight benches available on the market. So, choose one that best meets your needs and fits in your budget. Do not forget to consider the above stated factors before buying one. If you want to know more about your buying options, take a look at some of the best budget standard weight benches and best hot selling standard weight benches.
