Weider Utility Bench 8 Adjustable Seat Positions

Product Information

The Weider Ultimate Body Works Home Gym features a bodyweight resistance system which lets you use your own body weight for resistance, plus the resistance is adjustable for a workout that is specifically tailored to your exact needs. It also comes with an unrestricted cable and pulley system, a squat stand, nylon straps, and power bands for a plethora of exercises. This thing may not be very big, or very expensive for that matter, but it can still give you a total body workout with no problem at all. Why We Like It: This weight bench doubles as an inversion table alternative, making it a great option for folks who want to improve strength and mobility at once.

Excitingly, this bench is also foldable. It can be folded up to save 70% of space when not in use. You can even put it under the bed! The bench is also extremely lightweight, making it easy to move and store as needed. However, for those performing lifts with dumbbells over 50 lbs., a heavier option is preferable for more stability. Despite its lightness, we found it reliable for various exercises like light dumbbell presses, curls, and skullcrushers at home. 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. Decline-angle benches, open up new movements (especially when it comes to core training), but they're generally unnecessary. Think of that as your luxury option. Be warned: As you start your weight bench search you’ll be surprised by just how different weight benches can be from each other! As it goes, weight benches vary based on factors like adjustability, angle, weight capacity, and stability.

An adjustable bench simply allows for a greater variety of exercises to be completed, than a flat bench,” says Harcoff. For instance, rather than being able to just do flat chest press, you can also do incline and decline chest press, he says. When hanging, the bench extends only 8 inches from the wall. And during testing, we found it slim enough to slide easily under a bed or other furniture. We also found it simple to assemble, but you will need your own tools to do so. While it’s at a higher price point for a non-adjustable bench, it’s worth the investment for its sturdiness and ease of storage. The FB-5000 distinguishes itself with incredible value, but it does come with the same limitations as any flat bench: You miss out on a range of exercises that incline positions on adjustable benches provide. A flat bench is great for most powerlifters, but limiting to the rest of us lifting at home.

Why We Like It: This adjustable bench features 6 different incline positions, as well as 4 different seat positions. It stands 17 inches from the floor to the top of the pad, and features a three-post design equipped with wheels and a handle to make moving it around easy. Its dimensions are largely consistent with benches used in powerlifting competitions, ensuring powerlifting users a training experience that closely aligns with professional standards. Talk about setting up for success, right? 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. If an individual has particularly weak deltoids, for example, a bench that can be adjusted to a variety of angles enables you to do a wide range of exercises that improve deltoid strength like: seated overhead, incline rear delt raises, lateral delt raises, he says.

If you’re trying to save money on a gym membership, make movement more accessible on busy days, or simply live too far from an exercise facility to schlep there regularly, odds are you’ve got a home gym. But is your gym set-up as beefy as it could be? Probably not. Sure, resistance bands, kettlebells, dumbbells, sliders, jump ropes, and yoga mats are great staples to a home gym. But there’s one surprisingly versatile piece of equipment that you’d be remiss not to add to invest in: The weight bench. 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. Point blank: if you’re planning on chest pressing 200+ pounds and you weigh 150 pounds, you need a weight bench that can safely handle at least 350 pounds of weight! Meanwhile, if you are only planning to use the bench for bodyweight exercises like decline push-ups, incline push-ups, bodyweight Bulgarian split squats, and bench air squats, the bench only needs to tolerate your body weight. 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.

Because of its heavier weight and added attachments, this set is bulky and not as portable as other options. These are the names commonly given to a bench with no upright barbell supports and some degree of adjustability. Having no vertical supports may render the bench as impractical/unsafe for the purposes of barbell presses but it does make them ideally suited for a plethora of dumbbell exercises needing freedom of movement without obstruction.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. Since the bench is low to the ground and its height can't be adjusted, it may be too short for taller users.

If you're unsure which bench to get, opt for a bench with incline-angle options. Sure, this may cost slightly more initially, but it'll set you up with a bench that can grow with you,” explains Samuel. It's Worth Noting: The product only comes with 100 pounds of weight plates, which may not be enough for experienced lifters. 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." I bought this bench when I first started lifting, but I don't see myself replacing it anytime soon," says Appleton. "I weigh less than 130 pounds and have never felt this bench slip on me, but bigger users should steer clear." It was incredibly easy to setup in Appleton's experience, too.

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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. Working your muscles from different angles is key for maximizing the strength-building benefits,” he says. When one is focusing on building specific movement patterns or course-correctly muscular weaknesses, this is key. If you're hoping to find a weight bench that doubles as a plyometric box, this subsection is for you. 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.