Weight Training Benches - How To Choose The Right Weight Bench For Your Home Gym

Resistance training is the best way to lose fat, burn calories and build muscles. Weight training benches are essential in resistance training because these pieces of gym equipment provide for excellent platforms on which to perform the exercises.  So, when looking to complete a simple home gym, we recommend considering this gym equipment for purchase.

Product Description

Simply put, a weight training bench provides for sufficient support during many types of weightlifting exercises.  Said support comes in the form of maintaining proper form, providing for a sturdy base and securing comfort for the back.  These objectives are achieved through a strong, stable and sturdy base coupled with a padded surface, many models of which will also come with brackets for the barbell and dumbbells.

Take note that weight training benches are different from weight machines.  Basically, the weight bench involves free weights while the weight machines have simple machines (pulley, lever, wheel and incline) to provide for the resistance.  Of course, both provide for similar benefits in weight training.

Types of Benches

For the beginner exerciser, it may seem like if you have seen a weight training bench, then you have seen them all.  There are many different types of weight benches in the market today, which are sold in equally many brands and models.  Just to differentiate these weight benches, thus, making your choice easier to do, here are the types:

    * The flat bench is the most common type.  You will be able to perform any number of exercises on it like flys, bench presses and lying rows as well as exercises that require sitting down like dumbbell curls.
    * The hyperextension bench provides sufficient abdominal support coupled with padded braces for the knees and ankles.  You will then be able to perform various exercises for the glutes, hamstrings and lower backs.
    * The abdominal bench can be set at various angles of decline, which makes for various intensities in the performance of crunches.  As the name implies, you will be able to perform abdominal exercises using free weights and your own bodyweight.
    * The preacher bench permits the athlete to perform arm curls safely, effectively and comfortably.  Your biceps will be more fully developed because of the improvement in intensity provided by this type of weight training bench.

Choosing the Bench

So, now that you know the different types of weight training benches, the question is how to choose the right one.  Well, you should start with your exercise goals since a clear understanding of your aim is the best place to start.  For example, if your aim is to be in better shape instead of competing in the Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition, then a simpler, more affordable and less maintenance weight bench with a few free weights will do.

You should also consider the size of the gym.  In many cases, the weight bench cannot be used as desired because of the lack of space to perform the exercises.  If possible, you must take measurements of the corner where the weight bench will be placed before actual purchase.

No matter which of the weight training benches you will finally take home, we always suggest going for quality.  Saving a few cents is fine, yes, but not at the expense of settling for an unstable weight bench with little capacity for bearing great loads of weight.