A workout bench is a very important tool while exercising. From simple stretches to heavy weight lifting, work benches are very useful tools to support the need of any good workout.
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A workout bench is a piece of equipment that resembles a normal bench but that is designed for use for exercise. A standard work bench is designed to give you the support required to safely perform a wide variety of weight lifting disciplines and exercises. Whether you’re looking to do bench presses with a full size bar and weights or just some arm curls with your dumbbells a weights bench is a vital piece of equipment to help optimize your weight training without risking personal safety.
It is usually made of steel or metal. Its body parts are sometimes combined of leather, different types of covers like rubber and foam to make it softer and more comfortable for the end users. It could be of several designs: fixed horizontal, fixed inclined, fixed in a folded position, with one adjustable portion, with two or more adjustable portions or with racks to hold bars etc.
A workout bench is usually used for weight training to develop the strength and size of skeletal muscle. It uses the force of gravity (in the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weight stacks) to oppose the force generated by muscle through eccentric contraction. It is a specialized equipment to help work and improve the target muscle groups and give different types of movement. Today, workout benches are very useful to get your body fit in a short time.
Types of bench
These benches can generally be categorized in to four types: flat, vertical, decline, and incline. Using the right type for specific exercises is very important otherwise you can get seriously hurt.
The flat bench is simply a long, narrow bench that is the most common type of work bench we may see in a gymnasium. This type of bench is useful for exercises such as the bench press or dumbbell press. It helps the person exercising through leverage and makes for a very effective workout.
The vertical bench looks more or less like a chair. It is made up of two main pieces, the flat part looking flat bench, and the vertical which give support the exerciser support for the back. It is helpful for exercises like the shoulder press.
The decline bench is sloped slightly downward so that the lower half of our body is slightly above the upper part. This type of bench is helpful for people who are looking to increase the strength of the lower chest muscles.
The incline bench is very similar to the flat bench except for the fact that it is raised slightly. It is adjustable so that when you are using it you are able to set the proper incline for the exercise that you are performing.
There are other types of workout benches too. Some benches feature an adjustable second part so that it can be transformed in to a flat, vertical, inclined or declined work bench whenever it is necessary.
Factors to consider when buying a workout bench
There are plenty of benches out there in the market. You may want to head out and just buy a workout bench for yourself but that would be extremely unwise. Whilst purchasing a bench there are couple of factors to consider.
- Room space is a very big factor to keep in mind. Some of the work benches are multifunctional and require a big space to be used to their full potential so choosing a work bench with the right length is very important.
- Material is another big factor. Almost all work benches are made of metallic pipes. However, weight is a very big factor. Heavy metal benches are very sturdy to use but they are very hard to move. On the other hand, a light weight work bench is easy to move around and put out of the way when not in use.
- Don’t forget to take good look at the upholstery. While a soft pad is not what you should be looking for on a work bench, a good upholstery cover is very necessary. Make sure it is thickly padded and that the quality of the cover is good. A lesser quality cover may wear and thin after use, creating sore spots on your body.
- Price plays a huge role while choosing a perfect work bench. Like most of the products a high quality a work bench with a lot of flexibility costs a lot. Again, a cheap work bench may not fulfil your need so always buy the best that you can afford.
Top three recommendations
There are many companies that produce and sell workout benches. Following are a few recommendations to help you choose.
Cap Barbell Fitness FID Bench
The Cap Barbell Fitness FID Bench is a low cost workout bench can be adjusted to four different positions: upright, flat, incline, and decline. The handgrips are foam covered for comfort during leg raises. There is an additional holder for keeping dumbbells. A real bargain, this work bench is that the lower end of the price range.
Marcy Utility Bench
The Marcy Utility Bench is a mid price range workout bench. This incredible work bench is adjustable in multiple positions, from flat to incline to decline. It is very good utility bench for working chests, shoulders, back, abs and more. The oversized leg holder provides enough comfort for the exerciser.
Ironmaster Super Bench Adjustable weight-lifting Bench
At the higher end of the price scale is the Ironmaster Super Bench Adjustable. The unique design of this workout bench may attract some frowns but it can support a stunning 1000lbs. It can also be adjusted to 11 different positions, with optional attachments adding even more versatility. Perfect for dumbbell, Smith machine cage or rack use.
The Last Word
A workout bench is something that you are likely to use frequently and will undergo some abuse so remember to choose one that suits your needs and will last for a long time. After all, all this is to help build and maintain a good level of fitness so it will be worth every cent.
