Weight Benches: The Ultimate Gym Equipment for an Efficient Workout

Starting your at-home workout journey can be fun and rewarding. It is important to find the perfect routine for you, so you never get bored of working out or lose motivation. Once you have found a routine that works for you, it is easy to stay motivated because your body will start looking better and better with each passing day!

While working out is a great way to stay healthy, it can be difficult and frustrating if you don’t have the right equipment. The best solution for this would be to invest in a weight bench.

Workout benches are designed to help you build strength and muscle while also increasing your endurance and stamina. They’re great for the heavy lifter, the average weightlifter, and anyone who wants to develop a stronger core. Weight benches provide support when you need it most; during exercises like presses or squats. The right weight bench can also help improve your balance and stability thanks to its wide base and flat surface. 

The current market for benches offers you a multitude of choices and types, but before you go buying one let’s explore the benefits of this workout equipment and how to find the right one for you.

The Benefits of Using a Weight Bench

Whether you’re exercising at home or in a gym, using weight benches can help you in numerous ways. Apart from giving you a full-body workout, gym benches create a safe and controlled environment to improve your form which results in fewer injuries.  If you’ve been thinking about investing in this piece of equipment, here’s how it can benefit your workout journey.

Gives Support

When lifting heavy weights, your body requires specific support to perform the exercises properly. This is why benches are designed with pads to provide comfort and promote good posture so that you can focus on lifting rather than losing your balance.

Provides Versatility

This type of equipment is primarily used for weight lifting, but because it is so versatile, it can be used for a variety of full-body exercises. Even the most basic bench can be adjusted to fit your workout routine. In addition, you can upgrade your bench by purchasing attachments. You can use this to convert it into a multi-functional bench to target different muscle groups.

Increases Upper-Body Strength

Lifting weights on a bench can help tone and strengthen upper body muscles like arms, pecks and shoulders. Depending on your fitness level, you can use this equipment to increase your upper body strength for other exercises like push-ups or as a regular step in your routine to maintain muscle form.

Types of Weight Benches 

There are many types of weight benches to choose from, but before you buy one, there are a few things that you should know about them.
First, the bench needs to be heavy-duty enough for your size and strength. It also needs to have a high backrest so it can support your neck while you’re doing exercises like shrugs or pull-downs. The seat height must be adjustable too, because not everyone has the same length of legs! These are just some of the features you should look for in a bench, but let’s go more in-depth into all the types currently available on the market.

• Flat bench – This is the most basic type of bench and it’s used for an array of exercises. Flat benches don’t incline or have any attachments, therefore are very easy to assemble.  If you’re looking for a straightforward and efficient piece of equipment that will become a staple in your routine, this is the one. Flat benches are sturdy, yet easy to lift, so you can move them without any hassle.
• Adjustable bench – Offering a little more versatility, the adjustable bench lets you incline or decline to a certain angle that fits your exercise. This is a great option for beginners and for a home gym, as it promotes proper posterity and form. 
• Olympic bench – These are professional-level types of benches and are recommended for use at a more advanced fitness level. Olympic benches are made with high-grade material and are usually found at commercial gyms. They come with many attachments, such as weight plates, dumbbells, and more, that allow a more vigorous workout.
• Folding bench – This variation of benches is ideal for home workouts. Folding benches can be either flat or adjustable, with the option to fold and store them anywhere you want. They don’t come with any attachments, but serve their purpose efficiently. 
• Abdominal bench – As the name implies, these benches help you target and tone your abdominal muscles. The position of abdominal benches can be either flat or adjusted depending on the exercise you’re doing.  They also include foot rollers to lock your feet in place for added safety while doing reps. 
• Preacher curl bench – Mostly found only in commercial gyms, the preacher curl bench is a bench designed for a specific set of exercises to work the biceps. It is a great machine for strengthening your mind-to-muscles connection as it requires going over a certain range of motion to perform the exercise correctly. 

Selecting the Right Weight Bench for You

The market offers you a vast selection of machines. You’re scrolling through pages and pages searching, but you still feel more lost than ever.  Here are some ways to narrow your search and find the right weight bench for you.

First, you have to consider your budget and how much space you have available. If you’re just starting your fitness expedition, maybe the best deal is to start with something simple to get you into a routine and then move on to more complex machines as you advance. Now, you should set your goals. Ask yourself if you are looking to enhance your lifting strength or just maintain your current routine? Establishing certain workout goals will influence you in picking out your ideal equipment. Lastly, set up a detailed workout plan that prioritises your needs. While it may seem like a fun project to create an extensive home gym with all kinds of equipment, that may not be what you currently need for your routine. Buying unnecessary machines may set you back financially and completely overwhelm you as you navigate the world of healthy living.

How to Use Your New Bench Correctly and Safely

At first glance, using a gym bench might seem like an easy job, but before even lifting a weight, you have to learn how the machine works, how to do the exercises, and how to practice safe weight-lifting.

The most crucial step in using your bench correctly is setting it to your desired incline and seating position. Every adjustment should be made according to the given exercise, thus ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness. If you don’t handle your equipment correctly, it can result in injuries or even break the bench.

Before even starting the set, pick out the correct weights and position yourself properly. When using a bench, you have to keep in mind the four contact points: head, shoulder, hips and feet. If you’re not positioned correctly, you’re at risk of losing balance and straining a muscle, which is highly counterproductive to your workout. This may seem hard at first, but with practice, you will reach perfection.