Find The Right Weight Bench

by admin on April 6, 2011

No fitness gym is complete without a weight bench. From simple stretches to heavy weight lifting, weight benches are very useful tools to support the needs of the dedicated weight lifter. A weight bench is a piece of equipment that is similar looking to a normal bench but it is designed to support a body that is lifting heavy weights.

Click Here To See The Top Rated Gym Benches

A weight bench has different parts that make it extremely sturdy and strong. It is usually made of steel or metal. Its body parts are sometimes made of a combination of leather, different types of covers like rubber and different types of foam to make it softer and more comfortable for the end user. 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, with racks to hold bars, etc. The definition of a bench overlaps into several different pieces of exercise equipment that mix a bench and other applications.

A weight 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 contraction. It is a specialized piece of equipment to help build up the target muscle groups and give different types of movement. Today, weight benches are a very useful way to get our body fit in a short time.

Different types of weight bench

In the world of weight lifting there are four main types of weight benches: flat, vertical, decline and incline. It is very important that you use the right type of weight bench so that you do not hurt yourself and yet still have the most effective workout.

The flat bench is simply a long, narrow bench that is the most common type of weight bench you might 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 get the maximum leverage and makes for a very effective workout.

The vertical bench looks to all intents and purposes just like a chair. It is composed of two main pieces – the flat part looking like a flat bench, and the vertical which gives back support to the exerciser. 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 apart from the fact that it is raised slightly. It is adjustable so that the people using it are able to set the proper incline for the exercise they are performing.

There are other types of weight benches too. Some benches feature an adjustable second part, so that it can be transformed in to a flat, vertical, inclined or declined weight bench, whenever it is necessary.

Factors to consider when buying your weight bench

Before you buy a weight bench for you there are a few things that should be kept in mind.

  • Room space is a very big factor to keep in mind. Some of the weight benches are multifunctional and require a big space to be fully utilized, so choosing a weight bench with the right length is very important.
  • Material is another big factor. Almost all the weight benches are made of metallic pipes so cutting down the chances of them being a safety hazard. However, weight is also a very big factor. Heavy metal benches are very reliable to use but they are very hard to move. On the other hand, a lightweight weight bench is easy to move around.
  • Don’t forget to take good look at the cushions. While a soft cushion is not what you should be looking for on a weight bench, a good cushion cover is very necessary. Make sure it is thickly padded and that the quality of the cover is good. An inferior quality cover may tear in places after a few days, creating pressure points on your body as you work out.
  • Price plays a huge role while choosing a perfect weight bench. Like most of the products a high quality, weight bench with a lot of flexibility costs a lot. Again, a cheap weight bench may not fulfil your needs. Your best bet is to go for the best that you can possibly afford.

Top three recommendations

There are many companies that produce and sell weight benches. Amongst these companies the Italian and Chinese have so far provided the most quality and reasonably priced benches. Following are a few recommendations to help you choose.

Apex JD2.2 Flat Bench

The Apex JD2.2 flat bench is a very good choice for doing exercises like for bench press, triceps extensions, ankle weights and leg extensions etc. The 1 inch square heavy duty steel tube frame is more than capable of withstanding almost any abuse! It is also very light weight. Also when it is not being used for exercising it can serve as a nice bench to sit on. At the lowest end of the price range this bench is a bargain.

Marcy SB222 4-Position Utility Bench

The Marcy Position Utility Bench is a four position utility bench which adjusted to flat, incline, decline, and military positions to work several muscles. It is a good bench for working with dumbbells or multi-gym setup. It is very light weight and can be folded for easy storage. This incredible is a little more expensive than the Apex Flat Bench.

Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Bench Series 5.1

The Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Bench can adjust to six different positions; from 17-degree decline to 90-degree incline. It features a removable leg hold-down brace for added decline position support. It is constructed of heavy-duty commercial quality steel and can be folded and wheeled away for easy storage. With this brilliant piece of kit you can transform any space into a personal free weight fitness center. For an added bonus it comes with a 30-year warranty on frame and one-year warranty on upholstery. This is at the higher price point but all things considered, it is well worth the extra money.

The Last Word

You are probably planning to use your weight bench every day, so remember to choose one that suits your needs and lasts long. With luck this could be your favorite exercising tool.

 

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Select The Right Gym Bench

by admin on April 6, 2011

The gym bench is one of the most versatile pieces of gym exercise equipment. This is because you can achieve a full body workout on a gym bench by using free weights and other exercises to burn body fat and also to tone your muscles. Anyone who is thinking about starting a home gym should definitely make sure they have a good gym bench to use in their home. A proper gym bench will ensure that you can do all the necessary body building exercises

Click Here To See The Top Rated Gym Benches

Gym benches are categorized into three basic types: flat, incline and decline.  The basic difference between these is the type of exercises you can perform on each type of bench and the muscles you want to develop. Gym benches can be used for a variety of exercises such as:

  • Upper body exercises: These may include Shoulder press, chest press, triceps extension, back row and bicep curls.
  • Lower body exercises: These may include step ups and calf raises.
  • Abdominal workouts: Knee pull ins and crunches etc.

The perfect solution to the different styles of bench that are available is the adjustable gym bench which tends to cost more than the individual benches. The adjustable bench is great because you can adjust it to either flat, incline or decline. This will allow you to target all of the major muscle groups when you are working out. There are some basic factors you will need to consider first before purchasing a gym bench. These factors include:

Your Budget

You should consider your needs and how much you are willing to spend a gym bench. The object is to find one that gives you the best value for money and meets your needs perfectly.

Your workout Schedule
The type of exercises you intend to perform should have a big bearing on the type of bench you select. You first need to consider your workout schedule and look for a bench that will fulfill those needs.

The quality of the bench
Gym benches are made from a variety of materials and this will inevitably affect its sturdiness and durability. Try and look for a bench built from a rust-proof metal alloy that will help protect it from wear and tear over the years. It is important to note that the quality of the materials will also affect its weight. So depending on your needs look for a bench that is most applicable to your workout schedule.

Comfort
The kind of comfort that you require for your workout sessions should also have a big bearing on your gym bench selection process. Look for a bench that is padded adequately according to your work needs and will also accommodate your body size.

The size of your home gym
You should always consider the space available to you while making your selection of a gym bench.  Look for a bench that will fit your home gym and still provide adequate space for you to move around and for your other gym equipment. You should therefore first measure up your room and look for a bench that will fit comfortably into that space.

The Last Word

A gym bench is an important consideration while purchasing your gym equipment. A proper gym bench will ensure that you can do all the necessary body building exercises. You should first consider your needs and look for all the available bargains while making your selection.

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