Best Weight Benches for Beginners, Small Spaces, With Racks, and More

A weight bench is a valuable piece of gym equipment to have if strength training is a priority in your fitness life. You don’t have to just use it for the bench press, either. Weight benches can be used for a variety of exercises including sit-ups, crunches, leg lifts, and other movements that you would use your favorite barbells and dumbbells for. Flat utility benches may have one long back pad for you to lie on, while adjustable benches allow you to adjust the back pad (and sometimes the seat pad) to multiple angles.

If you’re reading this article, you’re likely looking for recommendations on the best weight benches to buy, and we’ve got you covered. We’ve found what we feel are the best of the best, and cover why they would be such great choices to add to your personal weight room. We cover the good and bad with all the options shared here so you have the best knowledge possible when making the final selection.

Our Top Picks for the Best Weight Benches

• Best Weight Bench for Home Gym Overall: REP Fitness AB-5200
• Best Foldable Weight Bench: PRx Profile Flat Folding Bench
• Best Adjustable Weight Bench: Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0
• Best Weight Bench With Leg Extension: Force USA MyBench
• Best Cheap Weight Bench: GRIND Fitness Flat Bench
• Best Weight Bench on Amazon: FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench
• Best Weight Bench for Small Spaces: Ironmaster Super Bench PRO
• Best Weight Bench for Beginners: Titan Fitness Single Post Adjustable FID Bench
• Best Weight Bench With Rack: Rogue Combo Rack

Best Weight Bench for Home Gym Overall: REP Fitness AB-5200

Pros

• Multiple colors available
• Optional wide pad
• Three decline angles and nine incline angles
• Easy to adjust
• Can stand for vertical storage

Cons

• Does not go up to 90 degrees
• Narrow seat
• Handle has no knurling or padding

We consider the REP Fitness AB-5200 the best weight bench overall for several reasons, but the main one is that you can personalize the bench in multiple ways. For example, you can customize the color of the frame and rails (blue, metallic black, and Army green, among others) and the width of the pad you want to use. The ladder-style adjustment system makes changing positions of the angle from incline to decline very simple and fast, and the degree of each position is laser cut into the frame. You can adjust it to various angles from negative eight to 85 degrees. 

The bench is built to withstand a lot of weight and last a long time. It also meets International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) standards, so competitors can mimic benching in a meet with it. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced trainee, if you buy this bench, it will be the only one you buy for quite some time.

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Best Foldable Weight Bench: PRx Profile Flat Folding Bench

Pros

• Folds for convenient storage
• Mounts to a wall
• Simple pull-out and fold-up method
• All mounting hardware included

Cons

• No adjustable incline
• Sharp edges
• Not the most durable vinyl

Many home gym owners have limited space, and fitness equipment that folds up and is stowable can save valuable space. The PRx Profile Flat Folding Bench is able to be mounted to a wall and folds up so it’s out of the way, giving you ample space for other exercises.

When it’s unfolded, it won’t wobble as you use it. This bench doesn’t adjust to different angles, but you can still use it for a full-body workout. For example, you can use it for flat bench presses and rest your rear leg on it during Bulgarian split squats. It has a 1,000-pound weight capacity, but the vinyl isn’t very durable. However, if you’re not trying to set world records when you train, you can feel comfortable using this bench for all of your heavy sets.

Best Adjustable Weight Bench: Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0

Pros

• 11 pad colors available
• Upgraded version available
• Minimal pad gap between back and seat
• Stands vertically

Cons

• No decline position
• May be awkward to move
• Not all tools for assembly included

The 125-pound Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 can adjust up to nine different incline positions ranging from 0 to 85 degrees with three seat positions. It’s wide and sturdy, so you can max out on it or train for high reps with comfort. You can personalize it by choosing one of the 11 different colors for the pad and frame, such as red, burnt orange, or white.

The medium gloss finish gives it a commercial gym look, but it isn’t so beefy that you can’t use it in your home gym. Beginners and smaller lifters may be challenged to move it, but the wheels and pull handle make it easier to transport it around your gym when needed.

RELATED: Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Home Gyms

Best Weight Bench With Leg Extension: Force USA MyBench

Pros

• Leg attachment and preacher curl attachment included
• Environment-friendly coated frame
• Long bench is great for taller users

Cons

• Low weight capacity
• Top backrest position is 80 degrees
• Narrow bench width

The obvious benefit of the Force USA MyBench is the leg attachment that allows you to perform both leg extensions and leg curls. The extra exercises that you can do make this a valuable bench. Add in that you can do bicep curls with the included preacher attachment as well, and your weight training experience can be much more enjoyable.

The bench also has transport wheels and a handle for easier moving inside and outside of a squat rack. Besides going up seven incline positions from zero to 80 degrees, it can decline as low as 15 degrees so you can perform ab exercises such as the decline sit-up.

Best Cheap Weight Bench: GRIND Fitness Flat Bench

Pros

• Vinyl provides extra grip
• Budget-friendly
• Lightweight

Cons

• Very short warranty
• Low weight capacity
• No wheels or handle for transporting

The price point is the obvious benefit of the GRIND Fitness Flat Bench. At just under $100, it’s one of the most affordable benches you can find.

This fixed flat bench would be a good starting bench for new trainees or lifters working with limited budgets. The extra grip on the vinyl will help prevent you from sliding, even when you’re sweating during training. The rubber on the feet will help keep the bench in place as well.

Even though the GRIND Fitness Flat Bench doesn’t have wheels, it does have portability due to weighing only 24 pounds. It can also be used for exercises such as split squats or step-ups, so you’ll get a lot of versatility out of it.

However, it only has a 610-pound weight capacity, and that includes your body weight plus the weight you’re lifting.

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Best Weight Bench on Amazon: FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench

Pros

• Folds for easier storage
• Adjusts to 90 degrees
• Large seat pad

Cons

• Low to the ground
• 30-day warranty on pads
• Pin-in adjustment system

Many home gym enthusiasts rely on Amazon for their workout equipment needs. If you’re putting together a list for your workout space, add the FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench to it. It’s durable, and the back pad has eight total adjustable positions ranging from -30 to 90 degrees. The seat pad has three more adjustments from zero to 23 degrees.

The bench can be used for many different weightlifting exercises, including bench presses, seated overhead presses, and decline sit-ups. The high-density, two-inch padding is covered with faux leather for extra protection against cuts and damage. The bench can also be used inside a power rack or in its own space, depending on which exercises you’re performing.

Best Weight Bench for Small Spaces: Ironmaster Super Bench PRO

Pros

• 11 lockout positions
• Easy to move in and out of place
• Easy to assemble
• Wide base and feet

Cons

• Lower capacity on incline positions
• Pull-pin adjustment system is less secure
• Narrow back pad

People with limited space can benefit from having a smaller bench to work with. The Ironmaster Super Bench Pro is at least eight inches shorter than other options on this list, and the seat pad is detachable, saving even more space and allowing for easier storage.

This bench is also unique in that the seat has three height adjustments — 12.5, 14.5, or 23.5 inches from the floor. The highest position allows you to work on exercises such as the incline bench press, and the other options are great if you’re a taller user because you can lay more of your body on the bench itself. It can be placed in one of three tubes on the bench so you can sit at a desired height.

Other Ironmaster accessories that are sold separately, such as the dip bar handles, preacher curl, and chin-up bar (which turns the bench into a pull-up station if you turn the back pad vertically), can be attached to the bench, making this one of the most versatile benches available. This also saves you from having to buy more fitness equipment if you don’t have room for a lot of machines.

Most of the bench is also pre-assembled, so you don’t have to spend as much time putting it together, though you will have to add the feet to it. All in all, this bench is a great value for lifters of all levels of experience.

Best Weight Bench for Beginners: Titan Fitness Single Post Adjustable FID Bench

Pros

• Very high weight capacity
• Solid steel construction
• 25 combinations of back pad and seat angles
• Rubber cover on the handle 

Cons

• Only available in one color
• Narrow seat
• The seat may rub against the back pad

The Titan Fitness Single Post Adjustable FID bench is an affordable adjustable bench with a very high weight capacity. Beginners who want to train heavy in the future should have this one high on their list of choices. It’s well constructed and will last through the toughest workouts you can put through it.

There are seven different positions for the back pad, ranging from zero to 85 degrees. The pad also has very durable vinyl upholstery to prevent rips and scratches.

The bench may be challenging to move if you have a smaller weight room. At 71 pounds, it’s a heavy piece of equipment, but the handle and wheels make it less difficult to move.

Best Weight Bench With Rack: Rogue Combo Rack

Pros

• All-in-one powerlifting setup
• Comes with spotter decks
• Fat Pad for maximum connection and comfort
• Uprights can be adjusted for larger lifters

Cons

• Bench does not adjust to incline or decline positions.
• Very heavy
• Big financial commitment

If you like keeping things simple, then get yourself a bench that can do it all. Rogue Fitness’ Combo Rack provides a squat rack and a weight bench so you can train two of the main powerlifting lifts (squats and bench presses) in the same space. The brand worked with the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) to produce a competition-approved setup. It will support competition-level weights, too, thanks to the seven-gauge steel used to produce the 3×3 uprights. The height of the J-cups can be adjusted for multiple lifters as well, so athletes of all body proportions can use it.

The bench will provide maximum comfort with the Fat Pad (a super thick and wide bench pad that can promote better movement during the bench press), and it can be removed so you can squat inside the rack.

How We Chose the Best Weight Benches

The best weight benches on this list were chosen as a result of research, customer reviews, and hands-on experience. We broke down dimensions, cost, versatility, and comfort when making the final choices. All of the benches above are quality candidates to have in your home gym because we would feel comfortable having them in ours. 

What Are Some of the Benefits of a Weight Bench?

Having a weight bench can allow you to perform lying exercises without having to lie on the floor to do them. Among the most popular exercises that require a weight bench are the barbell bench press, dumbbell bench press, and lying tricep extensions. If the bench is adjustable, you can perform seated, incline, and possibly decline movements, such as the seated barbell press, incline dumbbell press, or decline sit-ups as well.

What Are the Differences Between a Flat, Incline, and Decline Bench?

A flat bench’s description is in the name. It lays flat and is fixed. Adjustable benches allow the back pad to be moved up and/or down so you can work with different angles, thus adding more movements to your training program.

Exercises performed on an incline bench require the backrest to be angled above a flat position without being completely upright as a seated exercise would be. The angle of an incline movement can be anywhere from five to as much as 85 degrees.

Flat weight bench movements call for the bench to be completely flat so you’re lying in a horizontal position. A decline bench has your head positioned lower than your shoulders, which are also lower than your hips. There are multiple positions for a decline bench, but the majority of decline exercises go no lower than 30 degrees.

What To Look For in a Weight Bench

Flat vs. Adjustable

A flat bench can be a great starter bench for most home gym users, and in some cases that may be all they want. However, adjustable benches offer more training variety because of the multiple angles that can be used. The angles range from zero to 85 degrees. Most adjustable benches have ways to position both the backrest and the seat, but some are either one long bench or have a fixed seat.

Weight Capacity

You want to make sure you take both your body weight and the weight you intend to lift into consideration when looking at the weight capacity of a bench. This way, you can feel confident that the bench will be able to fully support you. Don’t just think about how strong you are now, either. Consider what your goals are and how strong you think you can become. The higher the weight capacity, the more reliable the bench will be both now and into the future.

Size and Dimensions

The length and width of the bench are important because you want to be comfortable and safe while lifting. Your entire upper body and the glutes of your lower body should be able to stay in contact with the bench while you’re on it. Your shoulders may be wider than the bench, but you should be able to feel the bench on the majority of your back. You also want wide feet at the back where your head will be for additional stability.

Attachments and Accessories

A bench that is both sturdy and provides accessories for more exercise options is a valuable one. Some benches come with a leg attachment for leg extensions and leg curls or a preacher pad attachment for arm training. These attachments should be easy to add or take off when needed. They aren’t necessary for someone looking for a basic bench, but if you want to have as much versatility as possible, these attachments and accessories can increase your training potential.

Materials

Almost all benches provide cushioning with foam padding and some kind of material such as vinyl covering it. Those pads are connected to a metal or steel frame that serves as the foundation and support for the bench. Some benches also have a handle and wheels that offer you a way to transport them so you don’t have to carry them.

Warranty

Most, if not all, companies that manufacture workout benches have some form of warranty that covers damage from training. Some offer refunds up to 30 or 60 days, and others will replace the bench up to several years after the purchase if needed. You should check the company’s warranty policy before hitting that order button, so you’re prepared to handle any possible (but rare) issues with your bench.

Assembly

You may have to do some assembly work with the bench once it arrives, but most companies provide the necessary tools and instructions. If you have your own tools, such as ratchets, that would make the process faster. Most consumers will need to commit a couple of hours to assembly before using their weight bench. 

Final Thoughts

Having a quality weight bench in your home gym can help elevate your upper body workouts. Whether it’s a flat utility bench or an adjustable version, it would be a worthwhile investment that can add a lot of variety and challenges to your training routine. It can be used to target multiple muscle groups and improve the functionality of your home gym. A high-quality bench can and will take your training to the next level.

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