Staying fit and exercising is a must if you wish to realize the many opportunities life has to offer. Think about it. Do you really want your health to be the reason why you miss out on the good things in life?
When it comes to being fit, there are various types of exercises you can do. It is much better to have a home gym if you are a fitness enthusiast. Why? Well, this makes sure you never get too lazy for exercising. It also ensures that you do it as per your leisure rather than assigning a fixed time to it.
Even within workouts, there are various things you can do. This depends on which part of your body you wish to focus on. A lot of people focus a lot on building muscles. If you are one of them, the chances are you would need a weight bench in your home gym.
Why weight lift using weight benches?
You might wonder, why should you introduce weight benches to your life? After all, there are various other types of machines you can use. Not to mention, there are multiple other kinds of workouts you can do.
Well, weightlifting is very beneficial. And using a weight bench is the best way to do weightlifting. You can expect to realize the following benefits.
- Better support
When you are weight lifting, you need to have the proper posture and support to increase the effectiveness of the exercise. A weight bench delivers this support so that you can concentrate on lifting weights rather than maintaining your balance.
- Aids in targeting muscles
There are different types of muscles you can target when you are lifting weights. When you do it without a weight bench, you are more focused on maintaining your balance. Since this product delivers the needed support, you have time to think about different motions and muscles you can target.
- Building muscle tone
Do you want to sport a toned body? A muscle bench can play a part in achieving it. The structure of the bench helps in attaining a toned look via a reduction of body fat. By the end of it all, you can expect to achieve better flexibility.
Types of weight benches
When you are buying your gym equipment, you will come across various types of weight benches. It is essential to know the difference between the various types of weight benches so that you can choose the right kind.
Flat weight benches
If you are a beginner, you will benefit from flat weight benches. These are the most basic ones you can get and act more like a standard workout bench rather than a weight bench. This means you can use it for both purposes, as deemed necessary by your workout routine. These single-padded benches can include and decline fully rather than partially.
Adjustable weight benches
These benches are much popularly known as incline/decline benches. The beauty of this equipment is that you can change the angles of the different parts of the bench. The equipment is divided into two sections. One section is where you sit during your workout, and the other is where you rest your back. Both these sections can incline/decline independent of one another. Hence, this machine allows you to work on different groups of muscle.
Shoulder Press Weight Bench
This bench is for workouts that require you to sit and extend your arms to begin lifting. It mainly focuses on your upper back and shoulder muscles. You can find some options that have attachments for legs as well.
Olympic weight benches
For those of you who consider themselves to be professional weightlifters, you will find Olympic weight benches to be the perfect aid. This large equipment is generally 48 inches wide and can lift a standard Olympic weigh. You can choose between flat, adjustable and shoulder press benches within Olympic weight benches.
Folding weight benches
Anyone who wishes to travel with their gym equipment and want a portable solution will find folding weight benches to be an excellent choice. As the name suggests, you can fold these benches after use for easy storage and transportability. Most such benches are quite basic due to the focus on portability. However, you can find adjustable options as well that are equipped with leg extension functions and racks.
Brands of weight benches
After you have decided which type of weight bench you want, you will be faced with various brands of weight benches. Filter through them on the basis of:
- Your assigned budget
- Your lifting goals
- The available space you have in your home/gym
- Quality and features delivered by the given brand
Here are some brands that have managed to garner good reviews from customers. Do your research about them and see whether they truly live up to the hype.
- XMark 11-Gauge FID Flat Incline Decline Bench XM-7472, which can withstand a 1500 pound weight and is known for its sturdy built and offer of different positions.
- Bowflex SelectTech 3.1 Adjustable Bench, which is deemed to be perfect for budget-friendly individuals and those who wish for compact designs.
- Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Bench, which is lauded for its quality and versatility. Although, all of this comes at the cost of a high price.
- Marcy Adjustable Utility Bench – SB670, which is highly customizable and the most light on the pocket of the lot. However, the affordability doesn’t mean the quality of the product is compromised. It manages to retain its quality while delivering cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion
Choosing the best weight bench might not be as easy as you thought it would be. You are likely to be bombarded with options. Make a wise decision when faced with choices. Conduct a comparison of the best options. Read reviews and do your research before investing in the bench.
Whatever you do, do make sure you make use of weight benches when weight lifting. It will help you strengthen your muscles and achieve your workout goals.