Bored of bodyweight? Dumbbells looking dreary? Resisting your resistance bands? Sounds like you’d be a great bench warmer — weight bench, that is.
While there’s plenty you can do in a home gym without one, a sturdy adjustable weight bench is invaluable if you want to lift heavier weights, target particular muscle groups in your chest and shoulders, or just add a little more variety to your workouts. (Hint: They’re not just for bench presses!)
So, allow us to pump up your fitness plans with these killer weight bench recs.
Best weight benches of 2021
- Best overall: ProForm Carbon Strength Adjustable Bench
- Top rated: REP Fitness AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3
- Best for beginners: StrengthTech Fitness Adjustable Weight Bench
- Best budget bench: Ativafit Adjustable Weight Bench
- Best high end bench: Technogym Bench
- Best flat bench: Marcy Flat Utility Weight Bench
- Best for serious weightlifters: Rogue Adjustable Bench 2.0
- Best for larger bodies: XMark 7630 Weight Bench
- Best for small spaces: Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench
- Best portable bench: Reebok Professional Aerobic Deck
How we chose
When it comes to weight benches, safety and sturdiness are KEY, so those were our main priorities when assembling this list. We scoured reviews for notes about safety and sturdiness and benched any options that seemed a little shaky or had lots of negative reviews.
Here are the other things we looked for:
- Legit reviews. All the weight benches on this list have at least 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon or their manufacturer’s website AND passed our “fake review” sniff test.
- Weight capacity. We prioritized benches that could hold a minimum of 600 pounds (lbs.) — that’s body weight plus weights weight.
- Extra features. Is it adjustable, or does it have any other neat functions? Does it come with extras, like a bar, dumbbells, resistance bands, etc.? Bonus points!
Pricing guide
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100–$300
- $$$ = over $300
The 10 best weight benches of 2021
These are def the best of the benchbunch!
Best overall
ProForm Carbon Strength Adjustable Bench
- Price: $$
- Adjustability: incline, decline, upright, flat (11 backrest positions and 6 seat positions)
- Weight capacity: 610 lbs. (277 kg)
- Extra features: padded seat, wheels
This bench is our top overall pick because, although it’s no-frills, it’s made with high quality, durable materials and offers a 610-lb (277-kg) weight capacity. It’s one of the few benches to offer decline and military press (seated fully upright) options within its 11 back positions and 6 seat positions.
It’s also not that expensive, so it’s an ideal choice for n00b lifters and dedicated home gym buffs alike.
Top rated
REP Fitness AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3
- Price: $$
- Adjustability: incline, upright, flat (6 backrest positions, 3 seat positions)
- Weight capacity: 1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
- Extra features: handle, wheels
Home gym hobbyists ❤️ REP Fitness weight benches. While doing our research, we came across numerous references to this brand as the holy grail of weight benches. And, no surprise, most of their benches are currently out of stock. This one was still available when we checked, and it had 240 glowing reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5 stars.
Best for beginners
StrengthTech Fitness Adjustable Weight Bench
- Price: $$$
- Adjustability: incline, flat (7 backrest positions, 8 seat positions)
- Weight capacity: 800 lbs. (363 kg)
- Extra features: leg hold-down attachment, wheels
This StrengthTech bench is pretty basic but extremely sturdy, according to reviewers.
Per the manufacturer’s website, it has a weight capacity of more than 800 lbs. (363 kg), so as a beginner, you’ll have room to grow into this thing no matter your size. It’s also got a leg hold-down attachment so you can get your sit-up on.
Best budget bench
Ativafit Adjustable Weight Bench
- Price: $
- Adjustability: incline, decline, flat (7 backrest positions)
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs. (150 kg)
- Extra features: leg hold-down attachment, resistance bands
This is one of the few adjustable weight benches you can get for under $100, and the reviews are mostly positive — BUT (and it’s a big but) several negative reviews mention missing pieces, like bolts and screws, that affect the stability of the bench, and the overall questionable quality of the materials. It’s also got a low weight capacity.
Best high end bench
Technogym Bench
- Price: $$$
- Adjustability: flat only
- Weight capacity: 265 lbs. (120 kg)
- Extra features: weighted knuckles, three sets of resistance bands, 5 pairs of dumbbells, training mat, wheels, built-in accessory storage
If you have a little extra cash and want to equip your home gym in one fell swoop, then this is IT.
The Technogym Bench is a flat bench featuring built-in storage for its many accessories, and you can mount resistance bands on it to do a resistance band workout. The only downside is that it’s not adjustable.
Best flat bench
Marcy Flat Utility Weight Bench
- Price: $
- Adjustability: flat only
- Weight capacity: 600 lbs. (272 kg)
- Extra features: none
This is probably the sturdiest weight bench you’ll find if you want to keep it under $100, especially compared with other cheap, non-adjustable options. Unfortunately, manufacturing defects and missing pieces are common complaints in the negative reviews, so buyer beware!
Best for serious weightlifters
Rogue Adjustable Bench 2.0
- Price: $$$
- Adjustability: incline, flat (6 backrest positions, 2 seat positions)
- Weight capacity: not disclosed
- Extra features: wheels, pull handle
Rogue makes really high quality workout equipment, including stuff for CrossFitters (so you know it can stand up to some wildin’ out). This bench is perfect if you’re already familiar with using a weight bench and need an upgrade.
One reviewer put it best when they said they thought they’d ordered a weight bench “but this tank showed up instead.”
Best for larger bodies
XMark 7630 Weight Bench
- Price: $$$
- Adjustability: incline, decline, upright, flat (7 backrest positions, 3 seat positions)
- Weight capacity: 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) 🤯
- Extra features: wheels, easy-adjust ladder back with degree labels
With a weight capacity of 1,500 lbs. (680 kg), this weight bench is made for lifting heavy, no matter your weight. Reviewers also report that it’s taller than most others, so it’s a great fit for taller folks.
Not convinced this bench could hold that much weight? Well, reviewers comment over and over on just how sturdy it is.
Best for small spaces
Bowflex 4.1S Stowable Bench
- Price: $$
- Adjustability: incline, decline, upright, flat (5 backrest positions)
- Weight capacity: 550 lbs. (249 kg)
- Extra features: wheels, handle, stows away vertically to save space
Bowflex has come a long, long way since its cheesy infomercial days.
If you’re living that sardine can life and barely have room for your bed, much less a weight bench, you don’t have to give up on gains. This bench stows away vertically, so you can stash it in a closet or corner when not in use.
Best portable bench
Reebok Professional Aerobic Deck
- Price: $$
- Adjustability: flat, decline, incline
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs. (150 kg)
- Extra features: storage compartment, clips to attach resistance bands, doubles as a step for cardio workouts and box jumps
If your weight bench wish list consists of multifunctional fitness equipment used for cardio and strength training, sturdy but compact enough to move easily, with POCKETS, this aerobic deck from Reebok is what you want.
It’s got two foldable legs that allow you to use it as a flat or decline bench (or for cardio) and a panel on top that folds up to provide incline (and reveal a hidden storage compartment). When you’re done, fold the legs up and push this lightweight 28-lb. (13-kg) bench under your bed or toss it in the trunk for an on-the-go fitness sesh.
Who should get a weight bench?
If you’re ready to level up your home weightlifting, then a weight bench should DEFINITELY be on your radar. They’re not just for bodybuilders.
Weight benches allow you to unlock a whole host of new lifts (beyond dumbbell curls and kettlebell swings) that target different muscle groups, and they make it way easier (and safer) to do heavy lifts than, say, that wobbly dining chair you’ve been using.
Even if you’re a bodyweight exercise buff, you can use a weight bench to your advantage. Think incline push-ups and triceps dips.
So if you’re srs about building strength, don’t hesitate to make a weight bench a key part of your home gym.
How to choose a weight bench
Here are the key things to consider when choosing a weight bench:
- Budget. First things first: You gotta figure out how much you’re willing to spend on a weight bench. You can get a good one for less than $100, or you can easily spend more than $1,000 for a high end option.
- Weight capacity. Consider not only your current weight and the weight of anyone in your household who will be using the bench but also how much weight you plan to lift at once. If you lift heavy (or live with someone who does), you’re gonna want a sturdy bench with at least a 600-lb. (272-kg) weight capacity.
- Quality/safety. Be sure to scour the reviews, especially the negative ones. If there are common themes re: safety or quality of materials, take note!
- Size. Finally, make sure the bench will fit comfortably into your space. You can find teeny weight benches that fold up for storage if you have a cramped space. Or, if you’ve got a roomy home gym, you can get a hoss, boss.
Lift safely!
Using a weight bench can be dangerous, especially for newbies. This is why it’s so so so important to have a spotter if you’re doing bench presses or if you’re upping your weight. Don’t take chances. No one wants to take a barbell to the neck!
The bottom line
A weight bench is an essential buy if you wanna level up your home weightlifting game, but safety is key. Make sure the one you choose is safe and sturdy, with a high enough weight capacity to accommodate your strength gains. And DON’T be embarrassed to use a spotter, esp if you’re a newbie to lifting.
With these 10 top-notch weight bench options, you’re gonna be one fit bench jockey.
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