The Best Weight Benches for Home, Folding, Sit-Ups and More

When you’re considering the equipment needed for building or improving upon your existing home gym, a solid workout bench is likely to be at the top of your list, along with a quality squat rack, plates, and a bar or two. While it’s possible to get a great workout just using a floor mat, the versatility that comes with a weight bench is unmatched. You can get more depth and press from a stable, elevated surface, and some benches even help build your lower body and abs. The padding that comes on most benches is a big improvement over the cold, hard, gym floor, too.

The list of exercises a quality weight bench allows you to do is quite long, and some don’t even require anything other than your bodyweight and the bench. When it comes to selecting the right weight bench for your gym, there are a number of factors to consider, like adjustability, weight capacity, height, pad width, and maneuverability.

Flat benches are great for basic strength training exercises or practicing for competition-style lifts, while adjustable benches add an incline and often decline option for even more versatility. Some benches come with attachments for accessory exercises, like preacher curls or leg attachments. If you’re doing some really serious lifting, heavy-duty benches can have weight limits up to and over 1,000 pounds. With so many options, we did the hard work for you, and picked out our favorite weight benches for a variety of categories — and they’re all right here.

Best Weight Benches

• Best Weight Bench Overall: Force USA Commercial FID Bench
• Best Weight Bench for Home Gyms: REP AB-3000 Adjustable Weight Bench
• Best Weight Bench for the Money: Force USA MyBench
• Most Comfortable Weight Bench: REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench
• Best Foldable Weight Bench: Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench
• Best Weight Bench with Preacher Curl: Force USA MyBench
• Best Weight Bench with Leg Developer: Force USA MyBench
• Best Weight Bench for Sit-Ups: Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench
• Best Heavy Duty Weight Bench: REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
• Best Weight Bench with Squat Rack: Competition Bench and Squat Rack Combo
• Best Weight Bench for Powelifters: REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
• Best FID Weight Bench: REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

Best Weight Bench Overall

A weight bench is more than just a piece of gym equipment. It’s a central piece to any gym, and is used in a ton of different exercises. From supporting you during bench press, to holding you up during dumbbell rows and allowing you to do spider curls, the bench is second only to the squat rack in versatility. That’s why it’s important to find a high-quality bench that you know can handle the weight you’re putting on it. Our top pick overall has a great weight capacity, and is adjustable in every way to help you perform any exercise you can imagine. Meet the Force USA Commercial FID Bench.

Force USA Commercial FID Bench

Force USA made the Commercial FID Bench, so you only need to buy one bench to accomplish what five benches used to. This bench can be used for flat bench, incline, military press, decline, and an abdominal bench, all in one. With seven different backrest positions and three seat adjustments, this bench can go from -11 degrees up to 85 degrees. The 12-inch wide pad provides a broad surface to brace against too when putting up a bench press PR.

The weight rating is no joke at 1,300 pounds of capacity. Something many people overlook when buying a bench is that they need to add their own weight to the weight lifted when looking at capacity. If you’re a bigger powerlifter at 242 pounds and benching in the 300 pound range, you’ll be right at the max capacity for a lot of cheaper benches. That’s why this bench is constructed from heavy-duty 11-gauge steel tubing and commercial-grade bolts to provide a weight rating that very few people will ever approach or exceed. 

Who Should Buy The Force USA Commercial FID Bench

• Anyone looking for a bench with a high weight capacity that can handle just about anything you throw at it. The 1,300 pound capacity here is more than enough for most people.
• Athletes who want a bench that can provide the most variety to their workouts. This bench has a ton of different positions, and can accommodate flat, incline, and decline bench, as well as military press, and more.
• Someone who competes in powerlifting will like that the pad on this bench is 12 inches wide — in line with IPF standards. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Force USA Commercial FID Bench

• Athletes who want a weight rack included with their weight bench.
• Someone looking for a flat bench that doesn’t adjust. There are flat bench only options if that’s all you need.
• Anyone looking to keep costs down may want to look for a more cost-effective option. This bench is top-quality, but you pay a premium for it.

If you’re looking for a sturdy, high-quality bench that will last you many years, you’ve struck gold with the Force USA Commercial FID Bench. The weight rating and versatility are best in class. You can perform pretty much any workout you need to with this one piece of equipment, from rows to curls, and any type of pressing. The Commercial FID Bench offers seven backrest adjustments and three seat adjustments — one of the many reasons why it’s our top pick.

Best Weight Bench for Home Gyms

Are you setting up your home gym, and trying to decide which bench is best for your space and needs? Home gyms often don’t have the luxury of a ton of space like commercial gyms do, which means pieces of equipment that are more versatile and serve a variety of purposes may be ideal. We’ve searched through the options and concluded that the REP AB-3000 Adjustable Weight Bench is the best option for home gyms thanks to all it can do, even in a tight space.

REP AB-3000 Adjustable Weight Bench

The AB-3000 is a highly versatile flat-incline-decline adjustable bench with seven different back pad adjustments. These range from 85 degrees to -20 degrees giving you a range to perform any kind of bench press you’d like to target specific areas of your pecs. The seat pad also adjusts in five different positions, providing 21 different possible configurations. REP even includes a leg attachment, which swings out when in a decline position to secure your feet so you don’t go sliding off the bench. If you’re putting together a home gym, this bench makes great use of the space by being so versatile and taking the place of many benches in one — flat, incline, decline, seated press, and ab bench.

The REP AB-3000 is made to be heavy-duty with 14-gauge and 7-gauge steel and a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds to accommodate heavy lifters. The AB-3000 accomplishes this while only weighing 95 pounds, making it easy to move around your home gym when you’re working with limited space. The bench is almost 18 inches tall, making it slightly taller than most other benches with a pad that starts at 11.4 inches and tapers towards the head area. The slightly wider than usual measurement of 26.4 inches also allows for more lateral stability, so you don’t feel like you’ll tip over under a heavy bar. The REP AB-3000 Adjustable Bench is available in four colors, metallic black, red, blue, and matte black, and is a more affordable option at $319.99 before taxes and possible shipping charges.

Who Should Buy The REP AB-3000 Adjustable Weight Bench

• Anyone who’s limited on space at home, and needs one piece of equipment that can accommodate many different exercises.
• Home gym owners who rearrange or move their equipment around often. The wheels and lightweight 95-pound build of this bench make it quite maneuverable.
• Athletes who want a solid adjustable bench for their home, but are somewhat tight on money. The AB-3000 is priced well for the top quality you get.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The REP AB-3000 Adjustable Weight Bench

• Anyone looking for a piece of equipment that takes up a small amount of space when in use. This bench has a footprint of 6.5 square feet, despite its maneuverability.
• Customers who are on a really tight budget may want to opt for a flat, non-adjustable bench since they’re usually cheaper. 
• Athletes who are looking to compete in powerlifting may want to get a more competition-style bench. This bench is great, but not quite to USAPL or IPF specs.

For anyone with a home gym that’s deciding on which weight bench to purchase, the REP AB-3000 is a great decision. It can handle heavy weights, but is still easy to move around. The wide foot placements on it make it very stable laterally — a common problem for home gym benches that want to save on space and sacrifice stability. Unless you’re competing in powerlifting and want a competition-style bench, it’ll be hard to find a more versatile bench at a better price.

Best Weight Bench for the Money

Weight benches are central pieces of equipment to any gym and important for getting a complete workout. That doesn’t mean they need to cost an arm and a leg though. You can get a high-quality bench that offers great value for the price paid — like this pick, the Force USA MyBench.

Force USA MyBench

The Force USA MyBench offers a lot of usability in one piece of equipment. You can quickly and easily adjust it from flat to incline to decline, thanks to the laser cut design. On top of that, it includes a separate leg developer and preacher curl attachment to add a great deal of versatility to your workouts. Plus, who doesn’t love getting a sweet bicep pump from some preacher curls?

The back pad on the MyBench adjusts from -25 degrees to 75 degrees in six positions, while the seat pad adjusts independently in three different positions. Force USA even put back wheels on this bench, so it’s easy to move around when you need to clear space for another exercise, like squats or deadlifts. The weight rating is lower than some other benches, coming in at a 705-pound capacity, which is something to note if you’re a mass monster, or extremely strong. 

Force USA stands behind their product with a lifetime structural warranty, so you know you’re getting a high quality piece of equipment. You can pick up one of these benches up for just $399.99, not including taxes and shipping. And Force USA also offers financing, depending on credit, if that’s too steep to pay all at once.

Who Should Buy The Force USA MyBench

• Anyone who puts a lot of importance on the value you get for the price paid. The Force USA MyBench is a top quality piece of equipment offered at a reasonable price. 
• Athletes looking for a bench that includes some extras will enjoy the included leg developer and preacher curl pad here.
• Lifters who want a bench that they can move around easily will appreciate that Force USA included wheels, and a convenient handle on the MyBench. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Force USA MyBench

• Folks who want a bench with a higher weight capacity may want to opt for a more heavy-duty bench. The capacity here is 705 pounds, but others can support over 1,000 pounds.
• Anyone who finds the gap between a back pad and seat pad uncomfortable may want to look at a no-gap adjustable bench, or flat bench.
• Athletes looking for a bench that comes with uprights or a rack attached may want to look at our top pick for that instead.

If you’re tight on money or looking for the best value for your hard-earned cash, you can’t go wrong with the Force USA MyBench. The ability to do so many different exercises — not only presses, but leg development and curls — make this a great piece of equipment for the money. As long as you’re not going to exceed the 705 pound weight capacity, the MyBench is a top choice. 

Most Comfortable Weight Bench

The saying, “no pain, no gain” is a popular one amongst gymgoers, but it doesn’t have to be true, especially when it comes to your bench. If the bench you have is uncomfortable or worse — hurts when you’re using it — you’re not likely to use it very much. That’s why it’s important to have a bench that you find comfortable, and easy to use. REP made just the bench with their AB-5000 Zero-Gap Weight Bench. 

REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

If you’ve had your fill of adjustable benches that feel unstable, slippery, or just downright uncomfortable, let us offer you a reprieve in the form of our top pick for most comfortable weight bench, the REP AB-5000 Zero Gap adjustable bench. Featuring a non-slip pad that’s almost sticky, so you don’t slide around on the bench, you can get a nice, tight setup. This bench is about as comfortable as you can get — REP eliminates the gap between the back pad and seat pad in all configurations of this bench (such as flat, incline up to 90 degrees, and decline down to -15 degrees) by allowing the seat to slide forward and back. 

The back pad is wider than most pads too, measuring 12.25 inches wide for extra stability and comfort. The 11-gauge steel frame can support up to 1,000 pounds, so you don’t need to worry if this bench can support you and your heaviest bench press. Though this bench is very comfortable and extremely sturdy, it may cause a discomfort on your wallet as it’s priced higher than most other options at around $680, not including taxes or possible shipping charges. If you can foot that bill, then you’ll have your choice of colors between clear coat, matte black, red, blue, and metallic black.

Who Should Buy The REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

• Athletes looking for a bench that they can use every day and still be comfortable will like the non-slip pad and zero gap feature here. 
• Customers looking for a bench they can move around easily. The wheels and urethane handle make this a breeze to move around your gym.
• Heavy lifters who need a sturdy bench that can handle 1,000 pounds.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

• Customers who are on a budget or not looking to spend too much may want to look at another pick since this bench is one of the more expensive options. 
• Anyone who is limited on space may want to look for a smaller option — the AB-5000 has a footprint of eight square feet.
• Lifters who are looking for a combination bench and squat rack may want to look at other options.

If comfort is what you seek, then you’ll find it with the REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Adjustable Bench. The combination of a wider-than-average back pad and non-slip material, as well as no gap between the back and seat make this one of the most comfortable benches to press from. The price may be high for this pick, but so is the comfort level.

Best Foldable Weight Bench

When outfitting a gym, space will inevitably become a limiting factor. There are so many options for machines, racks, and other equipment that the space can often fill up quickly. You may be trying to get a garage gym set up, which may be quite limited on space, too. In any case, having equipment that folds away can be a huge help, and we’ve got just the solution with our top pick for a folding weight bench, the Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench. 

Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench

As with many pieces of equipment made by Rogue, this bench is made with high-quality 11-gauge steel, which is thick and meant to support a lot of weight. The hinged legs are secured in place when folded out by a detent pin that allows this bench to be collapsible for easy storage. Rogue even includes a wall-mounted steel bench hangar, clearing up precious floor space for your gym when the bench isn’t being used. The bench only comes about eight inches off the wall when hung up.

This fold up bench features a high-density neoprene pad and rubber feet to help protect your floors and prevent sliding. The angle of the legs is wide-set to allow for maximum stability. Weighing just 48 pounds, this bench is easily maneuverable around your gym, and if you can pick up a 45-pound plate, you can likely hang this bench on the wall with ease. One big downside here is that Rogue doesn’t explicitly state the weight capacity of this bench, but does offer that it’s, “heavy-duty enough for a tank to sit on it.” We’re off to look up how much a tank weighs, and get back to you on that one.

Who Should Buy The Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench

• Anyone who has a really limited space they’re working with will like that this can stow away quickly, and take up little room. 
• Athletes who want a lightweight bench they can move around with ease, even when fatigued from a tough workout will appreciate that this bench only weighs 48 pounds.
• Lifters looking for a basic flat bench that doesn’t need to have all kinds of attachments. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench

• Anyone looking for a versatile bench that can accommodate incline or decline may want to look at another pick on our list.
• Lifters who are moving serious weight will want to buy a bench that has a stated weight rating, so they’re sure the bench can stand up to it.
• Someone who has a ton of space where an item’s footprint isn’t of concern.

This bench is made by Rogue, and reputation alone tells us that it’ll handle a lot of weight — but without an explicit weight capacity statement, it’d be smart to test out the weight capacity before actually getting under a heavy bar on this bench. Aside from that, this bench is as good as it gets for small spaces. It only takes up about eight inches of space off the wall when hung up, and the legs fold out easily for a quick set up. 

Best Weight Bench with Preacher Curl

So you need a weight bench for hitting your bench press, but you also know beach season is somehow always around the corner, and you need to get your biceps in top shape. Not to worry, Force USA has got you covered with their MyBench, which comes with a preacher curl attachment.

Force USA MyBench

Sometimes a weight bench can be more than just a place to do bench presses. It can be somewhere you do a seated military press, heavy dumbbell rows, contemplate the mysteries of the universe, or in the case of the Force USA MyBench, somewhere to do preacher curls. Included with the purchase of an already awesome bench that does incline, decline, and flat setups, is a preacher curl attachment. This adds even more flexibility to your workouts than a regular FID bench can offer. The preacher curl attachment is height-adjustable to work for people of all sizes, and has non-slip lining on it. 

The weight bench itself is high-quality too with a 705-pound weight rating, and six backrest positions that adjust from -25 degrees to 75 degrees for whatever exercises you need to do. It comes with a leg developer as well, so you can get some leg work in along with those biceps curls. If you’re lifting pretty heavy, this bench’s weight rating may not be quite enough for the very strong people out there though, so make sure it can handle the weight you’re putting up first. 

Who Should Buy The Force USA MyBench

• Users who want a high quality bench that allows for a wide versatility in the exercises that can be performed using it. You can do any type of pressing, plus curls and leg exercises thanks to the preacher curl and leg developer attachments. 
• Lifters who want somewhere to do preacher curls, but lack the space or funds to get a dedicated preacher curl setup. This bench comes with a preacher curl attachment. 
• Anyone who wants a bench that can adjust to an angle that matches their individual height and weight. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Force USA MyBench

• Heavy lifters who need a bench with a super high weight capacity — 705 pounds is good, but some benches support 1,000 pounds or more.
• Anyone looking for a bench that doubles as a sit-up bench for more abdominal work will want to look at other options.
• Athletes looking for a competition-style bench will want to hunt elsewhere.

The Force USA MyBench is a great option for those who value utility and versatility. This bench can support pretty much any exercise you can do with a bench, and it comes with a height-adjustable preacher curl attachment too, so you can get a sick arm pump. 

Best Weight Bench with Leg Developer

Training lower body isn’t always as flashy as training upper body and some people dread leg day, unless you’re Tom Platz. For those of you who love to train your lower body, Force USA included a leg developer attachment with their MyBench, so you can crush those leg extensions and hamstring curls anytime you want.

Force USA MyBench

The Force USA MyBench does some heavy lifting itself, serving as a flat, incline, decline, or military press bench. On top of this, each MyBench comes with a leg developer included, so you can get a real, full-body workout all from one piece of equipment. Rated with a capacity of 705 pounds, this high-quality bench features high-density foam padding and a lifetime structural warranty. You can adjust the backrest to six different positions from -25 degrees all the way up to 75 degrees for whatever exercise you’re doing. The leg developer fits Olympic plates, and allows you to train both leg extensions for the quads, and leg curls for the hamstrings. Few other benches will allow you to get such a complete workout using just one piece of equipment.

Who Should Buy The Force USA MyBench

• Users who want a bench that they can use for their entire workout, even getting some leg work in with the included leg attachment, without needing extra pieces of equipment or different machines.
• Customers who want extra padding on their bench for added comfort during heavy lifting will appreciate the high-density foam padding on the MyBench. 
• Anyone who plans to have their equipment for a long period of time will appreciate the lifetime structural warranty. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Force USA MyBench

• Athletes who want a simple bench with no attachments to distract from their primary lifts.
• Folks who use standard plates may need to look elsewhere for a leg developer that can accommodate that size of weight plate — this only takes Olympic plates. 
• Anyone looking for a more affordable option who doesn’t need a high weight rating may be able to find a similar piece of equipment elsewhere, but it will likely have a lower weight rating. 

For those of you who enjoy training legs or do so because you know you should, this bench will give you the easy nudge you need to get it done. Just pop on the leg developer attachment when you’re done benching, and rep out some leg extensions and leg curls for a true full-body workout.

Best Weight Bench for Sit-Ups

Weight benches are great because they’re so versatile. Even a flat bench can allow you to work a lot of exercises, but there’s nothing like a decline sit-up on a stable decline bench to get your abs burning and core firing. That’s where the Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench excels.

Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench

It’s true you can still do some basic ab work, like crunches, on an adjustable or even flat bench. The Rogue AB-3, however, has a well-made removable foot catch that attaches to the top of the backrest for decline movements, giving a greater degree of decline than pretty much any bench out there at 78 degrees. The rollers don’t adjust, but they’re spaced out nicely, and they do telescope away from the bench to help you find an optimal fit. 

The bench itself is constructed from high-strength 11-gauge steel to be able to hold a lot of weight, but the weight capacity isn’t explicitly stated — you’ll want to be sure to test it out first before getting under a heavy bar. The one problem we have with this bench is there isn’t a handle on the foot catch, which can make mounting and dismounting somewhat difficult, especially after a tiring set of sit-ups. This bench is heavy though, weighing 117 pounds, so stability shouldn’t be an issue. If you can afford the $950 price tag, not including taxes and possible shipping charges, this bench is one of the best options for sit-ups.

Who Should Buy The Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench

• Users who want a bench that they can do nearly everything with, including incline, flat, and decline bench, as well as sit-ups and other ab exercises.
• Customers who want a heavy bench for optimal stability will like that this one weighs 117 pounds — more than many other benches on the market. 
• Anyone who values multiple configurations will like that the seat pad here has six, and the back pad has nine. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench

• Anyone on a budget will want to steer clear of this bench as the price tag is $950 before tax and shipping.
• Folks who are still in the beginning stages of developing their core may find it difficult to get on and off of the foot catches without a handle. 
• Athletes who compete in powerlifting may want to purchase a bench that is closer to competition spec, as this is not. 

If you’re looking to train your core, this is the bench for you. The placement of the foot catch at the top of the bench means you can get the most angle on your sit-ups for the hardest way to do them. The AB-3 from Rogue is one of the heavier benches out there, allowing for greater stability, especially when the center of gravity is higher, as it is when doing sit-ups.

Best Heavy Duty Weight Bench

Some benches are made to stand up to heavy weight, and some are made to stand up to heavy weight. Our top pick for heavy duty weight bench is the latter, and designed to IPF standards, so you can best prepare for a meet. To all you competitive powerlifters out there, we’ve got the bench you’ve been looking for. 

REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

Much like many of the lifters who will want it, this bench is beefy. The REP FB-5000 is made from 3×3-inch, 11-gauge steel to be one of the toughest benches on the playground. It can handle up to 1,000 pounds of weight, and has a four inch thick pad made from high-density foam and covered in non-slip vinyl. Basically, this bench is made for competitive powerlifters and heavy-benchers. The price is very reasonable for the top quality of this bench too, coming in just over $209 for the standard pad, and $239 for the wide pad — both before taxes and possible shipping.

The specifications are made to comply with International Powerlifting Federation standards, allowing you to properly train for a meet. Made with a stable tripod foot design, the bench’s legs are out of the way, so you can get the exact foot placement you want, allowing for maximum leg drive. You can even swap out the 12-inch bench pad for a wider 14-inch pad if you prefer.

Who Should Buy The REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

• Anyone who wants a heavy-duty competition-style bench to practice for a meet will enjoy this beefy 11-gauge steel bench.
• Customers who want a cost-effective, yet high-quality bench will appreciate the price and durability of the FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench. 
• Anyone who likes to color-code their gym equipment will appreciate that this comes in different colors, like blue, red, black, and clear coat. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

• Anyone looking for a bench that does incline or decline will want to look elsewhere as this is a flat bench.
• Folks who don’t need a competition-style bench may be able to get one that isn’t so heavy-duty for cheaper, despite the already low price of this bench. 
• Athletes who want a bench with some attachments, like a curl or leg developer should look at other options on this list. 

If you’re a powerlifter or thinking about competing, this bench should be at the top of your list. The quality of construction for the price is quite generous, and this bench is one that you can grow with, since it’s rated up to 1,000 pounds. Even as a large powerlifter, you’d have to be benching in world record territory to outgrow the FB-5000.

Best Weight Bench with Squat Rack

Bench Press and squat go together like peanut butter and jelly for full-body muscle development. Usually you need a separate bench and squat rack to do these movements, but occasionally you find a product that puts the two together in a convenient combination that makes training easier, and requires less equipment. That’s exactly what Titan Fitness did with this pick and their Competition Bench and Squat Rack Combo.

Titan Competition Bench and Squat Rack Combo

Whether you’re tired of single-leg bench split squats and step-ups, or you’re simply ready to step up your lifting game, the Titan Fitness Competition Bench and Squat Rack Combo is the way to go. When you’re done benching and want to squat, simply remove the safety pin from the bench and roll it back to make use of the squat rack alone. This product also features an element of safety with the squat rack assisting in spotting with a customizable spotter arm length. 

This product can make great use of a small space, but does take up some room itself — it’s 225 pounds on its own with measurements of 81 inches wide, 59 inches deep, and a maximum squat pin height of 61 inches. If you’re on the tall side, you may have to do a half squat just to unrack the bar. This combo rack is heavy-duty though, with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds and diamond plated footplates for your spotter to stand on.

Who Should Buy The Titan Competition Bench and Squat Rack Combo

• Anyone who trains alone will appreciate the built in spotter arms, so they can lift with confidence.
• Customers who want an all-in-one solution to their home-gym needs. The biggest purchases are usually a squat rack and bench, which this covers in one go. 
• Athletes looking for a piece of equipment that multiple people can quickly rotate on. Adjusting the j-hooks on the fly is easy by using the spotter arms. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Titan Competition Bench and Squat Rack Combo

• Someone who prefers to have dedicated pieces of equipment for each lift, such as a separate squat rack and bench press area.
• Folks who are on a tight budget may want to look into a simple flat bench as the regular price of this is $999 before taxes and possible shipping charges. 

If you’re in the market for a combo rack, this one from Titan Fitness can do it all. The attention to detail with non-slip spotter footplates and easily adjustable spotter arms make this a great choice for anyone looking to get a combination bench and squat rack.

Best Weight Bench for Powerlifters

Powerlifters are a different breed of lifters — from their famous use of ammonia to get in the zone to the monstrous weights they handle on a daily basis. The equipment they use should match the intensity that these lifters put out. The REP FB-5000 weight bench is made with the competitive powerlifter in mind, and it shows. That’s why it’s our top pick for weight bench for powerlifters.

REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

The REP FB-5000 is a weight bench made for powerlifters. It’s available in a normal, 12-inch competition width, or for those of you who have backs wider than billboards, there’s a 14-inch wide option too, so you can feel more stable. The non-slip covering over the four-inch thick pad is made from heavy-duty vinyl, so you won’t be ripping it the first time you use it (or the thousandth time). Every aspect of the design of this bench was engineered with huge presses in mind. 

The tripod foot design allows you to get your feet exactly where you need them for optimal leg drive, and the heavy-duty 3×3-inch 11-gauge steel has a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. Grooved, rubber feet help to hold the bench in place when you’re driving with all the power you can summon. They also help to protect your floor, which is a nice touch. It should be easy to build strength with this cost-effective, yet highly durable bench.

Who Should Buy The REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

• Anyone who competes in or wants to compete in powerlifting will like that this bench is made to IPF competition specs.
• Customers who are looking for the sturdiest bench they can find could do worse than this very heavy-duty, competition-style, 11-gauge steel bench. 
• Athletes looking for a simple flat bench that won’t break the bank will like the reasonable price of this bench. 
• Larger powerlifters who want a heavy duty yet comfortable bench that can support even their biggest press will appreciate the 1,000 pound weight capacity, and four-inch thick padding this product offers.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

• Someone who’s looking for a more versatile piece of equipment that they can use for multiple types of benching.
• Anyone who’s tight on space and needs to maximize the utility of each piece of equipment.
• Folks who like a thinner bench press pad, and don’t like a lot of cushioning might not like the four-inch thick padding this bench offers. 

The REP FB-5000 is a robust bench made for robust lifters. This bench can handle nearly anyone’s bench press with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, and the non-slip vinyl is there to hold you in place, even when maximizing your leg drive thanks to the tripod design. 

Best FID Weight Bench

When you see FID used to describe a weight bench, it means flat, incline, decline. Those are the three most common types of bench press used to hit the middle, upper, and lower pecs, respectively. Most people don’t have room for three different types of benches in their gym, nor do they want to pay for three types. That’s where an FID bench comes in, and takes the place of all three in one piece of equipment. Few benches are able to do it better than our top FID pick, the REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench. 

REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

The REP AB-5000 has patented technology that allows the seat to slide forward and backward to eliminate the gap between the seat and back pad, no matter the position. The bench can hit seven different back angles, from flat to 90 degrees, and five seat angles from -15 degrees to 45 degrees. You can add an optional leg roller attachment for options all the way to -75 degrees — great for doing decline sit-ups and core work.

The bench adjusts to incline or decline easily with pop-pins that give a secure feeling. Just because this bench moves doesn’t mean it’s not sturdy though. The REP AB-5000 has a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, is constructed from 11-gauge steel, and has grooved rubber feet to keep the bench in place. The wider base and heavier weight than most benches at 110 pounds make this bench very sturdy, even when doing sit-ups, which raises the center of gravity. This bench is on the pricier side at around $599 before taxes and possible shipping charges — but, we think it’s a high quality piece of equipment that can last you many years if taken care of. You have your choice of matte black, red, blue, metallic black, or (for an upcharge) clear coat. 

Who Should Buy The REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

• Someone looking for a high-quality bench with the capability to do all kinds of benching and pressing will appreciate the wide range of back and seat angles that this bench can achieve (from -15 degrees to 90 degrees).
• Customers who want a heavy-duty bench that won’t feel like it’s going to tip over, even when doing decline sit-ups will appreciate the heavier 110-pound weight here.  
• Home gym owners who want a piece of equipment that’s versatile and won’t fill up their limited space unnecessarily. This is essentially four benches in one with options for flat, incline, decline, and military press.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench

• Someone who’s on a budget or looking for a cost-effective option may want to look at other options on this list.
• Athletes who compete in powerlifting might want to buy a bench that’s closer to competition. 

Flat, incline, decline, military press — this bench can do it all. You can even sneak some core work in if you opt for the leg roller attachment. Anyone in the market for an FID bench would be remiss not to consider this option, as it’s currently (objectively) one of the best on the market. It may be priced higher than many other benches, but it’s also lower than some other FID benches of similar quality out there. REP hit a home run with this piece of equipment.

Before Buying a Weight Bench Consider

As with most home gym equipment, weight benches don’t come cheap. So when you’re making a decision on which bench is right for your gym space, you’ll want to consider what kind of bench you need for your typical workouts, how much weight you’ll be lifting, and how much space you have.

Flat vs. Adjustable

When it comes to the two main types of weight benches, you’ll be choosing between a flat bench and an adjustable bench. Flat benches offer a lot of versatility at the most basic level. You can perform bench presses, pecs flyes, dumbbell pullovers, iso-dumbbell holds and much more, all without needing to raise or lower your back for incline or decline. A flat bench is great for anyone who wants to take their upper body dumbbell work up off the yoga mat on the floor and onto a more comfortable surface.

An adjustable bench takes these basic moves to the next level by adding options for incline and decline. While you can still use the bench laying flat, you can also opt for a range of different angles, and work more exercises like shoulder press, dumbbell fly, and the incline versions the same exercises you can perform flat. If you’re considering an adjustable bench, expect to spend a little more money, but know you’ll get a wider variety of exercises you can perform on your bench out of it.

Weight Capacity

Since your bodyweight and the pounds you are lifting are both supported by the bench underneath you, you’re going to want to make sure your bench can accommodate both. The average weight capacity for a weight bench is around 600 pounds, but many benches can support upwards of 1,000 pounds. 

Typically, the listed capacity is referring to the overall weight, which includes both the user’s weight and the weights they are lifting. There are some who list their weight capacities differently, so before you commit, make sure you’re retaining the proper information from what you’re reading. After all, the last thing you need to worry about when you’re pressing hundreds of pounds over your head is if your bench is going to hold up or come crashing down on you. You don’t want to end up on a a gym fails video. 

Space

Though most benches are fairly small, taking up only the space you need for the bench itself and its supporting legs, some come with added accessories that require a lot more room. At the top of that range are benches that come with a full squat rack. With these, you’ll need more horizontal space to accommodate the width of the rack, as well as vertical space for the rack’s height.

If you like the idea of having equipment that works both your upper and lower body, but you don’t necessarily want a piece of equipment that requires half of your garage space, there are benches that come with leg developer and preacher curl attachments. These options still need more space than your basic bench does, but they won’t take up as much as a squat rack, offering a nice in-between. 

Benefits of Weight Benches

Weight benches are integral pieces of equipment for any gym, and there’s a reason you’d be hard pressed to find a gym without a weight bench in it. They offer better range of motion, a stable surface to press off of, and a ton of utility. The amount of exercises you can do increases exponentially when you add a weight bench to your gym, but more on the ways they can help your fitness journey below. 

Better Range of Motion

When pressing from the floor, the range of motion is limited to about 90 degrees of elbow flexion, but adding a weight bench can drastically increase your range of motion. The floor press is a great exercise on its own because it can help you train the lockout of your bench, but for full chest development, you want a wider range of motion. A bench can also help you achieve a better range of motion with rows too by supporting yourself on one leg with a knee on the bench — you can get a good stretch in your lats every rep. Larger ranges of motion are almost always better for your joints, too.

Stable Surface to Press From

Sure, the floor is a stable surface, but it may not be flat, or it could be kind of dirty if you’re in a garage gym. Pressing from a high quality weight bench, like those on this list, will help give you the confidence that you’ve got a solid foundation to press from when you’re repping out your sets.

Utility

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked benefits of owning a high quality bench. You can do so many different exercises with a weight bench (especially an adjustable one) that are simply not available to those without one. Spider curls, chest-supported rows, and seated lateral raises are a few that come to mind that we do all the time. If nothing else, the weight bench offers a great place to sit in between sets when you’re too exhausted to stand. You can even train lower-body with a basic bench by doing step-ups, split squats, or hip thrusts. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination (well, and safety always comes first, of course).

How We Decide the Best

We understand that it’s easy to search “weight benches” on Amazon and “add to cart” the cheapest option you find. This isn’t necessarily the option that’s going to be the most worthwhile purchase, and it’s definitely not the option that’s going to hold up if you’re lifting anything more than light dumbbells. When pulling this list together, we selected only reliable picks, so you know your money spent will be worth it. 

We considered many variables, such as durability and price. When you invest in a piece of equipment, you expect to get your money’s worth. With any of the weight benches on this list, as long as you don’t abuse them too badly, they’ll last for years and years. 

Durability

Sometimes cheaper adjustable benches can break along the fold after a good amount of use. We made sure that the options on here — in both the low and high price ranges — will hold up for their full lifespan, which tends to be around 20 years. As long as you clean and care for your equipment properly, wiping away any excess sweat, our picks won’t break on you. 

Additionally, some of the padding on cheaper benches can be super thin — like 0.25 inches thin. You won’t want a bench whose pad is less than one inch thick (trust us), but no pad on this list is less than two inches thick. Rest assured these benches will not only be comfortable, but their padding won’t deflate down to the hard frame as you use them. 

Price

While you may be able to find some $50 benches on Amazon, these tend to be less durable, and they may even break before you even get your money’s worth. Our picks range anywhere from $250 to $1,000, but with each selection, you’re going to get a product that will last you years, instead of breaking within a few months. In other words, some of these picks may be more expensive, but they’re well-worth the price. We also try to select products with warranties with reputable companies that we know will stand behind their products and make things right, should the rare occasion occur when you unfortunately get a less than perfect product.

Range of Products

Different athletes have different needs, so we wanted to have benches on this list that could meet a range of these needs. Many of the options you’ll find on here have different offerings, from basic flat benches all the way up to benches with squat racks. Whether you have a lot of space and want a bench with more accessories, or you live in a studio apartment and want something basic that folds up and slides under your bed, we’ve included a solid pick for you.

Final Word

A bench may not be the biggest piece of equipment in your gym, but it’s still a key resource for a great workout. While you can utilize your floor for some upper body and core work, a bench takes everything to the next level and adds comfort and support for your back, as well as extends your range of motion during certain movements (think floor press vs. bench press) as you work. From chest flyes and skullcrushers to box jumps, a bench provides much more versatility than a basic floor mat. 

As you’re going through your wants — flat or adjustable? Squat rack or no squat rack? Preacher curl or leg developer attachment? Or maybe both? — simply weigh them up against this list, pick what’s right for you, and add a lift to your at-home workout routine.

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