All About Weight Benches

Styles, specs and how to choose

Everyone knows that a well-rounded exercise program includes a combination of cardiovascular activities and muscle toning.  For those who hate going to the gym, it's fairly easy to get your cardio in.  Whether you use exercise videos or run around your neighborhood, cardio can be integrated fairly smoothly into your daily routine.

But when it comes to muscle toning, it can be difficult to find an at-home activity that matches the weight machines at the local health club.  That's why many people are turning to at-home weight benches.

What can a weight bench do for me?

A weight bench is an easy way to tone your muscles without leaving the house.  Most weight benches have the same basic design.  A padded back and neck rest is surrounded by various upright bars that are meant to support dumbbells, free weights, and weighted bars.  Some weight benches feature various attachments and racks that allow you to do thrusts and other activities to work your entire body.  Depending on the complexity of the weight bench you buy, it can either make simple weight lifting easier... or it can introduce you to a whole new realm of muscle exercises.

Common features of a weight bench

Adjustable. Weight benches have adjustable supports and attachments so you can make the machine as comfortable as possible for your height, weight, and skill level.

Self spotting. These benches offer bar supports with grooves of various heights, so that if you get in trouble while lifting a weight you can set it down without risk of injury.

Leg presses. High quality weight benches often feature a bar across the bottom to hook your legs across or under, allowing you to exercise your leg muscles while toning your arms with free weights.

All-in-one design. If you're investing in a weight bench, look for one with several exercise options.  These deluxe models allow you to move and lock bars and supports, providing you with a new position-and a new exercise-each time.

Advantages of a weight bench

It may be cheaper to work out at home with free weights, but if you're serious about lifting you should be considering a weight bench.  Even the simplest model will make your life a lot easier.

Weight benches can help prevent injury by ensuring you're in the right position for each exercise.  Weight benches also eliminate the need for a workout buddy by providing supports to hold the weights until you're ready.  Imagine lying flat on your back on the floor, and trying to move up to the next heaviest weight without knowing if you're ready or not.  Kind of dangerous, isn't it?  Not with a weight bench to spot you.

Finally, unlike other exercise machines, weight benches grow along with your ability level.  With a variety of settings, you can adjust the bench as your weight requirement grows higher.  When you become even more advanced, there are separate weight sets that you can purchase to heighten the challenge, without having to upgrade your weight bench.

More information on weight benches