Gym Weight Bench Buying Guide
The humble weight bench is one of the most essential items for any home gym set-up. Although it is a seemingly simple piece of equipment, its range of movement is unparalleled. If utilised fully, a good weight bench is capable of a wide variety of movements, perhaps more than most of the resistance machines you would find in a commercial gym. Better still, it requires just a fraction of the floor space.
Our weightlifting benches suit all abilities, from novice powerlifters to experienced weightlifters training for competition. Their high max capacity means that your training can go as far as you need it to.
Here at Again Faster, we offer a range of fitness benches to suit your needs. We've put together this guide to our bench range to help you make the right choice for your training needs.
Read on for advice on what sort of weight bench you should choose for your gym and useful information on all nine of our weight bench designs.
Weight Bench Buying Checklist
You'll want to look out for a few basic things before you dive into the specifics of which weight bench to buy. We think you'll need to consider the following before you buy a weight bench:
Weight capacity: Check that the bench's capacity is higher than your own body weight plus the maximum you expect to lift. Our bench capacities start from 250kg, though, so there should be a bench to accommodate even the most serious weightlifters!
Bench size: Check the dimensions of the bench carefully, especially if it's for a home gym where space is limited.
Suitability for your training: We'll discuss this in more detail later, but make a list of all the training exercises you'll want to do, and then make sure you pick a bench that will accommodate them. In particular, consider whether you want flat, incline, or decline functionality (or a bench that covers all three).
Environment: We'll run you through our bench ranges shortly, but if you're after a bench for a commercial setting, check to see if you've picked a bench rated as suitable for commercial use. Conversely, if you only need the bench for personal use a few times a week, it might pay to opt for a lower-spec bench that still serves your needs so that you can spend that extra money on some different toys for your home gym!
Again Faster Bench Ranges
If you're looking to buy a weight bench, it can be challenging to figure out a bench that will be suitable at a glance. We have separated our gym benches into ranges that suit different training levels and environments to help you decide when buying a weight bench. From benches perfect for occasional home gym use to benches that can meet the demands of a busy commercial gym, we've got you covered. The three ranges are:
Team benches: Our Team weight benches are the mid-range option. If you're after a reliable beast for your home gym, Team benches won't let you down and will stand up to the training regimes of even the most severe home gym lifters. They also boast a build quality that will meet the demands of lighter commercial use. So, if you run a small PT studio, a Team bench could be a great shout.
Competition benches: The gold standard, top of the pile, highest spec weight benches we offer. Our competition weight benches are designed to meet the rigours of commercial environments. And because they're built strong, they're super-popular for home gym heroes who want the best gear money can buy. You know it will last when you buy from our Competition weight bench range.
Flat Vs Adjustable Benches
One of the first decisions you'll have to make when buying a weight bench is whether you want a flat or an adjustable bench. Below, we have listed the main advantages of each as briefly as possible to help you make a provisional decision.
Flat Benches
- If you only plan on powerlifting and Olympic lifts, you should only need a flat bench.
- Generally smaller and more manoeuvrable, great for compact gyms.
- Usually much cheaper, saving money for extra accessories for your gym.
- Fewer/no moving parts mean less going wrong, and fewer parts are subject to wear over time.
- One solid pad with no gap offers maximum support for lifts.
- No set-up is necessary; move into place and start training right away.
Adjustable Benches
- It is often considered a must-have for bodybuilding, enabling you to train at different angles and more effectively target specific areas.
- Unrivalled versatility, especially if you go for an FID bench (flat, incline and decline) - you can unlock near-full-body workouts with just one bench.
- Almost all adjustable benches can be used flat, and some even have zero pad gaps (the gap can annoy some lifters).
- If your goals change over time, you're always covered - buy one bench and forget.
Flat Weight Benches
Are you convinced you'll be able to meet all your training goals with a flat bench? Check out the two flat weight benches we currently offer. Below, we briefly describe the advantages and key specs of each bench, but you can follow the links provided to the weight bench's product page if you need more detailed information.
Team Flat Weight Bench
If you're looking to take things up a level with your training or perhaps looking for a durable bench for light-commercial use that doesn't break the bank, then this could be the bench for you. Still a relatively lightweight and easy to manoeuvre 22kg, you'll be able to see and feel the difference with the improved box tubing compared with the Evolution bench. As a bonus, the Team bench comes in black, blue, and red, so you can pick the best colour to suit your gym. Key features at a glance include:
- Massive weight capacity of up to 450kg
- Dimensions of 120cm length x 42cm width x 45cm height (30cm pad width)
- Durable 11-gauge steel bolted frame construction with easy assembly
- High-density foam pad with our grippy upholstery
- Stable, non-slip feet with rubber caps
Competition Flat Weight Bench
Some say that when the world ends, one of the last things left standing will be our Competition benches... no, but in all seriousness, this bench is specially designed for the heaviest lifts and use in high-traffic commercial environments so that it can take a beating. But even though it's a beast, wheels and a handle on the bench make moving around this sturdy piece of kit easy, so it's also a great shout for home gyms. Key features at a glance include:
- Massive weight capacity of up to 450kg
- Dimensions of 122cm length x 51cm width x 42cm height (30.5cm pad width).
- Heavy-duty, 75cmx75cm, 11-gauge oversized steel frame offers unrivalled lift stability.
- Our high-density 10cm thick foam pad with our grippy upholstery is mounted on a sturdy, plywood base.
- Rubber feet caps add extra stability; this bench goes nowhere during your workouts.
Adjustable Weight Benches
Convinced by the versatility and extra features that come with a quality adjustable bench? We have four different adjustable weight benches (and two folding adjustable benches to tell you about later as well) to choose from, so we've laid out the main advantages and key specs of each. Again, if you want more in-depth info on any of the weight benches, follow the links provided to their dedicated product pages.
Team Plus Adjustable Weight Bench
One of our most popular benches is now even better through a redesign. It boasts a relatively compact, low-profile design for an adjustable bench, comes in three colours, and has features that make it a rock-solid choice for a home gym or light commercial setting. Key features at a glance include:
- Huge max weight capacity of 450kg
- Dimensions of 130cm length x 60cm width x 43cm flat height (29cm back pad width)
- Six adjustable back positions and three adjustable seat positions, offering flat and incline options (no decline on this bench)
- Dense, grippy pads with minimal, 2-inch gap between seat and back pad
- Reinforced steel tubing and wide feet for a sturdy design and to minimise any potential sway/movement during lifts
Competition Adjustable Weight Bench
A natural heavy hitter and historically our best-selling bench - and we think it's easy to see why. It offers the unrivalled versatility of flat, incline, and decline positioning, leg attachments built into the robust frame, and a choice of three colours. At a chunky 40kg and with nice, wide feet, you can rely on this bench to offer a rock-solid base for your lifts. Key features at a glance include:
- There are seven different angle settings, from a -20 decline up to an 85-degree incline; this is an FID bench, so it offers flat, incline, and decline.
- Huge 450kg weight capacity.
- The dimensions are 155 cm in length, 68 cm in width, and 45 cm in height (see the product page for detailed specs).
- Solid steel construction includes steel and a bolted adjustment ladder.
- Rear wheels and rubber handle for easy transport (a helpful feature when moving a 40kg bit of kit around!).
- Robust foam pads, 7cm thick and with our grippy, textured cover for comfort and optimal support for your lifts.
Competition Elite Adjustable Bench
The Competition Elite Adjustable FID Bench offers arguably the most flexible, secure, and precision lifting experience on the market. There's nothing else to say about this bench other than that it is a thing of beauty and a premium option for your gym. Key features at a glance include:
The sliding, fully adjustable seat adjusts for zero gap (a seat gap is one of the main drawbacks of an adjustable bench, but that's no issue on this bench!).
New design features include upgraded, curved tubing and widened feet for a rock-solid base for your workouts.
The dimensions are 144 cm in length, 72 cm in width, and 44 cm in height (see the product page for detailed specs).- With a 53kg total weight, a weight capacity of 450kg, and an 11-gauge, robust steel frame, this bench isn't moving anywhere, even during high-load barbell/dumbbell work at all angles.
- Precision training at any angle, with an accurate pin lock adjustment system. Back positions from 0 to 90-degree incline in 15-degree increments.
- Seat positions -15, 0, 10 and 20 degrees.
- Premium urethane transport handle and rear wheels.
- Optional leg attachment to add near-endless decline workout options.
Need more inspiration? Check out our product-specific guides or browse our blog for helpful features, from setting up home gyms to training techniques.
Do you still want more information on any of our products? Contact our team, and we'll gladly help you find the necessary information.