Information About Gym Weight Benches

The gym weight bench is standard workout equipment. The bench supports your torso, which enables you to train with good form. Benches are classified by type and associated with specific exercises. Weights and attachments are used in conjunction with the bench for varied workouts. Gym weight benches are available for sale at various outlets; and the decision to buy should be related to your specific workout goals.

Types

Benches are often named for the angle in which they rest. Weight benches are described as flat, incline, decline, and seated bench. Premium benches and home gyms will be adjustable, with basic levers that allow you to position the bench according to height and at several angles for exercise.

Exercises

You will work your upper body by using the bench to keep a solid base, with your back and shoulder blades flat against the surface. "Muscle and Fitness" magazine lists the eponymous bench press, military press and lateral pull down as exercises that are directly associated with gym weight benches.

Flat, incline and decline bench press exercises work the middle, upper and lower sections of your chest, respectively. The seated bench is good for shoulder exercises, such as military presses and lateral pulls. Additionally, you may use the decline bench for increased resistance to do sit ups.

Gym weight benches may also be attached to pulley equipment that allows for legwork. Leg curls and seated leg extensions are performed on the bench.

Features and Additional Equipment

Bally Total Fitness gyms accompany weight benches with additional workout equipment, such as barbells, dumbbells and metallic plates. Gold's Gym manufactures Olympic benches that carry exercise charts, four-roll leg lockdowns, and even dual-carriage weight crutches that allow you to perform squats.

Where to Buy

Gym weight benches may be purchased in person at sporting goods stores, where you can generally test the equipment for fit before you buy. If you already have a good idea of what you want, you can shop online for new equipment, or look for good deals on used equipment. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, used home gym equipment is often hardly used and in good shape, but try to find out what condition the equipment is in before you buy sight unseen.

Should You Buy?

You need to weigh the costs and convenience of purchasing the gym weight bench against those of patronizing your local health club. Fully equipped gyms generally offer members access to multiple types of weight benches for monthly fees. Premium weight benches and accessories are more expensive upfront, but these are one-time costs.

Serious workout enthusiasts should consider purchasing the weight bench as part of a home gym. The convenience will make up for the expense, over time.

References

• Muscle and Fitness: Chest Exercises

Resources

• Critical Bench: Bench Press Workouts