This model from Hammer Strength was originally introduced in 2016 exclusively for athletics and clubs, and was designed to be a versatile bench with an Olympic rack system. We’re such a fan of this brand, we’ve got quite a few pieces in our own Men’s Health gym. It’s American-made and sold around the world due to its high-quality, durable construction.

With seven different back pad positions (from -10 degrees for decline lifts and up to 75 degrees for military presses), it packs even more multi-functionality than most benches out there. Plus, it has built-in wheels, making it great for home gym spaces that require moving a bench around during workouts to accommodate space.

From Samuel’s point of view, this is one of the sturdiest benches he’s ever used. “Its tough surface lets me create a great base for bench presses.” An underrated thing he loves: The comfort of the seat portion of the bench, which allows for locking-in a good position during overhead presses and incline curls.

It’s more expensive than other options in this guide, but if you’re looking for a bench that can keep up with your biggest reps and hardest lifts, this pick has got your back.

Read More: The Best Adjustable Dumbbells

REP Fitness nailed it with this piece. This is the bench that I choose to lift with at home. The assembly is as easy as you hope for with a heavy-duty bench like this. A few seperate parts connected with screws and an allen key. Everything was put together and ready for my workout in less than half an hour (just enough time for you to feel accomplished but not tired).

This bench shines in that it is as comfortable as it is durable. Few benches combine sturdiness, comfort, and versatility like this one from REP Fitness. It offers six different incline angles and a three-post design that anchors it to the floor no matter the exercise. It can also support up to 1,000 pounds, making it a solid option for novice to intermediate lifters.

“The backrest feels way more cushioned than other benches in its class, yet still manages to deliver rigidity when I drive my shoulder blades down for a set of bench presses,” explains Samuel. This bench has only a minimal gap between the seat and back, which has never interfered with any of our lifts. It’s also not ridiculously heavy (<100 pounds), so it’s easy to move around my home gym when needed.

It’s also a total breeze to adjust from fully flat up to 90-degree incline. I’ve never had an issue with the either of the two adjustment mechanisms getting stuck. Three seat positions add to its versatility, too. The roller pads help secure your lower body with decline sit-ups and decline presses.

Bowflex’s flagship 5.1S Stowable Bench is a good mid-range weight bench for small spaces and beginners. What we love most about this bench is its collapsible design—when not in use, it can be stored vertically to reduce its footprint by more than 50 percent. For those who only use a bench at home from time to time and aren’t pushing hundreds of pounds per exercise, this stowable option is a great choice.

“This bench is rated to support up to 600 pounds, but keep in mind that it’s considerably lightweight,” says Samuel. “Meaning if you line up on there for, say, incline rows or preacher curls, it may slip. I find it works best for me for bench presses and seated exercises like press, biceps curls, etc.”

The position of the leg bar is not perfect, especially for those moving heavy weight, we found it can act as a roadblock to setting up lifts properly. That being said, there is a good number of exercises that you can do properly with this bench not possible with others. It features six adjustable settings, including 30, 45, 60, 90 degrees, flat, and more decline range than most similar benches we’ve tested (-20 degrees).

Read More: Best Cross-Training Gym Shoes

Flat benches often support more weight than their adjustable counterparts, but the REP Fitness FB-3000 tops the charts with the best weight capacity and comfort features of any flat bench we’ve tested. Grippy vinyl upholstery prevents slippage on its surface when setting up for a lift, and firm, high-density foam cushioning makes driving down feel as stable as benches double its price. There’s even an optional wall hanger for stowing it away when not in use.

It stands 17 inches from the floor to the top of the pad, and features a three-post design equipped with wheels and a handle to make moving it around easy. Its dimensions are largely consistent with benches used in powerlifting competitions, ensuring powerlifting users a training experience that closely aligns with professional standards. Talk about setting up for success, right?

“For less than $200, there isn’t a better flat bench on the market. Especially for simple, foundational lifts like the bench press,” explains Thorp. “I’m a big fan of how simple this bench is, with even padding throughout, making it a solid option for weighted step-ups as well.”

The FB-5000 distinguishes itself with incredible value, but it does come with the same limitations as any flat bench: You miss out on a range of exercises that incline positions on adjustable benches provide. A flat bench is great for most powerlifters, but limiting to the rest of us lifting at home. Beyond its performance, this flat bench comes in various colors, including glossy black, red, blue, and textured versions, allowing users to personalize their gym setup.

Following extensive testing over the years, we’ve determined this bench to be the most versatile, and a standout in this guide of solid choices. This adjustable bench from Prime Fitness USA earned its spot primarily due to its stability—unlike lighter benches, it stays put during exercises on nearly any surface we’ve tested. Boasting a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds when flat and 600 pounds in an incline position, it can handle substantial weights for various fitness levels.

Seven adjustable backrest positions provide more flexibility than most benches, and the cushioning strikes a perfect balance between comfort and stability. The bench’s quick switch between incline settings is also ultra smooth and efficient. Our Fitness Director Samuel enjoys this piece so much he wishes it was an option in the commercial gyms he frequents.

Heavy lifters will love how immovable this bench is: Unlike some lighter benches, it won’t slide away from you with exercises like chest-supported rows—regardless of the surface. With the substantial weight capacity, we felt confident and stable pushing heavy weight on this bench. The trade-off is it’s heavy itself, and while the it has built-in wheels for transport, we wouldn’t plan on taking it up and down the stairs a lot.

The cushioning manages to be comfortable while still providing a stable, sturdy base. Speaking of bases, the footprint on this bench is more sizable than most, so consider dimensions carefully if you’re tight on space.

Read More: The Best Dumbbells

For those in search of a better looking bench fit for your living room or guest room, this new offering from Matrix is a great option. The build is commercial grade, and fit for most heavy lifts. This bench is part of a set the manufacturer offers that includes adjustable dumbbells and storage rack, for those who are seeking a sleek-looking package.

“I like how easy it is to move and store this bench for how stable and sturdy it is,” says Thorp. “Combined with the adjustable dumbbells, it brings everything that I need for a solid workout to my basement, with an aesthetic that elevates the room.”

As sturdy as the bench is, it lacks the weight capacity of the Prime or the Hammer Strength benches. Able to handle up to 650 pounds, it should withstand the majority of training scenarios, but if you’re a body builder looking to move some real weight, there are probably better places to look in this guide.

The versatility of this bench is another highlight, with five different angles of incline and the ability to reverse the backpad to better support individuals with different body types or other comfort demands. The wheels and handle make it easy to move, and storing against the wall for additional floorspace is simple.

Pros

• Sturdy weight capacity
• Lightweight, easy to move around
• Foldable design is great for tight spaces
• Great for beginners

This flat bench from Flybird is a suitable option for beginners who are tight on space, offering good value just north of $100. While there are higher-quality flat benches available at a higher price point, the foldable legs make it a standout choice for storage when not in use. The pin and lock system for the folding legs is efficient, taking less than a minute to set up or break down.

The bench is also extremely lightweight, making it easy to move and store as needed. However, for those performing lifts with dumbbells over 50 lbs, a heavier option is preferable for more stability. Despite its lightness, we found it reliable for various exercises like light dumbbell presses, curls, and skullcrushers at home.

According to Samuel, this is a very solid entry level bench. “It’s more on the cushioned side and actually very comfortable,” he explains. “It’s obviously not going to do incline and is prone to sliding, so you definitely want a yoga mat under it.” It’s a budget-friendly option suitable for novice and intermediate lifters, as long as precautions are taken to stabilize the bench.

Fitness news Are Weight Benches Suitable for All Fitness Levels?

You don’t necessarily need a weight bench to get strong and build muscle, but having one gives you access to a host of exercises (regardless of fitness level), especially when it comes to upper-body training.

Most basic exercises that beginners should master, like dumbbell presses and single-arm dumbbell rows and hip thrusts, are much easier to execute with a bench (especially an adjustable one). Meanwhile, more advanced lifters can get incredible mileage out of a bench by unlocking more innovative moves like half-bench single-arm presses and single-arm rows.

Fitness news Flat vs. Adjustable Benches

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Design

A flat weight bench is designed with a fixed, flat surface, whereas an adjustable weight bench allows you to adjust the angle of the bench to different incline or, in some cases, decline angles.

“The adjustable benches that offer a decline setting are a terrific value for anyone who wants to get creative with their core exercises while training at home,” says Samuel.

Exercise Variety

“Adjustable benches give you so many more options for your exercises,” explains David Otey, C.S.C.S and Men’s Health Advisory Board member. “Instead of just working at flat or upright, all of the angles in between can give you variety and diversity in your training options.” Those angels allow you to bias muscle groups in different, more selective ways. A flat weight bench limits you to exercises that can be performed on a flat surface.

Convenience

Adjustable benches offer more convenience overall (especially well-built ones), offering access to more movements and angles. Adjustable benches also offer support for extra movements, such as overhead presses and lateral raises, which can allow for greater loading of those movements in the long term. But flat weight benches win for convenience in two areas. They’re generally lighter, so you can more easily move them around your gym, and they’re easier to stow when not in use, too.

Maintenance

Because flat weight benches generally have fewer mechanisms and lack a hinge of any sort, they’ll be easier to maintain. Adjustable benches don’t require a ton of maintenance, but it’s worthwhile every so often to check on bolts and caps, and make sure your hinge mechanism is working smoothly.

Price

Generally, an adjustable weight bench is more expensive than a flat weight bench due to its more complex design and features.