Best Weight Bench for Home Gyms (2023) | Garage Gym Reviews

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In addition to a barbell, squat rack, and weight plates, a weight bench is an essential piece of home gym equipment, and there are thousands of different options to select from. There are adjustable benches, FID (flat, incline, and decline) benches, flat utility benches, and then a myriad of unique benches for specific movements.

In this guide, we’ll break down all of the options that we’ve tested and reviewed over the years and give you our recommendations for the best weight bench for different price points, space constraints, training goals, and strength levels.

A weight bench offers a ton of versatility for your home workouts, and using a bench as a stable surface is integral to a ton of strength training exercises like chest presses, dumbbell bench presses, incline rows, tricep dips, and more. With that being said, you want to make sure you get your purchase right by choosing a sturdy, functional bench that works for you.

More Than 50 Weight Benches Tested 

We’ve researched more than 100 weight benches, used more than 50 of them, and legitimately put more than 30 of them to the test for bench press, dumbbell workouts, and other exercises. We put hard work into exploring the many options out there to help you narrow down the best value weight benches.

RELATED: Dumbbell Leg Workout

And because our team consists of weightlifting and CrossFit coaches, certified personal trainers, and competitive athletes, you can be sure that we know a high-quality bench that will help people achieve their maximum potential from one that’s better suited as a drying rack. The products we recommend are ones we’d use in our own home gyms, or recommend to our family and friends (which includes you!).  

The 11 Best Weight Benches for Your Home Gym 

Best Overall Adjustable Weight Bench: REP AB-4100 Adjustable Weight Bench

Good for: Those who want an incredibly versatile and high-value adjustable bench

Best Overall Adjustable Bench

REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Budget-friendly adjustable weight bench
• 7 back pad adjustments
• 3 seat adjustments
• Affordably priced

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Meets IPF standards for weight benches (on an adjustable bench. Not typical!)
• Same number of adjustments as the REP AB-5200
• Sells for just under $400, a great price for a quality weight bench
• Seven different color options

Cons

• Back pad is a little shorter than the AB-5200
• Doesn’t have a decline option
• Nit-picky here, but the knobs feel unnecessarily cheap

Bottom Line

An affordable, lightweight, and heavy-duty adjustable weight bench perfect for most home gym owners.

Coop knew almost immediately that the REP AB-4100 would be his go-to pick for the best adjustable weight bench for most home gym owners. Why? Well, it offers just about the same amount of back pad and seat adjustments as more expensive options, has a minimal pad gap, only weighs 85 pounds, and it meets IPF standards (which isn’t common in adjustable benches). 

All that for under $400 makes this a no-brainer for those who need an adjustable bench. The only major downside is there’s no decline option, but if that’s something that’s important to you, we’ll have some recommendations later on in this list. 

There are seven back pad adjustments, and three for the seat. That’s just as many as the slightly more expensive REP AB-5200 ($579), our previous pick for best adjustable weight bench, and only a few less than the much more expensive Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 ($705). In other words, you get a lot more bang for your buck with this bench. 

The areas where you sacrifice quality come down to the powder coat, knobs, and vinyl gripping, all of which are not as nice as the AB-5200 or Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0. But we don’t think those will be much of a problem for most who just want a good weight bench in their home gym. 

The maximum weight capacity is listed as 700 pounds, which would be fine for most, but the tripod design and use of 7- and 14-gauge steel (the lower the number, the thicker the steel) throughout the frame lead us to think it can withstand more than that. 

We go more in-depth on this bench in our full REP AB-4100 adjustable bench review. 

Price$399Footprint51.3” L x 20.3” W x 17” HPad Dimensions 36” L x 12” WAdjustments 7 back, 3 seatConstruction7- & 14-gauge steelWeight 85 lbsWeight Capacity700 lbs

Best Budget Adjustable Weight Bench: REP AB-3100

Good for: Home gym owners who need an affordable adjustable bench that still performs well

Best Budget Adjustable Weight Bench

REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3

GGR Score: 4.5

Community Score: 3

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Product Highlights

• Affordable

• Easy assembly

• Narrow seat

• 6 adjustable back positions

• Three-post design for no interference

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rated for 1,000 lbs rated,
• Affordable at less than $200
• 17” height
• 3 seat pad adjustments from flat to incline
• 6 back pad adjustments from flat to 85 degrees
• 2.5” pad thickness
• Matte black powder coating
• Small, 2-inch gap between the seat and back pad
• 11.5 inch pad width
• Quick and easy assembly
• 10-year frame warranty that

Cons

• Fairly large footprint
• Only locks when the bench is horizontal
• Wide, circular, steel feet with no rubber padding
• No decline option
• May not work for many larger users

Bottom Line

If you are looking for an adjustable bench and do not need a decline option and cannot pay close to $1,000, then the Rep Fitness AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3 is one we’d suggest. It is made overseas and comes with a 10-year frame warranty and high quality steel construction. It can adjust to six positions and is rated to 1,000 pounds. For the price, you may not find a better or higher quality adjustable bench.

Is the REP AB-3100 the most budget-friendly adjustable bench out there? No, but sometimes it’s worth paying just a little bit more to get more out of your home gym equipment. When it comes to this bench, this means having something that has a 3-foot post design for maximum stability, six back pad adjustments (from flat to 85 degrees), and three seat pad positions. 

The listed weight capacity is only 700 pounds, but the 3-post design and use of 4-gauge steel in parts of the bench mean it can probably withstand more than that. 

That’s a good amount of features for a bench that costs under $300 (with free shipping) and is available in four different colors. And it meets the IPF standard for weight bench height at 17 inches. You’ll also get a 10-year warranty for the frame, which for the price is an incredible deal.

As with any budget home gym equipment, there are some conveniences and features that you’ll sacrifice on this bench. One of the biggest is the feet are steel, rather than rubber, which could potentially scratch and damage your floor. It also utilizes a ladder-style adjustment, which isn’t quite as secure as a lock pin but we don’t think there will be many issues with REP’s benches.  

Price$269.99Footprint50.5” L x 23” W x 16.75” H Pad Dimensions 34.75” L x 11.75” W (tapered to 9”) Adjustments 6 back, 3 seatConstruction14- and 4-gauge steel Weight 70 lbsWeight Capacity700 lbs

Best Overall Flat Weight Bench: Titan Flat Weight Bench

Good for: Someone who wants a feature-filled bench with a high weight capacity at a good price

Best Budget Flat Weight Bench

Titan Flat Bench

GGR Score: 4.4

Community Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Very affordably priced
• 17” bench height, which meets IPF standards
• Weight capacity is listed at 1,000 lbs
• Rubber grip pads on feet prevents sliding
• Free shipping

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very affordably priced
• Handle on the front and wheels on the back for easy maneuverability
• 17” bench height, which meets IPF standards
• Weight capacity is listed at 1,000 lbs
• Stitched Titan Fitness logo, which looks cool
• Spine and legs are fully welded
• Rubber grip pads on feet prevents sliding
• Free shipping

Cons

• Titan is known for having shipping issues
• Improved welds still need work
• Light powder coating, which means it may experience corrosion
• Two massive feet instead of a post at the front

Bottom Line

The Flat Weight Bench from Titan Fitness is a good, budget-friendly bench. In our review, we’ve found that it’s a great value, although benches like the REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench should first be considered due to the cost difference being minimal. If you’re looking for a flat bench for your home gym that meets IPF standards, has wheels and a handle, and don’t want to spend too much, this isn’t a bad option, but again, we do think there are better ones available.

The Titan Flat Weight Bench combines a high weight capacity and good features at a great price. This is pretty much Titan’s bread and butter: Selling imported equipment that gets you 90 percent of the way there, compared to equipment that costs twice as much. 

Sure, the quality of the welds, packaging, vinyl, etc., isn’t at the level of Rogue or some of the other brands on our list, but in terms of “getting the job done,” it pretty much hits every checkbox.

Despite the low price of around $150 (depending on the deals, such as Black Friday or Labor Day, it might cost considerably less), the Titan Flat Weight Bench has a max weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. To be honest, weight capacity ratings are a bit subjective. Although it says 1,000 pounds, it could likely hold more than double that, but suffice it to say, it will basically be able to hold any weight you plan to use for chest presses.

In addition to the high weight capacity, the bench includes two wheels on the back and a handle on the front leg for easy maneuverability. There are similarly priced benches that I weighed against this one, but what put this bench over the top was the addition of the wheels and handle for a similar price.

As with any Titan Fitness product, there are many issues discussed in the review sections. Things like pieces missing, the packaging being broken before the customer received it, surface rust within the tubes, and other minor things. This is incredibly annoying, but most of the faulty reviews are from 2017 and 2018, and Titan has cleaned up their act in recent years (though if you’re a part of our Home Gym Community on Facebook you’ll know they pop up from time-to-time). 

Price$149.99Footprint52” L x 17” W x 17” HPad Dimensions 48” L x 12” WConstruction3” x 3” 11-gauge steelWeight 37 lbsWeight Capacity1,000 lbs

Most Versatile Flat Weight Bench: REP FB-5000 Flat Bench

Good for: Anyone at any fitness level looking for a high-value flat weight bench

Most Versatile Flat Bench

REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

GGR Score: 4.5

Community Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Great price on a high-quality bench
• Compatible with REP Wide Pad or Thompson Fat Pad
• 3″ x 3″ 11-gauge steel provides solid construction

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great price for a good value bench
• 3” x 3” 11-gauge steel
• Sturdy 3-post bench
• Nothing in the way of your feet when you bench
• Rated to 1,000 pounds
• Meets the IPF specs for length, height, and width
• Comes with a 4” thick pad on a plywood base with durable vinyl upholstery and the option to purchase an extra wide pad
• Comes with a handle and wheels
• Compatibility with 2 other bench pads including the extra wide and the Thompson Fat Pad
• Easily assembled in less than 20 minutes.
• Available in multiple colors and designs.

Cons

• Shipping not included in price
• Short manufacturer’s warranty
• Some assembly required
• 30-day return period and restocking fee applied to returns

Bottom Line

The Rep FB-5000 Flat Bench is the best value flat bench we’ve tested and reviewed. It offers an incredible combination of price and quality that many companies have overlooked for some time. With over 250 customer reviews, there is not 1 under 4 stars and most of those are for less than minor complaints. If you need a flat bench, this is the one we suggest. You could pay more, but it would still probably not be as good. Seriously.

When you factor in the number of great features and detailed thought that went into the REP FB-5000 Flat Bench and compare it to the price point of the competition, it’s no wonder that this bench received over 80 percent of the votes when we initially asked the Garage Gym Community what the “best flat bench for most people” was.

This is a competition-style flat bench with a heavy-duty design capable of handling weights up to 1,000 pounds. REP covered every detail, including grippy vinyl to help push against during the bench press. 

Construction-wise, this bench has a 3-inch by 3-inch 11-gauge steel frame, with 7-gauge connecting plates. It features a height of 17 inches from the floor to the top of the pad, and, most notably, a three-post design with wheels and a handle for easy maneuverability and the ability to tuck your feet uninhibited under the bench.

REP absolutely dominates most other companies in terms of great value benches, and this is their magnum opus. 

The thick foam pad is similar to the Rogue Competition Fat Pad and the Thompson Fat Pad, though not quite as big (which I think is a good thing for most people). Are the padding and vinyl overall as nice as Rogue? No, and that’s the case for most REP products due to them being imported with less expensive materials. But, does REP’s competition pad get 95 percent of the way there with a much lower cost? Yes, definitely, which is the reason I recommend it.

In addition to all of the specs we listed, the REP FB-5000 also comes in a variety of colors to match your rack. We’re partial to the glossy black version, but the red, blue, and textured versions look great as well.

Read our full and in-depth REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench review to get more details.

Price$209.99Footprint50.5” L x 21” W x 16.9” H Pad Dimensions 48” L x 12” WConstruction11-gauge steelWeight 62 lbsWeight Capacity1,000 lbs

Most Versatile Adjustable Weight Bench: Ironmaster Super Bench Pro

Good for: Lifters who want an adjustable bench that can do it all 

Most Versatile Adjustable Bench

Ironmaster Super Bench Pro

GGR Score: 4.7

Community Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• Extremely stable, durable and versatile flat-incline-decline bench

• Lower height profile (17.2″ in flat position)

• Revised locking ring system

• Commercial grade high-density back pad

• Transport wheels and additional Ironmaster PRO attachment options

Pros & Cons

Pros

• IPF height (17.2 inches tall)
• Compact and lightweight (64 pounds without seat, 68 pounds with seat)
• 11- and 12-gauge steel frame
• Wide base and large footpads increases stability
• 11 lockout angles give you incline, decline, flat and upright positions
• Compatible with most Ironmaster PRO attachments
• High-density, commercial grade pad is very dense/firm
• Free shipping
• Some parts come pre-assembled
• Vertical storage
• Great warranty (10 years)

Cons

• 10.5-inch width back pad may be narrow for some
• No handle to assist with transport and storage
• The seat does not have its own adjustment and is always at a 90 degree angle
• Some reviews reported that the tapered seat is narrow and uncomfortable
• Upholstery on back seat is not non-slip

Bottom Line

The Ironmaster Super Bench PRO is undoubtedly a well-constructed, sturdy, and extremely versatile bench that is a great option for most home gym users. However, if a narrower back pad and seat is something that bothers you, this bench may not be your cup of tea.

If you’re looking for the Swiss Army knife of weight benches, the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro is the answer. On its own, it’s capable of being used as a flat, incline, decline, and upright bench so no movement is off limits here. 

All told, this bench has 11 different lock-out angles that are super secure, so you don’t have to worry about the bench moving on you while you’re using it (if you’ve ever had that happen to you, you know how scary that can be). 

If that wasn’t enough, Ironmaster sells several attachments that can be added to this bench such as a leg curl attachment. There are also crunch sit-up, dip bar, and preacher curl attachments. Essentially, this thing can act as its own home gym. 

The one major downfall of this bench is that the seat is always at a 90-degree angle, and it’s one of the few parts that can’t be adjusted. That’s OK, but we would’ve liked to see some adjustment available for it. The back pad may also be a bit too small for some users at 10.5 inches (the industry standard is closer to 11.5 to 12 inches). 

We’re also not big fans of the fact that there’s no handle to help you move it, though it does come with transport wheels. You’ll just have to deadlift the entire bench if you ever need to move it to a different spot in your home gym.  

Price$459Footprint47” L x 20.75” W x 17.2” HPad Dimensions 44” L x 10.5” WAdjustments 11 back (incline and decline) Construction11- and 12-gauge steel Weight 64 lbsWeight Capacity1,000 lbs (600 for incline) 

Best Folding Weight Bench: PRx Profile Flat Folding Bench

Good for: Those who need a foldable bench to optimize their floor space

Best Folding Weight Bench

PRx Folding Flat Bench

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Foldable flat bench that can be easily secured to your wall
• Allows the bench to be easily stowed away when not in use
• Not the best, but a good enough pick if saving floor space is a high priority

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact
• Sturdy design
• Great value, at around $400

Cons

• Not adjustable (although they have it as a more expensive option)
• Requires putting holes in walls and is permanently affixed
• Only comes in black

Bottom Line

The PRx Folding Flat Bench is a compact piece of equipment that can be drilled into your wall, allowing you to easily stow your flat bench when not in use.

Some of us have the challenge of having to play Tetris every time we want to use our home gym, which is where a product like the PRx Profile Folding Bench comes in handy. Right off the bat, this thing is pretty compact at just 45 inches in length (the lower end of the 45-50 inch industry standard) and 12 inches in width. 

But its main drawing point is that it can be mounted to the wall, and folded flat when not in use. This can also be seen on PRx’s folding squat racks, which similarly give you back a good amount of floor space when not in use. 

Of course if you live in a place where you can’t drill into the wall this might not be the best pick. If you fall into that category, we recommend checking out what we think is the best weight bench for small spaces, which happens to also be our pick for the best ultra-budget incline weight bench: the FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench. 

As a bench, this thing will help you get the job done. The frame and vinyl padding are not the best, but it’s good enough that you’ll feel comfortable during heavy lifts. 

There is an incline bench version as well, but it’s close to $1,000 and in our opinion not worth the price. 

Price$399Footprint45″ L x 19” W x 19” H (61” H when stowed away)ConstructionAlloy SteelWeight 48 lbs Weight Capacity1,000 lbs

Best Amazon Pick: AmazonBasics Flat Weight Bench

Good for: Those looking for an incredibly inexpensive bench that still offers some value

Best Amazon Pick

AmazonBasics Flat Weight Bench

GGR Score: 4.6

Community Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Priced under $50 shipped free with Prime
• 17.1″ height makes it right around IPF Powerlifting Standards
• Tested with heavy weight with no issues

Pros & Cons

Pros

• At under $50 shipped most often, the AmazonBasics Flat Weight Bench is one of the cheapest benches available.
• There’s nothing flashy about it, it just works.
• 17.1″ height makes it right around IPF Powerlifting Standards.
• Although the weight limit is low, we tested it for much more than what they suggest without any issues.

Cons

• Low suggested weight limit.
• Weak gauge steel.
• Short warranty.

Bottom Line

The AmazonBasics Flat Weight Bench is an extremely cheap bench that does what it’s supposed to do. In our review, we found it to hold more weight than expected, be more sturdy than expected, and just overall well worth the price. If you want a cheap weight bench that just works (and don’t mind the low weight limit) this is your best bet.

The AmazonBasics Flat Weight Bench is one of the most surprisingly good pieces of equipment we’ve used. It’s under $60 with Prime Shipping, has a good height, a decent weight capacity for most users, and assembles quickly.

RELATED: Building a Budget Home Gym on Amazon

Amazon lists the total weight capacity of the bench at 385 pounds. This means that between the user weight and the barbell/dumbbell weight, the bench isn’t recommended for a weight higher than 385 pounds. To be honest, I tested the bench to a much higher weight and have had many readers do the same without any flexing or issues.

Understand that this is still an ultra-budget bench. The dimensions and size are pretty small for a utility weight bench. Also, it’s not adjustable, which means there are no decline or incline features. The foam padding isn’t outstanding and neither is the vinyl, and though it’s sturdy, in comparison to some of our other picks, it’s not quite there. 

The construction and comfort are solid, but this is something you’d find in a home gym and never in a commercial gym setting.

For an in-depth look, read our AmazonBasics Flat Weight Bench review.

Price$60Footprint40.94” L x 11.22” W x 17.91” HConstructionAlloy SteelWeight 24 lbsWeight Capacity385 lbs

Best Luxury Adjustable Weight Bench : PRIME Fitness Adjustable Bench

Good for: Those who want an adjustable weight bench with all the bells and whistles

Best Luxury Adjustable Bench

Prime Adjustable Bench

GGR Score: 4.6

Community Score: 2.4

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Product Highlights

• Incline from 0 degrees to 85 degrees
• Many seat pad angle options to match the back pad
• Dense but comfortable padding
• Locks into the Prime Prodigy Racks
• Powder coat is tough and looks good

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fantastic incline bench
• Incline from 0 degrees to 85 degrees
• Many seat pad angle options to match the back pad
• Dense but comfortable padding
• Vinyl is premium and long-lasting
• Weighs 95 lbs
• Locks into the Prime Prodigy Racks
• Powder coat is tough and looks good.
• Rubber coated parts for grip and protection
• Multiple attachments including bicep curl pads and a decline leg attachment
• Wheels are oversized and extremely durable

Cons

• Padding may be too soft and could permanently deform
• Expensive
• Call or email for purchase

Bottom Line

The Prime Adjustable Bench is one of the best adjustable benches we’ve ever used. It is pricey, but not more than some of the other competition like the Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench. If you’re looking for an awesome bench that does it all and don’t mind paying a premium price, this is definitely a bench we suggest. Although we would like to see Prime make it easier to order.

The same way nobody needs a Porsche, no home gym owner needs the PRIME Fitness Adjustable Bench. But man, both are really nice to have and are guaranteed to be a conversation starter in their respective circles. 

Depending on where you are in the United States, the total cost of this bench can be anywhere from $750-$800 (once shipping and handling is factored in). So what do you get for that price tag? To start, you get a bench that can do incline, decline, and flat, has a seat with five adjustment positions, and a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds (600 pounds for incline). 

If you’re really looking to spend big on your bench, you can purchase two adjustable elbow pads (great for curling movements), and an ankle pad to secure yourself when doing decline bench. 

For the amount of money you’re paying, there’s a few things PRIME could’ve done better. For one, the back pad is only 10 inches wide, which may be too narrow for some users, and there are some reviews that state the vinyl padding could’ve been a bit firmer.

That said, we could see this bench being perfect for those who value versatile weight benches. The ability to be adjusted to multiple positions make it perfect for those who may be in small spaces and don’t have room for multiple pieces of workout equipment. 

Price$675Footprint51” L x 27” W x 18” H Pad Dimensions 50.75” L x 10” W Adjustments 10 back, 5 seat ConstructionPRIME Steel Weight 94 lbs (without attachments) Weight Capacity1,000 lbs (600 at incline) 

Best Luxury Flat Weight Bench: Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0

Good for: Those looking for the crème de la crème of flat weight benches

Best Luxury Flat Bench

Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0

GGR Score: 4.5

Community Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• 3×3” 11 gauge steel
• Single column front foot
• Front handle and rear wheels for portability
• Safe upright storage
• Rubber feet for added stability
• Available in standard or shorty height

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Beefy and stable flat bench
• 11-gauge, 3″ x 3″ steel
• Shorty and tall versions
• Post instead of feet on the front
• Back feet have rubber caps for stability
• Designed to stand on a plastic cap for easy storage
• Wheels and handle for portability
• Powder-coated to prevent corrosion
• Lightweight but durable

Cons

• Textured powder coat may show scuffs and chalk easier
• Handle isn’t knurled
• Wobbles in vertical stored position
• Frame doesn’t extend all the way to the end of the Fat Pad
• No washers included with the bench

Bottom Line

The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is a good bench, but not the best we’ve reviewed. The Monster Series line is supposed to represent Rogue’s best efforts; because of this, we think this bench doesn’t meet the standard of say, a Rogue RM-6 Monster Power Rack or Rogue Monster Rhino Belt Squat. With some minor changes, we think this could be one of the best benches on the market. However, currently, we’d have to recommend the Rep FB-5000 Bench over this one. Unless you just love Rogue or really want a made in the USA product, then I’d go that direction.

The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 has a soft spot in Coop’s heart because after an initial review where he rated it “pretty average,” Rogue redid the bench based on his recommendations. 

Is it perfect? Of course not, but man it’s a sweet bench and well worth the $300 price tag. If you’re asking, “How could it be worth that much?,” let us tell you. 

Right off the bat, it’s made in the USA from U.S.-sourced steel. It uses 3-inch-by-3-inch steel all throughout the bench, including the frame and the cross member, and legs. That’s 11-gauge steel, which is the same steel as what’s on a Rogue Monster Rack.

What this translates to is being able to put as much weight on it as you’d like. No matter if you’re benching or doing some other sort of strength training, the bench won’t budge.

The Monster Utility Bench 2.0 uses multiple pad options, including the almighty Rogue Thompson Fat Pad, with a three-post design, wheels on the back, and a handle on the front, as well as the ability to stand up to store away.

One thing about the standup option: It’s not very secure. Coop has the Fat Pad on his, and if you walk by it in the gym it teeters and totters, making you nervous it’ll fall over. It wobbles because the pad is so thick and there isn’t enough weight.

Rogue also has a Shorty Version designed for a Thompson Fat Pad, or their Competition Fat Pad. This allows the bench to sit 17 inches from the floor to the top of the Fat Pad.

Now, this is the Monster bench, which means it’s Rogue’s top-of-the-line, crème de la crème  bench—the best offering they have—but they’re using the same textured powder coat they use on the Infinity line. We don’t get why you would use a textured powder coat on this when you could use gloss black or other colors.

See our full Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 review for more information.

PriceStarts at $295 FootprintStandard: 47.375″ L x 26.25″ W (17.5” H with standard pad/ 19.75” H with Fat Pad)

Shorty: 47.375″ L x 26.25″ W (15.25” H with standard pad/ 17.5”H with Fat Pad)Pad Dimensions Standard Pad: 47″ L x 12″ W

Competition Fat Pad: 50″ L x 12.5″ W

Thompson Fat Pad: 50″ L x 14.5″ W Construction3”x3” 11-gauge steelWeight 68 lbs with standard pad Weight CapacityN/A

Best Ultra-Budget Flat Weight Bench: GRIND 3-Post Flat Bench

Good for: Those who want a basic flat weight bench for not a lot of money

Best Ultra-Budget Flat Bench

GRIND 3-Post Flat Bench

GGR Score: 3.9

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Product Highlights

• Only costs around $99
• Can still hold up weights above 600 pounds
• Pad firmness and welding are lacking
• Not the best weight bench out there, but a great pick for budget shoppers

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Costs around $100
• Weighs 24 pounds, make it very easy to move
• Three-post design and rubber feet make it very stable

Cons

• Somewhat low weight capacity
• No transport wheels
• Requires some assembly

Bottom Line

A very affordable flat weight bench that can still support heavy lifters.

When it comes to a flat weight bench, the GRIND 3-Post Flat Bench is as basic as they come. What you see is what you get, and that’s a bench. Nothing more, nothing less, and all it costs you is just over$100. 

The rubber feet and three-post build help make this thing incredibly stable, and multiple reviewers claim they can comfortably lift 300+ pounds with ease on it, which is pretty impressive for a bench at this price range. 

The listed maximum weight capacity is a little over 600 pounds, but it should be able to hold a little more than that (but not by much, as this thing is not made with the most durable materials). 

Reviewers also state the vinyl padding is grippy, and they had no problems when lifting heavy weights on it. But because of the price, the construction of this bench isn’t the best. The pad isn’t the firmest, and the welding is a little shoddy in some areas (not distractingly so, but enough that you can notice). 

It’s also incredibly lightweight at 24 pounds, so even though there are no wheels or handles there should be no problem moving it when needed. 

Price$110Footprint44″ L x 21″ W x 17″ HPad Dimensions 44″ L x 12″ WConstructionAlloy SteelWeight 24 lbsWeight Capacity610 lbs 

Best Ultra-Budget Incline Weight Bench: FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench

Good for: Anyone on a budget who still wants a functional adjustable bench 

Best Ultra-Budget Incline Bench

FLYBIRD Adjustable Workout Bench

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• High-value weight bench
• Comes with a number of adjustment positions, including incline and decline, and a foot pad
• Can hold up to 800 pounds of weight
• Folds to around 30 inches
• Should last a number of years

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely affordable, at around $150
• Only weighs 29 pounds, and it folds for easy storage
• Offers decline and incline adjustment positions

Cons

• Customers still complain of the bench being a bit too tall for some users
• Max weight limit is 800 pounds, which may be too light some lifters
• Pad gap between back and seat pad is around 2 inches

Bottom Line

An affordable, high-value, and compact weight bench, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Workout Bench is a great pick for those who aren’t focused on lifting super-heavy weights.

At around $150, you can’t do much better for an adjustable bench than the FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench. It comes with seven back pad positions, four for the feet pad, and three for the seat. That’s more than some benches on this list that are double, and even three times, the cost. 

For those looking for compact exercise equipment, this bench is at the top of our list. It’s only 49.2 inches in total length (most are 50 or a little more), and when folded it goes to around 30 inches in total length. 

We felt pretty stable on this bench whether we were using it as a flat or incline bench, and the lockpin system gave us peace of mind that it wasn’t going to budge on us. 

Where the FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench falls short, so to speak, is its height. From the ground to the pad it’s 18.8 inches tall, which is actually shorter than the bench used to be (it was reduced based on customer complaints stating shorter users had trouble using it). 

Even after that adjustment, our 5-foot, 3-inch Editor Nicole Davis still had trouble getting enough foot drive on this thing and had to press with her feet on the pad. 

There’s also a pad gap of about 2 inches, which you’re always going to have on an adjustable bench unless you have the REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap Adjustable Bench. 

Want to learn more about this bench? Our FLYBIRD Adjustable bench review has all the details you need to know. 

Price$149.99Footprint49.2” L x 15.7” W x 44.5” HPad Dimensions 30.3” L x 10.6 WAdjustments 7 back, 3 seatConstructionSteelWeight 26.4 lbsWeight Capacity800 lbs

How We Picked And Tested The Best Weight Benches

In order to properly recommend the best weight benches, it requires spending a large amount of time with your back on a lot of different bench pads.

And we have likely used, owned, and reviewed more weight benches than just about anyone in the world.

Research

As with all of our best-in-class Reviews, we first started by taking stock of what we had on hand. This includes all of the benches in Coop’s garage gym, his personal training studio, and his friends’ garage gyms where he stores other equipment. 

After seeing what we had on hand, as well as reviewing the hundreds of benches that readers of Garage Gym Reviews have rated and reviewed on our Product Dashboard, we began to narrow down the list.

In addition to all of this, we researched all of the major marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay, as well as the manufacturer sites like Rogue Fitness, Titan Fitness, REP Fitness, EliteFTS, and others.

The fact of the matter is, this was one of the clearest cut rankings we’ve ever done for a product category. Others, like barbells and bumper plates, were much more difficult in determining how to rank, but this was not so for benches (especially flat benches).

Testing

After compiling our list, we set out to use as many of these weight benches as possible using them for everything from bench presses (of course) to skull crushers, step-ups, and incline benching (for the adjustable ones).

Benefits of Weight Benches 

If you’re still wondering why we, and just about everyone else, puts weight benches at the top of their home gym shopping list, here are just a few reasons: 

Versatility

Benches can, of course, be used for pressing movements, but they can also be used for pulling exercises such as seal rows and dumbbell rows, can act as a platform for step-ups, and if you have an adjustable bench, can help you target different muscle groups. 

Support

A weight bench is going to put your body in a more optimal position for all sorts of movements, especially compared to doing them on the floor or sitting without a backrest. 

Maximize Return on Dumbbells and Barbells

A weight bench will allow you to do more moves with the other home gym equipment you have, especially barbells and dumbbells. 

RELATED: Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Maximize Your Strength Training 

The bench press is the undisputed greatest upper body strength training exercise ever created. There’s a reason it’s one of only three lifts used in powerlifting. There’s a reason the 225-pound Bench Press Rep Test is judged as part of the NFL Scouting Combine (the all-time Rep record stands at 51 reps by the way.)

And, there’s also a reason that nearly every home gym in the known universe has a weight bench of some shape or form. There are few that would argue against the efficacy of heavy bench presses for increasing strength and muscle mass.

Flat Benches vs Adjustable Benches

There’s some debate on which should be purchased in terms of fitness equipment: a flat bench, adjustable bench, or both?

Unfortunately for most reading this, you’re likely looking at getting one or the other. Although we’d love to recommend to all of our readers that you should have as many benches as possible, the fact of the matter is that there’s little need or even want for most people to have more than a solid flat bench and a versatile adjustable bench. So which should you choose? 

Let’s break both of them down a bit. 

The Flat Bench

First off, the flat bench is vastly superior to the majority of adjustable benches (also known as incline benches, FID–flat, incline, decline–benches, and decline benches; all of which will be used interchangeably throughout this review) on the market.

A flat bench, thanks to its no-frills design, is rock-solid making it great for benching with both a barbell or adjustable dumbbells (as well as other implements like kettlebells, Fatbells, and CMBs), and can also be used for other full-body workout movements like dumbbell rows, plyo-box jumps, box squats. If so desired, it can be stacked on plates for seal rows. Simplicity is great for its cost-savings and reliability.

However, the flat bench isn’t perfect, because it doesn’t offer quite the versatility that the adjustable bench does.

The Adjustable Bench

For most lifters, the adjustable bench does everything a flat bench does, as well as it does, but also has increased multipurpose functionality.

Now, someone who has spent a lot of time with their back on a bench pad knows that a flat utility bench with a welded spine and a high weight capacity is superior to an adjustable bench that rocks, flexes, and has a much lower capacity for slag iron.

With this said, we suggest an adjustable bench for most people. If you’re into powerlifting, compete in a strength sport, or just want to know that you’re using optimal equipment, you should get both.

An adjustable bench, though, will allow trainees the ability to increase their exercise selection dramatically, target different primary movers, and never have to Macgyver something because they lack the equipment for the movements they want to do.

RELATED: How to Build a Powerlifting Home Gym

So, should you get an adjustable bench or just a flat bench? Beginners who are just getting into strength training or aren’t sure what to do should just go with one of our budget flat bench picks.

Others who know their way around the gym a bit would be fine with just an adjustable bench. Those that compete, like having a lot of versatility, or are just gear heads like me should get both.

Other Types of Benches

Although flat and adjustable benches are the most popular, they’re not the only types on the market. Here are others you might run into. 

Olympic weight bench: An Olympic weight bench typically comes with some kind of rack attached to the bench, which is usually a little wider than normal weight benches that are free-standing. 

Folding weight bench: A bench that can fold for easy storage, but typically has a lighter weight capacity than your average weight bench 

Preacher curl bench: This bench comes with an attachment that allows the user to fully execute the preacher curl. 

What To Look For In A Weight Bench

If you’re looking for the best weight bench for your home gym, the first step is deciding if you need an adjustable bench,  or a flat utility bench. Then, there are a few more factors you should consider before you purchase.

Materials

The overall construction of a weight bench is related to which materials are used and how they’re combined from an overall perspective. The question here is, how does the construction of the bench compare to its cost? I like to look for 11-gauge or other heavy-duty steel. If there is a lot of plastic, move on.

Size

Give consideration to the measurements and size of the bench, especially if you’re limited on space or want to use the bench with a power rack or other home gym.

Range of Motion

As with any exercise, you want to make sure you get full range of motion (or allowing your joints and muscles to go through a full movement), and when it comes to weight benches, that means allowing your feet to be firm on the ground and the barbell in a place where it’s not too far for you to reach but also not too close.

Accessories and Attachments

Most weight benches are just benches, but many (including some on our list) allow for attachments like a preacher curl pad to be added. Most of the time these are unnecessary but they do help to increase the value and versatility of a bench.

Weight Capacity

Regardless of whether the weight bench is flat or adjustable, it should have a weight capacity that allows the trainee to increase the weight they’re lifting without fear of damage to the bench. Up to a point, a bench should also increase its weight capacity in accordance with the asking price.

The average bench might support about 600 pounds, but the quality ones will be rated for 1,000 pounds or more. That’s higher than most of us will likely ever need for our weight training, but it’s nice to have goals.

Warranty

Does the bench come with a warranty? Does the company selling the bench have a history of servicing warranties and will they be around for as long as the product is warrantied? You’ll see a lot of benches come with 10 years to up to a lifetime warranty. Stay away from benches only guaranteed for a year.

Shipping/Packaging

Does the equipment come in beat-up cardboard boxes often? Is the shipping timely? I often hear from readers about issues in regards to their shipments and it can play a big part in the equipment if parts are missing or there are broken pieces.

Also, factor potential shipping costs into the overall price of the equipment. Some of these benches have attractive prices but level out once you account for shipping.

Assembly

A lot of home gym equipment is made overseas today, and as such, things often come disassembled with a lot of nuts and bolts and assembly required on the user’s end. The amount of assembly required should reflect the price point. Benches are typically pretty easy to assemble.

Bench Height

The IPF standard is 17 inches from the floor to the top of the bench, and this is what we prefer. It’s harder to have a 17-inch-high benchtop on an adjustable bench due to the mechanisms required for inclining the top, but the closer the better. The reason you don’t want an extremely tall benchtop is that it’s difficult to arch during the bench press, which is what most powerlifters do.

Foam Density

The foam, or cushioning, used on the bench pad should be dense enough to provide stability, but soft enough to allow for comfort. If you’re shopping online, that’s not an easy thing to test. You can take my recommendations and read user reviews for starters.

Vinyl Grippiness and Durability

The vinyl on the benchtop should be grippy to allow the trainees’ traps and shoulders to dig into the bench without sliding. The vinyl should also be durable to last years without ripping or overly stretching. This is another factor that you either have to test in person, take my word for it, or read user reviews.

Stability

The more stable the bench, the better—obviously. I am a big fan of flat benches that have a single post on the front leg to allow the trainees’ feet to push under them, but it does often come with a sacrifice in stability. Adjustable benches should be stable at all incline seat positions, especially if they’re going to be used with attachments for things like declining sit-ups.

Ease of Use

If the bench is flat and light, it’s pretty easy to move around without a handle and wheels. However, if it’s heavy, has movable components, or is just awkward, wheels aren’t just wanted, but needed. Nearly every adjustable bench should have wheels and a handle.

Seat and Back Pad Adjustment Positions

The more positions for the back pad and seat pad to be adjusted to, the better. It’s also nice if the back positions have markings for the pad angle in degrees (laser-cut is superior to stickers), and if the angles are available at different positions like 30, 45, and 85 degrees.

Pad Compatibility

Most bench frames use a standard pad mount pattern. The reason this matters is that there are now more third-party bench pads available, and if your bench frame doesn’t stick to a standard mounting pattern, you won’t be able to use the pads.

Other Weight Benches We Researched

There are quite a few weight benches we’re aware of, but have either not tested or just don’t recommend. Here’s just a few of them: 

Bowflex 5.1s Stowable Weight Bench: This bench actually offers a good amount of features, including both incline and decline positions. It can also be easily stored upright for those tight on space. It’s $450, but only has a weight capacity of 600 pounds. 

Marcy Multi-Position Workout Utility Bench: The maximum weight capacity of this bench is only 300 pounds, so we can’t see how many home gym owners would find use out of this bench. That aside, it does offer incline and decline adjustment positions, and can fold flat for easy storage. 

Weider Platinum Standard Weight Bench: It’s ironic that a product named after the man who popularized bodybuilding is, to put it frank, not one we’d recommend for bodybuilders. This bench has a 410-pound weight capacity, is made with cheap materials, and only comes with a 90-day parts and labor warranty. 

Escape Fitness Multi Purpose Fitness Station Deck: This “bench” (a term we use lightly) is fine if you’re someone who’s focused on bodyweight or bootcamp-style workouts, but it’s not one we’d suggest for those interested in strength training. It can be turned into a ramp, comes with resistance band pegs, and internal storage. 

NordicTrack Workout Bench: To be honest, there’s not that much information about this bench online but the few reviews we were able to find were not complimentary. Users complained of difficult assembly and an unstable finished product. 

Everyday Essential Steel Frame Flat Weight Training Bench: If you really need a weight bench and don’t want to spend a lot of money, this $40 bench should get the job done. It’s rated for 600 pounds, and according to online reviews holds up pretty well during use.  

PASYOU Adjustable Weight Bench: At just a little more than $100, this bench offers incline and decline adjustments and can reportedly hold up to 500 pounds. And with close to 7,000 5-star Amazon reviews, it seems to have a lot of fans. One reviewer said it pretty bluntly: “Holds Thicc Boys.” 

Rogue Combo Rack: While this is a heavy-duty, quality combo of a bench and a squat rack, the $3,000 price tag was just too much for us to get past.

Best Weight Benches FAQs

Are weight benches worth it?

Weight benches are, arguably speaking, one of the most essential pieces of any home gym. They can be used for a variety of movements, and can support you no matter your training goals.

What benches do gyms use?

It really depends on what type of gym you go to, but most commercial gyms will have a flat weight bench with a rack, a few flat weight benches, along with a couple of incline weight benches. Specialty gyms, like a powerlifting gym, will have benches more equipped for the type of athlete they cater to.

What is the best weight bench for a home gym?

There’s no hard-and-fast answer to this question, as it really depends on your training goals, budget, and space constraints. The best weight bench for your home gym will be one that meets those three qualifications, and feels comfortable to you in use.

Should I buy a flat bench or incline bench?

If you have the space and budget for it, we recommend an incline bench because it provides a better value by allowing you to hit muscle groups at different angles.

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Anthony O’Reilly, CPT

Anthony O’Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He’s an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

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