weight bench?

[Brandon121]

I'm looking to buy the . I've never owned one before. After looking around online there are a ton of options, so I feel a bit lost. The thing is, I'm not ready to shell out the big bucks just yet. I'm thinking something definitely less than $200, and preferably closer to $100.

I have the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbell set. For now, that's all I plan to use. I'm a beginner. If I really get a taste for it, I may consider stepping up to a more expensive setup, but right now I want a serviceable bench to use along with my dumbbells.

For what it's worth, I'm 5'11" and about 240 lbs... don't know how much that would determine what the right bench for me is.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

[OctoberRed]

I'm looking to buy the . I've never owned one before. After looking around online there are a ton of options, so I feel a bit lost. The thing is, I'm not ready to shell out the big bucks just yet. I'm thinking something definitely less than $200, and preferably closer to $100.

I have the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbell set. For now, that's all I plan to use. I'm a beginner. If I really get a taste for it, I may consider stepping up to a more expensive setup, but right now I want a serviceable bench to use along with my dumbbells.

For what it's worth, I'm 5'11" and about 240 lbs... don't know how much that would determine what the right bench for me is.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

Better to go hit a gym. My fear with weight benches at home, is eventually you outgrow them and need spotters for bigger weights.

[jaded]

I have a 1/2 rack with multiple cable/pulley adaptations and adjustable dumbells....and over 500 lbs of plates with built in plates holders for storage at the sides. It has adjustable safety catches for spotting...you can always attach safety straps to the bar from the top of the rack if you feel you need the added security. I've had it for about 7 years and it's been really great. A 1/2 rack is compact and the adjustable bench folds and locks upright and stores inside the rack for space saving. It's commercial gym quality and I was very lucky to spot it on Craigslist for cheap.

I have since seen deals on Craigslist for PowerTech units like below though which I might have preferred because of how compact...versatile and safe they are.



But if you have the space for it (I don't) a full cage with cable/pulleys is they way to go.



You will need more than $200 so wait until you can afford more. But I once saw a $1,200 PowerTech unit like the one in the 1st pic with about $600 worth of plates go for $400 total on Craigslist...which really made me want to go out and buy it even thought I already had what I needed.

**EDIT**

Just re-read your post and realize all you are looking for is a bench...sorry about that.

So...I'd still go for what I posted but if all you're looking for is a bench...then look for something strong and adjustable. If it's cheap and flimsy it might collapse on you when it's inclined and cause you injury. Lot's of second-hand stuff out there.

[OctoberRed]

Those sets almost look like tranformers.

[jaded]

Those sets almost look like tranformers.

If you mean the top pic bar looks like the "Transformer Squatting bar"...it's just the pic. The centre part of the bar is only there for squatting. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't start your squats from a standing position.

[Eddy Current]

Better to go hit a gym. My fear with weight benches at home, is eventually you outgrow them and need spotters for bigger weights.

Yeah I agree. Going to a gym you'd have access to more equipment than you could ever amass at home. There's also a motivation thing. When I go to the gym I spend up to a couple of hours going hard. At home I get distracted by other things and never work out as hard.

[GelfSara]

If you wish to buy something good and new you might wish to ask Michael Petrella of STG Strength and Power for his recommendations:






I personally belong to a gym about 1/3 of a mile from my home and do not own any equipment aside from a couple of dumbbells with which I do rotator cuff exercises.

If you wish to buy something cheap and local; Craigslist is a great resource.

[OctoberRed]

If you wish to buy something good and new you might wish to ask Michael Petrella of STG Strength and Power for his recommendations:






I personally belong to a gym about 1/3 of a mile from my home and do not own any equipment aside from a couple of dumbbells with which I do rotator cuff exercises.

If you wish to buy something cheap and local; Craigslist is a great resource.

I prefer ebay. You can find the solid deals there.

[GelfSara]

I prefer ebay. You can find the solid deals there.

I wasn't suggesting buying anything from Michael Petrella; rather, he might be able to suggest which options best suit your price range and other needs.

[OctoberRed]

I wasn't suggesting buying anything from Michael Petrella; rather, he might be able to suggest which options best suit your price range and other needs.

As a matter of habit, I usually run to ebay, craigslits or amazon for everything these days.