Bench pressing is one of the most popular exercises with people looking to strengthen and develop their upper body, people enjoy bench pressing because they constantly stay in control with the amount of weights they want to lift and how many repetitions, the exercise also works all the major muscles in the upper body such as the chest and shoulders. There are also many different forms of the bench press which can be performed based on the person’s preference, examples of the different types of bench presses are the incline bench press, the decline bench press and the wide grip bench press, all have their advantages and disadvantages. To be able to perform these workouts however you will need the correct equipment which is best suited to you and your level of ability. Firstly you will need to decide which pieces of kit you will need, for bench pressing you will obviously require a lifting bench with the uprights at the side of the bench, these are used to balance the barbell, a barbell (as just mentioned) and some weights.
The Bench
When choosing a weight bench, the bench itself is an important factor to consider for many reasons. You need to choose a bench which fits your size, benches come in different forms, there are small ones and large heavy duty ones, if you are a larger person or you are looking to lift a large amount of weights, you should consider a larger bench which is better enforced in order to hold you weight and the weights you intend to lift. Before purchasing the bench, if possible you should try it out to see if it suits your needs and if it is comfortable. Some benches are adjustable in order to perform a wider variety of exercises. You should also set a budget and stick to it, only purchase a bench which is perfect for your needs to get the most out of it.
The Upright
A weight bench usually has an upright included, the purpose of the upright is to support the barbell in-between lifts. If the bench is a heavy duty version, usually the uprights are also better supported in order for the lifter to lift higher weights, the stronger the upright the more weight it can support. Some benches have wider upright also, these are essential if the lifter is looking to use a wider grip on the barbell when lifting.
Other Factors to Consider
You should always take the price of the whole package into consideration, especially if you have a budget; it is not advisable to go over your budget. Also, take into consideration the actual barbell and weights, check if these are included in the package, if not, you will need to check the additional cost of purchasing these extra items, only purchase the weights you will need and take the quality of the weights into consideration, some come in plastic, whilst others are solid steel.
The most important thing to remember when purchasing a weights bench is to make sure it is comfortable to use and that it suits your needs perfectly, there is nothing worse than purchasing something which is short of your requirements. It is advisable to do some research before purchasing, such as asking an advisor at your gym or local fitness shops, there is also a wealth of knowledge available on the internet.
