Adjustable Incline/Decline Weight Benches

Get the most out of your weight bench

When space is valuable, as it is in most homes, there’s no reason to have extra workout equipment that sits unused, or several pieces of equipment when one can just as easily do the job. That’s what makes relatively compact adjustable incline/decline weight benches so perfect.

Most women don’t need heavy-duty benches

Men who lift very heavy need benches that can support their weight as well as the weight they are lifting. A solid bench can offer more stability and in that case might be a better choice than one that adjusts. But most women don’t need a bench that holds 1,000 lbs and will do just fine on a lightweight bench that offers more in the way of versatility.

Adjustable benches can be moved into any position required of a weight bench. That is to say they have either three or four presets.

Adjustable bench positions

• Flat - These weight benches are the most basic style. Some may have a barbell catcher or leg attachments, but most flat benches don’t come with anything except the bench and legs to hold it up. The one thing a flat bench may be able to do is move higher or lower, but it will end up even on both sides. When spending your hard earned money on a weight bench, look for one that’ll offer more variety.
• Incline - Incline benches are great for targeting the upper chest with bench presses, flyes and chest presses. Any woman with breasts that have started succumbing to gravity will know why working the upper pecs is necessary.
• Decline - The decline bench position is all about abs. Try doing a crunch against gravity and you’ll see what I mean. A decline bench should have some sort of foot or leg rest to make decline crunches possible. Some benches have padded attachments, while other are built with legs that double as foot holds.
• Upright - When a bench is in the upright position it is perfect for doing bicep curls and shoulder presses. It’s also a safe way for beginners to learn squats, since it’s impossible to fall backwards.

Adjustable incline/decline benches are the perfect choice for women who don’t want to spend too much money (they cost about $150 to $200) but still get a piece of equipment that allows them to do a variety of exercises. If all that’s offered by these multi-purposes benches still doesn’t sound like enough, you might be interested in a complete home gym.