What Are Exercise Benches? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

What Are Exercise Benches?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • Exercise benches are benches designed for different exercises.
  • The bench press is a common exercise used on a type of exercise bench.
  • It is important to know the different kinds of exercise benches as there many different exercises you can take advantage of with the right equipment.

Simply put, they are specific pieces of equipment designed to help the user perform various kinds of exercises that would be more difficult, if not impossible, without the bench.

However, this definition is much too narrow to the extent that there are many different kinds of exercise benches designed for different purposes.

This article will discuss several types of exercise benches and what they’re used for.

Before beginning a new routine using a bench, or any other sort of exercise program for that matter, it’s important to first consult your physician.

You need to be sure that you are healthy enough to embark upon the program you’re planning, and only your doctor can tell you if that’s the case.

You would also be wise to consult a personal trainer or someone else with experience in the exercises you’ve chosen for advice in the best way to get started.

However, If you are looking for an exercise routine, look no further. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.

What Are Exercise Benches That Are Used for Weights?

Weightlifting is a very specific form of training that requires specially designed equipment.

An exercise bench used for lifting weights will be a flat bench supported on a sturdy metal frame with four legs. There will also be two arms rising above the head of the bench to support a weight bar.

Some of these exercise benches can be tilted on a hinge at the head, while others contain accessories for other weightlifting exercises like leg presses.

Among the various kinds of exercise benches, the weightlifting bench is probably the most common. Its sturdy frame is ideal for supporting both your body weight and the additional weight that you’ll be lifting. The padding tends to be thin by comparison so as to not interfere with your ability to lift safely.

What Are Combination Exercise Benches?

Combination benches are quickly becoming very popular because they can be configured to be used with a multitude of different exercises and workout routines. The arms and other accessories can be used for standard weightlifting, then are easily and quickly removed for other exercises in which they would normally be in the way. Combination benches tend to be flat benches, but sometimes they can be inclined as well. Some of the best combination benches can be adjusted to be both flat and inclined.

What Are Ab and Incline Benches?

The ab bench is specifically designed to help you exercise your abdominal muscles. These are small, u-shaped benches that have padded seats and supports to hold your feet in place while you do crunches and sit-ups. An incline bench is also used for working your abdominal muscles but adds an extra element by adding an incline to the exercise. The incline bench secures your feet underneath and provides padded knee supports to help you make the best of your reps.

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What Other Kinds of Exercise Benches Are There?

There are several other kinds of exercise benches, including foldable models that are easy to store in a closet or under your bed. Most commonly, foldable exercise benches tend to be straight, flat benches with accessories that are easily collapsible. A foldable exercise bench is ideal for someone living in a small apartment, or an environment where the bench cannot be left out all the time.

Two other types of exercise benches include the back extension bench and the flat bench. The back extension bench, which is used to exercise your back muscles, is an incline bench with only a small bit of padding and two posts to lock your feet in position. The flat exercise bench meanwhile, looks a lot like a weightlifting bench without the accessories. One of the big differences is that the padding tends to be thicker. It can be used for a variety of exercises including crunches, reverse crunches, and sit-ups.

Deciding on an exercise bench that’s right for you is best done after consultation with an experienced weight trainer. The trainer can help you develop a list of exercises optimal for meeting your specific goals and then recommend the best way to use an exercise bench.

If used properly, an exercise bench can be a good investment for your daily workout routine.

Keep in mind that exercise benches are merely a tool in helping you complete your exercises. Ultimately, your perseverance and willingness to continue exercising on a daily basis will determine whether or not you succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you need to go to the gym to lose weight?

No! Proper nutrition is a great first step towards losing weight. Movement of any kind is also beneficial. If you can’t afford a gym membership or do not have time to go to the gym, try some bodyweight exercises at home, go for walk or run, or get some movement in at your local park!

What is NEAT?

NEAT is an acronym and stands for non-exercise activity thermogenesis. It refers to the energy used to do everything outside of eating, sleeping, and purposeful exercise. By increasing your neat (taking the stairs, fidgeting, doing the dishes, etc., you can burn more calories throughout the day

How do you get the motivation to exercise?

There are many ways to find motivation to exercise. Here is a great article for more information on the topic.

Get started on your fitness journey today by going PRO and gaining access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more!

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