These Weight Benches Will Boost Your Home Workouts

best weight benches uk
These Weight Benches Will Boost Your Home Workouts Bulldog Gear // Getty Images

Having a reliable weight bench is what can transform a few dumbbells on the floor into the foundations of a home gym that's the talk of the street, especially if you've been making the most of a daily home workout — whether that's a bodyweight routine, a lunchtime yoga session or a quick kettlebell blast.

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Think about it. With a bench, you can press, fly, curl, split squat and much more than your training had previously allowed. You can also incorporate it into tougher cardio workouts, using it for box jumps, bench jump-overs and more to ramp up your heart rate. Make your way through our guide below of the best weight benches to use at home and you'll unlock a host of new exercises that had previously been unavailable. Let's get to it.

More home gym round-ups: Best adjustable dumbbells | Best kettlebells | Best adjustable kettlebells | Best exercise mats | Best pull-up bars

Types of Weight Bench

When shopping for a weight bench there are three things you need to consider: what you're going to be using it for, the cash you're willing to part with and how much space you can allocate to your new weight bench in the name of a better home workout.

Ideally, you'll go for an adjustable weight bench, where you can tweak the seat and the backrest while being as comfortable as possible. Flat benches, however, tend to be cheaper. The best advice we can give you is to figure out what you'll be using it for, as well as how much space you're willing to let it take up and go from there. Below, we've etched out a few options for you to consider if you're looking to purchase a weight bench.

Flat Weight Bench

Let's start simple. If you're looking to add to your home gym arsenal, a flat-weight bench is the ideal starting point — especially if you want to keep things simple. Flat weight benches can't be adjusted to an incline or a decline, but are perfect for bench pressing, bench tricep dips, Bulgarian split squats, bench step-ups, shoulder presses, glute bridges, mountain climbers and so much more. They're also typically the cheapest option for those on a tight budget.

Adjustable Weight Bench

Usually spotted in your local Globo gym, adjustable weight benches are the most popular iteration of the weight bench. They can be adjusted to an incline, for exercises including chest presses and should press; to a decline for abdominal work and lower chest exercises; and, of course, to a stable flat surface for the exercises we've mentioned above. If you're looking to maximise the potential of your weight bench and feel short on space, this is the best option for you. Some adjustable weight benches even fold flat, which is an added bonus for space-savers.

Multipurpose Weight Bench

Lastly, multipurpose weight benches are another option if you're looking to transform your training set-up. Typically incorporating a barbell rack, tricep dip stations, foot holders for crunches or leg raises and, if you're lucky, storage for your dumbbells. Keep an eye out for the latter if you're looking for an all-in-one home gym solution, as these often come with a full set of dumbbells and even incorporate extras like resistance bands and exercise mats.

How We Choose Weight Benches

Every weight bench in this guide has been carefully chosen by one of our team of shopping and fitness experts. Where possible, we've personally tested each benches included in this guide; for the remaining inclusions, we've drawn on our collective expertise to select benches from reliable brands with good reviews that possess all the features you need. Here are our top picks.

5 Weight Benches for Home Workouts


Adjustable Bench 1.0

This weight bench from Bulldog Gear can be used as a flat bench or adjusted to incline positions. It's easy to move around with inbuilt wheels and packs down to be stowed away when not in use. The back pad works through seven adjustment positions and the seat bad can work through three.

With a max weight capacity of 450kg, it can withstand heavy loads, and likely far more than you'd ever need for home workouts. The bench itself is on the heavier side as a result, weighing in at 57kg, but thanks to the aforementioned wheels and the fact that it can be stored vertically, it's easy to manoeuvre and stow away when you're not using it.

It's also a good choice for tall guys thanks to its extra long (and wide) backrest.

£435.00 at


Reinforced Flat / Inclined Weights Bench 900

If you're looking to save some cash, this reinforced weight bench is worth your attention. With seven adjustable backrest positions and two seat positions, it makes for a cost-effective addition to your home gym, especially on a cost-per-use basis.

If you like to lift heavy, this bench has a combined weight capacity of 300kg (user and load), which should be plenty for most people. However, if you're a seriously heavy lifter, we'd suggest opting for something a more heavy duty to avoid any accidents.

For storage, the build-in caster wheels make moving the bench around your space a breeze. While adjustable feet mean you can ensure you have a stable base even on uneven flooring.

£129.99 at Decathlon


Box Flat Weight Bench

It doesn't get simpler than this. Bulldog's box flat weight bench comes with a heavy-duty frame and weighs just over 18kg, making it ideal for your home set-up without compromising on quality. It's super simple to assemble and has dozens of five-star reviews.

Despite its basic design and lightweight contstruction, it's surprisingly durable, with a max weight capacity of 450kg (including the user). The 250mm high density foam bench pad keeps things nice and comfy, while the sweat resistant, antibacterial upholstery is easy to clean. Overall, it's a solid option for basic home gym needs and at great price, too.

£99.96 at bulldoggear.com


Performance Series Adjustable Bench

With ten adjustable backrest positions and three adjustable seat positions, this heavy duty bench boasts heaps of functionality. But in its sturdiness that it truly shines. Tipping the scales at 46kg (which is lighter than other benches in this guide), it tops the list in terms of toughness, with an impressive 500kg weight limit.

An overbuilt frame, hardened steel supports and a hard-wearing powder coat finish combine to bolster its durability, while a transport handle and wheels make it easy to manoeuvre around your space. A ladder-style adjuster also makes it quick and easy to switch between seat angles. And to top things off, a 2mm thick, PU leather cushioning adorns the backrest and seat for optimum comfort and support when lifting.

£499.99 at primalstrength.com


Home Gym Bench

Bring the luxury of your favourite studio class to your home, with Technogym's all-in-one gym bench and on-demand, in-app workouts. With enough space for five pairs of dumbbells (2,5 kg / 3,5 kg / 5 kg / 7,5 kg / 10 kg), weight knuckles, elastic resistance bands and a non-slip exercise mat, it's a smart space-saver.

The weights included are on the light side, so you may want to consider picking up the extra weight set, which includes pairs of 12.5kg, 15kg, and 17.5kg hexagonal dumbbells. It also doesn't have adjustable backrest positions, which might be a dealbreaker for some considering the price.

It's not a good option for those looking to building serious muscle, but as an all-in-one solution for studio-style workouts at home and access to a substantial library of workouts, it's a nice option if you can afford it.

£1450.00 at technogym.com

5 Best Exercises for a Weight Bench

Dumbbell Chest Press

Lie on a flat weight bench holding two dumbbells over your chest with an overhand grip. Push up until your arms are straight, then lower under control. Dropping dumbbells stresses your rotator cuff. Rest them on your thighs and kick to bring your body upright and place them down.

Bulgarian Split Squat

Stand facing away from the weight bench with one leg resting on it, laces down. Squat down with your standing leg until the knee of your trailing leg almost touches the floor. Push up through your front foot to return to the start position.

Weight Bench Tricep Dips

Stand facing away from a weight bench, and grab it with both hands at shoulder width. Extend your legs out in front of you. Slowly lower your body by flexing at the elbows until your arm at the forearm creates a 90-degree angle. Using your triceps lift yourself back to the starting position.

Glute Raise

Place your upper body on a weight bench and your feet firmly on the ground, shoulder-width apart. Hold a barbell just above your hips and keep your body straight. Bend your knees and lower your hips towards the floor, then return to starting position and repeat. Don't just thrust with your hips. Squeeze your glutes at the top of each rep and get an instant power boost.

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Sit on the weight bench holding two dumbbells at shoulder height with an overhand grip. Press the weights up above your head until your arms are fully extended. Return slowly to the start position. For more deltoid activation, twist your wrists slightly so the outside of the dumbbell is lower than the inner weight plate.

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