flat or incline bench?

[red hot moon]

I'll be buying a power rack, bench and weights to use at home just as soon as I get the money together. It looks like my best price will be from buying a package at an online store. The store has a flat/incline bench included in the package but has said they could substitute a flat bench and take a little off the price.

I'm not sure what kind of bench I want. Price isn't the issue - I'm just not sure which would be best. I've been told that on the flat/incline bench the gap between the cushioning where it hinges can be annoying when you want to use it as a flat bench. On the other hand, the flat bench has the more limited application.

Any advice on which way to go?

Also, how important is height of the bench (especially if you're a shorty)? I've noticed there's not many height options and they're all pretty close to each other.

[msingh]

If you're only buying one, get a flat. If you can afford both, get both. Dont bother with one of those adjustable flat/incline ones -- in my experience they make poor flat benches, so you'll need to get a proper flat one anyway, in which case you're better off buying two, if you must have have an incline.

So get a flat one. Add an incline to your gym later if you feel the need.

I started with an adjustable incline one, and ended up buying a flat and it's just so much better to use as a flat bench. So i have two, but hardly ever use the incline.. there isn't much room for accessory bench work on the usual starting strength style programs.

[hatmanii]

I'd go with the cheaper option now and in the future add a commercial quality adjustable bench in the future.

-Hat

[red hot moon]

Thanks msingh and hatmanii. Seems like the flat bench is the way to go then. :)

[LondonTiger]

I'd go with the cheaper option now and in the future add a commercial quality adjustable bench in the future.

-Hat

agreed

As a beginner you don't really need to vary the incline/decline.. Flat will last you your entire novice period and quite a bit of the intermediate period as well.

If price is a factor.

Get the cheapest WELDED flat bench.. That is no flat pack rubbish with lots of nuts and bolds.

Marcy do a nice flat bench which is welded. The benches which are fitted by nuts and bolts at every joint are unstable, and they become lose and you have to retighten the bench over and over again.. So many times I've started benching and midway through noticed that the bench is a bit wobbly.

Have to get the wrench out to sort it out.

Later on when you've lifted for a long enough time span and need to get an adjustable bench for incline/decline lifts. get a badass commercial quality (or as near as) bench..

Adjustable benches for home gyms are shoddy and can't handle much weight.

[LondonTiger]

Also, how important is height of the bench (especially if you're a shorty)? I've noticed there's not many height options and they're all pretty close to each other.

As long as you're not ridiculously tall you should fit fine on any bench. Unless the benches were designed for hobbits or dwarves.

[red hot moon]

Thanks LondonTiger.

What do you think of this bench?:

http://www.gymdirect.com.au/item/Commercial-flat-bench/240.htm

There's 2 stores that have a similar package and this is the top-of-the-line flat bench for both of them. It does have bolts to attach the cross-section of the leg but looks like the rest is welded. The other options look to have a lot more bolts.

[lanky]

I have read good things about Rogue's flat bench. I plan to buy one. Getting tired of my Hoist flat/incline bench.

www.roguefitness.com/store/rogue_bench.php

[red hot moon]

That Rogue bench looks solid as! Unfortunately it won't be an option for me with the package deal I'm planning on.

[LondonTiger]

red hot moon, what is your budget, and what is your level of training? novice? intermediate?

That bench is perfect if you have a high budget. I think the rogue fitness bench is solid. In fact you could buy your whole rig from rogue fitness if you want.

[Greg C]

Gotta disagree with the general comments so far unless you like to spend money just for the hell of it.

1. What are your goals?
2. What can you afford?

Based on these, do some research, and try to set yourself up with the piece of equipment that will serve you best (this is both an economic and functional question imo) then go get it.

This is a good practice in all gym purchases imo. If I had used it correctly, I would have purchased my power cage initially instead of a squat rack (which I eventually sold to buy the rack).

2 cts from the old guy.

[magnitude]

red hot moon, what is your budget, and what is your level of training? novice? intermediate?

That bench is perfect if you have a high budget. I think the rogue fitness bench is solid. In fact you could buy your whole rig from rogue fitness if you want.

Do you have the Rogue bench? If so could you post a short review. Info is hard to come by.

[thersites]

I'm not sure what kind of bench I want. Price isn't the issue - I'm just not sure which would be best. I've been told that on the flat/incline bench the gap between the cushioning where it hinges can be annoying when you want to use it as a flat bench. On the other hand, the flat bench has the more limited application.


Don't worry about the gap, it really isn't much of an issue. You just adjust how far into the rack you place the bench.




Also, how important is height of the bench (especially if you're a shorty)? I've noticed there's not many height options and they're all pretty close to each other.

Don't worry about height. You can always put something solid like some larger plates on the floor under your feet if you feel like you aren't solidly planted with your feet. My wife, who is < 5' 2" used my standard height bench from elite fitness with no need for this. Unless this bench is really high, it shouldn't be an issue.

[CarverM]

I own the Rogue flat bench and am very pleased with it. The pad is firm and the bench is extremely stable.

I also have the Rogue R-3 "Westside" rack, and it is easily the best that I have ever trained on. I purchased these along with a B&R bar, a Rogue economy bar, a Rogue women's bar and a pair of 10# bumpers (for the lady) for somewhere around $1500 dollars, including shipping. I couldn't recommend this equipment enough. The customer service is quite good as well.

Equipment is an investment, and if you get quality stuff from the start you will save money in the long run.

[magnitude]

I own the Rogue flat bench and am very pleased with it. The pad is firm and the bench is extremely stable.

So the 11" width feels good?

[CarverM]

It feels very solid. I'm 6'5 ~290lbs and my girlfriend is 5'2", so I have a hard time imagining a person that it couldn't accomodate.