Looking for a weight bench

[IowaStache]

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[Frugalicious]

This probably isn't a huge help, but I just ordered this one from Wal-Mart:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Weider-Pro-225-L-Bench/17804185

[GuitarStv]

You can build your own for about 30$ and a few hours of time.




I built this one out of a few 2x4s and a piece of an old door that I found on trash day.  It works much better than the cheap bench I was using before, and has held well over 500 lbs between me and the weight without any creaking or wobbling.  The original plan was to add padding, but after using it for a couple weeks I realized it was comfy enough for my needs.  Less padding seems to make a more stable surface for your back which made my bench go up.

[Samsam]

I found this http://afajarito.blogspot.com/2009/08/diy-weight-bench-5-positionflatincline.html
when I was thinking about building one.  That being said...I did not go through and build it b/c I remembered my work expenses fitness equipment, a certain amt per year.

[Cromacster]

Meh, who needs to bench anyway.  Overhead press will put hair on your chest, allow you grow an even bushier mustache, and overall make you more manly.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_overhead_press_bodybuildings_forgotten_muscle_builder

Back in the day, the standing overhead press was the cornerstone exercise of some of the most impressive physiques. But it was more than just a muscle builder. It was a key marker of manliness itself, on top of being a fundamental strength-building exercise and even a competitive Olympic lift.

[Samsam]

Meh, who needs to bench anyway.  Overhead press will put hair on your chest, allow you grow an even bushier mustache, and overall make you more manly.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_overhead_press_bodybuildings_forgotten_muscle_builder

Back in the day, the standing overhead press was the cornerstone exercise of some of the most impressive physiques. But it was more than just a muscle builder. It was a key marker of manliness itself, on top of being a fundamental strength-building exercise and even a competitive Olympic lift.

Bench is part of Starting Strength.  I also do OH press, squats, pull ups and Deadlifts with the program.  I figure if I'm going to follow a program I might as well follow it to the letter.

what program are you following (if you don't mind linking me :) )

[Cromacster]

Meh, who needs to bench anyway.  Overhead press will put hair on your chest, allow you grow an even bushier mustache, and overall make you more manly.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_overhead_press_bodybuildings_forgotten_muscle_builder

Back in the day, the standing overhead press was the cornerstone exercise of some of the most impressive physiques. But it was more than just a muscle builder. It was a key marker of manliness itself, on top of being a fundamental strength-building exercise and even a competitive Olympic lift.

Bench is part of Starting Strength.  I also do OH press, squats, pull ups and Deadlifts with the program.  I figure if I'm going to follow a program I might as well follow it to the letter.

Haha, agreed.  It was said in jest (mostly because my OH is way better then my bench :-P).

[russb]

I'm new here, and fail at some elements of the mustachian way, but weightlifting equipment is something I've done in a very mustachioed manner, if I might say so myself. I couldn't find a sturdy freestanding weight bench for cheap on Craigslist (I can easily find the one piece bench and rack, but if you already have a squat rack that's just a waste of space, in my opinion). I looked around my scrap wood pile and built my own (not nearly as nice as the diy bench pictured above though). Pallets are a potentially free source of strong wood.

Attached is a photo of mine. Has held up to 415 pounds including me and the weight, and I'm going to make it sturdier before my bench gets real high.  Also in the photo are my safety spotter boxes built from pallet boards and 2x4's (primarily).

[Kriegsspiel]

Meh, who needs to bench anyway.  Overhead press will put hair on your chest, allow you grow an even bushier mustache, and overall make you more manly.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_overhead_press_bodybuildings_forgotten_muscle_builder

Back in the day, the standing overhead press was the cornerstone exercise of some of the most impressive physiques. But it was more than just a muscle builder. It was a key marker of manliness itself, on top of being a fundamental strength-building exercise and even a competitive Olympic lift.

Bench is part of Starting Strength.  I also do OH press, squats, pull ups and Deadlifts with the program.  I figure if I'm going to follow a program I might as well follow it to the letter.

Haha, agreed.  It was said in jest (mostly because my OH is way better then my bench :-P).

You can OHP more than you can bench? Or do you mean you can OHP a more respectable amount than you can bench? OHPing more than you can bench is pretty cray.

[birdman2003]

You can build your own for about 30$ and a few hours of time.




I built this one out of a few 2x4s and a piece of an old door that I found on trash day.  It works much better than the cheap bench I was using before, and has held well over 500 lbs between me and the weight without any creaking or wobbling.  The original plan was to add padding, but after using it for a couple weeks I realized it was comfy enough for my needs.  Less padding seems to make a more stable surface for your back which made my bench go up.

Cool bench.  I like your design and resourcefulness!

[Cromacster]

You can OHP more than you can bench? Or do you mean you can OHP a more respectable amount than you can bench? OHPing more than you can bench is pretty cray.

Haha yea that would be crazy.  I mostly mean proportionally.  I haven't benched in about a year, but at that point my max bench was 205 and my OHP was 165.  Now my OHP is around 200, I'm guessing I could bench 225 or so maybe a little more.

[russb]

Have you benched on it yet? Reviews indicate it's a bit light duty for barbell bench press. I'm not sure I'd trust it to hold me with a heavy bar balanced above some important anatomical structures.