Fitness Flohmarkt · Guide
Weight bench: flat, adjustable, or foldable?
Three designs, prices from CHF 175.- to CHF 490.-, and load capacities between 250 and 600 kg. Here you decide which bench suits your workout, your weight, and your space.
In short
For most home gyms, an adjustable weight bench is the right choice because it covers flat press, incline press, and shoulder press with a single piece of equipment. A purely flat bench is worthwhile if you almost exclusively do bench press and want maximum stability. Foldable weight benches are not available at Fitness-Flohmarkt, but they do offer very light flat benches starting at 17 kg.
The types of construction
Flat, adjustable, or foldable: what is the difference between the three designs?
A flat bench has a fixed, horizontal lying surface without any adjustment. Because of this, it is stiffer, lighter, and more affordable than any other design, and is suitable for bench presses, rowing, and everything that takes place while lying or sitting on a flat surface. An adjustable bench, also called an incline bench or adjustable bench in stores, has a multi-stage adjustable backrest and usually an additionally adjustable seat. With it, you train the upper chest, shoulder presses, and dumbbell exercises at various angles. A foldable bench folds up after training. This design is rare in strength training because every joint means play, and play interferes with heavy weights. At Fitness-Flohmarkt you will therefore find 29 models in the Weight Benches Category, but not a foldable one. You can get an overview of other product groups from the Fitness-Flohmarkt Buying Guide.
| Model | Type | Adjustment | Max. Load | Dimensions L x W x H | Dead weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATX Flat Bench Compact | Flat bench | none | 600 kg | 110 x 45 x 45 cm | 17 kg | CHF 175.- |
| ATX Multi Adjustable Bench 102 | Inclined bench | 6-way backrest, 3-way seat | 250 kg | 113,5 x 63 x 51,5 cm | 21 kg | CHF 195.- |
| Adjustable Bench | Inclined bench | Multi-stage adjustable backrest, 3-position adjustable seat | 500 kg | 130 x 75 x 47 cm | 40 kg | CHF 295.- |
| Premium Adjustable Bench | Inclined bench | 7-way adjustable backrest, 3-way adjustable seat | 500 kg | 135 x 67 x 44 cm | 50 kg | CHF 395.- |
| Competition weight bench | Bench with shelf | Height-adjustable storage and safety arms | 500 kg | 160 x 180 x 110 cm | not specified | CHF 490.- |
ATX Flat Bench Compact | Flat Bench
- CHF 175.-
- Supports up to 600 kg
- 110 x 45 x 45 cm
- 17 kg
- 5 cm padding
- Art. F-83197
Two continuous underbeams, rubberized feet, no moving parts: With a weight capacity of 600 kg, this flat bench handles more than any adjustable bench in the lineup while still weighing only 17 kg. That is precisely what makes it the most honest choice when your training consists of bench pressing, rowing, and hip thrusts.
Ideal for: heavy pressing, small spaces, and anyone who doesn't need adjustment.
View flat bench
ATX Multi Weight Bench 102 adjustable
- CHF 195.-
- Supports up to 250 kg
- 113,5 x 63 x 51,5 cm
- 21 kg
- Backrest 0 to 89 degrees
- Art. F-17334
Six backrest positions from flat to nearly upright, three seating positions, secured via a locking rail. At 21 kg, you can push it aside by yourself, and the square steel measures 8 x 4 cm. The limit is 250 kg total load, which is plenty for dumbbell training and tight for heavy barbell pressing.
Ideal for: Dumbbell training in the home gym without the bench dominating the room.
View bankThe benefit
How useful is a weight bench?
A weight bench is useful as soon as you train with dumbbells or barbells, because it provides the only stable support for your back and shoulders that the floor cannot offer. When lying on the floor, the pressing movement ends as soon as the elbow touches the ground. On the bench, the arms hang freely below shoulder height, the range of motion becomes longer, and the chest muscles work through the full range. In addition, there are exercises that are impossible without a bench: one-arm bent-over rows, overhead shoulder press with back support, overhead triceps extensions. If, on the other hand, you train exclusively with body weight, kettlebells, or on machines, a bench is of little use to you. It only becomes the most used piece of equipment in the room when Compact dumbbells or a barbell should be included.
Adjustability
Adjustable weight bench: what matters when it comes to angles?
With an adjustable weight bench, three things matter, not just the sheer number of levels: the flattest angle, the seat adjustment, and the adjustment mechanism. A bench that cannot be set truly flat is useless for classic bench pressing. The seat must be adjustable as well, otherwise you will slowly slide down when the backrest is steep and end up pressing with an arched back. And the mechanism should be a notched track or a pin adjustment, not just a simple clamp, because clamps can give way under load. The Adjustable Bench solve this with a 500 kg weight capacity, triple-adjustable seat, and transport wheels with a handle. The Premium Adjustable Bench has seven backrest positions and feels noticeably more substantial with an empty weight of 50 kg.
Adjustable Bench | Professional adjustable incline bench
- CHF 295.-
- 500 kg load capacity
- 130 x 75 x 47 cm
- 40 kg
- Transport rollers
- Art. F-44851
Square tubing, wide rubberized base, seat adjustable to three angles, and a multi-stage lockable backrest. The practical difference compared to the heavier premium bench is the integrated wheels and handle: you tilt it and roll it to the side instead of carrying it. Anyone who repositions the bench frequently will notice this every time.
Ideal for: Multi-purpose rooms where the bench changes its location regularly.
View Adjustable Bench
Premium Adjustable Bench | adjustable weight bench
- CHF 395.-
- 500 kg load capacity
- 135 x 67 x 44 cm
- 50 kg
- 7-way adjustable backrest
- Art. F-84166
The heaviest adjustable bench in the lineup, and that is precisely the point: 50 kg of dead weight won't budge when you push out of position under load. Seven backrest positions, triple-adjustable seat, transport wheels. With a 44 cm seat height, even shorter trainees can plant their whole foot firmly on the floor.
Ideal for: continuous, heavy dumbbell training and rooms where the bench is fixed.
View Premium Bankresilience
How much weight capacity does your weight bench need?
The specified weight limit applies to you and the weight combined, not just to the barbell. Therefore, calculate your body weight plus the heaviest load you ever move on the bench. With 80 kg of body weight and 120 kg on the bar, that is 200 kg. With a limit of 250 kg, this puts you close to the limit on the ATX Multi Weight Bench 102, whereas the 500 kg benches retain a reserve and the 600 kg flat bench is significantly above that. The time factor is important: you do not exceed the limit on the first repetition, but rather after two years of progress. Therefore, plan for the training level you will have in three years. Anyone who benches heavy and alone also needs a safety system, either via Racks with safety bars or via a bank with its own filing system.
Competition weight bench | bench press
- CHF 490.-
- 500 kg load capacity
- 160 x 180 x 110 cm
- Safety Spotter Arms
- Band Pegs
- Art. F-83185
Bench and rack in one unit: The barbell rack can be adjusted to your height, and the height-adjustable safety arms catch a failed repetition. You can attach resistance bands using the band pegs. For this reason, with a footprint of 160 x 180 cm, it requires the largest area in comparison and cannot be adjusted.
Ideal for: heavy bench pressing without a training partner when there is no rack in the room.
View Competition-BankSpace requirement
How much space does a weight bench take up, and are there foldable models?
A weight bench needs about twice its footprint because you need space all around it to get on and off and for the dumbbells. The most compact bench in our range takes up 110 x 45 cm, which is about 0.5 m². If you add 60 cm at both ends for head and foot clearance and 50 cm on each side for the dumbbells, you end up with a usable area of about 2.30 x 1.45 m. For the 135 cm long premium bench, it is correspondingly about 2.55 x 1.67 m. We deliberately do not carry foldable weight benches: given the loads involved here, every additional joint is a weak point. The better answer to a lack of space is a lightweight bench that you can store upright against the wall, or a foldable rack. You can find the entire selection at Benches and racks.
What goes with it
Besides the bench, what else do you need?
Each weight bench comes with exactly one weight bench—no weights included. If you’re looking for a weight bench with weights, you’ll need to put the set together yourself, which actually makes more sense because the bench and the weights have different lifespans. To start with, a pair of dumbbells or a set of dumbbells is sufficient; the bench itself is rarely replaced, whereas your weight requirements grow every year. If you add a barbell, you’ll also need a rack, because otherwise you won’t be able to safely lower the bar across your chest. You can either choose a bench with a built-in weight rack or place a flat or incline bench inside a rack. Information on which rack is suitable and what ceiling height is required can be found in the Buying guide for rigs and racks.
Recommendation by profile
What is worth it for whom
Getting started with a home gym
You train with dumbbells, want to cover incline and flat bench press, and don't want to spend more than necessary. Take the ATX bench with six backrest positionslight, compact, adjustable.
Advanced, difficult, permanent
You bench press over 100 kg and the bench stays firmly in place. Then is the heavier premium bank the right choice, because 500 kg reserve and 50 kg dead weight belong together.
Bench press without a spotter
Without a rack or a training partner, you'll need your own safety arms. The competition bench with safety spotter arms provides storage and security, but requires the largest area.
Multi-purpose room and little space
If the bench is supposed to disappear after the workout, weight matters more than adjustability. The compact ATX flat bench Weighs 17 kg and can be moved to the side by one person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying a Weight Bench: The Most Important Questions Answered
What is the maximum weight capacity of a weight bench?
The specified limit applies to body weight and weight combined. In the product range, values range from 250 kg for the ATX Multi Weight Bench 102 to 500 kg for the adjustable benches and up to 600 kg for the ATX Flat Bench Compact. Calculate your body weight plus your heaviest planned load and leave some reserve.
Which weight bench is suitable for beginners?
For a start, an adjustable bench in the range of around CHF 195 to CHF 295 works well because it covers flat, incline, and shoulder press as long as the weights are still moderate. Important factors are a truly flat position, an adjustable seat, and a dead weight that you can move by yourself.
Does the weight bench come with weights?
No. The scope of delivery for all models consists of a weight bench; dumbbells and barbells come separately. That is also more practical because your weight needs will grow over the years while the bench stays the same. Therefore, you choose dumbbells, plates, and bars independently of the bench.
Is there a foldable weight bench?
Not at Fitness Flohmarkts. Folding mechanisms introduce play into the construction under the heavy loads of weight training, and play under the barbell is unpleasant to dangerous. If you need to save space, a lightweight flat bench weighing 17 kg is the more stable solution, or a rack that folds against the wall.
Does a weight bench fit in a power rack?
Yes, if the bench is narrow enough. The flat bench measures 45 cm in width, and the adjustable benches measure 63 to 75 cm including the feet. A power rack with an outside width of 152 cm accommodates all of them, allowing you to lift heavy and alone with safety bars in place.
What does decline adjustment mean on a weight bench?
Negative means that the backrest can be tilted below the horizontal so that the head is lower than the hips. None of the benches shown here offer this. This setting is not essential for muscle building, and the blood pressure in the head makes it uncomfortable for many anyway.
Ready for your bank?
All 29 models, from the 17 kg lightweight to the competition bench, are ready for dispatch from our Swiss warehouse in Liestal.
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