Free weight lifting has become increasingly popular in the fitness world. Choosing the proper equipment and accessories is essential to achieve your desired results. There are several types of weight benches available but before purchasing your weight bench it’s important that you know how it functions and what exercises it is best designed for.

The standard flat fixed bench is probably the most commonly used by the home gym user. This bench is an excellent choice for light weight bench presses and the dumbbell press exercise, although it may not offer you the flexibility of concentrating on just one muscle group. When using this bench for barbell pressing it is recommended that you choose one with a barbell stand included. A dumbbell rack can be stored under the bench for easy assess during your workouts.

An incline/decline bench provides you the convenience of adjusting your bench from a flat to an angled position. In the inclined position the shoulders are elevated and the pelvic area is lowered. This offers a greater, more concentrated workout to your upper chest area. Changing the angle puts more stress on your upper and middle pectoral muscles, allowing you to change this as your strength level increases. With the head lowered and the pelvic raised, the lower chest area is targeted in the declined position.

A preachers curl bench is a speciality bench, made to be used in a sitting up position. Designed to tone the biceps, your arms rest over a pad, stabilizing them during the workout. Due to it’s small size, it is easy to move and is well suited for a home gym.

Although most gyms and fitness centres have Olympic benches, these are large in size, measuring 48 inches wide and are built to only hold an Olympic size barbell. These are a must have for any home trainer with an Olympic barbell who wishes to bench press. Though often more expensive than their ’standard’ size counterparts, they are typically sturdier and designed to hold much more weight.

Weight lifting gloves help prevent loss of grip and increase lifting capacity, making them a wise choice when adding accessories. Your weight set is an investment, so a dumbbell rack and weight tree will keep your equipment organized.

Choosing your weight bench should be done with care, taking into consideration your level of commitment and available space. Always use each piece of equipment as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent injury and to achieve your desired results. Lift your way to a healthier, fitter you.