The Best Weight Benches in 2023, Tested by Our Certified Trainers

Few benches combine sturdiness, comfort, and versatility like this one from Rep Fitness, which offers six different incline angles and a three-post design, anchoring it to the floor no matter the exercise.

The thing Samuel loves most about this bench is the cushioning, "It's extra-soft, yet still manages to deliver rigidity when I drive my shoulder blades into it for a set of bench presses." He loves the simple incline adjustment mechanism, too.

The Ab-3100's adjustable design features a smooth movement that goes from fully flat to a 90-degree incline. The fabric cushioning is plenty comfortable with minimal gap between the seat and back, and it does all this without being too heavy, making it easy to move around in my home gym.

Like many of Rep Fitness' products, this one features an ultra-durable construction. The alloy-steel is rated to up to 700 pounds—more than enough for novice to intermediate lifters. It's a great accompaniment to your at-home power rack.

What do buyers say? "This bench is a beast! Really solid and easy to adjust," said one Amazon reviewer.

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Most weight benches are designed to be dead-simple and straightforward. But if you need something more, this unique weight bench is much more than just a weight bench. Think of it as a versatile home gym-in-one (for under $200, to boot!). We've used it as a stepping platform, a plyometric box, for resistance tubes, and more. We love that it adjusts into 16 configurations to adapt to almost any type of workout.

"I won't press heavy on the Fitness Deck, but I do love it for indoor use because it's ultra versatile," says Samuel. "At its shortest, I can do step-ups and lunges on it (and it's even better than a traditional bench, thanks to its ultra-hard surface). I can also use it for incline biceps curls and light ab exercises."

But what really sets the Fitness Deck V2.0 apart is the space-saving design. In Samuel's experience, it's the perfect bedroom training weapon for a quick sweat. We found it to be incredibly compact and lightweight (just 30 pounds), which makes it easy to put away and setup. We also like the small built-in bench compartment, which great for stashing smaller workout equipment like resistance bands or towels.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 1,400 Amazon reviews, 96% recommend the Escape Fitness Fitness Deck V2.0 Workout Platform/Adjustable Bench with at least a 4-star rating.

It might not have the brand-name cache of NordicTrack or Bowflex, but this adjustable weight bench from YouTen offers many of the same features for less. We appreciate its versatile design, which accommodates tons of different positions, including nine backrest position adjustments, four seat position adjustments, and four leg-hold-bar position adjustments. All of which make it one of the most versatile adjustable weight benches we've tried in recent years.

Many buyers note that it's easy to assemble, though we haven't assembled it ourselves to confirm. But at under 40 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to transport or stow away when not in use. The best part, however, is the massive max weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, making it perfect for just about any class of lifter.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 1,200 Amazon reviews, 84% recommend the YouTen Adjustable Weight Bench with at least a 4-star rating.

If you've already got the NordicTrack equipment "thing" going in your home gym, you'll be pleased to know that they make an adjustable weight bench, too. We found the design to be sleek, simple without any unnecessary features—an ideal accompaniment to your in-home power rack or weight setup. The ergonomic bench has eight backrest settings and three seat settings supporting flat, incline, decline, and military positions.

Like many NordicTrack fitness products, it's constructed to withstand a ton of wear and tear. The 62-pound frame felt stable enough to support the wide variety of exercises we've thrown at it. Plus, it's portable enough to stow away for those of us who are short on space. We also like that the seat covers are sewn on, which is much more durable than traditional stapled-on alternatives. On the downside, its maximum weight capacity is only 300 pounds, so it's best for beginners.

What do buyers say? "Easy to assemble, easy to use, enough said. Straight forward operation to adjust angles of bench," said one Best Buy reviewer.

Bowflex's flagship 5.1S Stowable Bench is a great mid-range weight bench option that we found suitable for just about any lifter of any fitness level. It features six adjustable settings, including 30°, 45°, 60° 90°, flat and decline (-20°) to accommodate virtually any workout regimen. The heavy-duty steel frame is commercial-grade, and, in our experience, capable of supporting up to 600 pounds. Which puts it right in the sweet spot for most lifters, whether novice or expert.

But what we were most impressed with testing this bench was its unique, collapsible design. It was engineered to store vertically, reducing its in-room footprint by more than 50 percent.

What do buyers say? "Love the bench. It's tall, broad enough and has a beautiful finish," said one Best Buy reviewer.

"I love this bench so much I wish it was in commercial gyms. It adjusts quickly and easily, and each incline notch has the angle marked right next to it, so you know exactly how you're positioning your body for a movement," says Samuel.

"And driveway lifters will love how immovable this bench is: Unlike some lighter benches, it won't shift at all on exercises like chest-supported rows." With a weight capacity of 1,000-pounds when laying flat and 600-pounds in an incline position, you can be confident and stable pushing heavy weight on this bench.

The bench has 7 adjustable angles, ranging from -10 to 80 degrees, allowing you to perform a variety of exercises including incline bench press, decline bench press, military press, and so much more. It features high-quality, commercial-grade upholstery that is tear-resistant and easy to clean, too.

But what we really love about this bench is its ultra-durable construction. The frame is made from heavy-duty, 11-gauge steel tubing, meaning it's made to last. And it has a large footpad, which adds to overall stability.

"This is the sturdiest home bench I’ve ever used, and it also switches quickly between incline settings, making it ideal for dropsets and supersets that require different bench settings," explains Samuel.

"Regardless of the surface, it won’t slide away on you, and the cushioning manages to be comfortable without letting my body slide on it during bench presses."

One downside: It's one of the heavier options on this list. But built-in wheels make transport easier.

The professional-grade REP Fitness FB-3000 flat bench is forged from 11-gauge heavy duty steel that many buyers report is extremely durable—enough to support up to 1,000 pounds. During testing, we felt it also features one of the most stable designs we've experienced. We also like that the bench height is set to International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) standards, so you know you're getting the real deal.

Other features we enjoyed while testing included a grippy high-density foam pad for stable (and comfortable) lifting. There's even an optional wall hanger for stowing it away when not in use. At around $175, it's not only one of the best value weight benches, but our pick for the best overall flat bench of 2023.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 570 Amazon reviews, 95% recommend the Rep Fitness FB-3000 Flat Bench with at least a 4-star rating.

This model from Hammer Strength was originally introduced in 2016 exclusively for athletics and clubs, and was designed to be a versatile bench with an Olympic rack system. It's American-made and sold around the world due to its high-quality, durable construction.

From Samuel's point of view, this is one of the sturdiest benches he's ever used. "Its tough surface lets me create a great base for bench presses."

An underrated thing he loves: The comfort of the seat portion of the bench, which allows for locking-in a good position during overhead presses and incline curls.

With seven different back pad positions (from -10 degrees for decline lifts and up to 75 degrees for military presses), it packs even more multi-functionality than most benches out there. Despite the commercial-grade quality and sturdy 845-pound weight capacity, we found it considerably lighter than comparable premium benches. Plus, it has built-in wheels, making it great for home gym spaces that require moving a bench around during workouts to accommodate space.

It has a hefty price tag, though. Still, if you're looking to do some heavy lifting, it may be one of the best benches for you.

What do buyers say? "This bench is the epitome of commercial quality. It doesn't wobble, doesn't shimmy, doesn't make strange sounds under load," said one Life Fitness reviewer.

Shift from flat up to an 85 degree incline (and 12 other spots in between) with this rugged adjustable bench.

"This is the bench I have in my own backyard gym setup, and it's as reliable and durable as the brand name implies for all the pressing exercises I include in my training," says MH Senior Fitness Editor Brett Williams, NASM. "I've been using it for over two years, and it's just as sturdy as the day I put it together."

What do buyers say? "This bench is better and more comfortable vs benches I have in the gym in town. The padding is perfect and stable. Bench is very stable. Stands may be a bit large, but the entire bench is stable and rock solid," says one Amazon reviewer.

Flybird's Foldable Flat Weight Bench is perfect for your multifunctional home gym. This space-saving bench is made with commercial quality steel and boasts a stellar 1,000-pound weight capacity.

We found it sturdy and reliable for various exercises such as dumbbell presses, chest presses, and elevated hip thrusts and more. And at just over $100, it's kind of a no-brainer in terms of value.

What do buyers say? "Very sturdy bench. Perfect height. I'm 295 and don't worry at all. Light to move around. Perfect addition to our home gym," said one reviewer.

If you've got $200+ to burn and are looking to add serious lifting capacity to your at-home gym, this adjustable bench from PowerBlock is a good choice. With a modest 550-pound rating, we feel it was designed with novice lifters in mind.

"This is one of the first home benches I ever used, and it still holds up great today," says Samuel. "It has an old-school design and shape that works well for bench presses, and is a great bench for ez bar chest-supported row or curl concepts because of the simple incline adjustment that never gets in the way of your natural movement pattern on either exercise."

In our experience, it's plenty versatile, with 5 adjustable back positions and seat adjustments. And an extra thick, three-inch Duracraft vinyl padding feels extra comfy during even the heaviest presses.

One downside: It'll slide a bit on cement, so make sure you place it on a yoga mat if that's how you plan to use it.

What do buyers say? "This product is sturdy, easy to assemble and a great piece of equipment," said one PowerBlock SportBench buyer on the Dick's Sporting Goods' site.