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An Olympic Bench is a serious piece of training equipment for the serious trainer. It will provide you with the safety and rigidity you need to bench press with a 7-foot Olympic bar and Olympic weight plates.
In this article, we will go in search of the best Olympic weight bench. We’ll review the 5 best Olympic benches in the market right now, and help you decide which bench deserves to be in your home gym.
Summary: The Best Olympic Weight Benches
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What’s the Difference Between a Standard and an Olympic Weight Bench?
An Olympic bench is designed to accommodate an Olympic barbell, which is seven feet long and has thicker ends that take Olympic weight plates. It is larger, wider, and longer than a standard weight bench. The design of the bench is far sturdier than a standard bench.
The Olympic bar weighs 44 pounds and takes weight plates that weigh between 1.25 pounds and 100 pounds. Even though the Olympic bench is a beefier stronger bench than the standard bench, it is not always the better choice. A standard bench doesn’t weigh as much and can be more easily moved around. It also has a smaller footprint. A lot of home gyms simply don’t have the space to fit an Olympic bench.
Olympic Weight Bench Pros
Sturdier
Olympic benches are far sturdier than standard benches, having the ability to accommodate even the largest lifter and the heaviest poundage. The bench will not tilt over if the weight becomes unbalanced. Benches will be constructed from high-grade composite steel. The seat usually features thick padding for extra comfort and support when lifting heavy weight. Many benches will also have attached pins for storing weight plates.
The serious weight lifter who has developed his strength level to a high degree will soon outgrow a standard weight bench. Using an Olympic bench will allow them to push the weight to the absolute maximum without fear of the equipment letting them down.
Higher Maximum Rating
Of course, an Olympic bench also allows you to use an Olympic bar and Olympic weight plates. Olympic plates have a 2-inch hole size to accommodate the ends of an Olympic bar. In contrast, standard bars are just one inch in diameter across their entire length. Olympic bars are rated between 1000 and 1500 pounds. This means that the bar will not bend when you pack on the heavy poundage. Most Olympic bars feature revolving ends. This reduces torque when you are lifting.
Accuracy
Olympic bars and plates are far more accurate in their weight measurement than standard bars and weights. When you are piling a number of plates onto a bar, a small discrepancy in each plate can add up to a sizeable difference.
Competition
If you are planning on one day entering the competitive weightlifting arena, you should begin training on an Olympic bench as soon as possible. Training on a standard bench for Olympic competition is never a good idea.
Olympic Weight Bench Cons
Olympic benches often do not have an adjustable seat. This means that you can only do the flat bench press. With a standard bench, you can often adjust the incline of the bench to allow you to perform both incline and decline work. Olympic benches are also more expensive than standard benches.
For many people, an Olympic bench is not a practical addition to their home gym. Apart from the cost factor, there is the issue of space and movability. The lack of incline may also put people off.
Olympic Weight Bench Reviews
Our Rating
The Competitor bench is an impressively sturdy bench that has a weight rating that you wouldn’t expect at this price point. It is a comfortable, strong bench that allows you to do incline and leg work. We think it’s the best value Olympic bench you’ll find.
Design
The Competitor Olympic weight bench is a rigidly constructed unit that is ideal for tall bench pressers. It has an overall bench length of 67 inches. This Olympic weight bench has a leg extension that provides a free and natural leg movement. The powder coat finish gives this bench a very stylish look.
The Competitor bench features an adjustable back position (five back pad positions).
Value for money
The Competitor Olympic bench is listed for around $100. This represents exceptional value for money.
Build quality
The Competitor Olympic bench is made from a heavy-duty steel frame. It can take a maximum load of 600 pounds and Olympic sized plates. You will feel very stable and safe when using this bench.
The upholstery on the Competitor bench makes use of top grade high-density foam, making it both tough and soft.
Pros
- Excellent price point
- Suitable for taller users
- Leg extension
- Five back pad positions
- 600-pound weight capacity
Cons
- Decline feels a little flat
- Not suitable for squats
Our Rating
The Marcy Diamond Olympic bench is an innovative bench with its two-piece design. This makes it a great choice for those wanting a safe, reliable squat rack in addition to a sturdy bench.
Design
The Marcy Diamond Olympic weight bench is a very impressive looking machine. It features high-quality padding, which is covered in an attractive vinyl pattern. You get a leg extension, hamstring developer, and bicep curl with this bench. The bicep curl bar is removable. The arm curl pad is also adjustable to allow for a custom fit. The back pad is fully adjustable for incline, flat, and decline work.
The racking system on the Marcy Diamond bench is a separate unit to the bench. This allows for walk-in squats and lunges. It also has adjustable bar crutches.
Value for money
The Marcy Diamond Olympic bench is available for around $180.
Build quality
The Marcy Diamond Olympic bench is constructed from square steel tubing. The padded areas are thickly cushioned and use a durable vinyl outer. The bench has a maximum total weight capacity (user plus weights on bar) of 600 pounds. The weight capacity of the barbell crutches is 300 lbs.
Pros
- Leg extension, hamstring developer
- Detachable bicep curl
- Separate rack for squatting
- 600-pound weight capacity
Cons
- Flat position not really flat
Our Rating
The XMark International Olympic bench is a very impressive home workout bench. It is the sturdiest bench you will find for under $400 and will allow you to exercise in safety, thanks to its dual safety spotters.
Design
The XMark International Olympic weight bench is a heavy-duty workhorse designed for serious bench pressing. It features a leg extension unit along with a preacher curl bench and bar. The seat is adjustable for incline, flat, and decline positioning. A solid steel brace firmly holds the backrest in place. This bench provides safety self-spotting by way of dual uprights. This allows you to both bench and squat in safety without another person present.
The XMark bench features an oversized spring-loaded safety pin for easy adjustment. The unit is finished in a scratch-resistant powder coating.
Value for money
The XMark International Olympic weight bench is available for around $350. This makes it the most expensive of the 5 benches that we reviewed. However, it is also the sturdiest.
Build quality
The XMark International Olympic weight bench is constructed from heavy-duty 14-gauge steel. It has an impressive total weight capacity of 700 pounds, and a safety spotter capacity of 300 pounds. The extra thick 2.5-inch density cushions add a superior level of comfort to your workout. All pads are covered in double-stitched, tear-resistant Duraguard vinyl.
Pros
- Leg extension, hamstring developer
- Preacher curl bench and bar
- 14-gauge steel construction
- Incline, decline, and flat seat positioning
- 700-pound weight capacity
- Safety self-spotting on dual uprights
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
Our Rating
The Phoenix 99226 Power Pro Olympic Bench is a versatile home workout station. It is one of the few Olympic benches to features a lat tower. Unfortunately, the lat tower on this device is not very well designed. This machine will, however, give you a solid, stable bench platform.
Design
The Phoenix 99226 Olympic weight bench is a full-size Olympic bench with incline, decline, and flat bench positions. It comes with a leg extension, lat tower, and preacher curl attachment. A built-in squat rack at the rear of the unit allows for safe squatting. The bench also features 3 Olympic weight plate adapters and spring clips. The uprights are 42 inches apart.
Value for money
The Phoenix 99226 Olympic bench can be purchased for around $230.
Build quality
The Phoenix 99226 is constructed of heavy-duty 3-inch steel framing. It is built for stability and a long life. The entire unit measures 88 x 83 x 60 inches. It comes with a one-year warranty on the frame. The bench and preacher curl are well padded and covered in strong vinyl.
The lat tower on this unit seems to be improperly aligned. This means that the weights tend to want to fall off as you lift.
Pros
- Leg extension, hamstring developer
- Lat pulldown
- Squat rack
- Incline, decline, and flat seat positioning
Cons
- Lat pulldown unstable
- Not suitable for tall people
Our Rating
The Body Champ Olympic bench is a solid, sturdy unit that offers plenty of variety and extra features. It is limited by its maximum poundage capacity of 180 pounds, however. If you don’t plan to go heavier than that, this is a great choice for you.
Design
The Body Champ Olympic weight bench offers a leg extension and a preacher curl extension. There is also a crunch handle to allow you to perform isolation crunches. The bench rack accommodates either a 7-foot or an 8-foot bar. It is sturdy enough to double as a squat rack. The bench features a "U" shaped front leg stabilizer for added stability and safety.
The Body Champ provides an adjustable seat, allowing you to perform exercises in a flat, incline, and a decline position. This bench also has an Olympic adaptor, which allows you to use either a standard or an Olympic bar. The racks on this bench feature safety hooks for extra protection.
Value for money
The Body Champ Olympic bench is listed for under $160. This represents very good value for a quality Olympic bench.
Build quality
The Body Champ Olympic bench is constructed of 2.5-inch steel square tubing, making for a very solid unit. All coverings are thickly padded, being filled with high-density foam. The bench dimensions are 20 inches at the top and 28 inches at the base. This allows for unrestricted movement through the lats.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Takes 7-foot and 8-foot Olympic bars
- Leg extension
- Preacher curl
- Incline and decline
Cons
- Maximum lifting weight of just 180 pounds
Conclusion
When you’re ready to step up to the Olympic lifting challenge, you need a bench that can meet the demands of the extra dimensions and weight. That doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune. The benches that we found all came in under $400. The best value bench was the Competitor bench. The best Olympic weight bench overall, taking into against robust construction, sturdiness, features, and safety spotters, was the XMark International Olympic bench.
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