Weight Bench Reviews

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Weight Bench Reviews...

Hello, I'm Ben. When it comes to buying home gym equipment, there are too many infomercials and too much money wasted on equipment that simply does not live up to the hype once it is installed in the home.

That's why we've created this review page with my experiences.

 
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readings  
Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym Review Part 1
Bowflex is a huge name in the home gym population, but just because people know the name Bowflex does not mean the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym will really change your body in just 6 weeks.

Pros - What Does the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym Offer?

The Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym offers more than 100 exercises for your home gym. These exercises are easy to do with resistance rods providing as little as 20 pounds of resistance. The rods are changed with a hook and loop system which means fast changes - an important part of effective home training.

In addition to the huge selection of exercises, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym also offers a 12 year warranty. This is unheard of in home gym equipment. For the consumer who is spending thousands of dollars on a Bowflex, knowing the machine is under warranty for more than 10 years makes the purchase less painful.

Unlike some of the other Bowflex models that use up and down seat adjustment, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 seat moves forward and backward to adjust for height and movement. Shorter users will be able to comfortably use the machine just as easily as their taller peers.

 
 
 
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Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym Review Part 2
Cons - Where Could Bowflex Stand to Make a Few Changes?

The Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym comes in multiple boxes and requires three to six hours for assembly. Many users choose to assemble the unit over a few days. Due to the large number of boxes and the weight of the boxes, two people or more could be needed to complete assembly.

The unit folds away, which for some may seem like a positive, but once the unit is stored, the user may be less likely to use the machine on a regular basis. The six week guarantee only applies if the user works out on the machine regularly.

Some users have also complained about the weight limit for upper body exercises. Extra rods can be purchased to increase the resistance, but the nature of the Bowflex Power Rod technology is to decrease weight on the joints and increase resistance for a more effective workout.

Cost, Shipping and Final Thoughts

The Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym can be purchased directly from Bowflex, but other third party retailers tend to offer lower prices. Bowflex offers the Ultimate 2 Home Gym for $2499 plus shipping and handling. Shipping can take up to three weeks, as reported by consumers who ordered the product.

Overall the Bowflex company has done a great job offering an inexpensive alternative to a gym membership. The Bowflex machines provide a huge range of exercises for less, over the life of the machine, than the continued cost of your traditional membership. The machine works, when used regularly and there are very few complaints.

 
 
     
 
 

 
     
 
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Weight Bench 101 Part 1
Types of Weight Bench

Weight training has become an integral part of home gym training. When the body is exposed to weight bearing exercises, like those performed with a weight bench, bone density increases and muscle mass improves. More muscle means more calories burned at rest which is fantastic for maintaining a healthy weight and increasing weight loss. When choosing a weight bench, it is important to understand the various types of weight bench in order to choose the best one for your home gym.

Two Basic Types of Weight Bench

While there are several sub-types of weight bench, the two main types are the free standing weight bench and the weight rack bench. The free standing weight bench can be used for knee or back support when lifting weights. The weight rack bench, one of the most common inclusions in a home gym is used for holding a bar with weights attached.

Specific Types of Weight Bench

Beneath these standard types of weight bench, there are several classifications based upon the materials used for construction. The three most common are the standard weight bench, mid-size weight bench and Olympic weight bench.

The standard weight bench is constructed with 2" steel and a 24" wide support system. The standard weight bench holds a 5' bar and can accommodate between 110 and 170 pounds of total weight.

The mid-size weight bench uses 2.5" steel construction with a 36" support base. A 7' bar can be used with the weight bench and the total weight accommodated ranges from 110 pounds to 310 pounds.

The Olympic weight bench provides support for heavy weight bench users. The construction of this weight bench will vary from 2" to 3" steel with a 44" support base. a 7' bar can be used with the Olympic weight bench and the back elevation can often be adjusted from incline and decline bench press. Total weight supported by the Olympic weight bench is 310 pounds or more.

 
 
 
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Weight Bench 101 Part 2

Specialized Weight Bench

If a more specialized workout is required, the preacher weight bench and abdominal weight bench can provide additional exercises with free weights.

The preacher weight bench is used for working the bicep muscles of the upper arm only. This weight bench includes angled pads that both support the upper arm during the bicep curl and prevent the user from swinging the weight down and up during the movement. A preacher weight bench attachment can be purchased for most higher end weight bench systems.

The abdominal weight bench is a decline bench that is attached to a roller system. The rollers allow the user to lift the attached weight while working the abdominal muscles. Foot holds are included to keep the feet in place when the exercise is being performed.

Tips for Using a Home Weight Bench

It is important to have a support person available in case the weight on the weight bench is too heavy or the muscles become too fatigued during the lifting set to replace the bar to the weight bench rack.

Jerky movements can cause muscle tears and injury and should be avoided at all costs when using a weight bench.

The weight bench is primarily used with a bar and plate weights. These plates need to be secured to the bar with clamps in order to prevent weight shifting during the lift.

Finding the best weight bench for your home gym is easy when you know what type of equipment you are looking to buy.