Keep on top of your New Years resolution with an adjustable workout bench
Workout benches have long been used to help with support during weight training. Adjustable benches give you extra support for aerobic exercise, too, in addition to weight training, which makes them much more appealing and useful in home gyms. The Flybird multipurpose, adjustable workout bench is the best because of its versatility, sturdy construction, overall weight limit, ease of storage, and affordability.
Best Overall: Flybird Full Body
The Flybird full-body workout bench is an excellent choice for both beginners and mid-range level users. It has six different back positions and an additional four seat positions for a great mix of combinations to help with both weight training and aerobic exercises. Adjusting the back is easy. Simply pull up on the kick-stand type bar in the back and slide it up or down to the next holding groove.
The bench is made with high-grade steel and supports up to 500 pounds. The back is almost 10 inches wide, has 18 inches of padding, and is covered with sturdy leather. When you're done using this Flybird bench, you can easily fold it up for storing and giving more room in your home in between workouts.
When collapsed, this bench is only about 12 inches high, so it will easily slip under most beds or fit into the corner without protruding too much into your personal space. The Flybird multipurpose adjustable workout bench doesn't cost a lot, so it is a decent investment. It works for most exercises, but some users have mentioned that the bench does wiggle a bit when using for step-up type exercises. This workout bench also isn't a good choice for tall people. It will fit users up to five feet, nine inches tall.
Pros:
- Supports up to 500 pounds
- Multiple back and seat positions
- Collapsible
Cons:
- Not good for step-up exercises
- Doesn't fit tall people
Best Overall
Flybird Full Body
Good for beginners and mid-level users
The Flybird adjustable workout bench had multiple positions to support multiple uses for both aerobics and weight training.
Best Value: Marcy Multi-Position Bench
The Marcy multi-position bench not only reclines to a fully flat position but also declines to give you extra positions and challenges during your workout. This adjustable workout bench supports military-type workouts and exercises designed to target specific muscle groups. It can be used as a standalone bench or coupled with other workout equipment like exercise cages and free weights.
This bench has padded leg rollers that make it more comfortable as you work out your abs. When you're done with your workout, the Marcy bench is easy to wipe down then collapse to nearly only 17 inches tall to make it easier to store out of the way in between workout sessions.
This bench easily holds up to 300 pounds, and the whole thing is covered by a two-year warranty. The Marcy multi-position bench comes fully disassembled, so you will have your work cut out for you putting it together. It does come with instructions and tools you need. You can pay an additional fee for professional assembly of this workout bench.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Two-year warranty
- Fully adjustable seat
Cons:
- Full assembly required
- Professional assembly available for a fee
Best Value
Marcy Multi-Position Bench
Low cost, big value
This workout bench supports multiple positions with its adjustable back. It is covered by a two-year warranty.
Aerobic Deck: Reebok Professional
The Reebok Professional workout bench has a unique design that includes a storage compartment to hold small items like towels, handheld weights, or your cellphone during workouts. Part of the bench inclines to give you some back support. And the entire deck collapses into a great tool for step aerobics and exercises.
There are also clips that you can use to attached resistant straps, and the legs on the deck give foot support during floor exercises, like sit-ups. This workout bench has a rubber-nubbed surface to reduce slipping. This means there isn't any padding of any kind, so that it could be uncomfortable for some users. This Reebok aerobic deck is compact, only about 43 inches long.
It works well in small spaces, like apartments, and it folds down small enough to slide under most beds or set inside a closet when not in use. However, its small size does limit who can comfortably use it. Taller individuals may need a longer bench. This workout bench has a weight limit of 330 pounds.
Pros:
- Unique positions
- Compact design
- Storage compartment
Cons:
- May be too small for some individuals
- No seat or back padding
Aerobic Deck
Reebok Professional
Fully adjustable to support aerobics
The Reebok Professional deck can be adjusted to support step aerobics and floor exercises on top of traditional weight training.
Compact Bench: GYMENIST Compact Workout Bench
This workout bench has three adjustable positions, including decline, plus the seat part also is adjustable for additional workout positions. This GYMENIST bench is compact and comes fully assembled. The feet move in and out to help you properly balance the workout bench, and it has a cushioned footrest that doubles as a support beam for sit-ups.
The GYMENIST compact bench comes with an extra back cushion that attaches to the back of the seat and adjusts up and down to give you more support during your workout. Also, it can support taller people comfortably. After you're done, this workout bench folds down to a mere ten inches high, making it easy to store to take along on trips with you. The manufacturer claims that this bench can hold a total of 550 pounds, which is really impressive compared to other workout benches that typically only hold 330 pounds.
However, several users have purchased this bench and have claimed their bench can't hold more than 400 pounds, some even less. Also, while the back and seat parts are padded and covered, they are stapled together in a way that wears down and pulls apart rather easy when used for exercises that require more twisting motions.
Pros:
- Compact design
- Extra back and head padding
- Adjustable back and seat
Cons:
- Wears down quickly
- Cushions are stapled rather than sewn
Compact Bench
GYMENIST Compact Workout Bench
Compact and portable
The GYMENIST bench collapses to 10-inches tall, is lightweight, and comes fully assembled. It's comfortable for taller users.
Built-in Resistance: Yoleo Adjustable Workout Bench
The Yoleo workout bench includes resistant cords that attach to the foothold to give you more exercise options compared to other workout benches. The seatback is over 29 inches tall and 12 inches wide, large enough to accommodate users up to six feet tall. Plus, it holds a combined weight of 330 pounds. This is about the right size for most average people. For larger or taller individuals, you will need to look for a workout bench with a longer seatback.
The Yoleo back has seven adjustable levels and is made with foam that both gives comfort but also solid support during your workout. Its cover is made with sweat-resistant material that is easy to wipe clean when you're done. While the Yoleo adjustable workout bench comes 98 percent assembled, there are still some parts that you will need to put on yourself. Instructions and the tools you need come packaged with this bench. Most users report that assembling the last few parts are very easy to do.
Pros:
- Includes resistant bands
- Seven seat positions
- Sweat-resistant cover
Cons:
- Some assembly required
Built-in Resistance
Yoleo Adjustable Workout Bench
Workout support and then some
This seven-level adjustable workout bench includes resistant straps for even more exercise options.
Extra Long: Bowflex SelectTech 5.1s
The bench part of this adjustable workout bench is over 60 inches long to comfortably accommodate tall users. It also is sturdy enough to hold up to 600 pounds. The Bowflex SelectTech adjusts to six different positions from a 90-degree upright angle to a negative 20-degree decline.
The padded leg supports are higher compared to other workout benches, and the seat is uniquely designed to offer extra support to your upper legs as you exercise. The seat and back part of the bench is covered in a sweat-resistant material that is easy to wipe down after use, and the bench folds up to easily store in a closet or tuck away in a corner. It even has wheels to help you roll the bench where you need it, which is a big help considering the Bowflex 5.1s weighs over 70 pounds on its own.
There is some assembly required with this workout bench. Also, there is a sizable gap between the bench seat and back. Some users find this gap uncomfortable when using the bench for weightlifting or while lying flat.
Pros:
- Study design holds up to 600 pounds
- Six different positions
- Long bench to accommodate tall users
Cons:
- Assembly required
- Large gap between back and seat
- Heavy
Extra Long
Bowflex SelectTech 5.1s
For extra tall users
The Bowflex SelectTech 5.1s supports tall users and easily holds up to 600 total pounds. It has wheels and folds upright.
Why we picked Flybird as the best workout bench
New to weight training? Flybird is the workout bench for you. Have a few years of aerobic exercise under your belt? Flybird works for you, too.
The Flybird full-body workout bench adjusts to multiple positions to support a wide variety of workouts. It easily holds up to 500 pounds, so using it as a weight bench is possible. But it also is suitable for supporting aerobic exercises like sit-ups and squats. It isn't the most sturdy for step-up exercise, though, and will wiggle slightly as you step on it.
This bench is made with high-grade steel and includes a foot and leg rest covered in anti-slip foam. The back is nearly ten inches wide, and the whole bench is 47 inches long. This isn't enough room to support anyone over five foot nine inches tall, though Flybird does have several other adjustable workout benches available that support users over six feet high. All padding on the back and seat are covered with durable leather. This makes it easy to wipe up when you're done exercising, plus you can fold up the bench and slip it into a corner or under most beds in between workouts.
Credits The team that worked on this guide
As a mom of 10 and grandma to five, Nicole pulls from her years of experience raising her family as she explores, tests, and reviews a variety of consumer products from food processors to bed pillows to parental control programs. Nicole has over 13 years of research and writing experience in both the public and private sectors.