Friday, December 4, 2009

What Goes Into An Ergonomically Functional Weight Bench

By Cole Klein

Knowing what goes into a quality weight bench will be a must when the time comes to begin engaging in weight bearing and weight lifting exercise. Recent studies have proven yet again the benefit of lifting some kind of weight on a consistent basis, even to the point of being able to stave off diseases such as Alzheimer's. Try to lift weights with quality equipment whenever possible.

At the core of any gym or home gym is the weight bench. For sure, there are literally hundreds of benches of all quality, shape and construction available for purchase on the market. Be careful when looking at these kinds of benches because many of them may not be nearly as purpose-built or sturdy as advertised in magazines or on TV or in a store, by the way.

As far as the kinds of characteristics that go into a quality bench, people who are considering buying one need to look at the adjustability and the quality of the build of the bench, first of all. Second, look at the bench from a functional/ergonomic standpoint and also its cost and durability. Keep all of these things in mind when shopping for most any sort of weight bench.

The above characteristics are a good reason why most inexpensive weight benches inevitably come up short in one aspect or another. Besides, it isn't a great idea to go for an inexpensive bench that may break or buckle under the weight load that it might have to support. Going for a slightly more expensive but durable and higher-in-quality bench makes much more sense, generally speaking.

Try to find a bench that is of steel framed construction if the kinds of weight that are going to be lifted are significant. Some of these benches can support over a quarter ton and if they are much more money than a less expensive bench that cannot support much more than the weight of the weightlifter, it makes sense to go with the sturdier steel bench in almost every case.

For those people who are just getting started in weightlifting, it is better to go for a basic bench that can be raised and lowered rather than some sort of specialty bench that promises a lot of other positions but really isn't needed at this time. With a bench that raises and lowers, a wider range of weightlifting positions can be taken. Along with barbells, it's usually about all that's needed.

Most weightlifters and weightlifting experts recommend purchasing a bench that has an adjustable incline capability. This is pretty much a mandatory requirement if you intend on doing any serious lifting. Being able to raise and lower the back allows for a much wider range of weight training exercises and would be available with a bench that is just flat and cannot be adjusted.

For those who are more ambitious, they may want to select a weight bench that has leg extension and leg curl features or that provide them as an accessory that can be attached to the bench. Along with a complete free weight set, the bench and the weights together can provide a powerful, fitness-inducing and muscle building experience that can quickly deliver a wide array of results.

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