Having a gym in the comfort of your home is awesome. It offers accessibility and privacy, and is customized to your specific training goals. You probably started with some dumbbells, maybe resistance bands, and likely a cardio machine or two. But if you’re serious about building muscle, there’s one piece of equipment that can help you reach all of your goals: a weight bench.
Weight benches are incredibly versatile and can help you train every major muscle in your body (plus a bunch of the minor ones too). You can use them with all kinds of weight types (dumbbell, barbell, etc.) and perform tons of different exercises. They’re also really stable and can help you build up your balance and train with different bodyweight exercises.
If you’re excited to add a weight bench to your home gym, we want to help you choose the right one for your space and your fitness goals. We encourage you to think about things like the price, the overall size, the weight capacity, and the versatility of the rack types and bench positions.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best weight benches in Canada in 2024 and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
There are a lot of things we love about the FlyBird Adjustable Weight Bench. The adjustability is nearly unbeatable. The backrest has six different incline settings, and the seat has four. Plus, you’ve got a leg bar to help steady you while you perform certain exercises. Pretty sweet, right? The leg bar has non-slip foam on it, too, so comfort won’t be an issue either.
We also love how much weight this thing can hold when it only weighs 22 lbs. You’ll be able to lift heavy and carry the bench around without straining or needing a second set of hands (and muscles). That’s a rare combo! As if that all isn’t enough, it’s also got one of the most compact folding systems out there. You won’t have any trouble hiding it in a corner or throwing it in the car for an adventure.
The only issue we have with this weight bench is the design of the backrest. It’s pretty narrow (7.5” at the narrowest but still less than 10” at the wider shoulder section) and extremely short at less than 30”. If you’re taller than 5’9”, you’ll be missing out on some crucial neck and head support.
Reviewers have a high opinion of the FlyBird Adjustable Weight Bench. The adjustability of the seat and back helps them target their muscles with ease, and it’s sturdy enough for heavy lifting. People love how it folds down, too. It’s easy to get it in the car. The main issue they have with it is the length of the backrest. Taller people don’t have enough head/neck support.
Overall Dimensions: 15.1” x 42.3” x 16.5” (with backrest flat)
Seat Dimensions: 13.3” x 12.9”
Backrest Dimensions: 7.5” x 29.1”
Weight: 22 lbs
Backrest Incline Angles: 0º, 19º, 32º, 44º, 58º, 76º
Weight Capacity: 600 lbs
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
6 backrest heights and 4 seat heights
Exceptional weight capacity for the lightweight design
Folds compactly for easy storage and travel
Non-slip foam on the leg bar rollers is comfortable and safe
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, we are big fans of the FlyBird Adjustable Weight Bench. We don’t love that the bench height won’t work for everybody, but if you are lucky enough to be short enough for this bench, we can almost guarantee it’ll be a match made in heaven.
The Bowflex 3.1S Adjustable Utility Weight Bench is an outstanding choice for just about anybody. Its standout feature is its sturdy design. It comes with a 15-year warranty! It can support almost 500 pounds, too, so it’s great for larger people and/or those who want to lift heavy at home.
The leg bar design includes a lot of padding, so you’ll be comfortable every time you use it. The backrest can be set at four points between a -20º decline and a +90º incline—this range is also unheard of! Throw in transport wheels and a folding design, and there’s tons to love about this one.
We’ve got two main low points to share with you. First of all, the seat isn’t able to tilt, so you won’t be able to adjust your entire posture for certain exercises. Not a big deal for some people, but might be a dealbreaker for others. Also, the gap between the seat and the backrest is a little ridiculous. It’s too large for comfort for some users.
Reviewers are very happy with the Bowflex 3.1S Adjustable Utility Weight Bench. The large gap between the seat and backrest is a concern, but that’s pretty much the only one. It feels really sturdy, even when they’re lifting heavy weights, and the leg bar is comfy and does its job well. People love that it folds to lean against a wall when they don’t want it in the way.
Overall Dimensions: 61.3” x 28.1” x 49.53” (with backrest upright)
Backrest Dimensions: 30” x 10”
Weight: 58.4 lbs
Backrest Incline Angles: -20º, 0º, 45º, 90º
Weight Capacity: 480 lbs
Warranty: 15 years
Pros:
Built to last
Leg bar is removable and well-padded
Folds to save floor space
Has wheels for easy transport
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, the Bowflex 3.1S Adjustable Utility Weight Bench is one of our top recommendations this year. It does cost a little more than we’d like, but for the quality you get in return, it’s worth it. The design isn’t perfect, but it’s got a ton of redeeming features to make up for it.
The Marcy Utility Flat Bench is our favourite option for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles. This is a stable option since the legs are connected by a solid bar and are installed in one piece. Plus, it’s got rubber caps on the ends to stop the bench from sliding if you get a little off-balance once in a while. It’s bound to happen.
The compact size is perfect for smaller home gyms, and it fits easily in the car if you ever need to travel with it. We love the powder-coated finish, too. It’s highly resistant to wear and tear, so you don’t need to worry about replacing it prematurely. The combination of boxed upholstery and high-density foam offers a super supportive and comfortable feel.
The main limitation we want you to be aware of is the weight capacity. It’s only rated for 300 pounds, so if you’re a bigger individual or you plan on lifting heavy, you won’t have the kind of support you need. Also, it’s not adjustable, at all, so you won’t be able to target individual muscles as easily as you could with a different option.
Reviewers are happy with the Marcy Utility Flat Bench for the most part. It’s not as adjustable or versatile as other benches, but it offers tons of support for bodyweight exercises and light weightlifting. It’s easy for everyone to move around the room, and assembly is quick and easy too. There haven’t been any complaints about tearing fabric, either.
Pros:
Doesn’t need much floor space and fits easily in a car
High-density foam and boxed upholstery create a very comfortable and supportive bench
Powder-coated finish resists wear-and-tear
Non-slip rubber caps on the feet help the bench stay in place
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Marcy Utility Flat Bench is a great option for people who buy it with realistic expectations. It’s not sturdy enough for heavy lifting or heavier individuals, but it’s a travel-friendly option that doesn’t need much floor space. It’s perfect for beginners in our opinion, especially considering the price.
We would need a lot more time to rave about the Fitness Reality 2000 Super Max XL High Capacity Weight Bench than we have, but we’ll do our best to cover all of the important bits. This bench is perfect for people who struggle to find enough support on a standard bench. With an extra-long backrest and the sturdiest frame ever, it’s great for taller people and heavier lifters.
Its adjustability is also mind-blowing. You get three seat positions, three leg bar positions, and seven backrest inclines. How awesome is that!? You’re also able to adjust the seat so you never have a gap between it and the backrest. Hallelujah. With rolling wheels, 4” foam rollers on the leg bar (that’s also removable), and a foldable design, this thing covers all the big and little things you might have on your must-haves list.
Honestly, aside from the high price tag, there’s only one thing we’d want to change about this weight bench. And it’s a pretty minor thing. Although the vinyl material on the seat and backrest is a great choice for comfort and water resistance, it does tend to bunch and tear. Just be prepared that it won’t last forever.
Reviewers are blown away by the quality of the Fitness Reality 2000 Super Max XL High Capacity Weight Bench. Its adjustability is unbeatable, and they love how sturdy it is even when they’re lifting heavy—zero wobbles, as one person said. The gapless design is also a great touch, and it folds and rolls very easily to keep it out of the way when they aren’t using it.
Overall Dimensions: 21” x 50” x 17.75” (with flat backrest)
Backrest Dimensions: 37” x 10”
Weight: 65 lbs
Backrest Incline Angles: -15º, 0º, 20º, 30º, 45º, 60º, 85º
Weight Capacity: 850 lbs
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Can be adjusted to eliminate the gap between the seat and backrest
Has an incredibly sturdy frame and rolling wheels
Leg bar has 4” foam rollers, is removable, and is 3-position adjustable
Seat can be adjusted to three different positions and backrest has 7 (plus is long enough to offer head support for people up to 6’4”)
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Fitness Reality 2000 Super Max XL High Capacity Weight Bench is our top recommendation for all people who need a little extra length or stability. The positions of the backrest, seat, and leg bar are all highly adjustable too, and it’s one of the most comfortable benches you can sit on.
The Corength Weight Training Fold-Down Bench has a lot going for it. And if you’re interested in a foldable bench, that’s probably what you want to hear about first, right? With the backrest in the flat position, you can fold in all the legs so it’ll only need 7.5” of clearance to squeeze into a closet or under your bed or couch. It’s super quick and easy to do, too!
The bench can do more than just fold flat, though. The backrest can be set to four different incline angles and the seat even has a couple of options! A removable leg bar will help you exercise comfortably no matter what muscles you’re training. If the idea of putting together a weight bench is a big no for you, you’ll love this one a little more than most. It comes fully assembled.
We’ve only got one bone to pick with this one, and it has to do with the incline angles. Aside from a flat bench position, you can only set the backrest to three different inclines. And there’s a pretty big jump in between the bigger two angles. This might limit the number of exercises you can add to your workout unless you’re willing to completely rearrange the bench, which is time-consuming.
Reviewers are really happy with the Corength Weight Training Fold-Down Bench overall. A couple of people mentioned it would be better to have more incline options, but that’s really the only downside they pointed out. They love how sturdy it feels, and it folds down to the perfect size for travelling or storing it at home somewhere out of sight.
Overall Dimensions: 51.2” x 13.8” x 19.7” (with flat backrest)
Seat Dimensions: 11” x 11”
Backrest Dimensions: 31.5” x 11”
Weight: 33.1 lbs
Backrest Incline Angles: 0º, 30º, 45º, and 80º
Weight Capacity: 485 lbs
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Bench legs fold flat to store under furniture or in closets
Highly adjustable—two seat positions and four backrest positions
Comes fully assembled in the box
Leg bar is removable for more comfortable bench presses
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, the Corength Weight Training Fold-Down Bench is easily our favourite foldable option right now. It isn’t entirely perfect, but it comes pretty darn close. It’s highlights? No assembly, a complete fold-down (that takes less than 30 seconds!), and a great weight capacity.
Some weight benches are priced under $100, others are close to $500. Generally, sticking to a budget between $150 and $300 should help you get a ton of value without spending more than you need to. Generally, more expensive weight benches are more adjustable and can hold more weight.
Since you’ll be sitting or laying on your weight bench during almost all of your exercises, the seat and backrest must be comfortable and suit your body. Some seats are really small and won’t feel comfortable for some people. Some backrests can be too short or narrow to offer adequate support. Make sure you check these dimensions and compare them to your build to make sure you’ll be safe and comfortable.
Different exercises require different incline levels and bench setups. Sometimes you’ll need a leg bar for support/resistance, but some benches don’t have these. And they aren’t always adjustable. Some exercises are better with certain backrest inclines or seat positions, but the adjustability of these features also changes bench-to-bench.
Many people won’t have the space to leave a home gym up constantly, and others will want to travel with their bench. If either of these apply to you, you’ll want a bench that can fold compactly and is light enough to carry by yourself.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
