The Demise of The Bench Press...

No, before anyone flips out, I'm not telling people not to bench.  I'm talking about the piece of equipment, the 'Olympic Bench Press'.  

 

In gym design 101, we've talked about the fact that the most basic strength pieces are your good utility bench and your dumbbells. That's the basis for every gym you build. I care for talking $1,000 or $100,000. It's always where you start.

 

But you be amazed how many people walk in the door here and want to get an old-fashioned bench press. I think it's a throwback to the old home gyms, and also how we all grow up weight lifting. And the bench press is great exercise, I'm not saying it's not, let's be clear.

 

What I am saying is that it's a space hog for one exercise. Because the bar is 7 ft long, and the bench press is 7 ft long, so you're generally looking at 7x7. So you better have a lot of space and the gym for that. Not to mention room to load the weights on the bar.

 

What we've migrated to that allows for the same exercise but is more versatile, is almost all homes are getting a squat rack instead, with safety spotters and a dumbbell utility bench. Or even a half-rack, since the floor space is so similar.

 

It takes up about the same amount of space, but it allows for squats and lunches and military presses as well as bench presses and you can use the utility bench with your dumbbells.  So it is a MUCH better use of space, just as good for bench, and your family can't ignore their legs!

Oh, and don't forget the good flooring under the Bench!  If you want the Local Experts to design your gym, just ask!