Want to buy a new weight bench - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

bozo69 · 01-21-2005, 07:13 PM

Im looking to buy a new weight bench and I was thinking about getting one of those benches that have incline decline and a preacher bench as well as a lat pulldown machine. Are these benches good quality? I am afraid that I will buy one and the lat pull down will be cheap and break easily or something like that does any one own a bench like this and how are they?

actudan · 01-21-2005, 09:26 PM

I've never actually purchased a universal machine like the one you described but I have researched them because I was sort of in the market for one in the past. My take is not to buy one without first trying one out. Also, when it comes to these type of machines, money talks. The more expensive ones are usually better (but not always the case, you can find some middle ground allowing you to get decent equipment that doesn't blow out the wallet!), meaning you get what you pay for. I would first not buy anything until I could experiment with one and if that option isn't available before purchase, I would know the return policy from whomever you buy the equipment from. I good name brand is also a plus. I good quality machine can cost some $ but I think it's worth it. I never bought one because of space in my house and I figured a gym had more to offer for the money. However, if I had the space I would buy one just to give me the option of working out at home when I am limited for time when going to the gym.

phillydude · 01-22-2005, 06:06 AM

The incline/decline feature and the preacher bench are pretty standard accessories... you probably won't go wrong with those. I agree with your concern about the lat pulldown mechanism... they usually don't give you the smooth motion you get from a gym-quality machine, and there's a lot of stress on the equipment with that kind of overheard structure. On the other hand, it's pretty hard to duplicate that type exercise WITHOUT a lat tower or some kind, so I can also see the attraction. My advice is to go ahead and get it, with the knowledge that it may not last as long as the rest of the bench. Make sure you can detach it when it dies.