How to choose a bench for abs and bench press? Rating of the TOP 9 best models, their characteristics

Platform

All exercises are performed on a platform measuring at least 2.5 * 2.5 m and maximum 4.0 * 4.0 m. The surface of the platform must be flat, hard, non-slip, and horizontal.
The platform should not rise more than 10 cm from the stage or floor. The surface of the platform may be treated with an approved non-slip coating, such as deck paint. Loose rubber mats or similar sheet materials are not permitted. The use of platform inserts made from non-slip materials is acceptable, provided that they are not dangerous (i.e. the barbell, when thrown onto the platform, will not bounce excessively off the surface, thereby putting platform assistants and athletes at risk).

Permission must be obtained from the Technical Committee, Jury or Judges to use this platform. If an athlete, due to his small stature, cannot remove the barbell from the racks for squats, then he is allowed to build an elevation on the platform (increase the height of the platform).

Buy or make it yourself

Playing sports has a positive effect on human health, but it is not always possible to go to the gym and pump up muscles. So, to solve this problem, thanks to the fairly compact size of the bench press machine, you can install it at home.

The question immediately arises of whether to buy or make a simulator with your own hands.

To answer this question, consider the advantages and disadvantages of one and the other option for purchasing a bench.

Based on the above, it becomes clear that the option of making a bench press with your own hands is still the leader, but taking into account the fact that not everyone has the opportunity and skills, it will still be easier to buy a machine. It all depends on the financial capabilities and preferences of the owner.

Bars and discs

At all powerlifting competitions organized according to IPF rules, only barbell discs are permitted. When using discs that do not meet the requirements listed below, the competition and the records set on them are considered invalid. Only those bars and discs that meet the requirements of these rules may be used in competitions.

The bar may not be changed during competition unless it is bent or damaged in some way. The decision to replace the neck is made by the Technical Committee, jury or judges.

Bars used at all IPF Championships must not have chrome plated knurling between the bushings. At IPF World Championships or when setting world records, only those bars and discs that have received official approval from the IPF may be used.

(a) The fingerboard must be straight, well checkered or cut, and meet the following requirements:

1. Its total length should not exceed 2.2 m;
2. The distance between the bushings should not exceed 1.32 or be less than 1.31 m;
3. The diameter of the neck should not exceed 29 or be less than 28 mm;
4. The weight of the bar with locks should be 25 kg;
5. The diameter of the sleeve should not be more than 52 or less than 50 mm;
6. Two marks must be made around the circumference of the neck, either by machine or with tape, the distance between the marks being 81 cm.

(b) Discs must meet the following requirements.

1. All discs used in competition must weigh within 0.25%, or 10 g, of the specified weight.

1. The diameter of the disk hole should not be more than 53 and less than 52 mm.
2. Discs should consist of the following set: 1.25 kg; 2.5; 5; 10; 15; 20; 25 and 50 kg.
3. To set a new record that exceeds the existing one by at least 500 g, discs of lighter weight can be used.
4. Wheels weighing 20 kg or more must not be thicker than 6 cm. Wheels weighing 15 kg or less must not be thicker than 3 cm. Wheels coated with rubber are not subject to these thickness restrictions.
5. Discs must be of the following colors: 10 kg and less - any color; 15 kg – yellow; 20 kg – blue; 25 kg – red; 50 kg – green.
6. All discs must be clearly marked with their weight and must be worn in a specific sequence: heavier ones on the inside, then lighter ones in descending weight order, so that the judges can see the markings of each disc.
7. The first and heaviest discs are placed on the bar with the front side inward, the rest - with the front side out.
8. The diameter of the largest disc should not exceed 45 cm.
9. Rubber or rubber-coated discs are allowed, provided that on the assembled bar, on the outside of the locks, there is at least 10 cm left to the end of the bar for gripping it when belaying.

Manufacturing stages

Making your own bench press is divided into several stages. First you need to prepare or find a drawing of such a product on online resources. Then you should stock up on all the necessary materials and tools. The final stage involves assembling the finished product.

It is worth noting that when making a bench press yourself, you must use only high-quality materials. Otherwise, the finished product will be fragile and, as a result, unsuitable for use. The adjustment elements that will be equipped with the finished simulator must work without any jamming. At the final stage of bench production, it is recommended to additionally coat it with a hypoallergenic and special water-repellent coating, which will prevent oxidation and rust on the metal surface.

Materials and tools

The process of making a bench press with your own hands is not very complicated. To make such equipment yourself, you need to stock up on a small amount of material and tools.

You will need:

1. Welding machine.
2. Roulette, ruler.
3. Electric drill.
4. Grinder (angle grinder).
5. Vise.

Also, to make a bench, you should stock up on a profile pipe measuring 40x40 mm with thick walls. To make individual elements of such a structure, you need a steel strip and a thick pipe. The width of such a strip should be about 4 cm.

Required Tools

Drawing up a drawing

At the initial stage, before making a bench press, you should draw up drawings of the future product. You can do it yourself by first taking all the necessary dimensions of the components and elements from the finished product, for example, by visiting the gym. Also, a ready-made sketch (the generally accepted standard of such a bench), with dimensions and proportions already indicated, can be found on various online resources.

When drawing up a drawing, you need to take into account all the design features of the future sports simulator and accurately indicate the dimensions of the bench and its individual elements (width, height, length of racks, as well as special extensions).

Regular bench

Incline bench

Compact weight bench

Sports bench frame

Assembly

First, you need to make special racks for the barbell with your own hands, which in the design will play the role of legs of the entire frame, and also support the barbell during strength exercises. It is worth noting that such racks must be made of high-quality and durable material, since they will bear a large load. As a rule, for their manufacture a profile pipe is used, which is divided into two sections 830 mm long.

Assembly sequence:

1. On the racks, using an ordinary pencil, you need to make a special mark, in the area of ​​which they will be connected to each other. The point should be above the floor level (approximately 34 cm).
2. Then you need to take a piece of profile pipe, the length of which is 520 mm, and weld it to both posts at the point of their connection. During welding work, it is necessary to take into account the fact that it is at the points of contact of the racks that heavy loads and pressure will be exerted. The distance from the weld seam directly to the floor surface must be strictly 340 mm.
3. Make a rear pillar and weld it to the main structure. To do this, you can use a section of profile pipe 340 mm long. To connect it to the main structure, a metal strip 970 mm long is used.
4. In order to evenly distribute the load on the surface of the floor covering of the structure, special extensions must be welded to the legs. They can be made from a profile pipe. For the front legs, a length of 220 mm is required. To make the rear pillar more stable, it is also recommended to weld an extension from a profile pipe, the length of which is about 300 mm, to it. As an alternative, metal corners can be used.
5. Then, from steel strips, using a vice, you need to make several petals for the racks (2-4 pieces), the shape of which should be similar to the Latin letter “J”. The size of the rear side of such a petal is 7 cm, and the front side is 3 cm. The finished elements are welded evenly to the front posts of the structure and serve to hold the rod.

At the final stage you need to make a sunbed (bench). To make it you will need steel sheets, the thickness of which is about 2 mm, foam rubber, board, reinforcing rods, fabric. It is worth noting that the lounger can also be made of wood, which, after being installed on the bench, is covered with foam rubber and fabric. In terms of its strength, a homemade wooden bench is practically in no way inferior to its counterparts made of metal.

To make a sunbed, you need to take a sheet of metal, drill several holes in it, and using ordinary self-tapping screws, attach a sanded board to its surface. Then reinforcing rods are welded to the metal sheet. At the next stage, a sheet of metal with a board is attached to the main structure of the bench. Then foam rubber is attached to the board using glue, which will later need to be covered with fabric. In this case, it is recommended to use high-density rubberized fabric. In this way, you will be able to create a fairly durable bench that will last for many years.

Setting angles and drilling holes using a magnetic protractor

Welding the frame for the insert seat

Strength test

Installation of the foot attachment

Cutting insulation for plumbing pipes

Holes are drilled in the main seat and furniture bushings are driven in for 8 mm bolts

Dense foam rubber 50 mm thick is glued onto the seat, then the seat is upholstered with leatherette. Covers for the footrests are sewn separately

Ready press bench

Squat Racks

Only squat racks manufactured by officially registered manufacturers and approved for use by the IPF Technical Committee may be used at international powerlifting championships.

(a) Uprights must be of sound construction and provide maximum stability. The base of the structure must be such as not to interfere with the athlete or spotters (assistants). The competition director must take this into account when selecting equipment for the competition.

The racks can be a single structure or consist of two separate racks of such a design as to hold the bar in a horizontal position.

(b) The racks must be made in such a way that their height can be adjusted - from 1.0 m in the lower position to 1.7 m in the upper position, every 5 cm.

(c) Hydraulic struts must be secured with pins when raised to the required height.

Universal sports benches with adjustability

For those who cannot decide on a specific model, it is recommended to purchase a universal bench. This design allows you to perform bench presses from the following positions:

• lying down;
• reclining;
• sitting.

For example, raising the backrest to a vertical position will allow you to pump up the upper shoulder girdle. Performing exercises from a semi-sitting position (the back is located at an angle of 45°) uses not only the triceps, but also the abdominal muscles. The advantages of adjustable sports benches include the opportunity to add variety to your workouts. The number of exercises that can be performed on such a bench reaches several dozen. The arrangement of any gym must begin with the purchase of a bench press. You also need to buy additional equipment: dumbbells, barbells, plates, weights, special athletic belts. A correctly selected bench press model will be a good investment in your own beauty and health.

Bench Press

Only bench and bench press racks manufactured by officially registered manufacturers and approved for use by the IPF Technical Committee may be used at international powerlifting championships.

The bench must be smooth, horizontal, of durable construction providing maximum stability and comfort and have the following dimensions:

1. Length – at least 1.22 m.
2. Width – no less than 29 and no more than 32 cm.
3. Height – not less than 42 and not more than 45 cm from the floor to the top of the uncompressed cushion surface of the bench. The height of the racks must be adjustable: minimum 75 and maximum 110 cm from the floor to the bar on the racks.
4. The minimum distance between the stands, measured along the inside of the bar lying on the stands, must be 1.1 m.
5. The head of the bench should protrude 22 cm from the middle of the posts. A deviation of 5 cm in any direction is allowed in this size.

Basic requirements for the projectile

During sports activities, a lot of pressure is placed on the bench. The entire structure is under severe stress. Therefore, a sports bench must have the following parameters:

1. It is essential that the installation is assembled reliably.
2. The structure must support the weight of a person with a barbell.
3. The presence of gaps and backlash is unacceptable.
4. The metal must have a certain rigidity.
5. It is necessary that the base is resistant to high humidity.
6. If the bench has an inclined design, the adjustment locks should be as reliable as possible.
7. You need to pay attention so that the paintwork does not cause allergies.

In addition to the above, it is worth paying attention to the upholstery material. It must be of good quality.

Signaling

At competitions, a light signaling system must be installed, with the help of which judges can communicate their decisions. Light signaling similar to that used in weightlifting may be used. When the referee sees a violation of the rules, he turns on his remote control. If a majority of the judges turn on the remote control, an audible signal will sound to inform the athlete that their attempt has failed. In this case, the athlete does not need to complete this set.

Each referee controls the white and red lights. These two lights mean “good lift” and “no lift” respectively. Light signaling lamps are positioned horizontally in accordance with the position of the three judges. The light signaling must be arranged so that the bulbs light up simultaneously, and not separately, as the judges turn them on.

In case of need, for example in case of breakdown of the electrical alarm, the referees must have flags or banners in white and red with which they can indicate their decision after the command in the voice of the chief referee “flags”.

After the alarm goes off and the lights are illuminated, the judge(s) who did not count the weight lifted must raise the appropriate card (plate) indicating the reasons for the unsuccessful approach.

Recommendations for selection

The purchase of a projectile must be taken very seriously. You can’t buy something that caught your eye for the first time. It is necessary to study in detail all the characteristics of the presented model and compare them with your needs. To select the correct installation, you need to listen to the following recommendations:

1. The first step is to find out the maximum weight that the machine can support. The higher this indicator, the heavier the projectile can be used on the bench. However, such a product will cost more. For beginner athletes, a unit from 150 kg is suitable.
2. It is necessary to study the structure of the bench. All structural elements must be made of metal. The exception is upholstery. Be sure to inspect all fasteners. The welds must be continuous, the bolts and nuts must be well tightened. The flimsy design can crumble under the athlete during sports.
3. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the adjustments of the device. You need to manually check the operation of the backrest tilt mechanism. If the adjustment is very difficult, it is better to take a closer look at other types of installations. The choice is quite large. If you don’t like the overall design, you should look for a similar product with similar parameters.
4. The upholstery material must be made of durable material. A quality item will last much longer. The ottoman should have a certain rigidity and softness. You can lie down on a bench and thus check the comfort of the apparatus. You will need to figure out how to assemble the installation. After all, most models are delivered to the recipient in disassembled form. A person will need to evaluate his strength, since he will have to assemble the structure himself.
5. You must read the assembly instructions. If there are a lot of parts, it is better to consider the models that the manufacturer delivers assembled.

These simple recommendations will allow anyone to navigate and choose the right product for their needs. With their help, you can purchase a product that will serve for a long period of time.