decent bench for dumbbells for home with small children

[ogremage]

Hello, I am getting weak and fat and decided I need to do some weight training.

I bought used Powerblocks (5-45 lbs) on e-Bay but figure I need a bench (flat-incline-decline) too.

What brands/models should I be looking at?

My priorities are:
a. They should be fairly safe for children to climb on and play around. I have a very inquisitive 2-year old who I probably cannot keep away from the equipment (I would while I'm actually using it, but otherwise we have a small place and it would just sit in the corner when not in use). So I want something he cannot roll onto himself easily (stable) and something for which it is not that easy to, say, disengage the incline/decline mechanism and get his fingers crushed or something.

b. Not take up too much space. I have no barbell so I don't need the holds for it, etc.

c. Not cost a fortune. I can pay for it if needed, but I'd prefer it to be somewhat affordable, as the missis isn't fully sold on the idea that I will actually use it and will not be happy about me spending a lot of money on it.

I did a review of amazon.co.uk bestsellers list and didn't find one I like. The York 13-in-1 seems OK, but is reportedly hard to switch between one position to another.

I'm in the UK so many of the US brands aren't available.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Wildtim]

seriously, keep the kid away from the workout equipment. If you can't keep a 2 year old away from work out equipment while they are under constant supervision how are you going to keep a teenage off drugs? This is a test of your parenting skills.

[captainmorgan0]

My kids are 2 1/2 (twins) and they climb all over my equipment, they love it. I put the bench into decline when I'm not using it and they use it as a slide. Any bench should be good, just buy what you can afford.

[Essexlad]

Hello, I am getting weak and fat and decided I need to do some weight training.

I bought used Powerblocks (5-45 lbs) on e-Bay but figure I need a bench (flat-incline-decline) too.

What brands/models should I be looking at?

My priorities are:
a. They should be fairly safe for children to climb on and play around. I have a very inquisitive 2-year old who I probably cannot keep away from the equipment (I would while I'm actually using it, but otherwise we have a small place and it would just sit in the corner when not in use). So I want something he cannot roll onto himself easily (stable) and something for which it is not that easy to, say, disengage the incline/decline mechanism and get his fingers crushed or something.

b. Not take up too much space. I have no barbell so I don't need the holds for it, etc.

c. Not cost a fortune. I can pay for it if needed, but I'd prefer it to be somewhat affordable, as the missis isn't fully sold on the idea that I will actually use it and will not be happy about me spending a lot of money on it.

I did a review of amazon.co.uk bestsellers list and didn't find one I like. The York 13-in-1 seems OK, but is reportedly hard to switch between one position to another.

I'm in the UK so many of the US brands aren't available.

Any advice would be appreciated.

You've got Powerblocks which are a quality purchase, a York 13in1 isnt.
Don't know what you're budget is, but browse here;
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/utility_benches/10036_0c.html

This is a much better folding bench, won't take up much room, can be put under a bed etc;
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/utility_benches/powerline_folding_flat_inc_dec_bench_grey/8953_p.html

This is my favourite folding bench, but it isn't cheap;
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/utility_benches/bodysolid_folding_utility_bench_pre_built/9145_p.html

[ogremage]

Essexlad, thanks for your specific suggestions!

Will the benches with the wider legs (e.g., BS GFID31 w/ 27'') be a lot more stable than the folding ones with more narrow legs (e.g., BS GFID225 w/ 15'')? Or would they both be stable enough for my beginner needs and neither would be easy for a young child to overturn?

I intend to visit a Fitness superstore showroom and see if I can actually take a look at a few different benches and check them for sharp edges/stability/etc.. My current list is the following:
* Body Solid GFID225
* Powerline Folding PLPFID125G
* Body Solid GFID31
* Powertec Workbench PTWBUB10
* Ironmaster Superbench

captainmorgan0, thanks for your comment - showed it to my wife which made her more comfortable about the purchase.

Wildtim, I don't really want to turn this into a parenting discussion. I don't see why every weighlifting bench should be so intrinsically unsafe as to have to keep children away from it at all times.

[ogremage]

Gentlemen, thank you for your help. I looked at a few of them at the store and bought the Body Solid GFID225, and my wife approved it saying the others looked "overadvanced". It should arrive some time this week along with a pull-ups bar, so I hope I have enough equipment for a while now, just need to keep training :).