Is this bench suitable?

RickS44 · 07-12-2008, 07:44 AM

I'm about to start a weight program(starting strength) and I need to purchase the equipment. I was going to buy an olympic weight bench with an attached rack and also a seperate rack for squats but I don't really have the cash for this.

So I came up with the idea of buying a standalone bench and an adjustable height rack. This will save me in the area of around 150 quid.

Bench
Rack

I'm not sure about how suitable the bench will be in terms of stability.

Reidak · 07-12-2008, 07:54 AM

Short term I'd say this is passable. Long term you will be selling both and replacing them. I'd wait and save up for the full power rack and get a FID bench.

AaronCF · 07-12-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reidak

Short term I'd say this is passable. Long term you will be selling both and replacing them. I'd wait and save up for the full power rack and get a FID bench.

Agreed.

Keetman · 07-12-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS44

.......I was going to buy an olympic weight bench with an attached rack and also a seperate rack for squats but I don't really have the cash for this.......

Why?

You can bench in the rack, you'll only need one actually bench, you'll take up half as much space, and you'll spend less money. Unless you have the space and just want to have 2 setups I see no benefit to having both.

2 setups are nice, however this comes at a sacrifice of floorspace.

RickS44 · 07-12-2008, 09:08 AM

Simply because, at the time, I didn't know you could buy a seperate bench and just use the rack to hold the weights. Also, when I looked at some of the benches and the issue of stability came to mind. I actually prefer to save the space though.

Keetman · 07-12-2008, 10:53 AM

I'm not sure what your option are in the UK. If you have the space though, get a cage (like talked about continually on here) and a good bench. You won't need anything else, you'll be able to do everything you need, and you won't outgrow them if you do your homework and get nice stuff.

crupiea · 07-12-2008, 11:02 AM

I have recently bought both of these items and I can say, yes, you will like them.

Bench- Suprisingly soldid for the price, very handy.

Rack- When you have the arms all the way up for squats like I do it will wobble a bit but just becasue the pins holding the bar up and in the middle of the unit. There is no danger of anything, just something to point out.

I do all of my heavy squatting and bench pressing outside with this unit, it works great.

I added a set of metal saw horses from the hardware store for safeties and I am in business.

For the price, you cant go wrong.

Its not the greatest equipment but it is way better and sturdier then some on the market. You could wait and save up for better stuff but what will you do in the mean time.

I bought the bench for $39 at Walmart and the rack was $125 delivered from jesupgym.com. Check around for the right price.