There are certain pieces of equipment that you’ve just got to have for your home gym if you are a weightlifter.
One that is certainly at the top of the list is the flat bench.
A good flat bench allows you to perform an array of exercises, including presses, dumbbell rows, Bulgarian split squats, any seated exercise and much more. Plus it gives you a good place to sit between sets.
There are a ton of benches out there, though. Which ones are any good and are a good value?
I just bought the Powerlifting Flat Bench from Bells of Steel for my garage gym. How is it? I’m about to tell you.
Overall a great bench at a great value for advanced lifters down to beginners.
1000 lb weight capacity
Less expensive than the competitor’s benches
Free shipping
4″ thick pad comes standard
Easy to assemble
Who are Bells of Steel?
Bells of Steel is a fitness equipment company that produces and sells a wide range of strength and conditioning equipment, such as power racks, weightlifting bars, bumper plates, and kettlebells. The company was founded in 2010 by Kaevon Khoozani, a Canadian powerlifter and fitness enthusiast, who started by selling a small selection of weightlifting equipment out of his garage.
Since then, Bells of Steel has grown to become a popular brand in the fitness industry, known for producing high-quality and affordable equipment for home gyms and commercial fitness facilities. The company has a strong online presence and ships its products to customers around the world. In addition to equipment sales, Bells of Steel also offers online coaching and training programs, as well as a blog and podcast on fitness and strength training topics.
What is The Powerlifting Flat Bench?
Bells of Steel has 3 different flat benches that they offer. They have their lightweight Flat Utility Bench, the Powerlifting Flat Bench, and their Hero Heavy Duty Bench which is the most heavy duty.
The Powerlifting Flat Bench is made from heavy-duty steel, with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, making it suitable for serious lifters. The bench surface is padded with high-density foam and covered with a durable vinyl upholstery for comfort and durability.
Initial Impressions
When I opened the box and took out the pieces of the bench, the first thought I had was, “Holy crap, this thing is heavy duty.
Then I looked at the pieces a little more and thought, “Holy crap, this bench is more heavy-duty than the ones at the gym”.
I also was pretty surprised by how thick the pad was, at least twice as thick as the pad is on my adjustable bench.
It took me less than a minute to decide that I had made a great purchase. I hadn’t even put it together yet and I knew it was going to be awesome.
Assembly of the Powerlifting Flat Bench
This bench was a piece of cake to put together, as most flat benches are.
It was only 5 pieces and 12 bolts. The total assembly time was a little under 15 minutes.
The instructions were pretty basic, but it’s an easy assembly, so basic instructions are all you need.
A Quick Look At The Powerlifting Flat Bench by Bells of Steel
While it is considered their mid-grade bench between the utility flat bench and their heavy-duty bench, I would say that is bench itself is very heavy-duty and at a great price. At the time I wrote this review, the Powerlifting Flat Bench was just $209 which is a steal, especially when you add in the fact that shipping is free.
This bench is a direct competitor of the REP Fitness FB-5000 and the Monster Utility Bench from Rogue. It is pretty comparable to both benches and is the cheapest of the 3, which your wallet will appreciate,
Is The Bells of Steel Powerlifting Flat Bench Worth It?
The Bells of Steel Powerlifting Flat Bench is one of the best value flat benches currently available for your home gym.
There are quite a few competitors out there, but of all the benches that are comparable, this bench is the least expensive and represents the best value.
While it’s less expensive, you don’t get less. You get a thick frame that can hold 1000 lbs,, and you get a 4″ pad that comes standard.
If you want a heavy-duty bench for less money but still high quality, then this bench is a great option.
Powerlifting Flat Bench Highlights
This is a bench that can be used by anybody, from a beginner up to the biggest powerlifter out there.
With its 3×3″ 12-gauge steel spine running down the center of it and its 1000 lb weight capacity, it can handle anything you want to throw at it.
I also like how it has wheels on the one end so you can roll it in and out of the power rack or wherever you need it to. That’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you have it. My adjustable bench doesn’t have any wheels and it’s always been a pain to move around. The wheels are a nice luxury.
The post at one end is also great for foot placement. Nothing worse than having some big clunky metal feet for you to get tangled up with.
Another nice highlight is the sticky vinyl. It’s non-slip, so you don’t have to worry about sliding off the bench when you are pressing a couple of massive dumbbells.
This bench is also designed to meet IPF bench specs, so powerlifters will feel right at home.
Also, the price might be the biggest highlight. A heavy-duty bench that is the quality of the Powerlifting Flat Bench for the price you pay is an insane value.
Any Negatives?
Of course, there are negatives with any piece of equipment; nothing is perfect.
If you aren’t used to a bench with a post at one end, it can take a little getting used to. Certain movements can make the bench a little tipsy but you get used to it.
The padding is very thick, and it is also pretty firm, firmer than I have experienced in the past.It takes a little getting used too but it isn’t a big deal.
Lastly, I saw a couple of complaints online about it not having rubber on its feet and the bench sliding during some lifts. I’ve had mine for a few weeks and haven’t had that problem at all, but a lot of that depends on the technique you use.
Product Specs
Weight
20.9kg/46lbs
Total Length
127cm/50”
Total Width
62.2cm/24.5”
Total Height
43.2cm/17”
Finish
Black Powder Coat
Steel Dimensions
Black Powder Coat
Steel Thickness
12-Gauge/2mm
Shipping Box Dimensions
132cm/52” (L) x 32cm/13” (W) x 17.8cm/7” (H)
Max Capacity
1,000lbs
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Padding
Don’t let workouts put your comfort on the backburner – say hello to superior support and traction with the Powerlifting Flat Bench. Thanks to its four-inch thick padding, you won’t be cringing while lifting any longer! Plus, it’s made from non-slip vinyl, so no more slipping as sweat sets in.
Materials
They use 12-gauge steel for the frame of this bench, and the pieces are seriously thick and tough. While 12 gauge steel isn’t quite as strong as 11 gauge steel, this bench does have a 1000 lb weight capacity and a lifetime warranty. So you know it’s tough.
Weight Capacity
As I just said, the weight capacity for this bad boy is 1000 lbs which does include the user’s body weight. This is a top-notch rating and is the most you will find out there.
Warranty
The Powerlifting Flat Bench has one of the best warranties out there. A limited lifetime warranty. Most other benches have a 10-year warranty.
Where to Buy
You can buy the Powerlifting Flat Bench at the Bells of Steel Website. You can also find some of their stuff on Amazon but that can be hit or miss.
Bells of Steel Powerlifting Flat Bench Pros and Cons
Pros
Build heavy-duty
Excellent value
4-inch pad standard
Ships free
Easy to assemble
Meets IPF bench specs
Extra wide pad also available
Has wheels for easy transport
Cons
Only available in black
Pad is a bit on the firm side
3 point design can make it a little tipsy in some movements
Overall a great bench at a great value for advanced lifters down to beginners.
1000 lb weight capacity
Less expensive than the competitor’s benches
Free shipping
4″ thick pad comes standard
Easy to assemble
Final Word
Overall the Powerlifting Flat Bench from Bells of Steal is a great value for the money. You get a heavy-duty frame that can hold 1000 lbs, along with a thick 4-inch pad standard. It also has a lifetime warranty, so you know they will stand by its product. All that at a lower price than you will find from comparable benches on the market.
It isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty damn good, especially considering the price. You won’t be disappointed if you are thinking about getting one.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
