Another element impossible to circumvent of the practice of the fitness, the bench is by definition a simple robust, relatively long seat (1.5m or more) and not very broad (approximately 60cm).

On this rustic basis, the bench is probably the hardware of musculation which evolvedthe most these last decades, and the manufacturers compete of ingeniousness to offer always more functions to their product, with an obstruction always reduced.
This important offer of  “multifunction benches” is mainly intended for the domestic market (it is now possible to practice an extensive range of exercises with a few hundreds of dollars and a simple part of apartment) ; but this modularity profited also much with the fitness clubs.

Main features of the body building bench

If it is impossible to count all its options, one can however describe his great classics.

• The retractable seat (foldable bench) : certain exercises require to be well supported on a file. If a wall can be sufficient to find a support with right angle, the degree of inclination has a considerable importance, in particular in the work of pectoral and the shoulders.
  In a general way (and it is for example the case of Front Raise), the more the seat is tilted (= axis of the ground) the more the low part of the body (ie: the low pectoral ones) will be requested ; a contrario the more the seat will have gone up (= axis of the wall) more the high part of the body will be with the test (ie : the high pectoral ones + shoulders). The angles generally used are 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°.
• The trestles : sometimes interdependent of the bench itself (what ensures a good automatic alignment), more often free (what then makes it possible to use them in an autonomous way, to make Squat for example) ; the trestles are simple supports for Barbells, height adjustable.
  Very practical, they make it possible to seize and put back the bar above oneself, and thus to practice many Exercises in full safety (on the condition of knowing its limits and not to remain “wedged” with a too important weight on the body!).