Commercial Vs. Residential Gym Equipment: Weight Bench

When buying new gym equipment, is it worth the higher cost to splurge on commercial equipment, or is residential gym equipment good enough? Find out below and see what we recommend for one of the most classic go-to's in the world of gym equipment: the weight bench. 

Commercial Gym Equipment

Manufactured with higher or different grade components, commercial gym equipment costs more to manufacture which affects the retail price too. Higher quality means more durability so commercial gym equipment is definitely long-lasting and is ready to be used by multiple people daily. Large-scale production offers great availability for aftermarket parts and maintenance of commercial machines is quite easy. 

Residential Gym Equipment

Usually manufactured with inexpensive materials, residential gym equipment can only handle being used by 1-2 people regularly. Because of the cheaper plastics used, these machines will often require more repair and you might see the difficulty in finding replacement parts. But not all hope is lost! There are great machines out there that use commercial components yet are intended for home use so you get the best of both worlds plus a great warranty. 

Should I get a commercial or residential weight bench?

The type of equipment you buy depends on your budget, working out goals, and how many people will use the equipment. If you are building a gym in your garage that you will train at consistently with your buddies or family, commercial equipment might be very worth it. But if you are just starting out and will only use the machines yourself, residential gym equipment will be just fine, without breaking the bank too. 

For the weight bench specifically, you can opt for a commercial or semi-commercial bench if you require a weight rack. Also, note the weight capacities and pick the one you require. And do your research so you don’t hurt yourself! It’s better to start off simple.