When you buy dumbbells or barbells, buy a bench, too. A bench lets you do many exercises that you couldn’t do otherwise. Doing free-weight exercises while lying on your back on the floor is difficult; your elbows may hit the ground before you complete the movement. You also can do several exercises while sitting or kneeling on a bench.
If you’re lifting dumbbells lighter than 30 pounds, you probably can get away with a plastic step platform rather than a full-fledged weight bench. With two sets of risers underneath, the platform is high enough and sturdy enough for light dumbbell exercises, but you may want to pad the step with a towel to provide cushioning on your back.
If you’re lifting heavier dumbbells or using barbells, buy a real weight bench.
A bench is higher off the ground and more stable. We recommend benches that can be easily adjusted to incline or decline so you can challenge your muscles at different angles.
Look for a bench with a thick foam pad covered with Naugahyde or imitation leather. The pad should be sturdily bolted to a steel frame and legs. A bench should be at least a few feet high and shouldn’t wobble when you get on and off.
Stuff benches are more expensive because they both incline and decline; most benches do one or the other, in which case a bench that inclines is more versatile than one that declines.