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Weight Bench (5 position,Flat/Incline) doubles as Patio Bench

by afajarito on December 25, 2010

Table of Contents

Weight Bench (5 position,Flat/Incline) doubles as Patio Bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Weight Bench (5 position,Flat/Incline) doubles as Patio Bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: .................................................................................................................. 3

Step 2: .................................................................................................................. 3

Step 3: .................................................................................................................. 4

Step 4: .................................................................................................................. 4

Step 5: .................................................................................................................. 4

Step 6: .................................................................................................................. 5

Step 7: .................................................................................................................. 5

Step 8: .................................................................................................................. 6

Step 9: .................................................................................................................. 6

Step 10: Finished Weight Bench pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
Intro: Weight Bench (5 position,Flat/Incline) doubles as Patio Bench
If you'd like to have a brand-new weight bench, but you don't want to spend a lot of money, then you might consider making one yourself. I decided to make a multi-
position flat/incline bench using a 4x4 post as a base. This bench doubles as a patio seat so i don't have to hide/put it away after each workout.

Bear in mind that the dimensions of this bench will not be suitable for everybody; it will depend on the height of the person using the weight bench. The bench is about
3.75 feet long which is an average size.

The Bench plan can be viewed/downloaded here>>> Weight Bench Plan/Drawing To download a copy, right click then "Save Target As" then hit "Save".

NOTE: This built is not designed for serious heavy weight lifting.

Materials you need:

4 ft. of 3/4 x 12 piece of plywood or solid wood
3 ft. of 1 x 2 wood
8 ft. of 2 x 2 wood
8 ft. of 4 x 4 wood post
1 (#10) 8" bolt and nut
2 (#8) 3" bolt and nuts
1 (#10) 12" bolt/screw and 4 bolt nuts
8 (#10) nylon washers
14 (#10) flat washers
4-3 inch long lag screws
4 rubber or rubberized feet
Some nails and wood glue
Wood stain and Polyurethane protective sealant (Optional)

Tools you need:

Circular saw
Miter saw (optional)
Power drill with drill bits, Forstner bit and the like (used to counter sink lag screws)
Wood chisel
Socket wrench/ pliers
Hammer
Sander or Sand paper

Pictured below is the finished weight bench.

Image Notes
1. Finished Weight Bench. 22 degree Incline

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
 Image Notes
1. Detailed Plan/Illustration:

Step 1:
1. Cut all wood pieces to the proper lengths (please refer to Detailed Weight Bench Plan/ Illustration).

Step 2:
2. If you've noticed from the bench plan/illustration, a simple dado joint was used to join the bench wooden base and legs. Use your circular saw and make multiple
passes to remove the unneeded portion, finish it up using a wood chisel (shown below).

Image Notes
1. Correction: Cut for dado joint should be 1 1/2 inch deep, not 1/2 inch

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
Step 3:
3. Use a generous amount of wood glue to all joints; then secure it with a lag screw.Countersink the head of lag screw to make it flush. See image below.

Step 4:
4. Next, drill a hole through on one end of the (2) 2 x 2 wood (hole should be big enough to accommodate the #10 bolt), this will be used for the adjustable backrest
support. Then, drill a hole straight through the side of the bench top support (pls. refer to the bench plan/illustration).

Use (#10) 8" bolt and nut to fasten the adjustable backrest support to the bench top. Place a nylon washer in between the metal flat washers to minimize friction during
operation.

Step 5:
5. Do the same thing with the swing arm.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
Step 6:
6. The (#10) 12" bolt is secured at the end of the swing arm using 4 bolt nuts.

Again, refer to the bench plan/illustration where to cut the notches on the bench top support; this is where the swing arm support will rest during use. If you prefer, you
can eliminate some notches thus limiting the angle it can be adjusted.

Step 7:
7. Due to proximity of the second notch to the first notch, i use a small metal L-bracket to give it more strength.

The second picture shows how it should look like after the adjustable backrest support and swing arm are bolted in place. Note that everything should be flush with the
bench top support when in neutral/flat position.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
Step 8:
8. Next, fasten the bench seat and backrest using nails and wood glue. Give it a good sanding to remove rough edges.

Image Notes
1. Rear view, bench at 45 degree incline position.

Step 9:
9. Use rubber or rubberized feet to prevent the bench from sliding during use.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
Step 10: Finished Weight Bench pictures
After some finishing touches (wood stain and 2 coats of polyurethane finish) this is how it looks like.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Flat/ Neutral position. 1. Finished Weight Bench. 22 degree Incline

Image Notes Image Notes

1. 45 degree Incline. 1. 68 degree Incline.

Image Notes
http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
 1. 90 degree Incline.

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Comments
17 comments Add Comment

jillhohn says: Feb 17, 2011. 7:24 PM REPLY

awsome

Jackstools says: Feb 3, 2011. 10:35 AM REPLY

Ok, this is the prettiest weight bench I have ever seen. So cool great wook.

theversal says: Jan 29, 2011. 8:20 AM REPLY

it is very cool table))

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samtulana says: Jan 24, 2011. 9:50 AM REPLY

How much weight can withstand?

urbanhg says: Jan 23, 2011. 7:57 PM REPLY

quality thumbs up

Sandra88 says: Jan 19, 2011. 11:59 AM REPLY

Great concept!

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/
 neckrochylde9 says: Jan 18, 2011. 9:59 PM REPLY
nice finish on your bench, looks like a quality piece of furniture! :)

Calorie says: Dec 25, 2010. 11:22 PM REPLY

I like the dual purpose aspect. How much did it cost to build?

afajarito says: Dec 26, 2010. 9:33 AM REPLY

I did this project more than a year ago. If I remember it right, the built cost me a a little more or less than $20. Some of the materials were already
available at hand at that time.

I used it more as a patio bench than a weight bench now, lol.

wrksnfx says: Dec 25, 2010. 9:24 PM REPLY

Here are some links that I like.

http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/homemade-weight-lifting-bench.html

http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/homemade-power-rack.html

Dr. Pepper says: Dec 25, 2010. 11:32 AM REPLY

Cool!

afajarito says: Dec 25, 2010. 11:07 AM REPLY

Thanks for the comment.
This built is not intended for heavy lifting, maybe I should put that as a warning in the instruction. For really heavy lifting it's a lot safer just to buy one, they
are made of metal and could take an abuse.

I usually just use dumbels maybe 60-100 lbs. the most. I've been using this for at least a year and half now with no problem.

For slipping -off the seat, I guess it depends on what you are wearing :), otherwise it's ok. I've even upgraded it; I covered the seat/back with foam (for
comfort) and bar on the leg so I do can seat-ups. If you go this route, maybe just use a cheap plywood for the seat.

Below is the upgraded version. It was raining last night so it got wet...again.

mowdish says: Dec 25, 2010. 10:17 AM REPLY

As I looked more closely I noticed one thing you might want to watch out for. Although the 1x2s are probably strong enough to support a few hundred pounds
of static weight, they may not last long under the constant movement involved in weight lifting. This is especially true in the lowest incline setting where the
forces are directed along the width rather than the length of the wood. Watch those joints carefully and consider replacing the 1x2s with metal tubing.

mowdish says: Dec 25, 2010. 9:53 AM REPLY

This is probably the most attractive benche I've seen and I've been looking at home made weight equipment a long time. I have one question: Do you slip off
the seat? I would think the smooth level seat would make it hard to stay in place.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Weight-Bench-5-positionFlatIncline-doubles-as-/