DIY Weight Lifting Bench

Homemade Weight Lifting Bench Plans

When we look at any busy weight lifting room or space in a gym we will probably see a bench of some sort being the piece of equipment that is most used. Everyone needs a lifting bench, even before you purchase weights you should always first think about your lifting bench when building a DIY gym.

There are many different options that you can choose from. You could make it out of wood, plastic or steel so we have selected the most practical way to build a lifting bench that is going to cost you less than $50 from start to finish. The advantage of this lifting bench is that it can be used for squatting, pressing and bench-press.

Building a lifting bench should not be a complicated process because your basic design of any bench is going to consist of a stable leg assembly and a padded level on top. You are going to need a standard-grade piece of Douglas fir lumber, half-hexagon legs for lateral stability, about 2 feet of plywood with some foam padding, together with some vinyl fabric that fits to the platform.

Here is a list of things you're going to need: Douglas fir risers that have v-grooves for the top barbell rest, Circular saw, Adjustable builder's square, 5/8-inch plywood, Cordless electric drill, Screw tip 1 1/2" wood screws, Wood glue, 1/4-inch drill bit, 3/8-inch lag screws, Socket and ratchet, 2-inch foam pad, Utility knife, Vinyl fabric, Scissors, Staple gun, 1/2-inch staples.

Step 1:

First cut 2"X 4" Douglas fir wood using your circular saw cutting 12 inches long for the top piece of your half-hexagon leg frame. Also cut another additional piece that is 20 inches long for the base. You are then going to lay both pieces you just cut flat on a work-table spread 20 inches apart.

Step 2:

You then align each piece from center to the vertical. Using an adjustable builder's square you then mark off two pieces of 2"X 4" Douglas fir as your angled legs which will fit between both ends, top and base. You then cut both pieces to lay them so that a half-hexagon is formed for the leg frame.

Step 3:

After wood glue is applied to both ends of your side pieces, they need to be reset them in-between the top and the bottom of your leg frame. You then cut 4 pieces of the 5/8-inch plywood for the triangular corner braces as the leg frame and then apply wood glue to these braces. Using your cordless electric drill with a screw tip attached you then screw the face of your leg frame together with the pre-cut 1 1/4" wood screws. Repeat these steps to make yourself another half-hexagon for the leg frame.

Step 4:

Cut 2 pieces of your Douglas fir wood 48" long for sides of your bench frame. You then Drill 1/4" pilot-holes on the ends of both top pieces of your leg frames. You then align the sides of your bench frame between top of your leg frames and then use your socket and ratchet so that you can attach those to the 3/8-inch lag screws.

Step 5:

You then cut a piece 5/8-inch plywood for the weight-bench platform so that you're able to attach it to your bench frame using wood glue and your 1 1/2" wood screws. Using your utility knife, you then cut a piece of 2" foam pad for your bench. Using your scissors, you then cut a piece your vinyl fabric which covers the foam covering for the 2" extra at the sides and the ends. You then attach the fabric so that the underside of your bench platform using your staple gun with 1/24" staples.

For more great build your own gym equipment ideas checkout Home Gym Plans

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