How to Make a Weight Bench Out of Wood

Plywood is used for the platform of the bench and foam padding covered in vinyl fabric is used to cover the platform to provide comfort. You can complete this project with basic power tools and hand tools.

What You Will Need

This project is quite simple and needs very few tools and materials. You will need the following:

• Circular saw
• Cordless electric drill
• Adjustable builders square
• Ratchet and socket
• Scissors
• Screw tip
• Utility knife
• Staple gun
• ¼-inch drill bit
• ⅝-inch plywood
• 2-inch foam pad
• 2-by-4-inch Douglas fir
• Wood glue
• 1½-inch wood screws
• ⅜ inch lag screws
• ½ inch staples
• Vinyl fabric

How to Make a Weight Bench Out of Wood

Step 1

Using your circular saw, cut a 12-inch long piece of the Douglas fir to use as the top part of the leg frame. Cut a second 20-inch long piece to use as the base. Place both of these pieces flat on your work table around 20 inches apart and ensure that they are parallel to one another.

Step 2

Ensure that the center of each piece is aligned on the vertical. Use your adjustable builders square to mark 2 pieces of Douglas fir as angled legs that will fit between the base and the top. Cut the pieces and put them in place so they form a half-hexagon shape for the leg frame.

Step 3

Apply a generous amount of wood glue to all of the ends of the side pieces and put them in place between the bottom and top of the frame.

Step 4

Cut 4 pieces of the ⅝-inch plywood to make triangle-shaped corner braces to support the leg frame. Apply a generous amount of wood glue to each brace. Using your cordless drill and screw tip, drill 1¼-inch wood screws to attach the braces to the face of the leg frame. Repeat the process to make another half-hexagonal leg frame.

Step 5

Cut two 48-inch long pieces of Douglas fir to use for the sides of the bench’s frame. Drill ¼-inch pilot holes at each end of the top pieces of the frames. Ensure that the sides of the frame are aligned between the top of the frames. Use the ratchet and socket to attach the sides with ⅜-inch lag screws.

Step 6

Cut the bench platform from the ⅝-inch plywood. Attach it to the bench’s frame with wood glue and 1¼-inch wood screws. Cut the 2-inch foam pad using your utility knife. Ensure that the foam pad covers the platform you have attached.

Cut the vinyl fabric with scissors to cover the platform. Include an additional 2 inches around each side and the ends so you can attach the vinyl material. Use your staple gun and the ½-inch staples to attach the vinyl fabric to the underside of the platform.

Before using the weight bench, test different weight limits to ensure that it can support both your weight plus that of the weights that you are going to use. If the bench needs additional support and reinforcement, add more screws to the weaker parts of the bench – primarily the joining points.

FINAL VERDICT

Using a weight bench can really shake up your workout routine. It is a nifty piece of workout equipment that has many uses. But, if you do not want to purchase a professional bench from a store or you can’t afford to sign up for the gym, you may choose to make your own for a home gym.

By following the above steps, you can easily, quickly, and safely make a weight bench out of wood. Luckily, you can select the tone of the wood, so you can find one that will suit the style or decor of the room where you will place the weight bench.

Be sure to follow common safety sense and check your handy work after each step to know that you are creating a safe and sturdy piece of equipment. Also ensure that the bench can support your weight once the weights have been added to prevent unnecessary accidents.