Marcy Adjustable Exercise Utility Bench (SB-261W Reviewed)

In order to have a successful, effective workout at home, having an adjustable weight bench is a must. Besides a good power rack, it is one of the most important pieces of equipment for keeping up with an at-home fitness routine. 

I was recently told that one of the best out there is the Marcy SB-261W exercise utility bench, so I gave it a go. In this review, I'll be covering all the bench features, the pros and cons, and an honest recommendation for who this bench is best for. 

Product Specifications

Assembled Dimensions

51"L x 19"W x 42"H

Weight Capacity

300 lbs.

Back Positions

4

Seat Positions

3

Product Weight

27 lbs.

Warranty

2 years

Main Features Of The Marcy Bench

The main feature of the Marcy bench is its ergonomic design. It's made to be compact yet multi functional, so even though it doesn't take up much space, there's a wide range of different exercises you can do with this think. It's best for building up muscles in the abs, back, shoulders, and chest, and it's small enough to use within a power rack or cage. 

The bench is made up of a powder coated steel frame which has high density padding in white and black upholstery. This steel powder coat protects it from scratches and rust, and the alloy steel construction is durable yet lightweight (just 27 pounds). It can handle a total of 300 pounds of weight. 

Its back pad can be adjusted to 4 different angles - including flat, decline, military and incline degrees - and the seat can be adjusted to 3 positions as well. The foam rollers are great for keeping the lower body in place, and they're covered in high-density padding for added protection and comfort. 

Packaging & Assembly

The assembly was pretty much straightforward thanks to the included manual. You might need a pair of stronger arms to tighten all the screws with a wrench, so if you don’t consider yourself a strong person, I’d suggest inviting a buddy over to help you out.

Price Guide 

This bench falls in the under $100 pricing category, so it's an excellent choice for anyone on a budget. Because it's a cheaper piece of equipment, it doesn't offer the same high weight support as more expensive benches, but 300 pounds of weight support is plenty for most people. 

Thinking about a higher priced model? Check out our review of the Bowflex 5.1S

Feature Summary:
  • Adaptable to fit within power racks, squat racks, cages, etc.
  • Alloy steel frame with powder coated finish
  • Easily adjustable back pack
  • Designed using high-density foam
  • Designed for total body workouts
  • Foam rollers for lower body support
  • Compact footprint - ideal for small spaces
  • Affordable
  • Warranty: 2 years
Marcy Exercise Utility Bench

My Experience with The Marcy Exercise Utility Bench

Frame & Adjustability

Thanks to the adjustability of the solid frame, which is the first thing I noticed, I can safely say that you can do basically any weight bench-combined exercise with the Marcy, including: 

  • Triceps kickbacks
  • Arnold presses
  • Lying triceps extensions
  • Pullovers
  • Decline pec flies
  • Standing preacher curl
  • Seated concentration curl
  • Incline dumbbell press
  • Dumbbell rows
  • Seated dumbbell curls
Marcy Exercise Utility Bench Specs

I felt quite stable when I sat on the bench. However, I do believe that this bench is only capable of handling 300 pounds of weight (just as Marcy says), so if you plan to do some heavy lifting, you might want to consider a bench with a higher weight capacity. 

The adjustment system is easy to use, so you won't have to spend too much time changing the position of the back or seat pad. However, just realize that this bench only offers 4 different back positions, whereas some higher-priced models have 10+ adjustments. 

Comfort

Considering the affordable price tag, I was actually pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this bench was to use. The padding is soft enough on the backside, but also firm enough to keep the body feeling safe and stable. 

The roller pads are quite small, but they're still comfortable and do a great job of keeping the lower body secure. 

Height & Weight Limitations

When it comes to user height and weight, the Marcy bench does have some limitations. Since the weight support is only 300 pounds, this bench isn't ideal for extreme bodybuilders or anyone who's into heavy lifting. However, it's a great beginner to intermediate level bench, and it's especially ideal for small home gyms. 

In terms of height, I'd say that overly tall people might have some issues using the Marcy. The bench is specifically designed to be compact enough to easily fit within power racks and cages, so it's not ideal for users over 6' in my opinion. 

Marcy Exercise Utility Bench Training

Marcy Weight Bench Pros & Cons

The Good

  • Comfortable and thick padding
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Stable and sturdy
  • Easy assembly and setup
  • Several incline settings available
  • Compact - great for small spaces
  • Great price

The Bad

  • Not ideal for individuals over 6'
  • Not ideal for serious weight lifting due to the lower 300-pound weight support

Comparing The Marcy With Similar Weight Benches  

One of the best ways to do your due diligence for selecting the best weight bench for you is to compare it with similar models. There are 3 that are very similar in functionality and design to the Marcy weight bench:

  • Marcy Vs Bonnlo - The Bonnlo adjustable weight bench is another budget-friendly option that's great for small home gyms. While the price is slightly more than that of the Marcy bench, the Bonnlo brand claims that this piece of equipment has a weight capacity of 660 pounds. For that reason, I'd recommend the Bonnlo for anyone who needs greater weight support, but is still trying to stick to a budget. 
  • Marcy Vs Gymenist - The weight bench by Gymenist has a lot going for it. It's foldable, versatile, and best of all, affordable. It supports up to 550 pounds, although I'd say that the Marcy is better when it comes to customer service and warranty support. 
  • Marcy Vs Ironmaster - The Ironmaster Super Bench is a commercial-grade piece of equipment, and the price reflects that. It can handle up to 1000 pounds, so compared to Marcy's bench, this is the more ideal choice for heavy lifting and bodybuilding. 

Who Can Benefit From The Marcy Weight Bench?

Marcy Exercise Utility Bench for Upright,...
  • ERGONOMIC DESIGN – The Marcy Exercise...
  • COMFORTABLE ROLLER PADS – This fitness gear...
  • ADJUSTABLE SEAT – The seat and back pads of...
  • VERSATILE EQUIPMENT – Created to let you...

There are a lot of good things to say about the Marcy weight bench. It's versatile, compact, affordable, and extremely sturdy considering the price. However, because it's designed to be compact and lightweight, it's not the best choice for taller individuals, and it's not suitable for heavy lifting. 

In the end, the decision is up to you, but considering the price, I’d say it’s definitely worth adding to your home gym. 


Last Updated on February 12, 2023