Hi peoples - I'm new here and from what I've seen of this site it's wonderful! I'm glad to be part of it.

Here's my problem. I have been working out for about a year now on a cheap Weider 128 bench. At first the bench was fine since I was a newbie and was only bench pressing around 75 lbs. But little by little over the year I worked my weights up to 160 lbs on the bench. It began to feel rickety and I became concerned that I was overloading it. I took a quick look at the specs and it was rated for 360 lbs including the user. I'm at 185 lbs currently so obviously it was time for a new bench.

I checked all the reviews and the York Enforcer 9300 looked like a good choice. -> http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/store/product_details.asp?dept_id=10&sku=E1427WH&department=10

After assembling my nice new bench my joy quickly turned to dissapointment. The rests were positioned exactly where my hands on the bar ussualy grip ( 24" apart ( thumb to thumb )). Using the York 9300 the tightest spacing was 30" on the outside and about 18" on the inside. Neither of which I feel comfortable with.

I phoned my salesman at Volume Fitness and was told this spacing is better for the pecks, and easier overall. They insisted this was a proper distance for the grip.
I've tried to benchpress several times but I feel the pressure on my shoulders and elbows is much greater and It feels like Im gonna blow a gasket using it. I can only get about 75% of the repcount I was getting before at equivalent weight.

My question is this:
Should I return this bench and hold out for a bench with adjustable rests or should I try to get used to this wider grip?

Regards
tb

The saleman is full of crap. Go with your first instinct, which was that you, aren't happy with your purchase. You can go back and retighten all of the hardware on your old bench and use that till you find something that you really are happy with.

Save up and buy a power rack. You can all the lifts you will need and be safe as well.
Timber

take it back, buy the powertec olympic bench

I returned the unit and set my old bench back up till I can find something more suitable. Too bad I can't find anyone in Vancouver BC that carries the powertec bench. It looks fully adjustable.

By the way .. what is the correct distance between hands for gripping the bar?

One person told me to get into position for a pushup and measure the distance there.

TB

You're in Vancouver BC? Check out this place.
http://www.pumphousefitness.com
I just bought over $20,000 worth of equipment from them for my home gym.
They will make stuff to order.
For example, I bought the bench at
http://www.pumphousefitness.com/adjustable_benches.htm
and asked them to make it about 6 inches shorter so I could rest my chin on top of the backrest when doing chest supported cable rows.
They also custom made a couple other pieces for me.
The owner's name is Al. He's a good guy.
Tell Al that Brad sent you. :)

By the way .. what is the correct distance between hands for gripping the bar?
One person told me to get into position for a pushup and measure the distance there.

TB

There's really no set distance that's carved in stone. Grip width determines the angles that your arms carry the weight through, and how the supporting muscles are affected.
Close your eyes, and put your arms out in front of you, so that they feel most comfortable without trying to force them into any particular postition. Open your eyes, and note where your hand spacing is. That'll be a good distance to start with. Everything else can be a modification of that grip placement.