Incline/Decline Bench
A vinyl-covered back pad declines to -18° and adjusts to 15°, 30°, 40°, 45°, 60°, and 80°, which is only offered on this bench. The seat pad for this incline/decline bench adjusts from flat to 10° and 18 degrees.
Specifications
- Three settings give you a multitude of benches in one, saving space in your weight room.
- Two wheels on one end make for easy placement transport. Grasp the handle and tip up the wheels, then roll away!
- Vinyl-covered foam padding provides greater comfort and can easily be wiped down after use.
- 57-1/2"L x 25-1/2"W x 18"H, 74 lb
15 Engaging FMS Activities Using the Gopher Adjustable Incline/Decline Bench
The Gopher Adjustable Incline/Decline Bench offers maximum versatility with 6 back pad positions (from 15° decline to 75° incline) and 3 seat pad adjustments, allowing students to experience a wide range of body positions during movement activities. Its durable frame and thick, non-slip padding ensure safety and support during dynamic exercises. This makes it a great tool for teaching fundamental movement skills (FMS) like pushing, pulling, balance, and body control. The following 15 activities are designed for physical education classes and focus on using this adjustable bench to help students develop physical literacy through creative, purposeful movement challenges.
1. Bench Balance Battles: Students take turns balancing in creative poses on the bench (e.g., one-foot, plank, crab pose) at different incline angles. Enhances static and dynamic balance.
2. Sit, Set, Sweat Circuit: Set up a station circuit with benches at various angles for incline/decline push-ups, sit-ups, and leg lifts. Teaches pushing, core control, and body awareness.
3. Crunch Time Challenge: Students perform partner decline sit-ups while tossing and catching a ball at the top of each rep. Works core stability, catching, and timing.
4. Push Position Plank Wars: Students face off in incline planks and try to tap their partner’s hand off-balance. Focuses on pushing, balance, and core engagement.
5. Bench Hop Bonanza: Students jump side-to-side over a flat bench. Progress to hopping over incline/decline setups. Teaches jumping, hopping, and landing mechanics.
6. Incline Ice Climbers: Students perform incline mountain climbers with hands on the bench. Trains locomotor speed and dynamic stability.
7. Sit-Up Slalom Toss: From decline sit-up position, students toss a ball to cones positioned in a slalom pattern using UltraFit Coated-Foam Balls. Builds core and manipulative tossing skills.
8. Rocket Launch Leg Raise: Students lie on a decline bench and raise legs straight up and "launch" them toward the ceiling. Teaches body control and power movement.
9. Partner Pull-Up Press: One student lies in decline and presses a light resistance band overhead while the partner offers light resistance. Trains pushing and pulling mechanics.
10. Incline Iron Chair Hold: Students sit in a V-position on an inclined bench holding the pose for time. Targets static core stability and posture control.
11. Slide Down, Sprint Up: Slide or roll down a decline bench, immediately get up, and sprint a short distance. Combines controlled landing and locomotor sprinting.
12. Bench Top Body Builders: Perform modified burpees using the bench (hands on incline surface). Teaches body control, coordination, and agility.
13. Pogo Push-Ups: Students do push-ups while “pogoing” one foot at a time off the ground. Can be done on a flat or incline bench. Trains pushing and hopping.
14. Partner See-Saw Press: One student lies on an incline bench while the other helps with eccentric resistance during a bench press motion using a light IntroFit Training Bar. Teaches pushing and teamwork.
15. Static Slide Squeeze: Hold a glute bridge with upper back on the bench and squeeze a ball between knees. Builds core, glute stability, and control.