Wondering whether Planet Fitness has a bench press, and which type you can actually use? The answer depends on the club, because Planet Fitness locations may offer different bench-press setups.
In this guide, we explain Smith machine bench presses, dumbbell bench presses, plate-loaded Supine Bench Press machines, and when a traditional free-barbell bench setup may be available. You will also see how equipment differs by location, how to verify your exact club, what incline bench press options may exist, and what to check before you start pressing.
If you specifically want a traditional barbell bench press, keep reading—the difference between “bench press available” and “free-barbell bench confirmed” is important, and this article shows you how to tell with confidence today.
Does Planet Fitness Have a Bench Press
Yes, you can bench press at Planet Fitness, but the available setup depends on the club. Planet Fitness officially teaches both Smith machine bench presses and dumbbell bench presses, and says Smith machines are available at most PF locations.
Many clubs also list a plate-loaded Supine Bench Press. For example, Planet Fitness Los Angeles (Crenshaw & Slauson), California lists the Supine Bench Press, Fitbench, free weights, and Smith machines on its official equipment page.
Some upgraded locations additionally list power racks and barbells. Planet Fitness Minneapolis (Northeast), Minnesota, for example, lists Power Racks alongside free weights and Smith machines.
However, a power-rack listing alone does not confirm that the club provides a traditional free-barbell bench-press station. If that specific setup matters to you, verify it with your individual Planet Fitness club before visiting.
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What Types of Bench Press Equipment Does Planet Fitness Have
Planet Fitness can provide several bench press setups, depending on the club. These may include Smith machines, plate-loaded Supine Bench Press machines, and dumbbells with suitable benches.
They should not be treated as the same equipment because each uses a different resistance and movement setup. Planet Fitness also notes that equipment availability can vary by location.
Smith Machine Bench Press at Planet Fitness
The Smith machine bench press at Planet Fitness uses a barbell attached to a fixed track, so the bar follows a guided path instead of moving freely like a traditional barbell.
Planet Fitness’s official guide describes the Smith machine as a barbell positioned in a fixed vertical track and provides step-by-step instructions for performing bench presses on it.
Planet Fitness says Smith machines are available at most PF locations, but availability should still be checked locally. For example, Planet Fitness Brooklyn (Canarsie), New York lists Smith machines among its current strength equipment.
A Smith-machine bench press should not be described as a traditional free-barbell bench press because the machine guides the bar’s movement.
Planet Fitness Bench Press Machine
Another Planet Fitness bench press machine is the plate-loaded Magnum Supine Bench Press. Planet Fitness introduced this machine as part of its expanded plate-loaded strength equipment and reported it in more than 1,700 U.S. clubs in early 2025, while directing members to check local availability.
For example, Planet Fitness Brooklyn (Canarsie), New York currently lists the Supine Bench Press among its plate-loaded equipment.
This machine is not a traditional barbell bench press. Matrix Fitness, the manufacturer of the Magnum model, describes it as using independent converging pressing arms rather than a loose barbell. You load plates onto the machine and press its dedicated arms.
Dumbbell Bench Press at Planet Fitness
Dumbbell bench pressing is also supported at Planet Fitness. The company’s official bench press guide explains how to perform the exercise using two dumbbells and a flat bench, making it distinct from both Smith-machine and plate-loaded machine pressing.
Availability of the necessary bench and free weights should still be checked at your club. For example, Planet Fitness Shelby, North Carolina currently lists Fitbench and Free Weights (Dumbbells & Barbells) among its strength equipment.
With a dumbbell bench press, each dumbbell moves independently and there is no barbell rack involved. This makes it a different setup from a traditional barbell bench press, even though both are free-weight exercises.
Does Planet Fitness Have Free Weight Bench Press
Planet Fitness offers free-weight bench pressing with dumbbells, but a traditional free-barbell bench press should not be assumed at every location.
A traditional barbell bench setup requires a loose barbell, suitable bench, and rack, unlike the guided Smith-machine bench press or plate-loaded Supine Bench Press. Planet Fitness’s general equipment information lists free weights, including dumbbells and barbells, but equipment varies by club.
Some upgraded clubs now have more extensive free-weight areas. For example, Planet Fitness Fayetteville, North Carolina lists Fitbench, Free Weights (Dumbbells & Barbells), Power Racks, and Deadlift Platforms on its official club page.
However, that equipment list alone does not confirm that its power racks are configured or permitted for traditional barbell bench pressing. If a free-barbell bench press is specifically important to you, contact your Planet Fitness location and confirm the exact setup before visiting.
Traditional Barbell Bench Press vs. Smith Machine Bench Press
A traditional barbell bench press and a Smith machine bench press are different setups. With a traditional bench press, the barbell is free-moving, so the lifter must control its path and stabilize the load throughout the repetition.
Research comparing the two exercises has found greater medial-deltoid activation during free-weight bench pressing, consistent with its higher stabilization demands.
A Smith machine guides the bar along a fixed or mechanically defined path. Planet Fitness describes its Smith machine as using a sliding barbell with safety stops, while commercial Smith machines from Life Fitness and Matrix similarly use predetermined bar paths.
The setup also differs: a traditional bench press requires a free barbell, bench, and suitable rack, whereas the Smith machine incorporates the guided bar and rack structure into one unit. Therefore, a Smith machine bench press should not be labeled a traditional free-weight bench press.
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Planet Fitness Bench Press Availability by Location
There is no single bench-press equipment setup that accurately represents every Planet Fitness club.
Official location pages show different combinations of Smith machines, Supine Bench Press machines, free weights, Fitbenches, and power racks. Planet Fitness has also documented ongoing strength-equipment expansion, while individual clubs advertise their own upgrades.
| Planet Fitness Location | Smith Bench | Supine Bench Press | Power/Half Rack | Free-Barbell Bench Confirmed? |
| Planet Fitness Long Beach (Ximeno Ave), California | Smith machine listed | Yes | Power rack | Not confirmed online |
| Planet Fitness Minneapolis (Northeast), Minnesota | Smith machine listed | Yes | Power rack | Not confirmed online |
| Planet Fitness Fayetteville, North Carolina | Smith machine listed | Yes | Power rack | Not confirmed online |
| Planet Fitness Brooklyn (Boerum Place), New York | Smith machine listed | Yes | Not listed | Not confirmed online |
“Not confirmed online” means the club page does not explicitly verify a traditional free-barbell bench-press station; it should not be interpreted as a definite no.
How to Check Your Planet Fitness for Bench Press Equipment
Open the official Planet Fitness club page for your exact location and review its “Tons of equipment” section.
Club pages can separately identify strength and functional equipment, making them more useful than assuming all Planet Fitness gyms have the same setup.
Look specifically for:
- Smith machines
- Supine Bench Press
- Fitbench or suitable benches
- Free Weights (Dumbbells & Barbells)
- Power Racks or Half Racks
For example, Planet Fitness Long Beach (Ximeno Ave), California lists Smith machines, Fitbench, Supine Bench Press, barbells, and Power Racks. However, even that detailed listing does not explicitly confirm a traditional free-barbell bench station.
If that exact setup matters to you, contact the club and ask specifically whether members can perform a traditional barbell bench press using a free barbell, bench, and rack.
Why Doesn’t Planet Fitness Have a Traditional Bench Press at Every Club
Saying “Planet Fitness doesn’t have bench presses” is too broad. Planet Fitness officially supports Smith-machine and dumbbell bench presses, and its newer plate-loaded equipment includes the Magnum Supine Bench Press.
What is not guaranteed at every club is a traditional free-barbell bench setup with a loose barbell, suitable bench, and rack. Official Planet Fitness club pages show that equipment inventories differ.
For example, Planet Fitness Cedar Park, Texas lists Smith machines, free weights, a Supine Bench Press, and Power Racks, while Planet Fitness Brooklyn (Boerum Place), New York lists Smith machines, free weights, and a Supine Bench Press without listing Power Racks.
Planet Fitness has announced broad rollouts of plate-loaded equipment, but its published rollout specifically included the Supine Bench Press, not a guaranteed traditional barbell bench station at every club.
Can You Bench Press at Planet Fitness
Yes, you can bench press at Planet Fitness. The exact method depends on the equipment available at your individual club.
Planet Fitness’s official exercise guidance includes both Smith-machine bench presses and dumbbell bench presses, while many current club pages also list the plate-loaded Supine Bench Press.
Depending on the location, your options may include:
- Smith-machine bench press using the guided bar.
- Dumbbell bench press using dumbbells and a suitable bench.
- Supine Bench Press using a plate-loaded pressing machine.
- Traditional free-barbell bench press only where an appropriate rack, bench, barbell setup, and club use are specifically confirmed.
For example, Planet Fitness Wayne, New Jersey currently lists the Supine Bench Press, Fitbench, free weights, and Smith machines.
If you specifically want a traditional barbell bench press, check your exact club page and contact the club if the online equipment list does not clearly confirm that setup.
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Incline Bench Press at Planet Fitness
Yes, incline bench pressing is possible at Planet Fitness when the necessary bench and equipment are available. Planet Fitness’s official Smith-machine guide specifically includes an incline bench press variation, performed by adjusting the bench upward beneath the guided bar.
Incline dumbbell pressing is another possible setup. Planet Fitness’s bench-press guide states that dumbbell bench presses can be performed on either a flat or incline bench.
However, bench type and adjustability can differ by club. Planet Fitness’s general equipment overview lists Fitbench, free weights, and Smith machines, but individual club inventories should still be checked.
For example, Planet Fitness Hoboken, New Jersey lists Smith machines and free weights on its official club page.
A Smith-machine incline press or dumbbell incline press should not be described as a traditional free-barbell incline bench press unless that specific rack-and-barbell setup is confirmed.
What to Check Before Bench Pressing at Planet Fitness
Before starting, identify whether you are using a Smith machine, dumbbells, plate-loaded press, or confirmed free-barbell setup, because each requires a different setup.
For a Smith-machine bench press, Planet Fitness recommends adjusting the bench and bar height before beginning and using the machine’s locking mechanism correctly.
Its guidance also advises starting with a manageable load and increasing weight gradually rather than sacrificing control for heavier resistance.
Before pressing:
- Position the bench appropriately for flat or incline work.
- Check safety stops, hooks, or rack supports where applicable.
- Use a resistance you can control.
- Follow instructions displayed on the specific equipment.
- Return weights and equipment after use; Planet Fitness includes this in its gym-etiquette guidance.
- Ask a Planet Fitness team member if you are unsure about the setup. Planet Fitness specifically directs members to their home club for location-specific assistance.
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Conclusion
Yes, you can bench press at Planet Fitness, but the exact setup varies by location. Most clubs may provide Smith machines, while many also offer dumbbells, suitable benches, and plate-loaded Supine Bench Press machines.
Some upgraded locations list power racks and barbells, but that alone does not confirm a traditional free-barbell bench press station. If that specific setup matters to you, check your club’s official equipment page and contact the location directly when the listing is unclear.
The key is to identify the equipment correctly: Smith machine, dumbbell bench, Supine Bench Press, and traditional barbell bench are different setups, so availability should always be verified at your Planet Fitness club.