Is "bench press" a valid name for the bench used for bench pressing?

Question

Someone asked this on Russian.SE:

How should one express the concept of "take turns" in Russian?

For example, taking turns using the bench press in the gym, or taking turns on the Xbox controller or iPad.

I was under impression that "bench press" was the exercise, not the apparatus, but they have reassured me you can call that the apparatus too:

If the bench comes with a barbell and safety rack and is clearly designed for bench pressing, then the whole apparatus can be referred to as a bench press. So, "Someone's already using the squat rack" and "Someone's already using the pull-up bar", but "Someone's already using the bench press". This might be colloquial, though.

So can you call a bench used for bench pressing a "bench press"?

Answer 1

The term "bench press" is used to refer to the equipment:

You can call it this, but the usage is rare. It is usually called a "weight bench". Or just a bench.

You can verify this by browsing online stores that sell this type of equipment. It's a fairly consistent pattern across different retailers, actually.

Answer 2

"Bench press" as an item (not the exercise) is usually used to refer to a machine for bench pressing. It would include a stack of weights, a bench and a mechanism to transfer your force to the weights. They're less common than they used to be, as chest press machines take up less space.

If you bench press with a barbell or dumbbells, what you use is just a bench. If you're not already talking about a gym context, weight bench or gym bench might be a good way to be clear.

Your case of a bench with a rack attached is interesting. I also use this for other exercises when the other benches are busy, and have never heard anyone refer to it as a bench press in my gym

But if you used bench press, people would almost understand - they'd just think you used a machine rather than free weights for the same exercise.

Answer 3

If the sole purpose of the bench is to do bench presses, and there are other benches in the room, then it seems like the logical alternative would be to refer to it as "the bench press bench". This seems silly, and unecessarily pedantic.

If it was the only bench, then you could just call it "the bench" if you want, although some people might not realise what you're referring to.

So, yes, let people call the bench "the bench press", if it leads to clearer communication, since the purpose of language is to allow clear communication, rather than "satisfy the rules of grammar", which in fact constantly evolve to suit the needs of the population.

Answer 4

Just call it the press bench instead of "bench press," that's how I do it.

I don't know if it's a valid proof: but if you put it in google, the suggestions come up:

Press bench -- dimentions/for sale/workout/equipment

vs.

Bench press -- form/record/chart/set