York 530 Multi-Function Barbell Bench and Dumbbell Set – Review
With summer 2025 fast approaching, I – like many – am keen to shift a bit of timber and get back to feeling fitter, stronger and more energised. Working from home regularly has its benefits, and after a recent clear-out of the garage, the idea of building a home fitness space started to take shape.
It made sense. With new room to play with, it felt like the perfect opportunity to set up a small but functional training area. Somewhere I could pop into on a lunch break or at the start or end of the day. A spin bike, a decent sound system, and of course – a weight bench and some good old-fashioned dumbbells.
But which? There’s plenty out there. I’d used York products before, and they’ve been around long enough to know what they’re doing. So I opted for the York 530 Barbell Bench and the 20kg Dumbbell Set with case.
Would these pieces of kit give me the inspiration to take up home workouts..?
What’s in the Box?
York 530 Multi-Function Barbbell Bench
- York 530 Barbell Bench with all frame sections
- Leg extension/leg curl attachment
- Adjustable barbell rack section
- All fixings, nuts, bolts and an instruction manual
York Fitness 20kg Dumbbells
- Chrome dumbbell bars
- 4 spin lock collars
- 20kg of cast iron weight plates
- Black carry case
- Fold-out exercise chart
First Impressions
Although excited then it arrived, when I opened the box for the bench, it looked like it could be a bit of a mission to put together. A lot of pieces and a lot of fixings. (In actual fact, there isn’t as many pieces as you first think!)
The instruction booklet was clear and straightforward, and if you’ve ever built flat-pack furniture or gym gear before, this won’t phase you. In fact, I’d say it was one of the easier benches I’ve assembled. From unboxing to ready-to-use took me less than 25 minutes, with everything tightened up and double-checked for safety.
Visually, it looks smart. The light grey frame, black padded rollers and seat sections, and chrome fittings all come together to form a really tidy bit of kit. That familiar York Fitness logo gives it that added stamp of credibility. It sits proudly in the garage and looks the part before you’ve even sat down on it.
The dumbbells come neatly packed in a black plastic case. It’s compact and designed to store everything safely, although I did find getting everything back in neatly to close it up a bit of a squeeze. That said, I’m unlikely to be putting the dumbbells back in the case between every session – this is a home setup after all! The case is more for keeping things together when not in use, or for easy transport if you’re training somewhere else.
The included exercise chart is a great bonus as well. It offers a selection of basic moves you can do with the weights – ideal for beginners, returners, or even those just wanting a bit of variety or a memory jog during workouts.
Performance
The first workout told me everything I needed to know. The bench is comfy and reassuringly sturdy. I’ve used benches in the past where you feel the wobble and worry it might give way before you’ve even picked up a weight. Not the case here. The York 530 is rock solid, balanced, and dependable. You can lift with confidence, and that’s important.
I started with dumbbell bench presses – adjusting the incline to one of its three positions – and went with 16kg spread across the two dumbbells. The grip on the dumbbell bars is great, and the spin locks keep everything secure while you train.
I also gave the leg extension attachment a go. Now, it’s not quite the same level of resistance and stability as a full commercial gym machine – and it’s not supposed to be – but it works well and offers what you needs for hitting the quads. If anything, my legs are stronger than my upper body right now, so I’ll probably invest in more weight plates to give that part of the workout a bit more push. But to get started – it’s ideal.
With some tunes pumping through the Edifier MS50a speaker, the atmosphere was spot on. And that’s the beauty of this whole thing. No 20-minute drive to the gym, no rushed showers, no battling for equipment. Just walk into the garage and get to work.
Key Bench Features
- 5 Workout Positions
- 3 Incline Positions, 1 Flat, 1 Decline
- Adjustable seat pad to prevent slipping on incline work.
- Adjustable heavy duty 2″ barbell rack.
- Leg Curl Unit with large padded foam rollers to protect ankles.
- Spring collar included to plate load leg curl.
- Attachments available separately for preacher curl and lat pull down.
- Max User Weight 200 KG (including User)
- Leg developer Max 40kg load
The Verdict
I’m really happy. The York 530 Barbell Bench and 20kg Dumbbell Set are exactly what I need to kickstart my journey back into healthier living. Together, they give me the tools I need to build strength and tone up without any faff or drama. I’ll probably add more wights and a barbell over the coming weeks.
But what we’ve got here is great. The bench is strong, comfortable and easy to adjust. The dumbbells are solid, feel great in-hand, and offer plenty of flexibility to build on.
Setting them up in the garage has been a real turning point. No excuses – everything’s ready and waiting. The kit itself is motivating because it feels and looks professional, and that makes you want to use it. If you’re in the same boat and want to start training at home with gear that won’t let you down – this setup is highly recommended.
Both the York 530 Barbell Bench (RRP: £179.99)and the 20kg Dumbbell Set (RRP: £62.99) are available now from York Fitness.
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
