Benchmark

Furniture Design | Product Design

Winner of The January Furniture Award 2022

Design Rg. 6249968

2021 - 2022

Benchmark is a workout bench designed to fit naturally into the home. Traditional equipment still retains industrial materials and utilitarian colour schemes used in the gym, disrupting the home aesthetic. Benchmark takes a different approach. It features a steam-bent wood base, a natural leather cushion that patinas over time, and discreet storage for items like a yoga mat, foam roller and dumbbell plates. Built-in handles make it easy to move and double as anchor points for resistance bands, enabling over 150 exercises. Available in a choice of three wood veneers and three leather finishes, Benchmark offers nine combinations to suit a range of interiors. Its curved form and screw-less construction reflect a focus on craftsmanship, durability and lasting quality in a space made for living and moving.

  • Wooden pieces of a workout bench shown in a white studio

  • A durable leather cushion top develops a distinctive patina with age. Protected by a three-step finishing process, the leather is simple to wipe down after exercise, ensuring its longevity throughout years of use.

  • A woman using some resistance bands with a workout bench.

    Multipurpose handles allow for easy home manoeuvrability and a way of attaching resistance bands - so you can perform over 150 exercises all in one place.

  • A wooden workout bench with a roll mat and foam roller.

    The back houses a storage area, providing a place to store more exercise equipment, such as the included yoga mat, foam roller and resistance bands, along with unused dumbbell plates.

  • Walnut & Coffee

    Walnut & Coffee

  • Ash & Cream

    Ash & Cream

  • Stained Oak & Charcoal

    Stained Oak & Charcoal

  • A wooden workout bench in multiple colours

    Nine Colour Combinations

    You can customise Benchmark to fit into your home aesthetic. Available in three veneers; Ash, Walnut and Stained Oak and three varieties of leather; Coffee, Cream and Charcoal allow up to nine colour combinations to suit your unique style.

  • Wooden pieces of a workout bench shown in a white studio

    Construction

    Benchmark embraces traditional craftsmanship through a screw-less assembly method, ensuring high strength and discrete visual appeal. Its single-part steam bent base can be made at scale, but best suits an on-demand production approach.

  • Materials

    Cushion Top

    Crafted with the same dense foam used in karate mats, the cushion top offers firm, resilient support that holds its form. Upholstered in a natural leather, it develops a rich patina over time and softens with age.

  • Close up shot of some chrome dumbbells

    Dumbbells

    With a striking chrome-plated finish, these dumbbells stand out beautifully when displayed. Each plate is adorned with veneer liners that enhance and harmonise seamlessly with the bench’s veneer.

  • A dramatic shot of a wooden workout bench, with light leak showing the outline of some windows

    Aesthetic x Function

    Benchmark’s curved design is not merely an aesthetic feature but serves a functional purpose, providing a smooth surface that allows the bench to be effortlessly moved around the home. It looks best with a patina over time.

  • Resistance Strips

    Anti-Slip Base

    The bench is supported by two colour complimenting resistance strips, which ensure stability and prevent movement during resistance band exercises.

Prototype.

A fully functional, hand made prototype, taking 15 days to make.