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Two-in-one: Build your own weight bench that you can also use as a coffee table

Split screen: A dark-brown weight bench can be seen on a living room rug on the left-hand side. A dark-brown coffee table can be seen in front of a sofa on the right-hand side.
The weight bench is not just suitable for tough workouts – it can also be used as a table for cosy evenings on the couch.
  • Difficulty
    hard
  • Cost
    117-234 €
  • Duration
    1 d

Would you like to do more exercise at home? No problem – with our DIY weight bench, plus wooden weights, you will be able to simply do your muscle training at home in your living room. And the best thing about your new piece of exercise equipment is that it won’t take up any extra space in your flat, because it transforms into a stylish coffee table when you turn it 180 degrees. We’ll show you how you can build your very own clever piece of furniture made from high-quality wood at home.

You need
Step121

Mark the positions of the holes

A wooden board lies on a work surface. A protractor and a pencil are used to transfer measurements to it.

Mark the positions for the blind holes.

You need: protractor, pencil, sketch, 2x wooden boards (1,314 x 414 mm)

You will need two large wooden panels measuring 1,314 x 414 mm for the side panels of your weight bench. Saw these to length yourself or go to your local DIY store and have them sawn to the appropriate size.

You will work on one of the two boards to start. You will need to mark some measurements for the blind holes.

Download the diagram with all of the corresponding markings in red here. Use it as a template and transfer the correct measurements to the board.

Step221

Drill the blind holes

A bench drill has been placed on a work surface. It is being used to drill a wooden board.

A bench drill is perfect for drilling blind holes.

You need:
bench drill
,
Forstner bit 20mm
,
safety glasses, ear protectors, sketch

As you can see from the diagram, you will need to drill different-sized holes in the wooden board. Use a 20  mm Forstner drill bit for the two small holes and use a 40 mm drill bit for the remaining larger holes.

We recommend using a bench drill to do so. This will prevent tears and dust. However, make sure to properly secure the board and place a piece of scrap wood under it so that you don’t drill into your work surface.

Step321

Sawing out the shape

A woman saws out a shape from a wooden board using a jigsaw.
A line is drawn on a wooden board using a long wooden strip.
A woman saws out a shape from a wooden board using a jigsaw.
A line is drawn on a wooden board using a long wooden strip.

When you have drawn all the lines for the side panel, then it’s time to start sawing.

Now connect the drilled holes using a wooden strip.

When you have drawn all the lines for the side panel, then it’s time to start sawing.

Now connect the drilled holes using a wooden strip.

You need:
Jigsaws
,
pencil, g-clamps, safety glasses, work gloves, ear protectors, sketch, wooden strip, diagram

You should sketch out your cutting lines before beginning to saw. Simply connect the outer edges of the drilled holes using a pencil and a wooden strip. Check the diagram again to see if all lines have been drawn in correctly.

Now you can use the holes as a starting point and saw out the drawn-out shapes using a jigsaw.

Step421

Sand the side panels

A wooden board with sawn-out holes is sanded down along the edges.

Now it’s time to sand the side panel of your weight bench.

You need:
Bosch multislipere
,
Slipearksett til multislipere, 10 stk.
,
g-clamps, safety glasses, ear protectors

After sawing the wooden board, you will be left with the finished shape of the side panel. Now sand down the edges. If you use an 18 V multi-sander to do so, you can stick to the 18 V product range and use one rechargeable battery for several different tools, as you used the 18 V jigsaw in the third step.

Of course, your weight bench will also have a second, identical side panel. Follow steps 1 to 4 with another 1,314 x 414 mm wooden board to make the second side panel.

 

Step521

Mitre-cut the boards for the weight bench cladding

A woman holds two mitre-cut boards together.
A measurement is transferred to a wooden board using a pocket rule.
A woman sets the angle of a hand-held circular saw.
A wooden board is cut at a slant using a hand-held circular saw.
A woman holds two mitre-cut boards together.
A measurement is transferred to a wooden board using a pocket rule.

The mitre-cut edges will fit together perfectly.

You can find all measurements for the boards to clad the weight bench in a diagram that is available for download.

The cutting angle can be set perfectly on a PKS 18 LI hand-held circular saw.

All of the boards for the weight bench cladding must be mitre-cut so that they fit together perfectly.

The mitre-cut edges will fit together perfectly.

You can find all measurements for the boards to clad the weight bench in a diagram that is available for download.

You need:
Hand-held circular saws
,
pocket rule, pencil, g-clamps, ear protectors, safety glasses, sketch, seven wooden boards

You will now need seven more boards to clad your weight bench.

All edges must be mitre-cut so that they fit together perfectly. If you have never done this before, you can find all the most important information on mitre cuts and the corresponding settings for your saw here .

You can find the precise measurements and mitre angle for the boards to clad your weight bench in this diagram .

Now saw all of the boards according to the measurements given. Make sure that they are clamped securely and that you take sufficient safety precautions to protect yourself.

If your hand-held circular saw is also part of the 18 V product range, you will only need to quickly exchange the rechargeable battery and can immediately continue with your project. It might be a good idea to charge the rechargeable battery for a short time after sawing. Then it will always be ready for use in other devices needed in the next few steps.

When you have finished, check whether the sawn-out corners match up.

Step621

Connect the bottom panel and side panel

Two pieces of wood are secured using a G-clamp.
A wooden panel is held at a right angle to a large wooden board. A line is drawn along it using a pencil.
Glue is applied to a sawn wooden board.
Two pieces of wood are secured using a G-clamp.
A wooden panel is held at a right angle to a large wooden board. A line is drawn along it using a pencil.

Secure your construction using G-clamps so that it will be easier for you to drill the dowel holes in the next step.

Use one of the boards for the weight bench cladding to mark the measurements.

Attach the side panel to the bottom panel using wood glue for the time being.

Secure your construction using G-clamps so that it will be easier for you to drill the dowel holes in the next step.

Use one of the boards for the weight bench cladding to mark the measurements.

You need: g-clamps, pencil, wood glue

Have you managed to saw all the boards?

Then it’s time to work on the large bottom panel and one of the side panels from step 4. Place the bottom panel on your work surface and place one of the boards for cladding the weight bench in a vertical position on the shorter side of the board. Mark the width of the board on the bottom panel.

Now put the board for cladding the weight bench aside and glue the underside of the side panel. Then, position it vertically on the bottom panel, flush with the long side and with the correct distance to the shorter side, which you marked earlier.

Now hold everything in place using G-clamps.

Step721

Mark and drill holes on the side panel

A drill is used to drill a hole in a wooden board.
A woman marks a position for a hole on a wooden board using a protractor and a pencil.
A drill is used to drill a hole in a wooden board.
A woman marks a position for a hole on a wooden board using a protractor and a pencil.

Now it’s time to do some drilling.

Turn the construction from step 6 over so that you can mark the holes.

Now it’s time to do some drilling.

Turn the construction from step 6 over so that you can mark the holes.

You need:
Cordless Drill
,
5 piece-wooddrill-bit-set
,
safety glasses, work gloves, ear protectors, g-clamps, protractor, pencil

Now turn over the bottom panel with the side panel attached and place it on your work surface.

Mark the drill holes for the dowels to attach the side panel: Draw in the first marking 5 cm from the panel edge – draw in the rest at a distance of 25 cm.

Then drill each hole into the side panel.

Step821

Insert the dowels

Protruding dowel ends are removed using a multifunction tool.
Wood glue is applied to drilled dowel holes.
A wooden dowel is countersunk in a wooden board using a hammer.
Protruding dowel ends are removed using a multifunction tool.
Wood glue is applied to drilled dowel holes.

Simply cut off protruding dowel ends.

All dowels have to be secured using wood glue.

Use a hammer to insert the dowels before the glue has dried.

Simply cut off protruding dowel ends.

All dowels have to be secured using wood glue.

You need:
Cordless multifunction tool
,
Forstner bit 40mm
,
wood glue, g-clamps, safety glasses, ear protectors, wooden dowels

Apply glue to the drilled dowel holes and insert the wooden dowels with the aid of a hammer.
Depending on the depth of the drill hole, the dowel should be countersunk by up to three-quarters. Ensure that the dowels fit into the side panels and simply saw off any protruding ends.

Step921

Assemble the second side panel

A woman drills holes into a construction consisting of several wooden boards from above.

Now assemble the second side panel according to the instructions outlined above.

You need:
Cordless Drill
,
5 piece-wooddrill-bit-set
,
Cordless multifunction tool
,
Forstner bit 40mm
,
g-clamps, pencil, wood glue, safety glasses, work gloves, ear protectors, protractor, Wooden dowels

Now assemble the second side panel (making sure it is the right way around) on the bottom panel. To do so, repeat steps 6 to 8.

Step1021

Attach the boards for cladding the weight bench

A small wooden board is attached to a wooden construction using glue.

You will now attach the boards that have been sawn to length to clad your weight bench to its basic structure piece by piece.

The basic structure of your weight bench is now complete. All that’s missing is the cladding.

Now it’s time to connect all these boards to the side panels piece by piece. Follow steps 6 to 8 to do so: Glue the board, clamp it securely, drill the holes, insert the dowels and cut the ends off.

Step1121

Sand and stain the piece of furniture

A woman applies dark wood stain to a wooden bench using a cloth.
A woman uses a sander to sand a wooden bench.
A woman dampens a wooden bench using a cloth.
A woman applies dark wood stain to a wooden bench using a cloth.
A woman uses a sander to sand a wooden bench.

Give your weight bench a high-quality, dark mahogany finish using wood stain.

When you have assembled all of the boards, you can move on to sanding the construction.

Dampening the wood will make the fibres stand on end. This will help you to smoothen the weight bench.

Give your weight bench a high-quality, dark mahogany finish using wood stain.

When you have assembled all of the boards, you can move on to sanding the construction.

You need:
Bosch multislipere
,
Slipearksett til multislipere, 10 stk.
,
g-clamps, safety glasses, ear protectors, disposable gloves, face mask, towel, wood stain

Have you completely covered the bench in cladding and sawn off the protruding dowels? Great!

 

In this next step you will need to pick up your sander once more and completely sand the bench all over. G80 sanding paper is perfect for the first coarse sand. Take special care to ensure that all the dowel ends are sanded down.

Then, dampen your bench with a wet cloth. This will make the wood fibres stand on end. When you go over it again with fine sanding paper, your bench will be lovely and smooth.

 

Would you like to give your weight bench a high-quality, dark mahogany look? Then you will need to stain your new piece of furniture.

Put some wood stain on a cloth and rub it evenly across your weight bench. The more stain you use, the darker the bench will be.

Step1221

Making the seat and rest cushions

A woman uses a tacker to attach a leather cover to a wooden board.
A woman cuts a piece of foam material the size of a wooden board using a cutter.
Adhesive is sprayed on a wooden panel.
A woman uses a tacker to attach a leather cover to a wooden board.
A woman cuts a piece of foam material the size of a wooden board using a cutter.

Use a tacker to attach the leather cover.

Use a cutter to cut the foam material the same size as the boards.

Simply attach the foam material using spray adhesive.

Use a tacker to attach the leather cover.

Use a cutter to cut the foam material the same size as the boards.

You need:
Cordless tacker
,
carpet/utility knife, disposable gloves, face mask, two veneer panels (6 mm thick): 570 x 300 mm and 675 x 300 mm, foam material, leather, spray adhesive

Now all that’s missing from your weight bench are the seat and rest cushions.

First of all, you will need two boards in the correct measurements. Saw them yourself or get ones in the right size at your local DIY store.

Now place one of the sawn boards on a large piece of foam material and cut along the edges using a cutter.

Attach the foam material to the wooden board using spray adhesive.

Then, cut out a large piece of leather and place it on the wooden panel with the foam material glued onto it. Fold the ends of the leather around the edges of the board and attach them using glue and a tacker.

Repeat these steps for the second back cushion.

 

Tips
TIP
Trim the leather on the corners to prevent it from overlapping.
Step1321

Cutting the hook-and-loop fasteners

A piece is cut from hook-and-loop fastener material using a cutter.

Cut the hook-and-loop fasteners so that you are able to cover the entire edge of the undersides of the cushions.

You need: carpet/utility knife, hook-and-loop fasteners

You can attach the back cushions to your bench using self-adhesive hook-and-loop fasteners. You can get this material in a roll from your local DIY store.

Measure the length and width of your back cushions and cut a total of eight matching strips of this material from the roll. Then, attach glue to the undersides of both your cushions.

Step1421

Attaching the seat and rest cushions

A woman attaches a cushion to a wooden bench.
A woman removes an adhesive strip from a piece of hook-and-loop fastener material. This is attached to a wooden board.
A woman attaches a cushion to a wooden bench.
A woman removes an adhesive strip from a piece of hook-and-loop fastener material. This is attached to a wooden board.

Take your time when attaching the cushions and work precisely.

Leave the hook-and-loop fasteners closed before attaching the back cushion. This will guarantee that they fit together perfectly later on.

Take your time when attaching the cushions and work precisely.

Leave the hook-and-loop fasteners closed before attaching the back cushion. This will guarantee that they fit together perfectly later on.

Now place the back cushions on the bench.

Leave the hook-and-loop fasteners closed when they are glued to the seat/back cushions initially to ensure that they will fit together perfectly later on. Remove the adhesive strips and press the cushion onto the correct position on the wooden bench.

Well done! Your weight bench is now ready to use. If you would like to train your body weight (or simply need a new coffee table) then you can use your new piece of furniture right away.

However, if you would like to build a pair of cool DIY wooden dumbbells, then simply follow the steps below:

Step1521

Saw out wooden hexagons

The corner of a piece of wood is sawn off using a jigsaw.
A hexagonal shape is transferred to a piece of wood using a template.
The corner of a piece of wood is sawn off using a jigsaw.
A hexagonal shape is transferred to a piece of wood using a template.

Now saw along each edge until you have six wooden hexagons.

Download our template and simply transfer the shape for the dumbbells to the wood.

Now saw along each edge until you have six wooden hexagons.

Download our template and simply transfer the shape for the dumbbells to the wood.

You need:
Jigsaws
,
pencil, template, g-clamps, safety glasses, work gloves, ear protectors, six wooden boards (200 x 230 mm each), template

Of course, you will need two dumbbells if you want to have a good workout. As these will be identical, we’ll just show you how to make one. Repeat the following steps for the second dumbbell.

First, you will need six wooden panels (at least 200 x 230 mm) for one dumbbell.

You will saw hexagons out from these wooden panels. You can download the template for the hexagons here .

Print out this template in the original measurements and place it on the wooden board. Transfer the shape using a pencil and saw along the lines you have drawn.

Repeat these steps for all six panels.

Step1621

Glue the hexagons

Secure the glued wooden panels from all sides using G-clamps.
Three small hexagonal wooden boards are glued together.
Secure the glued wooden panels from all sides using G-clamps.
Three small hexagonal wooden boards are glued together.

Secure the glued wooden panels from all sides using G-clamps.

The hexagonal wooden panels are used to make the two weights.

Secure the glued wooden panels from all sides using G-clamps.

The hexagonal wooden panels are used to make the two weights.

You need: wood glue, g-clamps

Now build two weights using the six hexagons.

To do so, glue three of the wooden panels together, and repeat this process with the remaining panels to make the second weight.

Secure both structures from all sides using G-clamps and allow them to dry.

Tips
TIP
Assemble the G-clamps so that the wooden panels are pressed together from above and below, as well as from both sides. If you only secure them from above and below, they will shift apart.
Step1721

Measure and saw the bar

A wooden bar is secured to a work surface using G-clamps and sawn using a jigsaw.
A thick wooden bar lies on a work surface. A specific length is measured and marked using a pocket rule.
A wooden bar is secured to a work surface using G-clamps and sawn using a jigsaw.
A thick wooden bar lies on a work surface. A specific length is measured and marked using a pocket rule.

Use small squared timbers to firmly secure the round bar.

Mark the correct length for the handle of your dumbbells.

Use small squared timbers to firmly secure the round bar.

Mark the correct length for the handle of your dumbbells.

You need:
Jigsaws
,
pencil, pocket rule, g-clamps, safety glasses, work gloves, ear protectors, wooden bar, diameter: 30 mm

A simple wooden bar can be used for the dumbbell handles. Measure 264 mm for the correct length and saw the bar. Make sure to clamp the bar properly.

Step1821

Drill the holes

A bench drill is used to drill a hexagonal wooden object.
A hexagonal wooden object lies on a work surface. The centre is marked using a protractor.
A bench drill is used to drill a hexagonal wooden object.
A hexagonal wooden object lies on a work surface. The centre is marked using a protractor.

A bench drill is perfect for precise drilling.

To attach your weights, you must first mark the centre of each weight.

A bench drill is perfect for precise drilling.

To attach your weights, you must first mark the centre of each weight.

You need:
bench drill
,
Forstner drill bit 30 mm
,
pencil, protractor, safety glasses, ear protectors

Now draw a centre point on each weight.

Drill a hole in the centre of each glued board using a Forstner bit. Please note: Only drill the two upper boards. Set your drill accordingly or put a mark on the drill bit. Use 36 mm as your guiding value.

Step1921

Sanding

A hexagonal wooden object is sanded.

Now it’s time to use your sander again.

You need:
Bosch multislipere
,
Slipearksett til multislipere, 10 stk.
,
g-clamps, safety glasses, ear protectors, work gloves, face mask

Both wooden weights now have to be fully sanded all over.

It is a good idea to use an 18 V sander. Then you can simply reuse the rechargeable battery from the drill, multifunction tool or saw.

Step2021

Gluing the dumbbell elements together

A dumbbell made from wood lies on a work surface. The object is supported between two hands.
Glue is inserted into the drill hole of a wooden object.
A dumbbell made from wood lies on a work surface. The object is supported between two hands.
Glue is inserted into the drill hole of a wooden object.

Of course, you will need to allow the glued dumbbell to dry thoroughly before you start training with it.

Wood glue is ideal for connecting both weights to the bar.

Of course, you will need to allow the glued dumbbell to dry thoroughly before you start training with it.

Wood glue is ideal for connecting both weights to the bar.

You need: wood glue

Now glue both weights to the bar.

Step2121

Apply wood stain

A wooden dumbbell is coated in dark-brown wood stain.

Treat your dumbbells so that they match your weight bench.

You need: disposable gloves

If you would like your dumbbells to have the same dark mahogany look as your weight bench, then you will have to follow the steps outlined above to stain the wood.

We understand if you’d prefer to put your dumbbells to the side and transform your weight bench into a coffee table after completing this major project. But now you’re all set for your next workout! It’s time to get fit!