Overview
EN ISO 20957-4:2016 - "Stationary training equipment - Part 4: Strength training benches, additional specific safety requirements and test methods" is a CEN-adopted ISO standard that establishes specific safety requirements and test methods for stationary strength training benches (type 4). It is to be used in conjunction with ISO 20957‑1 (general safety requirements and test methods) and applies to bench equipment in classes S, H and I as defined in ISO 20957‑1.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and classification
- Applies to stationary strength training benches (type 4), classes S, H and I.
- Stability requirements
- Prevention of barbell overturning under unequal loads (rotational stability).
- Lateral stability when loaded with unequal loads at right angles to the bench (see test methods).
- Longitudinal stability of benches with fixed barbell supports.
- Barbell support design
- Free‑standing barbell supports must include a device for connecting to the ground.
- Dimensional requirement for the front (yoke) of the support: vertical height of 20 mm to 40 mm above the lowest point of a resting 30 mm diameter bar; the rear part must be ≥ 80 mm higher than the top of the front support.
- Strength and impact resistance
- Rear part of the barbell support must absorb non‑symmetric barbell impacts without breakage, tipping, or loss of intended function.
- Loading
- Intrinsic and extrinsic loading requirements for classes H, S and I follow ISO 20957‑1.
- User accessibility
- Any part intended to support free weights must be easily accessible when accepting or replacing the barbell.
- Test methods (Clause 6)
- Dimensional checks, visual examination, performance tests.
- Specific test for rotational stability uses a solid steel bar (1 600 ± 50 mm or 2 200 ± 50 mm for Olympic bars) with asymmetric weight disk(s): 10 kg for class H and 20 kg for class S.
- Tests for rotational, lateral and longitudinal stability, and barbell support strength and stability are specified; results documented in a test report.
Applications and users
- Manufacturers and designers of strength training benches and free‑standing barbell racks - to design compliant, safe equipment.
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors - to perform the specified tests and issue conformity reports.
- Procurement specialists, gym operators and safety engineers - to specify, evaluate and accept equipment that meets EN ISO 20957-4:2016.
- Regulators and certification bodies - for harmonized safety criteria in indoor sports equipment.
Related standards
- ISO 20957‑1 - General safety requirements and test methods (mandatory companion document).
- EN ISO 20957‑4:2016 supersedes EN 957‑4:2006+A1:2010; users should reference the current edition.
Keywords: EN ISO 20957-4:2016, strength training benches, stationary training equipment, safety requirements, test methods, barbell support, stability, ISO 20957‑1.
