Looking for a new bench - suggestions

Bands, chains, wraps, straps, racks... are you sure this is training related?

Moderators: mgil, Cody

User avatar
bobmen10000
Registered User
Posts: 1681
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
Age: 43
Contact:

Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#1

Post by bobmen10000 » Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:49 am

What is the best (value) flat bench, say under $250.00 shipped?

I currently use a Titan Hefty Pad Bench https://www.titan.fitness/squat-save/fa ... acity.html. It is quite hefty, fairly comfortable but I hate the orientation of the feet. They seem to get in my way no matter how I position myself on the bench. The more traditional "skinny" benches have never been a problem.

User avatar
Cody
Equipment Guru
Posts: 2047
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2017 8:14 am
Age: 39

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#2

Post by Cody » Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:35 am


User avatar
bobmen10000
Registered User
Posts: 1681
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
Age: 43
Contact:

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#3

Post by bobmen10000 » Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:50 am

Signed up for notification when available. Thanks for the suggestion.

DeriHughes
Registered User
Posts: 185
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:50 am
Location: UK, London-ish
Age: 44

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#4

Post by DeriHughes » Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:03 am

Related: Best heavy duty variable incline bench for use in a rack, to IPF specs (height & width) when flat? Ideally available to ship to UK. Any price.

RobUK
Registered User
Posts: 340
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:45 am
Age: 45

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#5

Post by RobUK » Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am

DeriHughes wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:03 am Related: Best heavy duty variable incline bench for use in a rack, to IPF specs (height & width) when flat? Ideally available to ship to UK. Any price.
Might be worth having a look at www.gymrevolution.com

I have the ATX flat bench but their adjustable looked like it had very little gap when flat.

The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.

I don't know about IPF specs.

http://www.aperformance.co.uk are the UK distributor for Legend, I am assuming they have a good option but probably not cheap!

User avatar
thejosef
Registered User
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:14 pm
Location: Louisiana
Age: 41

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#6

Post by thejosef » Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm

RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench

DeriHughes
Registered User
Posts: 185
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:50 am
Location: UK, London-ish
Age: 44

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#7

Post by DeriHughes » Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:09 pm

Cheers guys, will take a look

User avatar
bobmen10000
Registered User
Posts: 1681
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
Age: 43
Contact:

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#8

Post by bobmen10000 » Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:05 pm

thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
I so want this...I need to paint my house, repair the roof, redo the bathroom, feed my dog but I want that bench more. Since most of my needs far outsrip the cost of my want, I should forego necessity and give desires its due.

RobUK
Registered User
Posts: 340
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:45 am
Age: 45

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#9

Post by RobUK » Fri Apr 20, 2018 1:24 am

bobmen10000 wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:05 pm
thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
I so want this...I need to paint my house, repair the roof, redo the bathroom, feed my dog but I want that bench more. Since most of my needs far outsrip the cost of my want, I should forego necessity and give desires its due.
Please feed the dog first!

User avatar
bobmen10000
Registered User
Posts: 1681
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
Age: 43
Contact:

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#10

Post by bobmen10000 » Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:01 am

RobUK wrote: Fri Apr 20, 2018 1:24 am
bobmen10000 wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:05 pm
thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
I so want this...I need to paint my house, repair the roof, redo the bathroom, feed my dog but I want that bench more. Since most of my needs far outsrip the cost of my want, I should forego necessity and give desires its due.
Please feed the dog first!
The dog is fat. He will live...

Skeeter, my horribly (not my choice) named dog, eats better than me. And I eat very well.

User avatar
bobmen10000
Registered User
Posts: 1681
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
Age: 43
Contact:

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#11

Post by bobmen10000 » Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:45 am

@Cody

Any thoughts or experience on the Barbarian Warrior Flat Incline Bench/clone mentioned above by Vulcan.

Image

User avatar
Cody
Equipment Guru
Posts: 2047
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2017 8:14 am
Age: 39

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#12

Post by Cody » Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:24 am

bobmen10000 wrote: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:45 am @Cody

Any thoughts or experience on the Barbarian Warrior Flat Incline Bench/clone mentioned above by Vulcan.
I've heard great things about the barbarian build quality. Nothing about the clone specifically but Vulcan is usually built very well.

The only thing I don't care for on the design is the tapered back. It's not extreme, and you're probably still wife enough where your scapula are, just thought I'd mention it.

gtl
Registered User
Posts: 1699
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:04 am
Location: Naptown
Age: 38

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#13

Post by gtl » Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:53 am

thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
Resurrecting a dead thread..

it looks like that Vulcan bench is $409 shipped and no taxes

How do you like it?

User avatar
thejosef
Registered User
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:14 pm
Location: Louisiana
Age: 41

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#14

Post by thejosef » Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:39 pm

gtl wrote: Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:53 am
thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
Resurrecting a dead thread..

it looks like that Vulcan bench is $409 shipped and no taxes

How do you like it?
Vulcan kept pushing back the date, so I bailed out. I probably should've been more patient. I still like that design.

I currently have the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro.
https://www.ironmaster.com/products/super-bench-pro/

My thoughts on the Ironmaster: it used to be a better deal, but the price has gone up a bit since.. COVID. Regardless, for a smaller home gym, it's hard to beat. It has a ton of attachments which seem goofy, but are actually quite nice. I'm not a huge fan of the looks of it, but it really functions fine. It could be more stable, but again for a small home gym, you get a slightly smaller footprint and not a ridiculously heavy bench.

Will I keep the Ironmaster forever? Probably not. I really like the new Rogue adjustable 3.0 and I plan to move to it later this year:
https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-adjustable-bench-3-0
BUT it's really $$$$. The Vulcan looks pretty dang nice and for that price shipped, is kind of a steal. Hmmmmm

gtl
Registered User
Posts: 1699
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:04 am
Location: Naptown
Age: 38

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#15

Post by gtl » Sat Feb 12, 2022 1:51 am

thejosef wrote: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:39 pm
gtl wrote: Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:53 am
thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
Resurrecting a dead thread..

it looks like that Vulcan bench is $409 shipped and no taxes

How do you like it?
Vulcan kept pushing back the date, so I bailed out. I probably should've been more patient. I still like that design.

I currently have the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro.
https://www.ironmaster.com/products/super-bench-pro/

My thoughts on the Ironmaster: it used to be a better deal, but the price has gone up a bit since.. COVID. Regardless, for a smaller home gym, it's hard to beat. It has a ton of attachments which seem goofy, but are actually quite nice. I'm not a huge fan of the looks of it, but it really functions fine. It could be more stable, but again for a small home gym, you get a slightly smaller footprint and not a ridiculously heavy bench.

Will I keep the Ironmaster forever? Probably not. I really like the new Rogue adjustable 3.0 and I plan to move to it later this year:
https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-adjustable-bench-3-0
BUT it's really $$$$. The Vulcan looks pretty dang nice and for that price shipped, is kind of a steal. Hmmmmm
Yeah, I really liked the idea of the IM bench for it's versatility, but I wouldn't ever really use the attachments and don't think I could justify the price at this point.

Do I order the Vulcan and ask my wife for forgiveness? Mention it casually in convo and see her response? Hmmm

I kinda like their flat bench, too.. wonder how the pad material is.. do I also buy that and flip my Rep FB 5000???

ahhhhh

hector
Registered User
Posts: 5136
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 12:54 pm

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#16

Post by hector » Sun Feb 13, 2022 3:34 pm

gtl wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 1:51 am
thejosef wrote: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:39 pm
gtl wrote: Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:53 am
thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
Resurrecting a dead thread..

it looks like that Vulcan bench is $409 shipped and no taxes

How do you like it?
Vulcan kept pushing back the date, so I bailed out. I probably should've been more patient. I still like that design.

I currently have the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro.
https://www.ironmaster.com/products/super-bench-pro/

My thoughts on the Ironmaster: it used to be a better deal, but the price has gone up a bit since.. COVID. Regardless, for a smaller home gym, it's hard to beat. It has a ton of attachments which seem goofy, but are actually quite nice. I'm not a huge fan of the looks of it, but it really functions fine. It could be more stable, but again for a small home gym, you get a slightly smaller footprint and not a ridiculously heavy bench.

Will I keep the Ironmaster forever? Probably not. I really like the new Rogue adjustable 3.0 and I plan to move to it later this year:
https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-adjustable-bench-3-0
BUT it's really $$$$. The Vulcan looks pretty dang nice and for that price shipped, is kind of a steal. Hmmmmm
Yeah, I really liked the idea of the IM bench for it's versatility, but I wouldn't ever really use the attachments and don't think I could justify the price at this point.

Do I order the Vulcan and ask my wife for forgiveness? Mention it casually in convo and see her response? Hmmm

I kinda like their flat bench, too.. wonder how the pad material is.. do I also buy that and flip my Rep FB 5000???

ahhhhh
Idk where you live, but if you're never a major urban area and like the IM Bench you might check FB market and CL. For some reason they go super cheap used.

gtl
Registered User
Posts: 1699
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:04 am
Location: Naptown
Age: 38

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#17

Post by gtl » Mon Feb 14, 2022 1:49 am

hector wrote: Sun Feb 13, 2022 3:34 pm
gtl wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 1:51 am
thejosef wrote: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:39 pm
gtl wrote: Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:53 am
thejosef wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:34 pm
RobUK wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:10 am
The Barbarian looks like a good value adjustable option.
I just pre-ordered a Vulcan Prime Adjustable Bench (in the U.S.) that is a clone of a Barbarian bench. Vulcan is selling the pre-orders for $379 shipped, which I think is a pretty great deal. I've been looking for a high quality, but not break-the-bank adjustable bench for a while now. Hope this one works out...
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulcan-P ... vprime.htm
https://samsfitness.com.au/benches/barb ... ight-bench
Resurrecting a dead thread..

it looks like that Vulcan bench is $409 shipped and no taxes

How do you like it?
Vulcan kept pushing back the date, so I bailed out. I probably should've been more patient. I still like that design.

I currently have the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro.
https://www.ironmaster.com/products/super-bench-pro/

My thoughts on the Ironmaster: it used to be a better deal, but the price has gone up a bit since.. COVID. Regardless, for a smaller home gym, it's hard to beat. It has a ton of attachments which seem goofy, but are actually quite nice. I'm not a huge fan of the looks of it, but it really functions fine. It could be more stable, but again for a small home gym, you get a slightly smaller footprint and not a ridiculously heavy bench.

Will I keep the Ironmaster forever? Probably not. I really like the new Rogue adjustable 3.0 and I plan to move to it later this year:
https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-adjustable-bench-3-0
BUT it's really $$$$. The Vulcan looks pretty dang nice and for that price shipped, is kind of a steal. Hmmmmm
Yeah, I really liked the idea of the IM bench for it's versatility, but I wouldn't ever really use the attachments and don't think I could justify the price at this point.

Do I order the Vulcan and ask my wife for forgiveness? Mention it casually in convo and see her response? Hmmm

I kinda like their flat bench, too.. wonder how the pad material is.. do I also buy that and flip my Rep FB 5000???

ahhhhh
Idk where you live, but if you're never a major urban area and like the IM Bench you might check FB market and CL. For some reason they go super cheap used.
Yeah, the Superbench goes for around $300 here. I found a Superbench PRO for $400 with the situp attachment. But, at the end of the day, I think if I'm going to spend that much, I'm going to get a different bench.

And that different bench won't be Vulcan after reading a ton of complaints about their customer service.

User avatar
TimF
Registered User
Posts: 438
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 1:16 pm
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Age: 39

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#18

Post by TimF » Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:09 am

I have a Griffin Fitness Adjustable Bench and I've been happy with it. The gap is a little wider than some, but it hasn't really bothered me. If I had more space I'd get their wide pad flat bench too. But for now, the adjustable one fits the bill.

https://griffin.fitness/benches/

gtl
Registered User
Posts: 1699
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:04 am
Location: Naptown
Age: 38

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#19

Post by gtl » Thu Feb 17, 2022 2:06 am

I'm going to hold off and see what Rep releases next week with the AB4100, but the Griffin adjustable bench looks solid. 93lbs, 12" pad all the way through, 17.5" height

gtl
Registered User
Posts: 1699
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:04 am
Location: Naptown
Age: 38

Re: Looking for a new bench - suggestions

#20

Post by gtl » Wed Feb 23, 2022 2:57 am

The new Rep AB4100 came out and is $399, but the AB5100 and AB5200 are just $499 and are much more

4100-back pad 36", seat pad 13", max weight 700lbs, 7&14 ga steel, 85lbs
5100-back pad 38", seat pad 15.5", max weight 1000lbs, 11 ga steel, 110lbs
5200-back pad 42", seat pad 11.5", max weight 1000lbs, 7&11 ga steel, 125lbs

Seems like the AB4100 should be priced closer to $350 and they probably need to drop the 3100 from the lineup (I would say drop the 3000 buts its the only FID)

Post Reply