Along with a sturdy squat rack and a high-quality barbell, a stable bench is a necessity in any residence gymnasium. I’ve been utilizing the Rep Health AB-3100 bench for a number of months, and I’ve been very pleased with it.
So is the Rep Health AB-3100 bench value it? The Rep Health AB-3100 bench is value it for informal lifters or athletes who can’t afford a top-of-the-line bench. It’s an inexpensive adjustable bench that may be adjusted to 6 completely different inclines and has a thick, supportive, non-slip pad. It’s additionally straightforward to maneuver if it is advisable stow it away if you’re not utilizing it.
On this article, I’ll present an in depth overview of the Rep Health AB-3100 bench. I’ll speak about why you’ll wish to select this bench over one other one among Rep Health’s benches and talk about its professionals and cons. I’ll additionally talk about the issues you need to contemplate when shopping for a bench and supply an inventory of options it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate as a substitute.
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Rep Health AB-3100 Bench: Overview
Rep Health was based in 2012 and sells a variety of merchandise for residence gymnasium house owners. It’s not an enormous powerhouse like Rogue, however it’s gained quite a lot of recognition through the years attributable to its inexpensive but high-quality gymnasium gear.
The AB-3100 bench is without doubt one of the hottest benches that Rep Health sells. It’s 16.75” excessive with a pad that’s about 2.5” thick. The pad on the adjustable portion is 11.75” large on the backside and 9” large on the prime. The seat measures 10.5” at its widest level and eight” at its narrowest level. The bench is obtainable in matte black, metallic black, purple, or blue.
The bench weighs about 70lbs, however it has wheels on the again and a deal with below the seat for portability. Every of the three posts has rubber ft that present a safe grip on the ground.
The bench might be adjusted to 6 completely different positions from flat to 90 levels with a ladder-style adjustment mechanism. It’s fast and straightforward to regulate should you’re doing actions that require completely different inclines in your exercise. The seat may also be adjusted to 3 completely different positions utilizing the same ladder-style mechanism.
Rep Health additionally sells a number of different benches, together with flat benches and benches you could placed on both an incline or a decline (that are known as FID benches).
I selected the AB-3100 bench as a result of I’m at some extent in my life the place I’m coaching for common energy and pleasure, not with the intention to compete or chase new PR’s on a regular basis.
I needed a bench with a high-ish weight capability that may have the ability to help my present energy ranges (this bench has a 700lb capability) and permit me to do quite a lot of higher physique workout routines however was nonetheless inexpensive.
I additionally wanted one thing I may transfer round my storage simply since my storage is used for storage in addition to my gymnasium area. The AB-3100 bench checked all of these containers.
I’d contemplate this bench a superb choice for anybody who’s in the same scenario as I’m and wishes a conveyable but sturdy bench that may deal with a good quantity of weight. Nevertheless, aggressive powerlifters or heavier lifters who can bench quite a lot of weight ought to contemplate a bench with a better weight capability or a flat, competition-style bench.
Don’t have room for a bench in your house gymnasium? Take a look at these dumbbell chest workout routines you are able to do and not using a bench.
Rep Health AB-3100 Bench: Professionals and Cons
One of many greatest advantages of the Rep Health AB-3100 bench is its value. Whereas it’s not a top-of-the-line bench, it’s constructed with high-quality supplies, together with 4-gauge metal in spots, that give it quite a lot of worth for cash.
Having a bench that doesn’t wobble or slide if you’re lifting is important. This bench has rubber ft that present a superb grip on the ground. When you get it into place, it doesn’t transfer in any respect. The ft additionally lay fully flat on the ground, which provides to the bench’s stability and provides you peace of thoughts that it received’t teeter backward and forward if you’re lifting heavy.
The pad has a small quantity of give to it, however I wouldn’t precisely name it squishy. It’s nonetheless fairly agency, and after months of utilizing the bench not less than twice every week, I haven’t seen any indicators of the pad dropping its stiffness. The pad itself has additionally held up effectively and has not ripped or torn.
You need to assemble the bench your self, however it’s a simple course of. It took my husband and me lower than 45 minutes to place it collectively. To be trustworthy, he did a lot of the work, so I’m assured that most individuals would have the ability to assemble it by themselves.
I discussed earlier that the load capability of this bench is 700lbs. That is probably sufficient for informal lifters however will not be robust sufficient for aggressive lifters or heavier people who can bench a number of hundred kilos.
The largest disadvantage of this bench is that there isn’t any decline place. When you incorporate decline bench presses steadily into your routine, you need to contemplate one among Rep Health’s different benches as a substitute.
Professionals
- Good worth for cash
- Out there in 4 completely different colours
- Simple meeting
- Thick and agency padding
- Rubber ft for a non-slip grip on the ground
Cons
- No decline place
- Weight capability could also be too low for some lifters
Rep Health AB-3100: Key Options and Advantages
There are three key options of the Rep Health AB-3100 bench value noting:
- Three-post design
- Slender hole between the seat and again pad
- Tapered seat
Three-Submit Design
The Rep Health AB-3100 bench is designed with two ft within the again and only one foot within the entrance. This isn’t one thing that quite a lot of different producers do, and having horizontal bases on every finish of the bench is a extra widespread design.
Nevertheless, I just like the three-post design of the AB-3100 bench as a result of it’s simpler to get my ft the place I like them and not using a horizontal base getting in the way in which.
Do you know it’s also possible to do bench presses with out your ft on the bottom? Study extra in Bench Press With Legs Up: Method, Advantages, Muscle mass Used.
Slender Hole Between the Seat and Again Pad
The hole on an adjustable bench refers back to the area between the seat pad and the again pad. Having a slender hole is essential so you may nonetheless get into an optimum place for a bench press with out your butt making contact with the hole, which may compromise your potential to make use of correct leg drive.
You additionally don’t wish to have an enormous hole between the seat and the again when the bench is at an incline as a result of it might probably trigger discomfort round your tailbone.
The Rep Health AB-3100 bench has a 1.75” hole, which can sound like quite a bit however is smaller than the hole on quite a lot of different adjustable benches. It’s by no means been a problem for me whether or not I’m doing flat bench presses or incline bench presses.
Tapered Seat
The seat on this adjustable bench tapers in barely, which I like as a result of I don’t have to take a seat with my legs in a super-wide place after I’m utilizing it at an incline.
Along with merely being extra snug, I discover that this helps me keep extra steady even in a seated place.
What Different Athletes Say Concerning the Rep Health AB-3100 Bench
Different athletes share my sentiment that the Rep Health AB-3100 bench gives nice worth for cash.
Along with the inexpensive value, athletes additionally reward the bench for its sturdiness and all the incline changes you may make with it.
Alternate options to the Rep Health AB-3100 Bench
When you don’t assume the Rep Health AB-3100 bench is best for you, under are two options it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate as a substitute.
1. Titan Health Flat Bench
The Titan Health flat bench is an inexpensive but stable choice should you don’t want an adjustable bench. It’s one of the vital inexpensive flat benches available on the market, and it’s constructed to the IPF requirements of a competition-style bench, making it an awesome choice for aggressive powerlifters who want a budget-friendly bench for his or her residence gymnasium.
This bench has a weight capability of 1,000lbs, which is loads for nearly all informal lifters and best powerlifters. The bench’s potential to be saved upright when not in use can also be a pretty function for residence gymnasium house owners with little area.
Questioning how one can optimize a small residence gymnasium? Take a look at the ground plans our architect created for small residence gyms starting from 100-500 sq. ft.
2. Fringe Sport Flat/Incline/Decline Bench
If you would like the choice to do decline bench presses or decline sit-ups, you’ll want a bench you could set to a decline. The Fringe Sport Flat/Incline/Decline bench is a wonderful choice attributable to its sturdiness, sturdiness, and 1,000lb weight capability.
This bench has an extra-thick, 2.5” pad made with a sticky material that forestalls your shoulders from sliding off. It additionally allows you to modify the again to seven completely different incline positions and the seat to 4 completely different top positions so you will get into an optimum place for quite a lot of workout routines.
Issues to Take into account When Shopping for a Bench
4 key issues to contemplate when shopping for a bench are:
- Weight capability
- Bench top
- Incline vs flat vs FID benches
- High quality of the pad
1. Weight Capability
I all the time encourage people who’re shopping for a bench for a house gymnasium to get one with a excessive weight capability.
Even should you’re not exceptionally robust within the bench press, you’ll need a bench that may help your physique weight plus the load you’re lifting. Having a bench collapse from beneath you can have disastrous penalties.
Excited by placing extra weight in your bench press? Take a look at this step-by-step information on including 50lbs to your bench press.
2. Bench Peak
Benches can be found in several heights starting from 15” in cheaper, off-brand merchandise to 16.5-17.7” in manufacturers that make competition-style benches. Some benches even have 18” heights.
The precise top isn’t tremendous essential for informal lifters, however it does matter for aggressive powerlifters who wish to make their coaching as near competition-ready as potential.
One other consideration is how tall you’re. Taller people will probably not have a problem touching their ft to the ground with a better bench, however shorter lifters could must be ready to raise their ft with stacks of bumper plates. Ideally, your knees needs to be even along with your hips if you’re mendacity on the bench so you will get a robust leg drive.
3. Incline vs Flat vs FID Benches
Many benches are flat benches and can’t be adjusted in any respect. There’s additionally a variety of benches available on the market you could put at an incline for actions like incline bench presses or spider curls. Even nonetheless, there are benches known as FID adjustable benches that can be utilized flat, on an incline, or on a decline.
FID benches will allow you to do the most important number of workout routines, however they’re the costliest of the three. Additionally they have leg helps to assist maintain your legs in place when the bench is within the decline place. Incline benches additionally allow you to carry out a wide selection of higher physique workout routines however aren’t fairly as versatile as FID benches.
Flat benches can’t be adjusted in any respect, however they’re probably the most cost-effective choice and are appropriate for anybody who doesn’t do quite a lot of incline or decline urgent.
I personally take pleasure in having an incline bench and use it for incline bench presses, chest-supported dumbbell rows, and spider curls. I additionally like having the again help for seated overhead presses. However relying on which workout routines you do most frequently, your wants could range.
4. High quality of the Pad
The pad of a bench doesn’t essentially must be snug — you aren’t sleeping on it, in spite of everything — however it needs to be steady and agency. A bench with a pad that’s made out of low-cost, squishy foam received’t provide the help you want to have the ability to drive your higher again into the bench as you’re urgent the load up.
A pad with non-slip materials can also be essential as a result of it’s going to stop your shoulders from sliding round.
From a feminine perspective, one thing I don’t see talked about typically is how a bench pad feels on the chest space when doing chest-supported workout routines.
I don’t assume it’s going to ever really feel 100% snug, however that doesn’t essentially imply you need to search for a bench with a softer pad only for chest-supported actions. It could impede your potential to do a daily bench press successfully.
If the bench pad is method too uncomfortable so that you can handle, you’ll must be ready to place a one thing below your torso that may assist maintain your chest from getting smushed.
Ultimate Ideas
When you’re a leisure lifter who’s on the lookout for an inexpensive, adjustable bench, I extremely suggest the Rep Health AB-3100. You are able to do quite a lot of higher physique workout routines with it, and its portability makes it a pretty choice for residence gymnasium house owners who might have to maneuver the bench round steadily.
Nevertheless, aggressive powerlifters or anybody who desires a bench with a decline choice will wish to contemplate different benches. The 700lb weight capability of the AB-3100 could also be too limiting for some folks, and it might probably’t be put right into a decline place.
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About The Creator
Amanda is a author and editor within the health and diet industries. Rising up in a household that cherished sports activities, she discovered the significance of staying energetic from a younger age. She began CrossFit in 2015, which led to her curiosity in powerlifting and weightlifting. She’s enthusiastic about serving to ladies overcome their worry of lifting weights and educating them how one can gasoline their our bodies correctly. When she’s not coaching in her storage gymnasium or working, you will discover her consuming espresso, strolling her canine, or indulging in a single too many items of chocolate.