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Deciding on your next garage gym addition? Machines are all the rage lately, especially ones that save space, like combination leg extension and leg curl machines. If you’re looking for an all-in-one upper-body machine that’s ideal for tiny spaces, I’ve got a great recommendation, so long as you’ve already got some of the best weight plates gracing your gym.
I shouldn’t take all the credit really. The Home Gym Commmunity group has been requesting that GGR founder Coop Mitchell review the GMWD chest press machine since it was spotted in his and Operations Manager Sam Presley’s video that built a bodybuilding-focused budget home gym from Amazon.
Like many budget pieces of gym equipment, this press machine won’t be for everyone. In this GMWD Bench Press Machine review, I’ll go over the pros and cons, highs and lows, and strengths and weaknesses of this affordable piece of strength training equipment—all to help you decide if this is right for your next chest workout.
A Fine-Tuned Machine at Expert Testing & Reviews
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Our team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and competitive athletes have combined decades of experience in the world of strength, conditioning, and nutrition; so you can trust our expertise and opinions on the best home gym essentials on the market.
Coop did several different workouts on the GMWD Bench Press Machine—involving exercises and movements that GMWD marketed, as well as a few exercises Coop discovered could be done on the unit. He rated the machine score from 1 to 5, based on aspects outlined in our fitness equipment testing methodology, including:
- Durability and construction
- Footprint and portability
- Workout performance
- Versatility
- Ergonomics
- Overall value
GMWD Press Machine
GMWD Bench Press Machine V1
Product Highlights
Budget-friendly chest press machine
11 arm positions
450-lb weight capacity on weight bench
200-lb weight capacity on weight horns
Can be used for incline chest press, bench press, shoulder press and decline sit-ups
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lifetime warranty on frame
- 11 arm positions
- Nice angle and feel for presses
- Bench folds for storage
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Materials aren’t the highest quality
- Shoulder press isn’t at the ideal angle
- Bench pad is short for incline
Bottom Line
The GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 is a budget-friendly machine that allows for incline chest press, shoulder press, decline sit-ups, and bench press. While the shoulder press isn’t at the typical overhead angle, the bench allows for good versatility, and the arms are able to move independently of one another, allowing for unilateral movements.
A Quick Look at the GMWD Bench Press Machine
Beginning in 2013, GMWD Fitness has grown to a recognizable brand in the fitness industry, with warehouses spread out across the contiguous United States. Their focus has been in making quality, compact, and affordable pieces of equipment, ideal for any gym space or budget.
Although they have dumbbells and other free weights available, GMWD does focus heavily on compact combination machines both for the lower and upper body: leverage gyms, leg press and hack squat combos, and multi-flight machines, to name a few. The GMWD Bench Press Machine is their first version in their series of chest machines; the V2 and V3 are larger, heftier pieces of equipment (with the price tag to match).
The GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 is a weight bench with independent converging arms connected with bearings, providing a great upper body workout through a flat bench, incline chest press, and shoulder press. There are also leg rollers to allow for decline sit-ups. We’ll discuss later on which movements left Coop wanting more later, but this is a fairly versatile upper body machine.
Another big selling point on this budget piece is that the machine is foldable; when not in use, the bench can fold up and be secured with a peg, saving space while the chest machine isn’t in use.
Before You Buy
- Not only is the GMWD Press Machine budget-friendly, but it also comes with free shipping.
- Coop notes that although GMWD markets the machine as being heavy-duty 11-gauge steel, the budget piece is not all 11-gauge steel. “There’s probably some 11-gauge steel in the construction, but most of the machine is a thinner gauge,” he explains.
- While this type of budget-friendly machine is rare to see, this isn’t an original design by any means. You can find an exact copy of the GMWD machine made by Syedee; I’ve even seen it sold on Temu.
GMWD Bench Press Machine Video Review
Is the GMWD Bench Press Machine Worth It?
The regular price of the GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 is $399, but it has a sale price of $299. It’s had that sale price for a while though, making me think it’s less of a sale and more of a marketing tactic. Either way, $299 for a plate-loaded machine is a very good price.
The two things going for the GMWD Bench Press Machine are its cost and its footprint, too. Already a fairly compact machine while in use, the GMWD machine can fold up its bench to take up about 8 square feet while not in use, making it great for small gym spaces, beginners, and machine lifters alike.
“Basically, this machine does what jammer arm attachments on squat racks want to do,” Coop adds. “This moves better than a lot of those jammer arms, and it has a compact footprint and is affordable.”
He’d like to see some mid-tier companies like Bells of Steel of Fringe Sport to start developing some compact multi-use machines like this, since not everyone will enjoy the budget materials of the GMWD Bench Press Machine—although the budget price is hard to beat, earning it a 5 out of 5 for value.
Great for:
- Lifters looking for an upper body machine
- People on a budget
- Home gym owners with limited space
Not recommended for:
- Those needing machines with heavy-duty materials
- Athletes taller than 6’ 2”
- Lifters who’d rather have a leg machine
GMWD Bench Press Machine Specs
| Price | $299.99 |
| Footprint | 55.8’’L x 64.8’’W x 26.8’’H |
| Weight | Not disclosed |
| Weight capacity | 450 lbs on the bench pad, 200 lbs on the arms and weight horns |
| Arm adjustments | 11 positions |
| Materials | Steel |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty on the frame |
Using the GMWD Bench Press Machine
The GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 claims to be able to do four movements: incline chest press, flat bench press, shoulder press, and decline sit-ups. GGR Founder Coop Mitchell tested these four movements, but also got creative with some of his own—most notably shrugs. He rates his workout experience on the GMWD Bench Press Machine a 4 out of 5, as it excels in a few movements, but others are a little lackluster.
The flat bench press is a highlight, as the converging arms make the movement feel natural and easy. The 11 adjustment positions can position the arms at different levels and angles. Coop suggests placing yoga blocks underneath the lever arms to ensure you can get a full range of motion. “Once you lift the arms up, the yoga blocks fall off the spotters,” says Coop, “ensuring you get that deep stretch in your pecs.”
The incline chest press is also solid, although Coop notes that the bench pad feels a little short once it’s set up. “My head was usually hanging off the pad,” he recalls. It’s not a traditional adjustable weight bench, however. To make the angle adjustment, you collapse the front post of the weight bench by pulling out a pin.
Decline sit-ups feel a little out of place on the machine. The leg rollers feel like they’re there to add more versatility, but they also just get in the way of the incline press. If the leg rollers weren’t there, the pad might be longer for the incline press. And, while you’re able to do a seated shoulder press, the angle isn’t your typical overhead shoulder press; instead you’re pushing the arms up and forward, which isn’t the best feeling.
Still, the machine is pretty versatile, especially considering that the arms move independently from one another. The GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 earns a 3.5 out of 5 for its overall versatility, since it can do quite a bit, but some exercises aren’t executed as well.
Footprint and Portability
The compact size of the GMWD Chest Press is one major selling point. When folding out, the press machine doesn’t take up a wild footprint, being about 56 inches long and 65 inches wide. However, the weight bench folds up when not in use, reducing the width to 35 inches wide. Overall, it takes up about 8 square feet—a small foot print for a machine.
It earns a 4.5 out of 5 for its footprint and portability. It doesn’t get top marks for its compactness, however, since it isn’t remarkably portable. The unit itself is pretty lightweight, but there aren’t any handles or wheels to transport the machine around with. Therefore, moving it will still prove to be a hassle, although it should be doable.
Durability and Construction
If the GMWD Bench Press Machine shines in its footprint and cost, then the construction may be where it’s a little dull. The press machine only earns a 3 out of 5 for its durability and construction, using budget-friendly materials to keep its cost low.
One callout Coop makes is that while GMWD markets the machine to be 11-gauge steel, the truth is that the press machine is thinner than that. It most likely has some 11-gauge steel throughout, but most of the steel used is a thinner gauge. Still, the bench can support up to 450 pounds, and the arms can each hold 200 pounds, making it capable of satisfying the majority of lifters’ needs—although the arms can be a little wobbly at times.
In addition to the thin metal, the bench pad is thin as well, not offering much cushioning while benching. In fact, Coop adds, “Some people may want to do some DIY work on this weight bench and switch it out with a thicker and more quality bench pad.” While the construction isn’t the best, that’s one way that GMWD keeps its costs low. You can also be reassured by GMWD’s lifetime warranty on the frame.
The Ergonomics
While the padding of the bench isn’t ideal, Coop still rates the ergonomics a 4 out of 5. Why? Most of its score lies in the feel and angle of the arms. The independent lever arms converge inward as you press, giving it a natural feel similar to press dumbbells. Not only does the movement feel nice, but the rubber grips also don’t feel half bad. “Of course I’d want knurling on the handles, but for a budget piece, this feels nice,” says Coop.
GMWD Bench Press Machine vs Titan Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine
Titan Chest Press
Titan Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine
Product Highlights
Adjustable bench allows for incline, decline, or flat angles
5 lifting arm positions
13 weight bench depth positions
155 lbs
64” W x 63”-77” L
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 1,000-lb weight capacity
- Adjustable bench positions
- 5 lifting arm positions
- 13 bench depth positions
- Bench stores on top of frame
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty
- Mixed reviews on the handles’ ergonomics
Bottom Line
The Titan Chest Press Machine is a plate-loaded weight machine with an adjustable bench that can adjust for flat, incline, or decline positions. With a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, this is an affordable press machine for home gyms, although there are mixed reviews on the feel of the press handles.
Compact chest press machines like the GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 are hard to come by. For example, let’s compare it to the Titan Chest Press Machine, another budget-priced chest press machine.
The Titan Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine allows for a decline, incline, and flat bench press with five adjustable arm positions, plus an adjustable weight bench whose depth can be adjusted. However, the price is close to triple of the GMWD Bench Machine, and the footprint is larger, at 64 inches by 63 inches at its smallest. You can place the bench over the machine when it’s not in use, but the space saved isn’t close to the GMWD machine.
However, the Titan Chest Press Machine also has better materials, using sturdy powder-coated steel and a thicker bench pad. Although it’s also a budget-friendly piece of equipment, the Titan machine still manages to make a machine with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds.
Which machine is best for you will depend on your budget, your gym space available, and how much you value construction and materials.
| GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 | Titan Fitness Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine | |
| Price | $299.99 | $824.99 |
| Footprint | 55.8’’L x 64.8’’W x 26.8’’H | 64” W x 63”-77” L |
| Weight | Not disclosed | 155 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 450 lbs on the bench pad, 200 lbs on the arms and weight horns | 1,000 lbs |
| Arm adjustments | 11 positions | 5 positions |
| Materials | Steel | Powder-coated steel |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty on the frame | 1 year |
Customer Experience
GMWD Fitness has great policies and multiple ways to contact them, earning them a 4.5 out of 5 for the customer experience. Although the GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 has a 6-month warranty on parts, the frame gets a respectable lifetime warranty. GMWD Fitness also has a 35-day money-back guarantee on returns that are in new, unused, and unopened conditions.
To contact GMWD Fitness, there is a phone number, email address, and a chat function on their website. They also have their Colorado address for any local lifters living in Denver.
Ordering and Assembling the GMWD Bench Press Machine
The GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 can be purchased directly from their website, or from Amazon. They’re currently priced the same, and free shipping is included on both websites. Financing options are available on both sites, too.
The bench press machine is a pretty straightforward build. It comes in one box and doesn’t have a lot of pieces to assemble. Customer reviews mostly agree that assembling the machine is straightforward and easy.
Customer Reviews
As of this writing, the GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 has nearly a 4.9-star rating on GMWD’s website, from a total of 93 reviews. Amazon has 4.5 stars, but from over 300 reviews total.
Overall, many people are pleased with the quality of the machine at its price point. One 4-star review wishes there was a heavy-duty version of the machine—arguably the V2 or V3 machines—but overall people like that it’s compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble.
Complaints mostly deal with the build quality, wishing the lever arms were a bit sturdier and that the different modes of the machine all felt good. One 3-star review had the same issue that Coop did, where the incline press set-up left his head hanging off the bench pad; he also adds that the bench height is pretty low, and the incline position lowers it even more so.
Final Verdict of Our GMWD Bench Press Machine Review
Although it’s a budget piece of equipment, the GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 is certainly a solid piece of equipment, providing a piece of compact exercise equipment at a low price point.
Although it could be sturdier and some exercises feel better than others on it, Coop recommends it as a high value budget piece of equipment, especially for those wanting to start adding machines to their home gym. “There’s some things I’d like to see improved like a longer bench pad,” Coop mentions, “but for its price I can work around those things. For under $300, this thing is killer.”
A few things to note:
- The biggest selling point as far as movements go is the converging arms. The movement feels natural and mimics a dumbbell bench press.
- If you’re wanting a more durable machine, you may want to consider the versions 2 or 3 of the bench press machine, although they’ll take up more of a footprint.
- The bench pad isn’t very supportive, and might lead you to replace it. Since the machine’s so inexpensive, it won’t be a terrible investment to add a little bit of DIY to it.
Full Rating
GMWD Bench Press Machine
The GMWD Bench Press Machine V1 is a budget-friendly machine that allows for incline chest press, shoulder press, decline sit-ups, and bench press. While the shoulder press isn’t at the typical overhead angle, the bench allows for good versatility, and the arms are able to move independently of one another, allowing for unilateral movements.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 299.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.15
GMWD Bench Press Machine: FAQs
What is the most effective bench press?
As with many exercises, you’ll get the most benefit out of your bench press by doing a full range of motion instead of partial range of motion. While partial movements can have their place in training, a randomized controlled trial from 20221 showed that a full-ROM bench press produced greater strength gains, which declined in groups that used partial bench movements.
As far as which angle is the best angle to bench at, that can depend on your goals, since different angles can activate different muscles. A 2020 study2 measured electromyographic (EMG) activity at five different angles of bench from 0 to 60 degrees.
To get the pecs more, the study showed the greater activation at angles below 30 degrees; angles at 45 degrees or more activated the anterior deltoids more and pecs less. The triceps were activated similarly across all angles.
What is the best bench press program?
The best bench press program for you will depend on where you’re starting at and what your goals are for the bench press. A solid bench press program will make sure to follow the principles of strength training, like progressive overload, varying volume and intensity, and also recovering properly. You might also want to check out a powerlifting workout routine that will also include squats and deadlifts.
Is the Smith machine bench press effective?
Using a Smith machine to bench press can help move muscles into a single plane of motion, allowing for isolation of specific muscle groups and also making the movement a little easier for beginners. However, free weights (like using a pair of dumbbells or a barbell) will require more stability, making muscles work a bit harder together, making it a bit more functional.
References
- Martínez-Cava, A., Hernández-Belmonte, A., Courel-Ibáñez, J., Morán-Navarro, R., González-Badillo, J. J., & Pallarés, J. G. (2022). Bench Press at Full Range of Motion Produces Greater Neuromuscular Adaptations Than Partial Executions After Prolonged Resistance Training. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 36(1), 10–15. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003391
- Rodríguez-Ridao, D., Antequera-Vique, J. A., Martín-Fuentes, I., & Muyor, J. M. (2020). Effect of Five Bench Inclinations on the Electromyographic Activity of the Pectoralis Major, Anterior Deltoid, and Triceps Brachii during the Bench Press Exercise. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(19), 7339. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197339
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Deciding on your next garage gym addition? Machines are all the rage lately, especially ones that save space, like combination leg extension and leg curl machines. If you’re looking for an all-in-one upper-body machine that’s ideal for tiny spaces, I’ve got a great recommendation, so long as you’ve already got some of the best weight plates gracing your gym.I shouldn’t take all the credit really. The Home Gym Commmunity group has been requesting that GGR founder Coop Mitchell review the GMWD chest press machine since it was spotted in his and Operations Manager Sam Presley’s video that built a bodybuilding-focused budget home gym from Amazon. » Read more about: GMWD Bench Press Machine Review (2025): A Compact Budget Machine for Chest Days » Read more