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Commercial gym equipment sometimes gets a bad rap, but that’s only because the weight benches and Olympic barbells found in those spaces are often being treated poorly or misused by hundreds of people a day. And yes, we’re actually defending commercial gyms—though we still think you should build a home gym.
Our Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench review looks at a piece of fitness equipment you’ve probably seen at many commercial and hotel gyms, but may have a skewed idea of because you’ve only used it after someone neglected to wipe their back sweat off it.
That’s not you, right? Right?! Ok, good.
Home Gym Equipment Reviews That Hit the Nail on the Head
In life, it’s best to trust the experts in any given field. That’s why you go to doctors for medical advice, lawyers for legal advice, and Garage Gym Reviews for home gym equipment advice. Our team of certified personal trainers, weightlifting coaches, and competitive athletes has decades of experience in testing and using every type of equipment there is, and professional expertise to back up our opinions.
And when it comes to weight benches, we’ve done exhaustive research on dozens of the best models. We look at everything from the vinyl padding to the legs’ stability, putting each one through countless bench presses and, on occasion, dragging them through the streets to test their durability.
Hammer Strength Multi-Adjustable Bench
Hammer Strength Multi-Adjustable Bench
Product Highlights
- Meets ASTM- and EN-technical standards
- 7 Back pad positions
- Incline and decline positioning
- LifeFitness claims the Hammer Strength Adjustable bench is 33% lighter than comparable benches
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incline and decline abilities range from -10 to 75 degrees
- 845-lb load rating
- Rubber transport wheels
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Shipping not included in price
- Online exclusive
- Expensive
- Only offered in 1 color
Bottom Line
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench is a solid bench with a variety of positions to help you complete a variety of exercises in your home gym.
A Quick Look at the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench
Hammer Strength has been making strength training equipment since 1989, and much of their products can be found in more than 100,000 commercial gym facilities across the world. The Hammer Strength Multi-Adjustable Bench is a flat-incline-decline bench that comes with seven back rest positions and four seat adjustments.
Although it’s heavy-duty, this bench is lightweight at only 85 pounds but can still withstand up to 845 pounds, which is perfect for most home gym owners.
Our Tips
- Understand this bench has a maximum user weight capacity of 350 pounds, which is separate from its maximum training weight of 845 pounds.
Pros:
- Has incline and decline adjustments
- Durable and made with high-quality, USA-sourced materials
- Lightweight, at only 85 pounds
Cons:
- Expensive, at $739 (financing options are available)
- Pad gap may be annoying to some
- Back pad may be too short for taller lifters
Is the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench Worth It?
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench sells for $739, which makes it one of the more expensive weight benches on the market. Is it worth it? In a word, yes. It’s a well-built and highly-versatile piece of equipment that will last many years in your home gym, and if you’re worried about the price you should know there’s affordable financing options available.
But in a few more words, there are much better value weight benches out there that perform just as well, if not better than this one. Here’s who we think should splurge for the Hammer Strength bench, and who might be better off elsewhere.
Great for:
- Anyone who wants a solid, durable weight bench that will perform well for many years
- Lifters looking for a flat-incline-decline bench
- Those who prefer made-in-the-USA equipment
Not recommended for:
- Those on a budget
- Anyone looking for a bench with a minimal pad gap
- Taller lifters
Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench Specs
| Footprint | 52.5″ L x 22.2″ W x 18.5″ H |
| Pad dimensions | 32.7” L x 11.5” W |
| Weight | 85 lbs |
| Max user weight | 350 lbs |
| Max training weight | 845 lbs |
| Back rest angles | -10°, 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° |
| Seat positions | 0°, 10°, 20°, 30° |
| Adjustment style | Ladder |
| Color | Black |
| Construction | 11-gauge steel |
Let’s Get Hammered — Off Gains, Of Course
There’s a reason why so many fitness facilities have the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench and other Hammer Strength equipment in their gym—they’re high-quality and heavy-duty, plus have great versatility. I’ve used this bench for several bench press PRs, step-ups, dumbbell presses, and just about any other move that requires a weight bench. And even after being used by countless other people, the vinyl padding remains firm but comfortable, the powder coat stays smooth, and the frame is sturdy at every angle.
But writing a review based off my experience in a commercial gym would be like judging a car after it’s been driven around by someone else, so that’s why we had Garage Gym Reviews founder and weight bench aficionado Cooper Mitchell try out the bench in his home gym.
“It has all of the quality features of Hammer Strength, but is a bit lighter and more compact,” Coop says. This bench is about 30 pounds lighter than Hammer Strength’s other adjustable benches, and several hundred dollars cheaper.
One note is this bench is better suited for Coop’s 5-foot-9-inch frame than my 6-foot-3-inch stature. The back pad length is only 32.7 inches in length, and 11.5 inches in width. Myself, and other vertically-gifted online reviewers, have found ourselves a little cramped on this bench at times.
Back pad lengths vary greatly from brand-to-brand—for example, the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro has a 44-inch long back pad, and the REP Fitness AB-4100 has a 36-inch long back pad (flat benches can have pads as long as 50 inches), so you’ll want to do your research and find one that works for you.
Bench Height
The Hammer Strength Multi-Adjustable Bench is 18.5 inches in height, which makes it just half an inch taller than the International Powerlifting Federation standard for weight benches.
Even if you’re not practicing for a powerlifting meet, it’s usually a good idea to get an IPF-complaint bench because it allows most lifters to firmly plant their feet on the ground to get enough foot drive for their lift (though due to their construction, incline benches are always going to be a bit higher than flat benches).
That said, we don’t think most people will notice the half-inch difference on this bench.
Pad Gap
Every adjustable bench is going to have a pad gap, or a space in between the seat and back rest, when it’s in the flat position, unless we’re talking about the REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap, which has a special mechanism to eliminate that gap.
I can’t say how wide the pad gap is on the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench, but it’s significant. And Coop agrees with me. “When it’s flat, it’s annoying,” he says.
“Ten years ago, it would have been the standard but with so many benches featuring hardly any gap, I have become spoiled,” he adds. “For most, they wouldn’t notice it, but I would prefer it if it was smaller.”
Same, Coop. Same.
Footprint and Portability
At 52.5 inches in length and 22.2 inches in width, the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench is just around the average size for an adjustable weight bench.
There are two rubber transport wheels and a handle for easy portability, and since it only weighs 85 pounds, it should be easy for just about anyone to move around the home gym when needed.
But there’s one feature both Coop and I wish this bench had, especially considering its price point: A stand-up feature for better stowability. We wouldn’t recommend standing this up as is, as there’s a risk it might fall over.
Aesthetics
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench only comes in one color: Black. Don’t get us wrong, it looks nice, but so many companies these days are offering benches in multiple colors to help you match the look of your power rack.
Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench vs REP Fitness AB-3000 FID
Great Value FID Bench
REP AB-3000 FID Adjustable Bench
Product Highlights
- Flat, incline, and decline capabilities
- Portable with wheels and handle
- Maximum versatility
- Wide seat
- 1000 lbs limit
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The AB-3000 Adjustable Bench V3 by Rep Fitness is a 1,000 pound rated, adjustable bench, that includes a decline option for less than $300. To find an adjustable bench with a decline option at this price is a difficult task.
- When flat, the top of the pad is 17.5" high which is in line with the IPF powerlifting standard.
- While the bench is relatively heavy at 85 pounds, the handle and wheels make it easy to move when needed.
- 7 back pad adjustments from 85 degrees to -20 degrees and 3 seat pad adjustments.
- The pad is an excellent size at 2.5" thick and almost a foot wide. It provides comfort for even the biggest lifters along with the versatility to accommodate any size person.
- A solid steel frame with variable thickness.
- Great customer reviews. One reviewer states, "Probably the best adjustable bench for the price. It's durable and easily movable." This review is indicative of the mostly 5-star reviews this bench receives.
- You can achieve every bench angle that you need with just one machine.
- A 10-year frame warranty.
- Easy, 15-minute assembly.
Cons
- Only 1 decline position at -20 degrees, and some lifters would prefer the option to go down further than that.
- While the frame warranty is good, the cushion and pad warranty is almost nonexistent.
- It is not an American made product, which matters to some.
Bottom Line
The combination of price, quality, and versatility make the Rep AB-3000 FID Bench one of the best value buys for an adjustable bench. The ability to do decline movements also lifts the value of this bench and makes it very difficult to find something of this quality at this price. Although it is manufactured overseas, you still get a good frame warranty, especially for the starting price. The bench is also very comfortable and is a great addition to your garage or home gym. If you are looking for an adjustable bench at a great price, you don't really have to look any further.
I asked Coop if he thought the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench was a wise purchase, and this was his response: “I do think there are better value benches out there, but I don’t think this would be a waste of money or a bad choice.”
If you’re someone who’s focused on value but still wants a bench similar to Hammer Strength’s, we recommend the REP Fitness AB-3000 FID. It’s a flat-incline-decline bench that comes with 12 total adjustment positions (Hammer Strength’s has 11), a thick 2.5-inch pad, and the lone decline option is -20 degrees, which is deeper than Hammer Strength’s -10 degrees (we’re not sure how much that will matter to most people).
And you get all that for $319, more than half of what you’d pay for Hammer Strength (and you get free shipping). We will say REP’s benches aren’t nearly as durable as Hammer Strength’s, and this bench is not made in the USA.
Both are a great choice, it just depends how much money you’re willing to spend on a bench.
| Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench | REP AB-3000 FID | |
| Price | $739 | $319.99 |
| Footprint | 52.5″ L x 22.2″ W x 18.5″ H | 55.5” L x 26.4” W x 17.9” H |
| Pad dimensions | 32.7” L x 11.5” W | 36.6” L x 11.4” |
| Back pad angles | -10°, 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° | -20, 0, 20, 35, 50, 65, 85 |
| Seat pad angles | 0°, 10°, 20°, 30° | 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 |
Financing, Warranty, & Returns
Hammer Strength offers financing options for its adjustable weight bench, starting at $62 a month with Affirm. You can see if you qualify at checkout.
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench comes with a 10-year warranty for the frame, and 90 days for the upholstery.
You have 30 days from the date of delivery to return the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench for a full refund, minus a 20 percent restocking fee. To return an item, you must either call customer service at (800) 527-6065 (hit prompt 5, then prompt 2) or email consumerorders@lifefitness.com.
Ordering and Assembling the Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench ships mostly in one piece, and assembly is as simple as screwing in the rear frame into the main frame.
Customer Reviews
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench has a 4.9 average rating with seven reviews as of this writing, and hardly a negative thing said about it. The only complaint came from a reviewer who stated the pad width was a bit too narrow for their 5-foot-11.5-inch frame.
Final Verdict of Our Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench Review Review
The Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench is a tank, and if you’re thinking about getting it for your home gym, we think it’d be money well spent. Are there better values out there? Yes, but that doesn’t mean this is an unwise investment.
Again, if this bench can be used by hundreds of people a day (many of whom don’t care to look after it) and can still perform well, it will excel in your home gym.
Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench Rating
Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench
Our Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench Review looks at a piece of equipment you’ve probably seen in a commercial gym, and lets you know if it’s good for home.
Product Brand: Hammer Strength
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 739.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.83
Hammer Strength Adjustable Bench FAQs
Are adjustable benches worth it?
Absolutely! Adjustable benches provide great versatility, in that they can be used as a flat or incline bench (some even allow for decline benching), allowing lifters to hit muscle groups at just about every angle.
What should I look for in an adjustable weight bench?
When shopping for an adjustable weight bench, you should look to see how many angles it can be adjusted to, what the maximum weight capacity is, and how durable the bench is (i.e. what type of steel it’s made of). You can check out our best weight bench guide to find the pick that works best for you.
Is Hammer Strength a good brand?
Hammer Strength has been making products for home gyms and commercial facilities for decades, and their equipment is always highly durable and well worth the price they ask for.
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