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REP Fitness is making, by and large, some of the best value benches on the market. In other words, their benches cost less than something like the Rogue Fitness Adjustable Bench 3.0, but still deliver similar quality. For example, the REP Fitness AB-5200 is $200 less than Rogue’s, but delivers equally when it comes to functionality.
Our REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench review will show you exactly how REP is continuing that trend. This bench costs $300 less than Rogue’s, which may be of a higher quality when it comes to things like the powdercoat and vinyl gripping, but REP’s will still serve most home gym owners well in the area where it counts most.
But will it also endanger its bigger brother? Read on to find out our thoughts on that.
Hands-on Testing from Industry Pros
I’ve been using weight benches in my garage gym, as well as other gyms, for more than half of my life at this point so it’s safe to say I know a little about the topic. (Garage Gym Reviews writer Anthony here: He’s not kidding. Nobody can spit out random weight bench topics like Coop). We’ve also written about benches extensively, including a roundup of the best weight benches of 2023.
With that experience, I can tell you how a specific weight bench compares to the competition so you can make the most informed decisions for your home gym. Whether you’re looking for a flat bench or an adjustable one, you can count on us to give you all the details so you can click “Add to Cart” with full peace of mind.
The Best Value Weight Bench
REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench
Product Highlights
- Budget-friendly adjustable weight bench
- 7 back pad adjustments
- 3 seat adjustments
- Affordably priced
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Meets IPF standards for weight benches (on an adjustable bench. Not typical!)
- Same number of adjustments as the REP AB-5200
- Sells for just under $400, a great price for a quality weight bench
- Seven different color options
Cons
- Back pad is a little shorter than the AB-5200
- Doesn’t have a decline option
- Nit-picky here, but the knobs feel unnecessarily cheap
Bottom Line
An affordable, lightweight, and heavy-duty adjustable weight bench perfect for most home gym owners.
A Quick Look at the REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench
The REP AB-5200 has been one of my go-to answers anytime someone asks me which adjustable bench they should pick for their home gym. I now think the REP AB-4100 has the honor of being that bench. Yup, I said it.
And that’s coming from someone who didn’t expect to like this bench much at all. It’s not wrong to say this is just a cheaper version of the AB-5200—only by $100, but still that’s not chump change—and in some ways it actually improves on its more expensive sibling. There’s a smaller pad gap, it meets International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) standards for weight benches, and it’s 40 pounds lighter.
And outside of a longer back pad, higher-quality steel, and nicer powdercoat and knobs, there’s really not much the AB-5200 offers that you can’t find in the AB-4100. They have the same number of back pad adjustments and seat positions, the same quality of vinyl, and should handle just about anything you throw at them (the AB-5200 technically has a larger weight rating, but I think the AB-4100 is stable enough to handle most weights).
Coop’s Tips
- This bench is lightweight, yet stable; great combo of features
- Don’t buy this if you absolutely need a decline option
Pros:
- Meets IPF standards for weight benches (on an adjustable bench. Not typical!)
- Same number of adjustments as the REP AB-5200
- Sells for just under $400, a great price for a quality weight bench
- Seven different color options
Cons:
- Back pad is a little shorter than the AB-5200
- Doesn’t have a decline option
- Nit-picky here, but the knobs feel unnecessarily cheap
Is the REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench Worth It?
In case I haven’t made it clear, yes, I think the REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench is worth the $400 price tag. You’re sacrificing some quality when it comes to the steel, powdercoat, and vinyl compared to much more expensive benches, but in terms of functionality, this bench can do just about anything, with the exception of decline.
Now I’m not sure how big of a problem that is for most home gym owners out there, which is why I recommend this for most home gym owners. If you absolutely need a decline, I’d say go for the REP AB-3000 FID Bench, and if you just want a high-quality bench, then I’d recommend the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0.
Great for:
- Anyone looking for a budget-friendly, yet heavy-duty weight bench
- Lifters who need a wide range of adjustment options
- People looking for a space-saving weight bench for their garage gym
Not recommended for:
- Trainees who need a decline option
- Anyone who wants the best of the best
REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench Specs
| Footprint | 51.3” L x 20.3” W x 17” H |
| Weight | 85 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 700 lbs |
| Construction | 7- & 14-gauge steel |
| Pad Gap | 1.57” |
| Back Pad Length | 36” |
| Pad Width | 12” |
| Seat Pad Length | 13” |
| Back Pad Adjustments | 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 85 |
| Seat Pad Adjustments | 0, 10, 20 |
| Warranty | 10 years on steel frame, 30 days on upholstery |
Workout Experience With the REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench
It’s ironic that the REP AB-4100 is less expensive than the REP AB-5200, because in many ways I think it’s a better weight bench. The first is that it has a 17-inch height, compared to the AB-5200’s 18-inch height, which is in accordance with IPF standards for weight benches.
Even if you’re not into competitive weightlifting, this 1-inch height differential makes a bigger impact than you might think. With the bench closer to the ground, it makes it more likely that even the most vertically challenged lifters will be able to plant their feet on the ground for maximum leg drive. The more leg drive, the more power in our pressing movements, and thus more strength and gains (which may not be the only reason we workout…but it doesn’t hurt, either).
It also comes with a pad gap of just 1.57 inches, compared to 2 inches on the AB-5200 (I’ll expand on the pad gap in the next section).
The 40-pound weight difference between the two is also an incredible plus. The AB-4100 is easy to pick up and move around with just one hand, which makes moving it during workouts so much easier than dragging around the 125-pound AB-5200.
Technically, the two have different weight ratings, the AB-4100 being rated at 700 pounds and the AB-5200 clocking in at 1,000 pounds. Here’s the thing: I’m fairly confident the AB-4100 can hold much more weight.
The reason I say that is because of the bench’s tripod design, or a short leg in the front with a wider leg in the back. That back leg helps keep the bench very stable no matter how much you’re pressing. It’s made with 7-gauge steel in some parts and 14-gauge in others (the lower the number, the thicker the steel). The AB-5200 has 7- and 11-gauge steel throughout its bench, but I don’t think this is going to make too much of a difference.
The vinyl is just as grippy as it is on the AB-5200, which is to say it’s good and you won’t find yourself wobbling on it, but it’s not the best. The foam padding underneath is good but a little too firm for my personal taste.
It’s a ladder system adjustment, so it only takes one hand to change the back pad or seat pad angle. The only thing I don’t like is the knobs on the adjustment feel cheap, but that’s such a minor detail that I don’t think it will bother most people (it bothers me, though).
Pad Gap
Most adjustable weight benches will have somewhat of a pad gap, which is the gap between the back pad and seat when in the flat position. The REP AB-4100’s gap is 1.57 inches, which is fantastic for an adjustable weight bench. The only bench I’m aware of that has zero gap is the appropriately-named REP AB-5000 Zero Gap Adjustable Bench, which has a special adjustment to eliminate any separation between the back and seat.
I’m not personally that bothered by the minimal gap on the AB-4100, and I don’t think the Zero Gap is anything that people need—it’s more of a want, and if we’re willing to pay the extra money, it’s worth it to have that convenience you so desire.
Footprint and Portability
The REP AB-4100’s footprint is 51.3 inches long by 20.3 inches wide by 17 inches high. That’s a little shorter than its big brother, but unless you’re super tall, I think you’ll be fine going for the AB-4100. That and the 40-pound weight difference help to make this bench compact and portable, which is always a win no matter how much space you have for a garage gym.
REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench vs. Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0
Rogue’s Best Bench
Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0
Product Highlights
- Made in the USA
- 10 back pad adjustments
- 3 seat positions
- Little gap
- Great pad
- 3×3 11-gauge steel construction
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A lot of adjustment options for a ladder-style bench
- There’s barely a pad gap at most angles, and sometimes there’s none
- Very stable and portable
- Made in the USA
- Heavy duty and made to last
Cons
- All the parts are in separate boxes, so assembly can take a while
- Other benches, though maybe not quite as good, may provide a better value
- Not an FID bench as there is no decline position
Bottom Line
The Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 is one of the brand's best benches to date. Yes, its price tag is a little steep, but if you have the money, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
There’s a $200 price difference between the REP AB-4100 and the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0, which you could spend on a barbell or a few dumbbells. When it comes to which of the two I’d recommend, I think it comes down to a style of preference.
Both perform equally well in terms of functionality, but Rogue’s has a little more finesse. It’s made with stainless steel, has better padding and vinyl covering, and also comes in different color options. You get three more back positions on Rogue’s than you do with REP’s, and the same number of seat settings.
Both don’t come with a decline option, but they’re still a great incline bench when you need that. At the end of the day, I think if you’re going for build quality then Rogue is the bench for you, but if you’re simply looking for a great bench to help you on your strength training journey, REP will serve you just fine.
Customer Experience
Got questions for REP Fitness? You can reach them through email, phone, or social media, and if you live near Denver or Carlisle, PA, you can visit their warehouses (but you need to make an appointment first).
Warranty, Returns, and Financing
REP offers a 10-year warranty on their bench’s frames and 30 days on upholstery. You have 30 days to return it from the time it reaches your house, and it must be in its original packaging.
If you wish to finance your purchase, you can do so by creating a REP account and applying for a payment plan that works for you.
Ordering and Assembling the REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench
As with all of REP Fitness’s products, the REP AB-4100 adjustable bench comes with free shipping. When you get it, assembling it is pretty easy: You simply bolt four different components into the bench’s body. Our Operations Manager Sam “AsSAMBLY” Presley called it one of the easiest assemblies we’ve done on any piece of home gym equipment.
Customer Reviews
As of this writing, the REP AB-4100 has a 4.3 average rating with only 6 reviews—five are 5-star reviews, and one is 1-star. The 5-star reviewers raved about the bench’s stability and versatility.
The lone negative review complained of instability and a lack of knurling on the handle (which would be nice but I can personally live just fine without it).
Final Verdict of Our REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench Review
I’m frankly surprised by how much I like the REP AB-4100 adjustable bench, and it’s earned a top spot for adjustable benches I recommend for most home gym owners. Not only is it an affordable price, but it offers all the features a quality weight bench should have, improves on some of REP’s more expensive offerings, and is compact.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this bench to anyone who wants an adjustable bench that is lightweight, yet stable. I’m a big fan.
REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench Rating
REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench
In this REP AB-4100 adjustable bench review, we look at one of the best values for a weight bench on the market today.
Product Brand: REP
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 399.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.16
REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench FAQs
What is the weight capacity of the REP AB-4100 adjustable bench?
The listed weight capacity is 700 pounds, but we’re confident this bench is stable enough to hold up to 1,000 pounds.
What are the dimensions of the REP AB-4100?
The REP AB-4100’s footprint is 51.3 inches long by 20.3 inches wide by 17 inches high.
Is the REP AB-4100 good for powerlifting?
The REP AB-4100 can be used for any type of strength training, whether that be CrossFit, powerlifting, weightlifting, or even bodyweight training.
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