REP Fitness Adjustable and Flat Bench Review

If you’re looking for a high-quality weight bench, we recommend looking at REP Fitness. Their flat and adjustable benches are so good that three of them appeared on our best weight benches roundup—more than any other company. 

Their benches are highly versatile, functional, and are offered at a great price point. But which REP bench is the best? Well, that’s what we’re here to talk about today. 

Our REP Fitness adjustable and flat bench review will look at every bench offered by REP so far, and let you know which ones we recommend for different home gym owners. 

Grab a seat and a protein shake; we have nine weight benches to look at today and we’ll give you an in-depth look into each. 

Dozens of Weight Benches Tested and Reviewed  

Not only has the Garage Gym Reviews team personally laid their backs on most of REP’s weight benches, but we’ve used countless others from brands like Rogue Fitness, Titan Fitness, and even Amazon. We do this to compare how a bench stacks up to the competition, and whether you should spend your money on a specific model or look elsewhere. 

And as certified personal trainers, weightlifting coaches, and competitive athletes, we know how something as integral as a weight bench can affect your training. That goes for whether you’re a weekend warrior just looking to bench crazy amounts of weight in your home gym, or a powerlifter preparing for their next meet. 

Video Review

REP Fitness Flat Benches Spec Comparisons 

REP Fitness Adjustable Benches Spec Comparisons 

REP Fitness FB-3000 

Amazing Value

REP FB-3000 Flat Bench

Check Price

Product Highlights

Rep FB-3000 Flat BenchThe Rep Fitness flat bench is exactly what you need to put in your bench work. Heavy-duty 11 gauge steel allows this bench to handle 1,000 lbs without a problem with rock solid stability.

Pros & Cons

Bottom Line

The REP Fitness FB-3000 may be a basic flat weight bench, but in our opinion, it provides much more value to a home gym owner than some benches twice its cost. It was designed to meet all IPF regulations for benches used at powerlifting meets, has a grippy vinyl that will keep any lifter in place, and is made with 11-gauge steel to make it incredibly stable. 

Because of the high-quality construction, four-post design, and rubber feet, we believe the listed 700-pound weight capacity is probably an underestimate on REP’s part. Seriously, this thing is pretty heavy-duty for a bench that only weighs 40 pounds. 

Although this thing is designed to work for powerlifters, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for them. The four-post design, while great for stability, doesn’t allow lifters to get their feet under the bench to get ample foot drive on their lifts. On the other hand, it’s great for step-ups and box squats. 

Another reason we wouldn’t make this our first pick for ridiculously strong lifters is that the padding isn’t the firmest, but you wouldn’t expect that from a budget-friendly bench. 

At the end of the day, if you just need a basic flat weight bench, you can’t do much better than this. 

Check out our full REP Fitness FB-3000 review for more thoughts on this bench. 

REP Fitness FB-4000

For Competitive Lifters

REP FB-4000 Comp Lite Bench

Check Price

Product Highlights

The cousin to beefier FB-5000, the FB-4000 has a more compact and lighter design for those who want a 3-post design, but aren’t planning on moving serious weight.

• SUPPORTS PROPER FORM: Tripod design allows athletes to use proper positioning of the feet, and arch the back to push up serious weight with proper form.

Pros & Cons

Bottom Line

The REP Fitness FB-4000 is a competition-style bench for people who want to nail down proper bench pressing form, but don’t plan on moving two-and-a-half times their bodyweight. It’s sturdy, meets all IPF standards, has a three-post design that lets you get your legs under the bench, and is made with durable materials to keep it stable.

But, as with most REP benches, the padding isn’t solid enough for really heavy lifters who regularly load 500 pounds onto their barbell. And if you’re regularly going for that much weight, we’ll assume you’re probably too wide for the 12-inch pad width. REP does have a bench for that type of lifter, which we’ll get to in a second. 

With all that said, this bench is incredibly popular among home gym owners. Not only does it have more than 150 five-star reviews, it frequently sells out so if you see it available and are considering buying it, don’t wait long. 

Another great advantage of this bench is it can be safely stored upright without any fear of it falling over, so it’s a great pick for anyone working out in a compact space. It also comes with rubber feet to protect your floors, and transport wheels for easy maneuvering around your home gym. 

REP Fitness FB-5000

The Big One

REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench

GGR Score: 4.7

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Great price on a high-quality bench
• Compatible with REP Wide Pad or Thompson Fat Pad
• 3″ x 3″ 11-gauge steel provides solid construction

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great price for a good value bench
• 3” x 3” 11-gauge steel
• Sturdy 3-post bench
• Nothing in the way of your feet when you bench
• Rated to 1,000 pounds
• Meets the IPF specs for length, height, and width
• Comes with a 4” thick pad on a plywood base with durable vinyl upholstery and the option to purchase an extra wide pad
• Comes with a handle and wheels
• Compatibility with 2 other bench pads including the extra wide and the Thompson Fat Pad
• Easily assembled in less than 20 minutes.
• Available in multiple colors and designs.

Cons

• Shipping not included in price
• Short manufacturer’s warranty
• Some assembly required
• 30-day return period and restocking fee applied to returns

Bottom Line

The Rep FB-5000 Flat Bench is the best value flat bench we've tested and reviewed. It offers an incredible combination of price and quality that many companies have overlooked for some time. With over 250 customer reviews, there is not 1 under 4 stars and most of those are for less than minor complaints. If you need a flat bench, this is the one we suggest. You could pay more, but it would still probably not be as good. Seriously.

If you’re someone who looks forward to chest day with the same anticipation as a kid waiting for Christmas, the REP Fitness FB-5000 is for you. On its own it’s a great weight bench, featuring a 3-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel frame and 7-gauge connecting plates. In other words, it’s stable and will hold up to anything you put it through. 

We love that it has the tripod design to allow for proper foot placement, a four-inch thick pad made of high-density foam, and the 1,000-pound weight capacity. We’re not only confident it’d work for every home gym owner out there, but we’d also be comfortable having some of the world’s strongest men try their bench press on this thing. 

What really separates this bench from the competition, however, are the pad options. For only $30 extra, you can upgrade to a wide pad option that’s 13.75 inches in width (the standard is 12 inches). If you really want to go big, the bench is also compatible with the Rogue Thompson Fat Pad, which is one of the best bench pads for big lifters (and we mean big). 

Is the FB-5000 the best powerlifting bench on the market? No, but for under $250 (for the standard pad) it’s a much better value than benches from Rogue and it performs just as well. Our one major callout is that the vinyl isn’t cut as tightly as we would like, but again we’re willing to overlook that because of the great price point.

Our REP Fitness FB-5000 review has more details on this weight bench.  

REP Fitness AB-3000 FID

Get Down

REP AB-3000 FID Adjustable Bench

Check Price

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.

There are very few weight benches that have a 1,000-pound weight capacity, full adjustment capabilities (including a decline option), and a solid steel frame all for under $350. 

But, the REP Fitness AB-3000 FID adjustable bench does exactly just that. Seriously, if you wanted another bench that could do everything this one does, you’ll probably end up paying close to double the cost. And in the case of the Rogue AB-3 adjustable bench, that ends up being three times the cost of REP’s. 

The AB-3000 is a perfect example of what REP does best, which is to make great-value products that perform almost as well as much more expensive options. They’re never the most high-end, but most home gym owners simply don’t need something as premium as a Rogue bench. 

There are very few things not to like about this bench, but if we had to pick one major one, it’d be that the leg pads used during decline benching aren’t the most comfortable, especially if you’re doing something like sit-ups. You’ll be fine using it, and we don’t think it’ll cause anyone major pain, but it’s not of the quality of a higher-end decline bench. 

Oh, and while it is technically a decline bench, you only get one decline position (-20 degrees). But, it’s still nice that it even has that. 

REP Fitness AB-3100 

Great Value

REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Affordable
• Easy assembly
• Narrow seat
• 6 adjustable back positions
• Three-post design for no interference

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rated for 1,000 lbs rated,
• Affordable at less than $200
• 17” height
• 3 seat pad adjustments from flat to incline
• 6 back pad adjustments from flat to 85 degrees
• 2.5” pad thickness
• Matte black powder coating
• Small, 2-inch gap between the seat and back pad
• 11.5 inch pad width
• Quick and easy assembly
• 10-year frame warranty that

Cons

• Fairly large footprint
• Only locks when the bench is horizontal
• Wide, circular, steel feet with no rubber padding
• No decline option
• May not work for many larger users

Bottom Line

If you are looking for an adjustable bench and do not need a decline option and cannot pay close to $1,000, then the Rep Fitness AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3 is one we'd suggest. It is made overseas and comes with a 10-year frame warranty and high quality steel construction. It can adjust to six positions and is rated to 1,000 pounds. For the price, you may not find a better or higher quality adjustable bench.

On a budget but still need an adjustable weight bench that can support all your training needs? Go for the REP Fitness AB-3100. Now yes, there are adjustable benches that are less expensive than this, but we think this is a case where your investment will pay off. 

You get a three-post design for proper bench press form, meets all IPF standards, 9 total adjustment positions (six back pad adjustments and three seat positions), 4-gauge steel construction on parts of the bench, and a 10-year warranty on the frame. All that for under $300? Sign us up. 

The 700-pound weight capacity is more than enough for most home gym owners, but many reviewers have said it’s capable of holding up to more than that. 

One of the only things we would’ve changed about this bench are the feet, which are steel instead of rubber. We understand that opting for a budget bench means giving up some luxury, but it feels weird that this is where REP would cut costs. 

It does come with transport wheels to help you maneuver it around the home gym, but we’d still be careful unless you have some type of protective flooring in your workout space. 

REP Fitness AB-4100 

Lightweight

REP AB-4100 Adjustable Bench

Check Price

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.

The REP Fitness AB-4100 is like a little sibling who comes along and outshines their older brother or sister. In fact, that’s exactly what happened when it replaced the REP Fitness AB-5200 as our go-to choice for the best adjustable bench for most home gym owners.

It was able to do that because it has the same number of adjustment positions as the AB-5200 (seven back adjustments and three seat adjustments), and is actually better than the more expensive bench in a couple of ways. One of the big ways is that it has a smaller pad gap, at 1.57 inches (the 5200 has a 1.8-inch gap). It’s also 40 pounds lighter, and unlike the older sibling, meets IPF standards for weight benches. 

But for taller lifters, this might not be the best pick. The pad length is 51.3 inches, which is most likely fine for most home gym trainees. But, for people like GGR product tester Anthony O’Reilly, who’s 6-feet, 3-inches, it may be a little short. 

And if you’re someone who’s looking for high-quality materials all over your bench, this isn’t for you either. The adjustment knobs and transport handle feel unnecessarily cheap, but that’s not too much of a surprise given the price point.  

Want to learn more? Check out our full REP Fitness AB-4100 review. 

REP Fitness AB-5100 

Most Versatile

REP AB-5100 Adjustable Bench

Check Price

Product Highlights

Simple, stable and strong as an ox, the AB-5100 version is perfect for commercial gyms that just need a heavy duty adjustable bench, or someone who wants the best for their garage gym. Commercial grade features include an 11 gauge steel frame, high end metallic and hammertone color paint finishes, rock solid stability, thick vinyl and padding, laser cut numbers, and more.

Pros & Cons

Bottom Line

As it is, the REP Fitness AB-5100 is one of the most versatile weight benches at its price point. With 12 different adjustment options (seven for the back pad and five for the seat), and a secure pop-pin adjustment system (as opposed to the ladder-style adjustment you see on most REP benches), you’re getting quite a lot of bang for your buck. 

Yes, the $500 cost might be a little hard for some to justify, but as with most of REP’s benches you’d have to pay much more to get a bench with similar functionality. 

And for an additional $110, you can purchase REP’s leg roller attachment to turn this bench into a flat-incline-decline bench to increase its value. 

The tripod design and 11-gauge steel construction make this a rock-solid bench, and the 1,000-pound weight capacity gives us peace of mind that every home gym owner could use this bench for many years to come. 

Just about every adjustable bench has a pad gap between the back pad and seat, but the AB-5100 has an especially large one at around three inches (according to customer reviews). That might not be the biggest problem for some lifters, but it’s something to be aware of.  

There’s also been complaints about missing parts, but customers have said REP solves those problems quickly. 

REP Fitness AB-5200

A Heavy-Duty Bench

REP AB-5200 FI Adjustable Bench

GGR Score: 4.4

Check Price

Product Highlights

Our beefiest adjustable bench ever made, and chock-full of design details that improve typical limitations found on other benches.When it comes to durability and portability, this utility bench offers comfort under any load.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The Rep AB-5200 Adjustable Bench is, in our opinion, the best adjustable bench that Rep Fitness currently sells.
• The bench height from the floor to the top of the pad when completely flat is 17.75" which is pretty great for an incline bench with a ladder style.
• The bench is made of both 11 and 7 gauge steel through the 2"x3" frame.
• 1,000 LB capacity, although we'd guess it could handle much more.
• There are 7 adjustable back angles and 3 seat pad angles that are quick to change thanks to the ladder-style adjustment system.
• All logos are laser cut out of stainless steel, something we've been asking for, for years.
• The bench can be stored upright when not in use which is similar to one of our favorite benches, the Sorinex 0-90 NP3 Adjustable Bench that costs more than double what the AB-5200 does.
• The vinyl on used on the bench is Rep's signature grippy vinyl that can be seen on the home gym favorite Rep FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench.
• There are wheels and handles on the bench that makes it easy to maneuver.
• The AB-5200 is very stable when using flat or at an angle.

Cons

• Although this is a great value bench, it's still more than some would want to pay for an adjustable bench. This said, if you spend much less, the quality differences will be dramatic.

Bottom Line

The Rep AB-5200 Adjustable Bench is one of the best incline benches on the market. In our tests and reviews, we've found it to meet most of our spec requests, and it's priced very competitively for the features available. If you're in the market for an adjustable bench to add to your garage gym, or even a commercial gym (we use ours in one) then this is a bench we highly recommend.

The REP Fitness AB-5200 was our go-to choice for an adjustable weight bench, until the AB-4100 came along. But, there are still many reasons why home gym owners should consider it. 

For one, the materials are much nicer than its younger brother, especially when it comes to the extra-grippy vinyl (seriously, you’re not moving an inch no matter how heavy you lift) and use of 7- and 11-gauge steel throughout the bench. Yes, it has a slightly larger pad gap of around 2 inches, but that’s about the standard for most adjustable weight benches anyway. 

For those in smaller garage gyms, the AB-5200 can also be safely stored upright when not in use. It does weigh 125 pounds, which is quite hefty, but the transport wheels and oversized handle should allow anyone to easily move it when needed. 

We’ve often compared this bench to the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0, which in our opinion is one of Rogue’s best weight benches. Yeah, REP’s bench is so good that it deserves to be put in the same sphere as a Rogue bench. Is Rogue’s a little nicer? Yes, but the REP bench feels just as good in use and costs $100 less (with free shipping, too!) 

Check out our full REP AB-5200 review for more information. 

REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap

Gap Be Gone

REP AB-5000 ZERO GAP Adjustable Bench

Check Price

Product Highlights

• 11 gauge steel frame with a 1,000 lb capacity
• 7 back pad adjustments and 4 seat pad adjustments
• 12″ back pad width
• Unique pop-pin and bearing system adjustment for zero gap between seat and back pad
• Urethane grip handle and wheels for easy maneuverability
• Simple 20 minute assembly

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Patented slide system to create no gap between seat and back pad
• Low height at 17.5" when bench is flat
• Quality vinyl covering
• 11-gauge steel
• 7 back pad adjustments and 4 seat adjustments
• Urethane handle and wheels make it easy to maneuver
• Supports up to 1,000 lbs
• Simple assembly
• Declines and with optional leg roller attachment, can be used for decline sit-ups

Cons

• Heavy
• Lots of moving parts can cause issues in time
• More expensive for benches

Bottom Line

The Rep Fitness AB-5000 ZERO GAP Adjustable Bench is one of the best value FID benches we've ever reviewed. There are a ton of unique features like the patented ZERO GAP seat design, grippy vinyl, and the ability to do decline movements. Although we prefer the Rep AB-5200, it's not by a significant amount. This is a great bench and one we recommend to our readers who like the ability to close the bench gap and can afford the price point.

Remember when we said “Just about every adjustable bench has a pad gap?” Well, the REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap is the exception to that rule, and it’s one of the most innovative weight benches out there. 

Using a special mechanism located by the seat, you can eliminate the pad gap for full connection between the seat and back. Now, does anyone need this? No; but man, if you have the budget for it, it’s a nice thing to have. 

If that’s not enough, the AB-5000 has a 1,000-pound weight capacity, 12 total adjustment positions (seven for the back and five for the seat), and with the optional leg roller attachment can be turned into a decline bench. 

Is all that worth the $600 price tag? If benching with a pad gap really annoys you, then yes. Otherwise this is really more of a want than a need, but it’s a nice way to treat yourself.  

This bench’s blessing is a bit of a curse, as to slide the seat and get rid of the gap you have to loosen and tighten a screw pin that can be a bit of a pain to adjust. If you’re not someone who rushes through their workouts that won’t be too big of a problem, but it does add a few seconds to your training session each time you have to use it. 

Read our REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap adjustable bench in-depth review for our full thoughts. 

Which REP Fitness Weight Bench Should You Buy? 

To pick just one REP Fitness weight bench would be difficult, as there are advantages to flat and adjustable weight benches. 

A flat weight bench is great for people looking for a stable pressing platform, or to use for step-ups. They can also be placed on top of a platform or weight plates to be used for seal rows as well. They also tend to be more budget-friendly than adjustable benches. 

Adjustable weight benches, on the other hand, have more versatility because they can help you target muscles at different angles. They also provide back support during shoulder presses, something you can’t get from a flat weight bench. 

If you’re looking for a flat weight bench, go for the REP Fitness FB-5000. The extra pad options make it great for any type of lifter, and you won’t find a stronger weight bench for under $250. 

For those who want an adjustable option, the REP Fitness AB-4100 is our pick. It’s a great value, has 10 different adjustment options, and a minimal pad gap. 

Returns, Financing, Warranty

REP Fitness allows you to return any unused product for a full refund within 30 days of delivery, but you must contact the company to have it authorized first. Used products can also be returned, but there’s a 15 percent restocking fee taken out of your refund. 

Financing plans are available for all REP products at checkout. 

REP’s weight benches come with a 10-year warranty for the frame, and only one year for the pads. 

Customer Reviews 

REP Fitness FB-3000

The REP Fitness FB-3000 has a 4.9 average rating with more than 160 reviews, with the lowest rating being a lone three-star review. Most customers were impressed with the value this bench offers. 

The three-star rating complained of the bench’s width, which is just shy of 12 inches.

REP Fitness FB-4000

The REP Fitness FB-4000 only has four- and five-star ratings, and an average rating of 4.9. 

The only complaints dealt with the stiffness of the pads.

REP Fitness FB-5000

With only six reviews in, the REP Fitness FB-5000 has a perfect five-star rating.

REP Fitness AB-3000 FID

The REP Fitness AB-3000 FID bench has close to 500 reviews, and still maintains a 4.9 rating.

There were some complaints about the bench having some wobble, especially at the seat.

REP Fitness AB-3100

Reviewers love the REP Fitness AB-3100, as its lowest ratings are two three-star reviews. Still, it has a 4.9 rating with almost 300 ratings.

The two three-star ratings mentioned some rockiness on the bench.

REP Fitness AB-4100 

We’re not the only ones crazy about the REP Fitness AB-4100, as all of its 15 ratings were five stars.

REP Fitness AB-5100

We’re starting to see a trend here, as the REP Fitness AB-5100 has a 4.9 rating (there are a little more than 50 ratings at this time). All are four or five stars.

Even though there were some complaints about the pad gap and missing parts, everyone who left a review still loved this bench.

REP Fitness AB-5200

It’s rare that a product can have more than 120 reviews, and all of them be five stars. But the REP Fitness AB-5200 did just that.

REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap 

The REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap has a, say it with us, 4.9 rating!

While people loved the zero gap mechanism, there were some frustrations on how difficult it can be to use it at times.

Final Verdict Of Our REP Fitness Weight Benches Review

Certain companies reign when it comes to specific pieces of equipment, and when it comes to weight benches, REP Fitness certainly sits high on the throne. Even their higher-end benches end up being more budget-friendly than other companies, and can still withstand intense training and heavy amounts of weight. 

REP Fitness Adjustable and Flat Bench Review FAQs

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT, CNC

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

Further reading

Freak Athlete Nordic Curl Review (2024): Mini Nordic Board, Massive Results

by Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1

Need a budget friendly curl board with a small footprint? Learn about the space-saving Nordic Mini in our Freak Athlete Nordic Curl review. Read more

AFG Sport 3.5AT Treadmill Review (2024)

by Roger Lockridge

Learn all about this discontinued treadmill model with our AFG Sport 3.5AT Treadmill review. Read more

Nutrition Coaches Answer: Should You Mix Your Protein Shake with Milk or Water?

by Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC

Nutrition coaches explain exactly how to decide whether you should mix your next protein shake with milk or water. Read more

Kabuki Strength ShouldeRok In-Depth Review

by Cooper Mitchell, GGR Founder

The ShouldeRok from Kabuki Strength and Chris Duffin is a loadable mace that can be used for swings as well as some other movements. After using the ShouldeRok for over 2 years, we still confidently recommend the ShouldeRok for increasing shoulder mobility and strength. Read more