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The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is the best flat weight bench that Rogue Fitness sells, but not the one we most recommend. We believe this bench is incredibly sturdy, overbuilt, and strong, however, we do believe there are better value options available. We do recommend the Monster Utility Bench 2.0, but only to those with deep pockets and a desire for things that are Made in the USA and top of the line.
Rogue
Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0
Product Highlights
- 3×3” 11 gauge steel
- Single column front foot
- Front handle and rear wheels for portability
- Safe upright storage
- Rubber feet for added stability
- Available in standard or shorty height
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beefy and stable flat bench
- 11-gauge, 3" x 3" steel
- Shorty and tall versions
- Post instead of feet on the front
- Back feet have rubber caps for stability
- Designed to stand on a plastic cap for easy storage
- Wheels and handle for portability
- Powder-coated to prevent corrosion
- Lightweight but durable
Cons
- Textured powder coat may show scuffs and chalk easier
- Handle isn’t knurled
- Wobbles in vertical stored position
- Frame doesn't extend all the way to the end of the Fat Pad
- No washers included with the bench
Bottom Line
The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is one of the best flat benches we've reviewed. For under $350, you're getting a sturdy and customizable bench made from U.S. steel and three bench height and two pad type options (standard and fat pad). "This is the most stable or one of the most stable flat benches I’ve ever used,” says Coop Mitchell, founder of Garage Gym Reviews and a home gym equipment expert.
Rogue went back to the drawing board when creating the Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0. The original Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is a good bench, but it is absolutely overbuilt, and not in a good way. It didn’t have wheels or a handle, it had two MONSTER (makes sense why they named it as such) feet and was just grossly oversized. In addition, if you put the best selling bench top of all time, the Rogue Thompson Fat Pad on top, it became way too tall for most people. With this latest update, the new Monster Utility Bench is much sleeker, easy to maneuver, has two options for height and is truly a great bench. The problem is, there are many other great benches at much lower price points like the REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench that make it difficult for us to recommend it to most people.
Video Review
Written Review
One of the most popular benches of all time and one of the ones that we recommend the most is the Rep Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench which is an amazing bench for the money. I think Rogue saw the popularity of that bench and decided, hey, we need to upgrade our Monster Utility bench and create the Monster Utility 2.0. It’s got a Thompson Fat Pad and is one of the beefiest benches I’ve ever used. However, is it one of the best benches I’ve ever used? Let’s find out.
Rogue has a Monster Utility Bench 1.0, I’ve used it quite a bit, but I don’t love it. One reason I don’t love it, is because it’s got these crazy big feet that are on the bottom here. The 1.0 has them on the top too. So, it’s just overbuilt and in all honesty, quite cumbersome. It just gets in the way and nobody really needs a flat bench for pressing that big.
So what Rogue did was they went back to the drawing board. They looked at what was popular, they looked at what people were commenting and leaving reviews on, and they redesigned it. And the way they redesigned it is one, they made this option that stands up. Now, one thing I want to point out on the standup option, it’s not that secure. I’ve got a Rogue Thompson Fat Pad on mine and let’s say you’re walking in the gym and you just go by it, it teeters and totters making you worried it’s going to fall over. It’s just not that secure. I don’t know if it’s because it’s so big or what, but the stopper is supposed to be the thing that’s on the ground and it is on the ground. But because the pad is so thick and there’s not enough weight, it’s just kind of wobbles.
Just wanted to make that clear from the beginning, that said this is the most stable or one of the most stable flat benches I’ve ever used. And it should be because it’s absolutely overbuilt and quite pricey, like many things Rogue makes. It uses 3″x3″ steel all throughout the bench, including the frame and the cross member and the legs. That’s 11 gauge steel which is the same steel as what’s on a Rogue Monster Rack. What this translates to is being able to put as much weight on it as you’d like. No matter if you’re benching or doing some other sort of strength training, the bench won’t budge.
The most significant feature of the bench, and one that copies the FB-5000 as well as many benches before it is they too away the front feet and made it a single post. The reason behind the post is so you can get your legs up and under the bench. This is really designed for powerlifting, so if you’re a powerlifter and you like to arch in the bench and stick your feet under so you can press up, um, that’s what this is designed for. I prefer the post design andI think it’s the right design.
When we initially posted this on Instagram, a lot of people said, Oh, Rogue is just copying Rep. Well, I hate to break it to you, but at the end of the day it’s just a flat bench. There’s only so much you can do with it. And, that’s really about the only way I can think of improving it. There are some details I could see that would be improved, but functionally every bench that’s going to come out is going to have something like this three-post design because it’s a great idea. It’s what is used on combo benches as well as many other types.
The great benefit is that a three-post bench can be just as secure and stable as a four-post, but less cumbersome. So I really liked the design. Another update from Rogue is that they made a Shorty Version designed for a Thompson Fat Pad or their Competition Fat Pad. This allows the bench to sit 17 inches from the floor to the top of the Thompson Fat Pad. They have another tall version that 17 inches with a thin pad, but because I like my pads fat and I like Donnie Thompson, kind of, I wanted 17 inches to the top, so I purchased a short frame.
The reason a Fat Pad is nice is that it allows your scapula to move and feel sunk into the bench; it’s very comfortable. It does feel weird when you first use it, especially if you’re not huge, but you eventually get used to it.
Now, this is the Monster bench, which means it’s Rogue top the line, creme de LA creme best bench, best offering they have, however they’re using the same textured powder coat they use on the infinity line. I don’t get why you would use texture powder coat on this when you could use gloss black or other colors. Now when we posted that on Instagram, the owner of Rogue, Bill Henniger said in the comment section that this is just the initial version (and he was right, because they sent us an updated version, however, it hasn’t been released yet.)
Now would I recommend the Rogue Monster Bench 2.0? Definitely, I’d still recommend it. It’s a great bench. But, would I recommend it over the Rep FB-5000 for most people? Definitely not. The Rep is just such a good value. However, if you want made in the USA with some really cool details like the new barbell handle, then you should pick this one up. Just expect to drop some serious change.
Suggested Improvements
Rogue basically took our list of recommended changes and sent us a bench that has all of those issue fixed.
They made the handle a barbell.
They made it with gloss black powder coat instead of textured powder coat.
They used black zinc hardware.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the changes and don’t have much to add, other than I’d like to see this edition available for sale.
Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 Vs. REP Fitness FB-5000 Flat Bench
The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 isn’t the only 3-post bench for sale. In fact, there’s quite a few now.
The bench that is most in competition with this one from Rogue is the REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench.
REP Fitness Alternative
REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
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.
We’ve done an entire write-up on the best weight bench and although the Monster Utility Bench 2.0 was our upgrade pick, the bench we most recommended is the FB-5000, and this hasn’t changed.
The Monster Utility Bench 2.0 from Rogue, no doubt, has a better fit and finish than REP’s. However, the FB-5000 is much cheaper and feels very similar during use. For most people, function outweighs looks in their home gym, because of that, we still recommend the FB-5000 most of all; it’s simply too good of a value.
Full Rating
Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0
The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is the best flat weight bench that Rogue Fitness sells, but not the one we most recommend. We believe this bench is incredibly sturdy, overbuilt, and strong, however, we do believe there are better value options available. We do recommend the Monster Utility Bench 2.0, but only to those with deep pockets and a desire for things that are Made in the USA and top of the line.
Product Brand: Rogue Fitness
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 295
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.4
Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 FAQs
Is Rogue Adjustable bench 2.0 worth it?
One of the greatest adjustable/incline benches on the market is the Rogue Adjustable Bench 2.0. It’s also one of Rogue’s cheapest items (although still very pricey.) The Adjustable Bench 2.0 is exceptionally sturdy during bench press, dumbbell rows, and whatever else you want to do with it, weighing in at 130 lbs.
How much does a rogue bench weigh?
The Rogue Flat Utility 2.0 Bench would be a terrific addition to any home or business gym, thanks to its lifetime guarantee and structure that can withstand just about everything you throw at it. Anyone who requires a heavy-duty, high-quality bench for bench presses, dumbbell rows, or any other workout should consider it.
Is the Rogue flat bench worth it?
~30 pounds
Further reading
The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is the best flat weight bench that Rogue Fitness sells, but not the one we most recommend. We believe this bench is incredibly sturdy, overbuilt, and strong, however, we do believe there are better value options available. We do recommend the Monster Utility Bench 2.0, but only to those with deep pockets and a desire for things that are Made in the USA and top of the line. » Read more about: Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 In-Depth Review » Read more
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