AdjustableBench

= What makes a good adjustable bench? =
 * The bench must be solid in all positions (incline/decline) and for all exercises (see frame design below)
 * Should have a solid frame but not be too heavy to regularly move it around (11 gauge steel, < 100lbs, wheels)
 * Three points of contact with the ground so it doesn't wobble on uneven floors (see Cybex 16001 example below)
 * Adjustment mechanism (ladder, pop-pin, other) must be easy to adjust and instill confidence in its support (see broken pop pins on cheaper benches)
 * Some pop-pin arcs wobble or the pop-pins don't line up with the holes (see below)
 * If using pop-pins they should be easy to grasp (sweaty hands? see "grip handle" picture below)


 * No (or very small) pad gap! - Gaps can be uncomfortable and shouldn't be necessary (shouldn't need a separate flat bench)
 * Height should be ~17" (or less) to the top of the pad when flat so your feet can be easily planted on the ground
 * Competition bench height is 16.5”-17.5” (42-45cm)
 * Durable and firm but comfortable pad (not slippery), ~11.5" wide
 * Competition pad width is 29-32cm


 * Easy to read adjustment angles (label the angles of incline)
 * Narrow/tapered seat so legs aren't forced to splay (uncomfortable during some dumbbell exercises)
 * No obstructions around your feet (leg holders or frame tubing)
 * Back pad extends past back wheels so it fits in racks with a crossbeam (see frame overhang below)
 * Frame should fully support the back pad plywood to the edges so it doesn't crack (see frame support below)
 * Back pad screws should be anchored in the pad's plywood so they don't spin freely or pull out (like on some cheaper benches)
 * Covered feet (rubber/uhmw) to prevent scratching/damaging home gym flooring
 * The height of the bench should be low (~17" or less) WITH the rubber feet attached
 * If a taller bench is desired, thicker feet could be an option
 * Removable wheels? (& wheel attachments) - see bench being impeded by rack crossbeam below, or example2 (foot reversed so wheels don't hinder bench positioning)
 * Some benches are reported to have hard plastic squeaky wheels (Rogue AB 2.0), while others have soft yet sturdy quiet wheels (Rogue AB-3)
 * Prefer the handle to be accessible
 * Comfortably reachable and centered under the seat (see:Rogue AB-2 but not free swinging causing paint to chip)
 * Not on the ground where you must bend way over to grab it (see:Elite bench)
 * Not off center where your legs can rub/hit it (see:RC bench)
 * Can be stored upright so it doesn't take up much floor space in a home gym

Cybex 5435
The popular Cybex 5435 has many of these features but unfortunately is not manufactured anymore
 * well designed, solid, easy & fast adjustments, height to top of pad: 16.5"
 * unfortunately the successor bench, the Cybex 16000 & 16001 has a much larger pad gap and wobble and hole alignment problems

Frame design

 * Compact design, minimal pad gap, easy to maneuver, and sexy
 * Sturdy frame transfers load directly down to the ground under the high stress areas
 * Bench shouldn't tip when performing exercises that put weight on one side of the bench, ex: barbell hip thrusts
 * Bench legs shouldn't impede dumbbell exercises, ex: chest incline dumbbell rows
 * 3 points of contact so the bench doesn't rock on slightly uneven floors
 * Noteworthy example: The Cybex 16001 corrected the flat floor level tube of the 16000: "Contact with the floor is by a footpad and all floor level tubes are well above the floor to insure that a high point in an uneven floor cannot cause the bench to rock." and "All of the benches have been redesigned so that there are no end caps. "
 * Also see the back of the frame of: Nautilus style benches, Powerlift dumbbell bench, EliteFTS 0-90/WS Signature bench
 * Flat steel plate feet & no wide fat back beam to trip over! (many benches have an unnecessarily wide protruding flat back beam/foot)

Frame overhang

 * Unlike many benches the Cybex 5435's back pad extends past the rear frame so it is still usable if the wheels hit a rack's crossbeam

Frame back pad support

 * Frame should fully support the back pad or the unsupported plywood could split requiring ugly repairs
 * Especially important when leaning on one side of the bench (one arm rows) or when performing step-ups

Adjustments & Decline option

 * Life Fitness used to make a bench with a similar frame but with an arc adjustment mechanism and pop-pins (but it did not have a true tripod frame)
 * Hoist used to make a bench with a similar frame but it had a large pad gap and did not have a true tripod frame
 * The Yukon 0-90 bench also has a similar frame but is otherwise a very poor imitation of the original ($420)
 * The Nebula/Rae Crowther Awesome bench has a smart detachable leg holder (the seat remains narrow and the bench offers decline! unfortunately it has large pad gap)
 * The Rogue AB-2 is a re-brand of the Awesome bench but doesn't offer the decline attachment while the Rogue AB-3 offers rollers for leg support
 * The Cybex tripod frame still seems to be the superior design: stability without an obtrusive frame, and minimal pad gap!
 * If looking for a pop-pin style bench see the Life Fitness arc design below -- the pop-pin barrel looks to be well supported by both sides of a support tube, the arc is centered and can't be mistakenly welded in the incorrect location nor can the pop-pin be unaligned, and the frame is protected from being scraped by the chromed arc.


 * Notice the thickness of the Awesome bench's adjustment arc compared to the thin steel of cheaper benches
 * (see video of the RC bench: youtube) Hear the confidence instilling sound when the pop-pin locks into place, and notice the complete lack of wobble or slack when the bench is lifted
 * Should the pin go all the way through the arc/spine? Rogue response: " ... there is some minor fluctuation between parts ... as long as there is >50% of the spine hitting the pin it isn't an issue"
 * Prefer the adjustment mechanism (arc or ladder) not to be painted to prevent future chipping, see Legend arc above (but not covered in cheap flaky chrome!)
 * Solid frame integration of the pop-pin since all weight is on that one pin! (not like the cheap & dangerous ones that easily break off!)
 * The Life Fitness bench also appears to have plastic frame protection to prevent the arc from rubbing against the metal frame

= Compare other bench styles =

Ladder benches with decline

 * Benches with decline have a wider seat and add obstructions for your legs
 * Some have bare metal on the ladder to prevent chipping of paint

Nautilus style ladder benches

 * Adjustment ladder paint may eventually scrape/wear away

Pop-pin benches

 * Some have chrome on the adjustment arc or replaceable metal protection strips to prevent scraping of paint

Pop-pin benches with decline

 * Wide seat forces leg to splay on some exercises
 * Have leg support that can get in the way of your feet (some are easily detachable)