Rogue AB3 vs AB2 bench

This is a comparison between the Rogue AB3 bench and the AB2 including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the Ab2 Adjustable bench

The AB-2 bench comes in at $815 and is a great addition to your existing gym to widen the possible exercises you can do. This article was originally published in "Which bench to get to from Rogue".

What else to consider from Rogue

Overview of the AB2 Adjustable bench

The Rogue AB2 bench comes from the designers of the Nebula 1080 bench which has been on an established reference in the fitness industry. The Ab2 includes 6 different seat settings and nine back positions. This makes it a strong piece of equipment for any home gym which needs versatility and space-efficient setup. The specifications of the Rogue AB2 bench are:

Adapted from the Nebula 1080 "Awesome" Utility Bench
Weight: 94LB
Length: 52"
Pad Width: 12"
Height: 18"
Footprint: 51 1/4" x 22 1/2"
Steel: 2 x 2" and 3 x 3" 11-Gauge Steel
6 Adjustable Seat Settings
9 Adjustable Back Pad Settings (from flat bench to 78 degrees upright)

This is the upmarket version from Rogue if you do not want to do decline bench presses.

Pros of the AB2 Adjustable bench

The AB2 has a pin design which keeps the bench firmly in place. It is heavy duty and well made and gives you more options than the cheaper versions from Rogue.

Cons of the AB2 Adjustable bench

$815 can still be a hefty price tag for a bench. As you are not buying any kind of structure with this and probably did not consider yourself that much of a beast to look into the Reflex options, you might as well want to save a little more on the bench itself. This bench has the price of a rack.

Alternatives to the AB2 Adjustable bench

Alternatives to the AB2 are

The AB3 is the weapon of choice if you need a bench that can be moved around and used for incline, decline, and flat bench press setups. It comes in at a slightly higher price tag than the AB2 and makes more sense in my opinion if you are looking for a high-end bench.

The Rogue Adjustable bench 2.0 would probably my personal choice for a bench from Rogue. This is the middle priced bench which covers any need you might have. Production costs are lower compared to the AB2 as not as many holes need to be drilled. It still does the same with fewer options to adjust the bench. To be honest, in practice you will most likely only use one incline, one decline, and the flat position anyway.

The Rogue Flat utility bench would be my tool of choice if I had to equip an entire gym with Rogue benches. They have multiple options for customization and are only a fraction of the cost f the AB2 and AB3. You basically get 4 of these four one AB2.

Overview and review of the Rogue AB 3 Adjustable bench

The Rogue AB3 bench comes in at $935 and is a great addition to your existing gym to widen the possible exercises you can do. This article was originally published in "Which bench to get to from Rogue".

What else to consider from Rogue

Overview of the Rogue AB3 Adjustable bench

The AB3 Adjustable bench is the next generation bench of the AB2. The AB3 adds decline positions to the setup to make it possible to either bench incline, flat or decline. It made from 11 Gauge steel and is a direct descendent of the Nebula 1080 bench. It also comes on rolls and can be maneuvered around easily. The Rogue AB3 has the following specifications:

Adapted from the Nebula 1080 "Awesome" Utility Bench
Includes NEW Decline Bench feature
6 Adjustable Seat Settings
9 Adjustable Back Pad Settings
Weight: 117LB
Length (with bench flat): 68"
Pad Width: 12"
Height: 18"
Steel: 2x2" and 2x3" 11-Gauge Steel

Which makes it the most versatile one in the Rogue line up.

Pros of the Rogue AB3 Adjustable bench

The AB3 is the most versatile bench out of the Rogue line up. You can use it on the entire gym floor and give it the most possible setups to bench press.

Cons of the Rogue AB3 Adjustable bench

For a portable bench, the AB3 comes in at a high price. The attachment which makes it possible to decline bench might also not be for everyone. Especially powerlifters and big athletes might feel like that this addition to the bench is more of a hindrance than a value add.

Alternatives to the Rogue AB3 Adjustable Bench

Alternatives to the Rogue AB 3 bench are

The AB2 is the bench as the AB3 just without the option to do decline bench presses. If you want a big bench that can be moved and don’t trust decline setups on portable benches this is the one for you.

The Rogue Westside 2.0 bench is a drop in for Rogue racks specialized for the Westside style training. It will provide a flat bench setup which can be effectively used with bands and chains to create a maximum variation on the flat bench press.

The Rogue Adjustable bench is the best value for money bench you can get from Rogue. They spent time and thought on perfecting the production process to make this their low-cost adjustable bench.

Summary for the AB3 Adjustable bench

The Roge AB3 is the Porsche in the Rogue portfolio when it comes to portable benches. As long as you don't mind the attachment at the end of the bench getting in your way.