Overview and review of the REP fitness AB-5100 bench

This is an overview of the REP fitness AB-5100 bench including pros, cons, and alternatives. The original was published under which rep fitness bench to buy. Follow the links for more details.

REP AB-5100 Adjustable Bench $399

The REP AB-5100 bench is a good option with a push pin design that can also be turned into a decline bench. The only drawback of this design is that this is one of the benches with the widest gap between the two pads from REP fitness. The full specifications of this bench are:

11-gauge steel frame.
1,000 lb capacity.
Seven back pad adjustments & four-seat pad adjustments with laser-cut degree markings on a stainless steel wear guard.
Three large steel supports on the back pad and two on the seat pad for rock-solid stability.
Pivoting urethane grip handle and wheels for easy portability.

Total Height: 17.25"
Total Pad Length: 53.25"
Back Pad Width: 12.25"
Pad Gap: 3"
Overall Footprint: 7.5 SQFT
3% Tolerance

This is a great bench to convert into a decline bench. Otherwise, you might want to opt for the REP AB 5200 or REP AB-5000 instead.

Pros of the REP AB-5100 Adjustable Bench

The pros of the REP AB-5100 are:

Labeled degrees
Big and beefy
Heavy bench
Decline bench (attachment needed)
Pushpin safety
Wheelguards

The design is big sturdy and will meet the needs of big athletes who want to move big weights but do not have space for a dedicated be ch press station. The pushpin mechanism will provide further stability when benching.

The REP AB-5100 can also be turned into a decline bench. For this, you will need to purchase an additional attachment that comes in at slightly under $100. This is a nice upgrade option for anyone who wants to do everything with their bench.

Cons of the REP AB-5100 Adjustable Bench

The cons of the REP AB-5100 adjustable bench are:

Heavy bench
Hard to move
90 degrees
Pushpin adjustments
4-inch GAP

This bench is heavy and can be hard to move sometimes. While this is great when everybody is big and burly and might not be the best portable bench to get in a commercial setting with mainly average-sized humans.

The highest incline is an exact ninety degrees. I always find that to be quite uncomfortable for overhead presses as it easier to lean against a setup that still provides a 5-degree tilt in the highest setting.

The push pin adjustments can be hard to adjust. Compared with the fact that this bench is heavy this can get annoying. I am personally not a huge fan of the pushpin design on any bench as it does not allow for quick and easy adjustments.

The bench has probably the widest gap between the bottom and top pad compared to other be benches out of the REP fitness lineup. This allows for decline settings at the cost of a possible annoyance for flat benching. This is why o prefer the 5200 or 5000 models I am also not an advocate for decline benching.

Alternatives to the REP AB-5100 Adjustable Bench

The alternatives to the REP AB-5100 bench are:

The REP AB-5200 is my personal favorite among the REP fitness benches. It is easy to adjust and move for a beefy bench and can be stored upright. The only drawback is the price.

The REP zero Gap bench is in a similar price range as the 5100 but provides the possibility the adjust the lower pad in a way that there is no gapping. If you really struggle on benches with gaps based on your build then this is the one to get. The downside is the pushpin mechanics. I always hated those and I just would not use benches that are being adjusted this way.

Conclusion for the REP-5100 Adjustable Bench

The REP 5100 adjustable bench is the best model from REP fitness if you are looking for a decline bench option. Otherwise, I would recommend the 5200 or 5000 models if you do not care about the decline.