REP fitness AB-3000 bench vs Reflex flat bench

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness AB-3000 bench and the Rogue flat bench. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Reflex flat bench

The Reflex flat bench arm kit comes in at $1674 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

Most popular Rogue bench

This is an overview of the most popular Rogue benches based on views and click throughs for purchase on Marathon-Crossfit.com in 2020. If you want to dig deeper on the details of the data you can read what were the most popular rogue products in 2020.

These were the most popular rogue benches on Marathon-CrossFit.com in 2020. The rankings were as followed:

The Rogue AB3 is the most expensive bench you can get from Rogue. In return, you get a monster of a bench that can do incline and decline bench presses. I am not a huge fan of decline bench presses, especially for a home gym where you might pin yourself without any help around. Therefore I lean more towards the AB2. You can read the full review of the AB3 by following this link.

The Rogue AB2 is the little brother of the AB3. It is the same bench except that it is missing the mechanics to do decline benches. This makes it the best value for money bench from Rogue in my opinion. You can read the full review of the AB2 via this link.

The Rogue west side bench 2.0 is the bench of choice if you weigh more than 120kg and you are a huge fan of the west side method. In my opinion, you can get no bench which is as sturdy at this price point. This bench allows for all the band variations you can dream of and can take a 1000 pound bench press as long as you bolt it to the ground. If you are not a monster, this might be a little overkill. You can read the full review of the Rogue Westside bench 2.0 by following this link.

The Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 is a cheaper design than the AB2 which does the same thing. I personally prefer the pin and lock system of the AB2 as it is sturdier and leaves you with less risk of catching your fingers in it. The adjustable bench 2.0 is easier to adjust but more likely to slip a notch during exercise when not put in place correctly or catch a finger in the mechanics. You can read the full review of the Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 via this link.

The rogue combo rack could also be listed under racks. I chose to list it under benches because if you buy this instead of a power rack, you buy it for the competition bench and not for the squat stand. Compared to other combo racks in the market the price is decent and you will get a high-quality combo rack. It is not recommended if you are not already an experienced lifter. You can read the full review of the Rogue combo via this link.

Overview of the Reflex Flat bench

The reflex flat bench is the sturdy design of the reflex line applied to a regular flat bench setup. You will get a solid piece of equipment with little moving parts apart from the barbell. This is a good setup for your big athletes who are moving big weights. The specifications of the Reflex flat bench are:

Combination of 3×3 11ga. & 3/16-walled fully Welded Tubular steel construction.
Powder Coated finish.
Plastic lined weight bar saddles.
Adjustable Saddles w/ 11 positions.
Weight storage.
7 position adjustable safeties.
Weight storage.
1in high-density foam pad.
Weight 167 - 470LB
Length 60” - 70”
Width 48”
Height 58” - 64”

The reflex flat bench will stay where you place it and go nowhere. This is especially good when you want to ensure the same setup each and every time you bench.

Pros of the Reflex Flat bench

A sturdy setup that keeps you safe, even when moving big weights around. Can also be used as central plate storage in the middle of multiple racks.

Cons of the Reflex Flat bench

Single-purpose use and not a lot of flexibility to change. Needs more floor space than other solutions you might come up with for the bench press.

Alternatives to the Reflex Flat bench

Alternatives to the reflex flat bench are

The reflex competition bench comes in only slightly more expensive than the flat bench version. In return, you get an IPF approved machine to practice for the real thing. Of you are considering a bench press setup like this you might as well spend the few extra to get the competition version.

The reflex decline bench press is the piece of equipment that I would get if I had the floor space left. Out of the different bench press variations, the decline is the one I feel most uncomfortable with when done on a free-standing bench. The reflex decline would address this.

The AB3 bench is Rogues portable bench which can be used for flat, incline and decline setups. As it is on rolls it might not be as stable as the Reflex series, but if you are not a beast, this will be more than sufficient to get your work done.

Summary for the Reflex Flat bench

The reflex Olympic flat bench is not something I personally would consider. I would either go for the decline or competition bench press if I was in the market for a bench machine.

Overview and review of the REP fitness AB-3000 bench

This is an overview of the REP fitness AB-3000 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-3000 FID Adjustable bench

This bench is a great low-budget option to build a solid gym. It is not as beefy as the AB-5200 but still great for most home gym settings. The only downside is the considerable gap on this bench. The full specifications of this bench are:

7 different angles, including -20 (decline), 0 (flat), 20, 35, 50, 65, and 85 degrees
Weight capacity: 1,000 lb
Thick, firm, 2.5" pad wrapped in very durable textured vinyl for maximum comfort and support.
Wheels allow for efficient maneuvering around the gym.
Solid steel ladder.

Total Height: 18"
Total Pad Length: 54.25"
Back Pad Width: 11.5"
Pad Gap: 1.75"
Total Footprint: 11.25 SQFT
Weight: 95lbs
3% Tolerance

A great bench on a budget with which you can not do a lot wrong.

Pros of the REP AB-3000 FID Adjustable bench

The pros of the AB-3000 FID are:

Leg attachment included
The sticky surface on the cushion
Easy to adjust

This is a bench that is easy to adjust and comes with a leg attachment for added stability. REP fitness also did a great job by using a grippy sie face leather for all their benches which makes you less likely to slide on the bench itself.

Cons of the REP AB-3000 FID Adjustable bench

Cons of the REP AB-3000 FID adjustable bench are:

Vertical handle
Hands can get caught
Gap in flat position

Even though you still find vertical handles on many benches out here to transport this design is not of its time anymore. A horizontal handle is easier to use and makes it more convenient to lift the bench off the ground to wheel it around.

This bench has no protective rail on the hook system to get it upright. This means your hand can get caught. The REP AB-5200 design does a better job of protecting your fingers.

The biggest downside of this bench is the big gap in the flat bench position. If this turns you off you should go for the AB-5200 or AB-5000 instead.

Alternatives to the REP AB-3000 FID Adjustable bench

If you want to save a little more money you can opt for the smaller REP 3100 which comes with very similar functions like the 3000.

The REP 5200 is the top-of-the-line bench from REP fitness with all the bells and whistles. You will be hard-pressed to find another adjustable bench to at big and well designed for under $500.

The Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 is the bench that I own as I have a fully equipped gym from Rogue fitness. This model is not outlandishly priced like the AB3 and the AB2 but still more expensive than the REP fitness models. In return, you get a high-quality almost zero gap bench made in the US.

The TITAN Max adjustable FID bench is the low-cost player in the market for adjustable benches. What TITAN saves you in money they cut short in quality control. Be mindful when you opt for TITAN.

Conclusion for the REP AB-3000 FID Adjustable bench

Great low a budget all-around option if you don’t mind the gap in the flat bench position.