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REP fitness AB-3000 bench vs TITAN drop in

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jun 12, 2021 9:00:00 AM

REP fitness AB-3000 bench vs TITAN drop in

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness AB-3000 bench and the Titan drop-in. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the TITAN Drop-in rack bench

This is an overview of the TITAN Drop-in rack bench  including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which TITAN bench to get? Follow the links for details.

 

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Overview of the TITAN Drop-IN rack bench

Price: $159
 
A drop-in rack bench is a solution to a specific problem. It is an ok solution, but maybe not for everyone. If you already own a TITAN rack and want to have a competition-sized bench setup, this is the perfect fit your you. Especially if you own gym ith multiple racks you can sacrifice one instead of buying a combo rack for $999 to achieve the same goal. Another example is a home gym owner who is annoyed with their bench setup at home as it is always slightly off. For these two scenarios, the drop-in bench is a very cheap solution to this problem. Otherwise, it is a bit cumbersome. The full specifications for this bench are: 
 
  • Installs directly into your power rack to provide increased stability
  • Comes with pins to install the bracket – or use your power rack band pegs
  • 17-in height allows athletes to train with competition bench standards
  • Tough steel construction will last for years with proper use
  • Powder-coated paint job protects against rust and early scuffing
  • Bench height: 17-in
  • Bench pad length: 51-in
  • Bench pad width: 11-in
  • Bench pad thickness: 2 1/2-in
  • Connection bar width: 42”
  • Overall weight: 50 lbs.
  • Weight capacity: 1,000 lbs.
 
This is a solid drop-in bench that almost can't be beaten on price. If you have the problems mentioned, this is an easy and cheap fix. 
 

Pros of the TITAN Drop-in rack bench

 
Pros of the TITAN Drop-in rack bench are:
 
  • Price
  • Consistent setup
  • Easy to install if you have two people
As with all TITAN products they can almost not be beaten on price. This also goes for the drop-in rack bench. If you want to save money and upgrade one of your racks to a competition bench press setup for temporary max tests, this is a great solution. Just pop the bench in for the weekend for your mock meet and you are ready to go. 
 
With this bench, you have nor problems in terms of positioning towards the bar. Distances are the same as in competition and you will always be dead center under the bar. This makes training for competition easier as you do not have to go one inch left, right, forward, and backward each time you want to bench heavy.
 
If you have two people at hand, this is also an easy install. The pins provided slide in easily and the whole construction is easy to lift in and out of the rack.  
 

Cons of the TITAN Drop-in rack bench

 
 
  • Hard to handle for one person
  • Takes up the entire rack 
  • Can not be used on its own
  • Problems with the finish
If you are by yourself, this is an annoying setup. You have to put it in the right place, then put the pins in, then something will misalign and you repeat the process all over. With two people this is very easily fixed as you just give instructions to the other person holding the bench while you put the pins in. By yourself this can becomes tedious. 
 
Once installed, the rack can not be used for squats, deadlifts, or most other exercises anymore. The structure stretches over the entire rack space and therefore makes it impossible to be used for anything else than bench press related exercises. To buy a power rack for $300-$400 and then to invest another $$150-$200 to make it less versatile is not good economics or space management. In these departments, the drop-in fails, even though it does address an easy competition bench press set up perfectly. 
 
The drop-in also can not be safely used just on its own. You can not bolt it down and you will also have some balancing issues. 
 
As this is a TITAN product that is retrofitted into their racks after they have been delivered it is ver likely that some things ill not align smoothly. This is one of these products that need attention to detail to work properly and provide the convenience you are buying with it. As these are all finishing related topics, TITAN might not be the best place to go for this kind of idea to buy a highly specialized product at a dumping price. 
 

Alternatives TITAN Drop-in rack bench 

 
Alternatives to the drop in rack bench are:  
 
 
The TITAN combo rack is a good alternative to the Drop-in rack bench if you have a gym that is spacious. Here you can rather get a proper full competition setup, if your clients demand it, rather than sacrificing a rack to turn it into a bench setup on occasions. This strategy will give you more satisfied clients and less hassle changing setups around. The only downside is that a combo rack can be intimidating, especially if you have to operate by yourself. 
 
The hefty bench is a good alternative to the drop-in rack bench for any home gym owner with a serious flat bench press. If you weigh over 120kg you might want to consider to beef up the bench you are pressing on. The same goes for anyone who benches more than 300lbs for repetitions. 
 
The TITAN bench press rack is a good alternative for anyone who wants a very sturdy, competition bench press setup who does not want to shell out 1000 for an extra station and needs convenience. Compared to a combo rack you get the same bench press setup, but it is way easier to handle. Especially for board presses and other specific partial repetitions, the bench press rack is better than a combo rack. 
 

Conclusion for the TITAN Drop-in rack bench

 
The TITAN drop-in rack bench is a good option if you occasionally do mock meets in your own professional gym with multiple members attending. In this scenario, you save yourself quite a lot of money, while still having a good bench press setup to work with. When you are not doing a competition you can remove the drop-in and make the rack more versatile. Home gym users might find this to be too cumbersome, even though the very low price is tempting. Anyone who regularly benches heavy and has space might want to consider the bench press rack instead. It costs a little more, but basically takes up the same space if not dissembled and is a lot more convenient. 

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

 
 
  • 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.

Topics: Powerlifting, Bench, Garagegym, Home Gym, Bodybuilding