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REP fitness AB-3100 bench vs Rogue combo rack

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | May 30, 2021 4:00:00 PM

REP fitness AB-3100 bench vs Rogue combo rack

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness AB-3100 bench and the Rogue combo rack. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Rogue combo rack

The video above summarises my personal opinion for purchasing a Rogue combo rack for a home gym. If you want to just lean back and get information, watch it and then dig into the details below. In the following paragraphs you will find details on dimensions and alternative choices. I invite you to leave a comment on Youtube if you have direct questions.

 

The rogue combo rack comes in at a price of $2500 and is the ultimate rack for your powerlifting meet. This overview was first published in "which rack to buy from Rogue". See for yourself whether this rack is the right choice for you or you might want to steer to other options from Rogue.

What else to consider from Rogue

Most popular Rogue racks in 2020

Attached you find which Rogue racks have been most popular on Marathon-Crossfit.com in terms of views of their reviews and click through rates to Rogue Fitness for purchases. If you want to learn more about the details of the composition of the data you can read the full analyses under what were the most popular Rogue products in 2020.

 

 
The most popular rogue racks based on views of their reviews on Marathon-CrossFit in 2020 are:
 
 
The Rogue HR2 rack is part of the Rogue Monster lite series. What it has going for itself is its moderate place and lower space requirements compared to other racks of Rogue. I can also see how this rack can be a best seller as it is practical, not pricey and ticks most boxes. You can learn more about the details and alternatives in the review of the HR2 rack.
 
The Rogue RM8 is one of the most expensive items you can get from Rogue. The RM8 incorporates all of the major developments from Rogue like cerakote coating, a Rhino drop-in unit, and the LT1 50 cal lever arms. Its high price helps with popularity but I do not think that it is a high volume sales product based on its sheer size and high price tag. You can read a full review of the RM8 on this blog.
 
The RML 390 F is a half-rack from Rogue that does not need to be bolted to the ground. This makes it a very likely candidate from Rogue to have a very high sales volume. The small footprint and reasonable price further underpin this. Compared to the RM8 it is affordable so popularity is more likely to directly transfer to sales. You can read the full review of the RML 390F on my blog here.
 
The RM4 Fortis is a cheaper version of the RM4 Monster rack from Rogue. You will have fewer color options and get fewer pins and extras with your order. This is a good option if you want more space in the rack than with a half rack without shelling out thousands of dollars. You can ted the fu review of the RM4 fortis rack here.
 
The RML 390c is a half-rack from Rogue with a color option. Compared to the 390F it needs to be bolted to the ground to avoid sliding while it comes in at a similar price. You can read the full review of the 390c on my blog by following this link.

Overview of the combo rack

 
The Rogue combo rack is the gold standard from Rogue for powerlifting meets. It has been designed for the environment of a powerlifting meet where you have professional athletes of different sizes stepping up to the platform. The Rogue Combo rack is IPF certified and manufactured in Columbus Ohio. Special features are the lever arm jack, telescoping uprights which can be angled and the removable bench.
 
The rogue combo rack comes in black and weighs 505lb. It is 77.25'' long when the bench is attached. The total width is 80.25'' and the inside width comes to 43.5''. When it is fully extended the maximum height is 78'' for the squat and 17.5'' for the bench press. The Notes are cut from 3x3 Gauge steel as with all products from the Rogue Monster series. The overall footprint of the combo rack is 77.25'' x 80.25''.
 
This is the flagship rack of Rogue that has been built for showing off the best national and international athletes.  That the IPF put its stamp of approval on it shows that Rogue means business. If you want to organize one big meet or multiple meets throughout a year this rack is for you. If you are serious about competing on an international level you might want to get this for your home or local gym, so that you can simulate competition as close as possible. 
 

Pros of the combo rack

 
This rack is sturdy and can be easily adjusted. It also does not need to be bolted down to the ground as Rogue is making use of their flat foot design. This is handy if you are putting up a competition in a local hotel or on any stage where you are not allowed to bolt a rack into the ground. Another advantage is that the uprights can be angled. This is great when you have very big athletes competing who want to grip the bar outside of the J Cups as they are so massive. The removable bench will safe time for your meet is you do not have to haul off one piece of equipment of the stage and replace it with another. You will also get a westside Monster bench and squat stand in one purchase. This saves money if you are serious about power and strength and know what you are doing. 
 

Cons of the combo rack

 
The first con is the price. For 2.500$ you can also get an RM6 from Rogue or two midrange RM4 or R4 racks. This rack is also not user-friendly. It has been designed with a powerlifting meet in mind. To operate it most effectively you need 2 - 4 spotters who get everything ready for the athlete. Great in a powerlifting meet. Suboptimal when you are training by yourself or have a gym where beginners will just wreck themselves with the setup. There are also no safeties for the squat as a spotter crew is assumed. This is the right piece of equipment for someone who wants to get a powerlifting meet organized and done with as little waiting time for the crowd and athletes between lifts as possible. The home gym or commercial gym owner will make their lives unnecessarily hard.
 

Alternatives to the combo rack

 
For 2.500$ you can get the following other options from Rogue
 
If you are looking at the Combo rack I am quite sure that you are serious about lifting and probably already own a gym or seriously consider to build a massive home gym. If you are not planning to become the local powerlifting meet go to point or you do not have a serious team of powerlifters around to work the combo rack while someone lifts, consider getting something else. 
 
The Rogue RM6 rack is a great option for anyone starting a home gym who wants storage and rack space combined in one rack. You can also upgrade this rack with the Monster Lat pull down and Rhino belt Squat Drop in.  Innovation at Rogue also always comes first for the Monster line and trickles down from there. If you have the budget and want the best for your home gym, this can be an excellent choice instead of the combo rack.
 
The Rogue Rhino monster Belt Squat saves you money compared to the combo rack and is a great option for someone who has space and already owns a rack to squat and bench press in. If you own a gym think about what your clients need. If your clients are mainly powerlifters who compete often, you might want to get the combo rack. If your gym has a more mixed clientele and many older powerlifters with lower back problems, you definitely want to get the belt squat. 
 
If you are opening your first gym or a new gym you will probably be better of investing the money in a Monster or Monster lite rig. For 2.500$ you will get one of the shorter ones. This will give you more options to create revenue streams, as the rig can be used for more different styles of training. A rig sets you up for powerlifting, CrossFit, Weightlifting and Tabata classes. The combo rack is for powerlifters only. 
 
The Prone leg curl can be an option for a commercial gym or home gym owners who want to present more options for leg development. If you have a lot of bodybuilders or footballers in your gym this might be the better option than the combo rack. 

Overview and review of the REP fitness AB-3100 bench

This is an overview of the REP fitness AB-3100 bench including pros, cons, and alternatives. The original was published under which rep fitness bench to buy. Follow the links for more details.

Related articles

 

REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3 $219

  
The REP AB-3100 adjustable bench is a great option for the small pocket. If you want a great bench for a small price and do not intend to bench 500 pounds or more on a regular basis then this is a good option.
 
  • Weight Capacity: 1,000 lb
  • 6 back pad adjustments, from flat to 90-degree incline - including 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 to accommodate any workout routine.
  • 3 seat pad adjustments, from flat to incline. A seat pad with the ability to incline keeps you locked in place when the back pad is inclined.
  • Minimal pad gap (approx 2")
  • Frame thickness varies from 14 to 4 gauge steel
  • Handle and wheels for easy transportation
  • Matte black powder coating
  • Pad and hardware individually boxed to prevent shipping damage
  • Simple 20 minute assembly with a socket wrench (not provided)
 
  • Total Height: 17"
  • Total Pad Length: 49.5"
  • Back Pad Width: 11.75"
  • Pad Gap: 1.75"
  • Total Footprint: 8 SQFT
  • 3% Tolerance
 
  • Rubber feet on all 3 contact points for increased stability.
  • Redesigned adjustment ladder for easier adjustment and rubber-coated contact for less noise.
  • The improved rear base design for easier assembly.
  • Improved hinge design at seat and back pad.
 

Pros of the REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3

 
Here some of the biggest advantages of the REP Adjustable bench V3:
 
  • Easy to adjust
  • Grippy cushion
  • Small Gap
  • Big wheels
 
This bench is easy to adjust and comes with the REP fitness signature grippy cushion on the newer models. As it is a small bench you will also not have a lo of gapping compared to bigger benches.
 

Cons of the REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3

 
Cons of the AB-3100 are:
 
  • No decline
  • Small bench
  • Vertical handle
  • Hands can get caught
  • 90 degree upright
 
This bench is fairly small so if you are a very big lifter and move heavy weights on a regular basis you might want to go for something g else.
 
While you save a little money compared to other options from REP fitness this bench does not provide a decline option. If you are in a budget and want a decline option the REP AB-3000 is a better option.
 
Compared to the REP AB-5200 which is beefier this bench has no protective rail that covers the adjustment rail. This means you can get your fingers caught when you are putting this bench in different positions. The 90 degrees upright position can be uncomfortable and I personally prefer an 85-degree angle at the highest position.
 

Alternatives to the REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3

 
 
The REP fitness 3000 is an option in a similar budget range that can also provide decline options. If that is what you are after then spend the little extra to cover all your needs.
 
The Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 is the bench that inhabits my own home gym. It is a great sturdy design that comes in a nice black. The horizontal handle makes it easy to move even though it is beefy. The only downside is the higher price compared to the 3000 series from REP.
 
The TITAN Max adjustable bench is TITAN’s take on a low-budget beefy adjustable bench. If you want to go as cheap as possible for a decent adjustable bench then this is the one. The drawback is that TITAN is known for quality control issues.
 

Conclusion for the REP AB-3100 Adjustable Bench V3

 
I personally think that the AB-3100 is a great option for anyone who does not want to spend more than around $200 on a good adjustable bench for their home or commercial needs. The only downside would be the gap on this.
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