REP fitness AB-5000 bench vs Monster Utility bench

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness AB-5000 bench and the Rogue Monster Utility bench. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Monster utility bench

The Rogue Monster Utility bench comes in at $265 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 Utility bench

The monster utility bench is the workhorse in the Rogue portfolio. It is the best portable bench from Rogue which you can not adjust. The Utility bench can be customized which leaves you with six different configurations. You can choose between:

Regular height
Shorty height
Thompson fat pad
Competition pad
Standard pad

The three different pads will give you more grip when you are on the bench, depending on your size. The shorty setup enables to have the bench at the same height while having a big pad. The specs are:

Made in Columbus, OH, USA
3x3” 11 gauge steel tubing
Footprint: 44”L x 24”W
Weight (without pad): 52 lbs.
Gussets feature laser-cut Rogue "R" logo
Rubber feet for added stability
Includes hardware for assembly
Available in Standard or Shorty height
Choice of Standard, Comp Fat Pad™, or Thompson Fat Pad™
Color: Black

Pros of the Utility bench

The pros is the Utility bench is its low price and versatility. With the new pad options, there is even some individualization possible.

Cons of the Utility bench

The Utility bench can not be adjusted. Some big athletes moving very big weights might also find it to be too flimsy to bench 600 pounds on.

Alternatives to the Utility bench

Alternatives to the Utility bench are

The Rogue Adjustable bench is still budget-friendly and comes with the option to adjust the bench for incline bench presses or dumbbell exercises.

The west side bench is the ultimate station for the serious bench presser. If you aspire to or already bench more than 400 pounds, this might be the way to go.

The Rogue AB3 is the crown jewel of Rogue’s portable bench portfolio.

Summary for the Utility bench

The Rogue Utility bench is the workhorse of choice of you do not need an adjustable bench or high-performance setup

Overview and review of the REP fitness AB-5000 bench

This is an overview of the REP fitness AB-5000 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-5000 Adjustable Bench zero-gap

The REP AB-5000 bench is the zero-gap bench option from REP fitness. The lower part of this bench can be moved in place so that the gap disappears. This is a great bench for very lifters who still want an adjustable bench to move around but no gap when flat benching. The full specifications of this bench are:

Patented: This product was designed by REP in the USA and protected by one or more issued patents.
11-gauge steel frame.
Flat, incline, and decline positions with 7 back pad adjustments and 4 seat pad adjustments.
Laser-cut degree markings on a stainless steel wear guard
Unique pop-pin and bearing system adjustment for zero gap between seat and back pad. Adjusts in 1 second.
Easy to move with urethane grip handle and wheels

Total Height: 17.75"
Total Pad Length: 53.5"
Back Pad Width: 12.25"
Total Footprint: 8 SQFT
Weight Capacity: 1,000 lb
3% Tolerance

This is a solid option at the higher price range of REP fitness bench portfolio of like the pin design and want no gap between the two pads of the bench.

Pros of the REP AB-5000 Adjustable Bench

The pros of the REP AB-5000 bench are:

Zero gap
Good inside the rack bench
Harder cushion
Longer seat
Labeled degrees
A HIgher degree of safety due to push pins

The main feature of this bench is the zero-gap design. This makes it a good bench to keep inside your rack as it is not as easy to adjust as other benches in the REP fitness lineup.

It also comes with a harder cushion than some of the other REP fitness options and a longer seat than the REP AB-5200.

The labeled degrees on this bench are one of the biggest distinguishing features of the REP fitness compared to the competition. If I was a designer at someone else’s company I would probably copy it.

Cons of the REP AB-5000 Adjustable Bench

Cons of the REP AB-5000 are:

Cumbersome to adjust
Heavy
Vertical instead of a horizontal handle
90-degree incline

This is a big and hard-to-adjust bench. What you can in options for the setup you lose in speed for the adjustment itself. I also don’t like the 90 degrees top spot and prefer the 85-degree option in the REP AB-5200. The vertical handle to move the bench is also not of its time anymore as horizontal handles are easier to use.

Alternatives to the REP AB-5000 Adjustable Bench

Alternatives to the REP AB-5000 are

The REP AB-5200 bench is the better option if you don’t mind a little gap in your bench while gaining a lot more comfort in adjusting it. I am personally not a huge fan of the safety pin design on adjustable benches as it is a pain to use. The hook system is more dangerous for your fingers but has greater ease of use.

The Rogue AB2 adjustable bench works with the push pin design and can also be upgraded to the AB 3 by buying a leg attachment. These are the sturdiest benches you can get from one of the best vendors in the market. Their price is off-putting. The range close to $1000. At TITAN fitness you can build an entire gym on this budget.

The Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 is the model a personally own and I am very happy with it. This bench can be stored upright, is beefy, and still reasonably easy to move around. The price is also not outrageous even though it comes in higher than REP fitness’s top model AB-5200.

The TITAN Max adjustable FID bench is TITAN’s take on a beefy adjustable bench. If you want something for a low price to rival REP fitness and Rogue TITAN is the right place to shop.

Conclusion for the REP AB-5000 Adjustable Bench

The REP zero-gap bench does what it says on the tin. You can always set it up in a way that there is no gap between the upper and lower pad. This makes it a pain to adjust at times with the pushpin system, but that is the price you pay for this feature to work.