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REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench vs AB-5000

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | May 31, 2021 4:00:00 PM

REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench vs AB-5000

This is a comparison between the REP fitness AB-5200 bench and the REP fitness AB-5000. Follow the links for more details.

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.

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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.

Overview and review of the REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench

This is an overview of the REP fitness AB-5200 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-5200 Adjustable Bench $469

 
The REP AB-5200 is the current top dog among the REP fitness benches. It is easy to adjust, has a minimal gap between the lower and higher pad, and can be easily rolled around with it included pair of rolls. The full specifications of this bench are:
 
  • This product was designed by REP in the USA and is a Patent Pending Product.
  • 11-7 gauge steel throughout 2x3" steel frame with a 1,000 lb capacity.
  • 7 back pad adjustments with laser-cut degree markings in 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 85 degrees.
  • 3 seat pad adjustments to find the perfect angle.
  • High-grip pad material with an ultra-dense foam core, backed by 3/4" plywood.
  • Ladder back design with cage. Nylon cover over bolts to protect the paint on the ladders.
  • Urethane-covered back pad handles.
  • Oversize stainless-steel handle and wheels with a low lift-off point for easy maneuverability.
  • Thick steel wheel guards to protect the wheels when being maneuvered, and to lessen tripping hazard.
  • Space-saving design allows the bench to be stored in an upright position.
  • Stainless logo plates.
  • Optional Spotter Deck sold separately.
 
  • Total Height: 18"
  • Total Pad Length: 55.25"
  • Back Pad Width: 12"
  • Pad Gap: 2.25"
  • Toal Footpring: 8.25 SQFT
  • Weight: 125lbs
  • 3% Tolerance
 
You can not go wrong with this bench except for the price. This the most expensive bench from REP and you might opt for something else to push your savings further. Compared to the competition from Rogue Fitness you are saving a lot as you are still staying under $500 where the top range of Rogue fitness products can take you close to $1000.
 

Pros of the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench

 
The pros of the REP AB-5200 are:
 
  • Easy-adjust
  • Good outside rack bench
  • Horizontal handle
  • Easier to move
  • Can be stored upright
  • 85-degree incline
  • Spotter deck option
  • Less likely to catch fingers
  • Labeled degrees
  • Color options
 
The big pro of this bench is that it is easy to use and transport even though it is beefy. The horizontal handle at the base of the bench makes it easy to lock up and roll around. This makes it great outside the rack bench for all purposes on a free-weight area.
 
The incline options run up to 85 degrees and it can also be stored upright when in the flat position. This makes it easy to put this bench against a wall when it is not being used to free up some space. I personally also like that the highest option is not a true 90-degree angle as this is easier to train in while putting less strain on your shoulders.
 
REP Fitness also has three extra features on this bench compared to Its main competitor Ro hue Fitness. The mechanics for putting the bench up and down are protected by a little rail. This makes a lot less likely to catch your fingers in them. The angles for the different inclines are numbered so that you always know which degree you are training on. The last bonus is that REP Fitness offers different color options for its benches where Rogue only comes in black.
 

Cons of the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench

 
The cons of the REP AB-5200 are
 
  • Gap in seat
  • Light compared to bigger benches
  • Price
  • Short seat
 
The seat has a gap and the lower part is always quite short. If you have a very big backside or it happens to fall on the gap in your bench press setup then you might want to go for the REP zero-gap bench instead.
 
Compared to other bigger benches from competitors this bench is fairly light. Within the REP range, it is the beefiest you can get, but other vendors offer some bigger benches specifically for powerlifters. This is only a consideration if you intend to be ch press more than 700 lbs on a regular basis on your bench. For all other scenarios, I personally think that the AB-5200 is more than enough.
 
The last thing is that this is the most expensive bench from REP Fitness you can get. That is nOt the definition of the ultimate bargain, even though REP fitness will already save you a lot of money competed to Rogue fitness.
 

Alternatives to the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench

 
Alternatives to the REP AB-5200 are:
 
 
The REP zero Gap bench is a good alternative if you think you need a longer lower seat and no gap in the bench pad. The Zero gap also works with a push pin setup for the different incline settings which makes it more secure once it clicks in. The downside is that it can be a pain to adjust mid-session.
 
The Rogue AB2 adjustable bench works with a push pin mechanic and comes very close to the REP fitness Zero gap bench design. If you want your bench from the best vendor around and like the push pin design, this is it. I personally think that this bench is a little pricey even for Rogue standards.
 
The Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 is the closest design from Rogue to the REP AB-5200. I own this bench myself and if you have any worries about a gap I can assure you that it is virtually nonexistent for the Adjustable bench 2.0. Price-wise it is close enough to the AB-5200 to consider it if the rest of your gym is also from Rogue.
 
The TITAN max adjustable FID bench is TITAN’s approach to a beefy adjustable bench. Titan Fitness is the low-cost competitor in the home gym space to REP fitness and Rogue fitness. They are known to have more quality issues on minor things like the coating and welds but make up for it with dumping prices.
 

Conclusion for the REP AB-5200 Adjustable Bench

 
The REP AB-5200 is an excellent bench for the price tag and will be beefy enough for all your needs in a home or commercial gym. You can not do a lot wrong here unless you are super worried about the gap in a bench, which this model has a minimal one of. The best alternative would be the Rogue adjustable bench 2.0 it a slightly higher price.
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