REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench vs Reflex competition bench

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness AB-5200 bench and the Reflex competition bench. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Reflex competition bench

The Reflex competition bench comes in at $1697 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 Reflex Competition bench

The reflex competition bench setup delivers a sturdy machine for bench pressing competitions. This is the kind of bench where all sizes of athletes can perform to their very best. A competition bench is needed so that spotters can do their work properly, but also to provide the athletes with enough grip on the bench. All of this is included in this piece of equipment. The specifications are:

Meets International Powerlifting Federation ( IPF ) Guidelines
3/16 wall and 11ga. Welded Tubular steel construction.
Powder Coated finish.
Oversized 24×30 Polished Diamond 6061 Aluminum skid plate for foot deck.
6 position band pegs.
14 position Weight saddles w/ handles and engraved numbers.
11 position Over-Sized Safeties w/ engraved numbers.
Full Framed supported Pad
Plastic lined Saddles & Safeties
Additional adjustment hole in both Saddles & Safeties to use 1/2 hitch pin.
1in high-density foam pad.
Made in the USA
Weight 370LB
Length 60”
Width 50”
Height 55”

Remember that if you have to move this one around a lot it will be shipped by freight as it is so bulky.

Pros of the Reflex competition bench

This is a secure, sturdy bench press setup which meets the standards of the IPF. With this, even the biggest athletes can chip away at their geared 1000LB be ch presses.

Cons of the Reflex competition bench

It is a single purpose station which means you still have to provide a squat setup for your competition. It will also be hard to ship or transport to wherever the competition is held.

Alternatives to the Reflex competition bench

Alternatives to the competition bench are

The Rogue combo rack is also IPF approved and can be used to squat and bench with plenty of spotter hopping around. It can also be broken apart for easier transport. If you regularly want to do powerlifting competitions in different locations this might be the better pick.

The Rogue Westside bench is a beast that even your biggest athletes won’t break. In addition, it gives you more options for starting positions and attaching bands. This makes it a great work station to prepare for your next competition.

The Rogue AB3 is the bench of choice for weekend warriors who want to have all bench press options at home. This bench is portable and therefore not recommended when you want to bench 1000LB or do other crazy stuff that might make the bench move around.

Summary for the Reflex competition bench

If you are looking for a stationary bench station which complies with IPF standards the reflex competition bench is a good pick for you. However, if I was to get something for competition use I would invest the extra dollars in the combo rack to get a two for one.

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.