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REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench vs TITAN flat bench

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Jun 11, 2021 4:00:00 PM

REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench vs TITAN flat bench

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

 Overview and review of the TITAN fitness flat bench 

This is an overview of the TITAN fitness flat 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 flat weight bench

Price: $135
 
The TITAN flat weight bench is a simple flat bench with two T posts. This is what most people think of when they are imaging a home gym with a bench in it. The design is simple and classic. Great bench to get in bulk or, a starting setup or a second bench in a bigger home gym setup beside an incline. The full specifications of this bench are:
 
  • Meets requirements for Competition Bench
  • Rigid Steel Base
  • Comfortable Padding
  • Sleek Leather Finish
  • Wheels for Quick Workout Changes
  • Overall Length: 52-in.
  • Overall Width: 17-in.
  • Overall Height: 17-in.
  • Bench Width: 12-in.
  • Bench Length: 48-in.
  • Capacity: 1,000 lb.
 
This is a low price, practical bench from TITAN for many purposes.Just do not expect too much from it. 
 

Pros of the TITAN flat weight bench

 
The pros of the TITAN flat weight bench are:
 
  • Low price
  • Easy to transport
  • Versatile
 
This is a bench that can be used for many purposes without hassle. With the low price, it also will not be a problem to use the hell out of it. Especially if you are planning on stepping on this bench quite a lot, it is a great piece to get. As with all TITAN products the price undercuts the market by about half for a comparable product. 
 

Cons of the TITAN flat weight bench

 
Cons of the TITAN flat bench are: 
 
  • Fairly light
  • Finish
  • Not adjustable
 
This bench is fairly and easy to move around. This is great if you are not a beast bench presser, but pretty counterproductive if you have a massive bench. In that case, you right want to opt for the Hefty bench instead which is just slightly more expensive.
 
As with all TITAN products the quality of the finish and material is slightly worse compared to similar products from Rogue or Eleiko. A company has to cut some corners to save against their competition and this is usually done in how fast and well things are put together or how much money is being spent on the material in the first place. 
 
For home gym owners it might be a better choice to get an adjustable bench to have more variety. Most commercial gms will buy one or two adjustable benches and then fill the remaining slots with a flat bench like this one to save cost. 
 

Alternatives to the TITAN flat weight bench 

 
Alternatives to the TITAN flat weight bench are:
 
 
The hefty bench is a great option for anyone who weighs more than 120kg. It is also a good option if you already have a massive bench press, but still want to be able to move your bench around easily. 
 
The FID adjustable bench has the same amount of padding than the TITAN flat bench, but can be adjusted for several inclines. This is a good versatile option for any gym at a reasonable price. 
 
The single post competition is very similar to the flat bench with one major change. At the foot end of the bench you only have a single post. This makes it easier to get into an arching position for the bench press, as the feet of the bench do not get in the way. 
 

Conclusion to the TITAN flat weight bench 

 
The TITAN flat weight bench is a classic design at a reasonable price from a budget vendor. It does not do a lot, but it does what it says on the tin. If you do not have any specific requirements for your bench press setup and just want an all-purpose bench for your gym which does the job, this is the one to get. 
 

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.

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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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