REP fitness AB-5200 adjustable bench vs TITAN single post competition

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

Overview and review of the TITAN Single post competition flat bench

This is an overview of the TITAN Single post competition flat bench including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which TITAN bench to get? Follow the links for details.

Overview of the Single post competition flat bench

Price: $149

The single post competition flat bench is designed for heavy bench presses at competition height. With its single post at the leg end of the bench, you can be sure that the bench will not get in the way of your bench press set up. In addition, it is easy to transport with a handle and wheels and closer to the ground than a regular flat bench. This is the right bench for you if you still want to stay mobile, but at the same time want to create powerlifting competition standards. The full specifications of this bench are:

Designed to handle heavy weights
Durable vinyl upholstery with 2.36-in pad
Durable steel construction with 3-in tubing
3-foot design allows athletes to use proper positioning of the feet.
Welded metal endcaps.
Handle and wheels for easy transport.
Powder-coated paint job prevents rust and corrosion
Overall Height: 17-in.
Overall Length: 52-in.
Overall Width: 21.65-in.
Pad Dimensions: 47.25-in x 11.8-in x 2.36-in.
Color: Black
Material: 3-in x 3-in 11-Gauge Steel
Weight Capacity: 1,000 lbs.
Product Weight: 37.5 lbs.

This is a solid flat bench for all purposes and in my opinion preferable to traditional flat benches.

Pros of the TITAN Single post competition flat bench

The pros of the TITAN single post competition flat bench are:

Single post design
Low price
Easy to navigate in a crowded gym

Based on its single post design this bench is easy to wheel around and does not get in the way of your setup. Combined with the low price tag of most TITAN products this is a very solid option to buy in bulk or get your home gym ready.

Cons of the TITAN Single post competition flat bench

Cons of the TITAN Single post competition flat bench are:

Not adjustable
Finish of the product
Not centered

As this is a bench made to powerlifting competition specifications it also has to be seen in this context. For this, the bench is not bolted to the ground or heavy enough which can make it wobbly under very heavy loads. Even though it says in the product description that it takes up to 1.000lbs, I would not bench 500lbs on this bench. For any home gym it also has to be taken into consideration that this bench can not be adjusted. Lats but not least TITAN offer their products at about half the price of the market for something comparable. This means that they have to cut some corners. The less complex the product gets, the less labor goes into it. While TITAN gets corners in the finish of their bigger products in terms of nuts and bolts not being smooth or completely missing, for the lower-priced products they only have the option to cut corners for the material. Just keep this in mind when you choose to buy TITAN. This does not mean they do not get the job done, but saving half the price tag usually comes at a price for the consumer.

Conclusion for the Single post competition flat bench

This bench is a great addition to a home gym or professional gym on a budget. It is compact and easy to move around for the average athlete or semi-professional. If you are really big or move very heavy weights you might want to look for something a little more upmarket.

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.