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REP fitness FB-5000 vs Reflex competition bench

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Jun 3, 2021 4:00:00 PM

REP fitness FB-5000 vs Reflex competition bench

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness FB-5000 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 FB-5000 bench with wide pad 

This is an overview of the REP fitness FB-5000 with wide pad including pros, cons, and alternatives. The original was published under which rep fitness bench to buy. Follow the links for more details.

 

Related articles

 

REP FB-5000 with Wide pad $189

 
The REP FB 5000 is a great value-for-money flat bench and comes highly recommended by multiple reknown Youtubers as a good alternative to the Rogue Utility bench. The full specifications of this bench are:
 
  • Total Height: 16.75"
  • Total Pad Length: 48"
  • Back Pad Width: 13.75"
  • Weight: 62lbs
  • Total Footprint: 7.25 SQFT
  • Designed with Competition Standards
  • 3% Tolerance
 
  • Heavy-duty 3x3" 11 gauge steel frame with even thicker connecting plates.
  • Durable vinyl upholstery with 3" thick pad with plywood base. Connects with four (4) bolts. Two (2) extra bolt holes on frame for future pad compatibility.
  • 16.75" height from floor to top of pad. 
  • 3-foot design for ease of leveling. 
  • Welded metal endcaps.
  • Handle and wheels for easy transport.
  • Available in 4 colors: Matte Black, Hammertone Red, Hammertone Blue, Metallic Black. Please see the image above for the difference between the Matte and Metallic Black finish. 
 
Great beginner bench when you do not want to invest in an adjustable bench when you don’t mind that your bench is imported.
 

Pros of the REP FB-5000 with Wide pad

 
The pros of the REP FB-5000 are:
 
  • Meets competition specifications
  • Handles 1000 pounds
  • Single post
  • Price
  • Easy to move
  • Grippy cushion
  • 4 post attachment of the pad
  • Value for money
 
The list of pros for this one is long and best summarized as a competition standard bench for a very low price. The single post design helps you to simulate the bench press setup in a powerlifting competition at home. Compared to the Rogue competition the pad is better attached to the gram with 4 instead of four frames.
 

Cons of the REP FB-5000 with Wide pad

 
The cons of the FB-5000 are
 
  • Relatively light
  • Not adjustable
  • No decline
  • Instability when you sit on it
 
This is a great bench for bench pressing. If you are looking for a multi-purpose bench for your home gym for hip thrusts, step-ups, resting between sets, and other things you might to do with a regular bench, then the FB-5000 is not great. While the single post design is great for setting up for the bench press it takes away stability for all other exercises you might want to do with a bench.
 

Alternatives to the REP FB-5000 with Wide pad

 
 
The Rogue Utility bench is the better option if you are looking for a general-purpose bench that can be used to do all kinds of exercises.
 
The TITAN hefty bench is TITAN’s approach to a thick pad low-price bench. If you want a thick pad for cheap then this is the road to travel.
 

Conclusion for the REP FB-5000 with Wide pad

 
The REP FB-5000 is hailed as one of the best benches for the money in the market. I personally would say that if I am already looking at the REP fitness way I would upgrade to an adjustable bench on my budget. One of the greatest weaknesses of the Rogue fitness bench portfolio is the jump from the flat bench to the adjustable bench setups which you do not have with REP.
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