Which ST fitness Bench would you pick between these two ?

[chipdouglas]

Ok, as a foreword, I sold my former Atlantis setup and got myself what I ALWAYS wanted : a brand new Lamar setup--now marketed under ST Fitness.

I got everything, the power rack + lat pull option, dip handles and the bench.

The seller sent me the wrong bench though. I wanted the 8513 FID, but got the 8514 flat to inclined.

It's not a problem since he's more than willing to send me the right one at no extra cost.

Some people are bothered by FID benches because they're wide under the knees.

I'm having a hard time making a decision on this, and this posting should help me to some extent.

Here are links to the one I currently have : http://www.st-fitness.com/p-42-8514-flat-to-incline-bench.aspx

And here's the one I wanted initially : http://www.st-fitness.com/p-41-8513-deluxe-flat-to-incline-bench.aspx

Let me know what you think.

P.S. My setup drama is FINALLY over since that new setup is ALL I ever wanted, and I couldn't ask for more--really happy with it and my mind is at ease LOL.

[PullBig]

If the seat raises I like the FI better but I almost never use a decline.

[Keetman]

I'm not giving any suggestions till we get some pics.

Pics or negs.....you knew that was coming!



As long as the capacity is sufficient on the FID, I'd go with it. I don't do much decline either, but if you're only having one bench, I'd at least like the ability. That FID weighs 90 lbs, I'm sure its stable enough and a nice bench. Not sure about the wide seat problem, never been an issue on the ones I've used.

Good luck, btw.....did you take a beating on the Atlantis? That was about as nice a half rack as I've ever seen.

[ArmBar100]

We sell them both... the ST 8513 DFI is more popular but I think that's largely because you can add the Preacher and Leg Attachments, also a lot of our customers use the decline for abs.

I personally like the ST 8514 a little better, it's slightly more stable and I also like the narrow seat better (it's just more comfortable to me).

They built the 8514 Bench based on a Cybex Flat/ Incline frame design it's pretty solid-

Unless you're going to use it for declines, Abs, or add the preacher or leg I would go with the ST 8514 Flat to Incline

I hope this helps, Good Luck-

www.fintessdepotaz.com

[chipdouglas]

I'm not giving any suggestions till we get some pics.

Pics or negs.....you knew that was coming!



As long as the capacity is sufficient on the FID, I'd go with it. I don't do much decline either, but if you're only having one bench, I'd at least like the ability. That FID weighs 90 lbs, I'm sure its stable enough and a nice bench. Not sure about the wide seat problem, never been an issue on the ones I've used.

Good luck, btw.....did you take a beating on the Atlantis? That was about as nice a half rack as I've ever seen.


Yeah I took a beating on that Atlantis, but not for the reasons you might think......long story that this one, but the good news is I'm much happier with my current set-up. I'll add some pics now so that you can see what my set-up looks like.

[chipdouglas]

More pics....

The one thing I don't like about the bench I now have (but could exchange for the FID 8513) is that when both seat and backrest set to highest position, uphlstery gets scrunched up like you'll see in the pic I've just uploaded.

[chipdouglas]

We sell them both... the ST 8513 DFI is more popular but I think that's largely because you can add the Preacher and Leg Attachments, also a lot of our customers use the decline for abs.

I personally like the ST 8513 a little better, it's slightly more stable and I also like the narrow seat better (it's just more comfortable to me).

They built the 8513 Bench based on a Cybex Flat/ Incline frame design it's pretty solid-

Unless you're going to use it for declines, Abs, or add the preacher or leg I would go with the ST 8513 Flat to Incline

I hope this helps, Good Luck-

www.fintessdepotaz.com

I think you meant to write t he 8514 which is Flat to incline--8513 is FID. Thanks for chipping in.

[ArmBar100]

More pics....

The one thing I don't like about the bench I now have (but could exchange for the FID 8513) is that when both seat and backrest set to highest position, uphlstery gets scrunched up like you'll see in the pic I've just uploaded.

I just double checked mine and they both do that in the top positions- it was the comermise for keeping gap between the pads smaller-

[ArmBar100]

I think you meant to write t he 8514 which is Flat to incline--8513 is FID. Thanks for chipping in.

Oops I just kept calling them both the 8513... Sorry you're right I meant the 8514

[chipdouglas]

I just double checked mine and they both do that in the top positions- it was the comermise for keeping gap between the pads smaller-

Yep, and I don't think this is much of an issue anyway--I don't think it's going to affect the life span of the bench....anyway the retailer who sold it to me, said : if there's ever anything, just let me know and I'll send you replacement part.

In your above post, I thought you meant you liked the FID better, but it's the reverse.

I think most people like a *narrower* seat as opposed to the wide-under-the-knee FID ones.

[chipdouglas]

Armbar : do you have ST Fitness power cage too ? if so, do you have the lat pull option ? If so, then I'll have a question.

[ArmBar100]

Yep, and I don't think this is much of an issue anyway--I don't think it's going to affect the life span of the bench....anyway the retailer who sold it to me, said : if there's ever anything, just let me know and I'll send you replacement part.

In your above post, I thought you meant you liked the FID better, but it's the reverse.

I think most people like a *narrower* seat as opposed to the wide-under-the-knee FID ones.


I agree I don't think that it'll effect the pad any-

Sorry about the mix up in the post up there I was sleep tying... I did an edit to clean it up for anyone else that try's to read it-

I agree about the narrow seat, also there are also fewer hinge points in the back pad adjustment that make the ST 8514 a little more solid than the DFI... Unless you're going to add the attachments or do declines, I think that the ST 8514 is the better of the 2.

[ArmBar100]

Armbar : do you have ST Fitness power cage too ? if so, do you have the lat pull option ? If so, then I'll have a question.

We carried it when it was the Lamar... but I haven't brought it in with the ST, I'm pretty sure that they didn't change anything-

Shoot me the question and I'll do my best to answer it?

[chipdouglas]

We carried it when it was the Lamar... but I haven't brought it in with the ST, I'm pretty sure that they didn't change anything-

Shoot me the question and I'll do my best to answer it?

If you want to see whether there are any change to the new ST Fitness 8536 power cage, have a look at the pics I posted above.

I've attached a pic of the lat pull option to this post. Normally the weight sled should rest on the weight stack rubber bumper, and not be so far out as it is on mine--Obviously, the retailed will get back to me on this issue tomorrow, but in the meantime, I'd like to know whether you've encountered this in the former Lamar setup ?

Btw, I've used the right pulleys in the right places as well as the right cables--one can't even mix cables up, cause each has a one of a kind fitting. Even if I slack the screw some, it still doesn't go rest against the weight stack rubber bumper. Well, if I slack the screw almost all the way, then it'll rest on the rubber bumper, but then, I wouldn't trust loading the lat pull that way, as threaded anchor needs to be at least 1/2'' screwed down.

Thanks man

[ArmBar100]

I think I know what you're asking... correct me if I wrong, but are you asking if it's normal for the "Weight Carriage" to float above the bumpers?

If that's what you mean it's fine with this set up, it did the same thing with the Lamar...

Your cables will stretch a little with use. If you want you can load the carriage up (150- 200lbs) and bounce the weight a few time to stretch it a little and play with the cable adjustment on the Weight Carriage (but I wouldn't you're right about that thing treaded in deep) even if the weight carriage never touches the bumpers it won't hurt anything.

[chipdouglas]

I think I know what you're asking... correct me if I wrong, but are you asking if it's normal for the "Weight Carriage" to float above the bumpers?

If that's what you mean it's fine with this set up, it did the same thing with the Lamar...

Your cables will stretch a little with use. If you want you can load the carriage up (150- 200lbs) and bounce the weight a few time to stretch it a little and play with the cable adjustment on the Weight Carriage (but I wouldn't you're right about that thing treaded in deep) even if the weight carriage never touches the bumpers it won't hurt anything.

That's exactly what I meant. I've asked you this cause, although a defect could've been possible, I thought to myself : geez, they make that kind of equipment by the thousands, so chances are, everything is just fine the way it is. I also expected the former Lamar lat pull to also have this, which you just bore it out.

One last question, and then I'll have to go :

You wrote that there's less hinge points on the 8514 than on the 8513. Did you mean to say that for sturdiness your vote goes to rotary pop-in adjustment over that of the 8513 ? I bring this up, cause so far as I can see, there's only one hinge point on both the 8513 and 8514--unless you consider 8513 adjustment mode to count as hinge point, in that case, I'd agree.

[ArmBar100]

You wrote that there's less hinge points on the 8514 than on the 8513. Did you mean to say that for sturdiness your vote goes to rotary pop-in adjustment over that of the 8513 ? I bring this up, cause so far as I can see, there's only one hinge point on both the 8513 and 8514--unless you consider 8513 adjustment mode to count as hinge point, in that case, I'd agree.

On the ST 8514 there is only the 1 hinge bolt for and pop pin for the back pad adjustment.

On the ST 8513 there is a hinge bolt on the frame and the arm adjustment for the back pad. They both have to have a little play in them in to move freely.

I feel that the ST 8514's assembly is slightly more stable as result-

[chipdouglas]

On the ST 8514 there is only the 1 hinge bolt for and pop pin for the back pad adjustment.

On the ST 8513 there is a hinge bolt on the frame and the arm adjustment for the back pad. They both have to have a little play in them in to move freely.

I feel that the ST 8514's assembly is slightly more stable as result-

That's what I thought you meant, but wanted to make sure--I agree with you.

[RHINO240]

If you want to see whether there are any change to the new ST Fitness 8536 power cage, have a look at the pics I posted above.

I've attached a pic of the lat pull option to this post. Normally the weight sled should rest on the weight stack rubber bumper, and not be so far out as it is on mine--Obviously, the retailed will get back to me on this issue tomorrow, but in the meantime, I'd like to know whether you've encountered this in the former Lamar setup ?

Btw, I've used the right pulleys in the right places as well as the right cables--one can't even mix cables up, cause each has a one of a kind fitting. Even if I slack the screw some, it still doesn't go rest against the weight stack rubber bumper. Well, if I slack the screw almost all the way, then it'll rest on the rubber bumper, but then, I wouldn't trust loading the lat pull that way, as threaded anchor needs to be at least 1/2'' screwed down.

Thanks man
It is designed that way to allow for stretching.

[beefyron]

is the 8514 the same as my nautilus ns-50?


https://www.fitnessmegastore.co.uk/strength-equipment-15/benches-35/utility-benches-132/nautilus-deluxe-utility-11347-7019_zoom.jpg

[chipdouglas]

is the 8514 the same as my nautilus ns-50?


https://www.fitnessmegastore.co.uk/strength-equipment-15/benches-35/utility-benches-132/nautilus-deluxe-utility-11347-7019_zoom.jpg


Not quite the same, but the resemblance is striking.

[beefyron]

i'm very happy with the nautilus. a little bummed they don't make lamar anymore. i liked the pads.

[ThaBoomer]

Armbar : do you have ST Fitness power cage too ? if so, do you have the lat pull option ? If so, then I'll have a question.

Hey Bro:

I have the Lamar cage, and the lat pull floats above the bumpers the same way. I was actually glad to see that yours does that also now that it's ST. It used to bug me cosmetically, but there have never been any functional problems with it.

I also have the Lamar FID bench. I prefer the ladder style over the model ST fitness sent you for its quickness and ease when changing positions. The pads scrunch a little bit in top position, but not as much as in your picture.

[ThaBoomer]

is the 8514 the same as my nautilus ns-50?


https://www.fitnessmegastore.co.uk/strength-equipment-15/benches-35/utility-benches-132/nautilus-deluxe-utility-11347-7019_zoom.jpg

Kevin Lamar was at Nautilus before starting Lamar Fitness. They essentially tweaked the cosmetics of the Nautilus pieces for Lamar. The change from Nautilus to Lamar saw more (albeit slight) changes than from Lamar to ST fitness. I really like Lamar equipment, my rack, bench, plate trees and Leg extension are all Lamar. Unfortunately, he kind of ran Nautilus into the ground a little bit when he was there, and didn't have any better luck with his own company. Star Trac recognized his talent for what it is, but wouldn't let him slap the actual Star Trac name on his stuff, hence the label ST Fitness.

[alexk400]

I do not like 513 bench. mainly seating and leg attachment. It sucks.

[chipdouglas]

Hey Bro:

I have the Lamar cage, and the lat pull floats above the bumpers the same way. I was actually glad to see that yours does that also now that it's ST. It used to bug me cosmetically, but there have never been any functional problems with it.

I also have the Lamar FID bench. I prefer the ladder style over the model ST fitness sent you for its quickness and ease when changing positions. The pads scrunch a little bit in top position, but not as much as in your picture.

check your pm box

[Skidmarx]

Whoa. Still can't believe you got rid of the Atlantis. :(

[chipdouglas]

Whoa. Still can't believe you got rid of the Atlantis. :(

I liked the Atlantis bench quite a bit--it's obviously a notch above the one I now have, but overall, I'm so much happier with my current setup, because I expect I'm going to have to move in about a year, and I couldn't have taken that Atlantis rack with me, so I found it best to get rid of it now.

I really really like my ST Fitness setup, cause it's all I've been wanting, I can take it with me wherever I may move to,it looks good enough to be set up in a dedicated upstairs room, and the pop pin system is very fast. What's more, I can do more moves now than I used to with my former setup.

[-Burke-]

More pics....

The one thing I don't like about the bench I now have (but could exchange for the FID 8513) is that when both seat and backrest set to highest position, uphlstery gets scrunched up like you'll see in the pic I've just uploaded.

Thanks for posting these pics! Great looking setup!

I've been thinking about this rack pretty seriously. Do you like the chin bar? Does it feel slippery at all to you? One of the things I've been looking for in a rack is the ability to do hammer-grip chins along with straight pull ups.

[chipdouglas]

Thanks for posting these pics! Great looking setup!

I've been thinking about this rack pretty seriously. Do you like the chin bar? Does it feel slippery at all to you? One of the things I've been looking for in a rack is the ability to do hammer-grip chins along with straight pull ups.

I very much like the chin-up bar--what I like is that there's just enough knurling so it's not slippery--too much of this last and it hurts when you do many sets.

[sanjithms]

First time poster here. Thanks for all the info.

chipdouglas - Specific to this 8536 Power rack, have you experienced any issues while doing incline bench press from the back posts ? I have a hoist 165 bench (old model). Was wondering whether spacing is an issue.

I have an oppurtunity to buy this rack for $399 plus $30 for the dip attachment. Is it worth it. Please let me know.
Thanks,
S.

[Wildtim]

On almost every home model power rack you will find the same difficulty. When you get to a higher angle the rear leg on a bench like your hoist will hit the lower support keeping it from being able to be placed as far back as you would like it to go for proper start position.

Since this is often right against the wall as well it is not completely the racks fault but...

Anyway the simple solution especially on a rack like the one you are looking at is to put the bar on the front uprights and spin the bench around so you are facing the wall. At the higher angles the front of the bench won't stick out to far for this to work and this way the back leg of the bench is out into the room. Problem solved.

There are now a couple of benches on the market that are specifically designed to get around this issue without moving them but since your Hoist bench is already a really nice one it would be a waste to get rid of it for something so simply worked around.

[sanjithms]

wildtim - thanks for your feedback. Now that you mention it, doing inclines from the front post is a simple solution.
I wanted to know if price of the rack was a good deal. i guess, I shall start a new thread for that.