CFF Flat Bench

[justroberson]

I'm putting together my first garage gym, got a lightly used TPB, ~500lbs in lightly used plates that I refinished, and a Titan Rack. All set besides the bench, which is giving me a headache (seems common). CL not an option, San Antonio CL is garbage or i'm not good at it.

Looking for $100-200 but i'd like to save. Powermax- too narrow, Elitefts flat was on sale but they never got back to my email so screw them, adidas flat seems like a pos.

I was all set on just getting the Rogue bolt together which would have been about $215. Then I happened to go on CFF on my phone and saw they have a 15% discount for mobile users, so their flat bench would cost me around $135 total. Here is is:

https://christiansfitnessfactory.com...ity-bench.html

Does anyone have this bench or have experience with it? My only real concern is that it seems really short, the listed length is only 43.5in (wtf), i'm 6'1 but i'm longer in my legs.

Any help would be appreciated. TLDR

[justroberson]

Nobody owns or has used this bench?

...

Any general thoughts on the company or getting a bench with those specs at that price point?

Or anybody around my height that has used a similarly short bench?

[snova031]

Nobody owns or has used this bench?

...

Any general thoughts on the company or getting a bench with those specs at that price point?

Or anybody around my height that has used a similarly short bench?

I haven't used the bench, but I've been to their PA store and have been impressed with their equipment. I also had their GHD and it was a solid piece. I've got a few other things from them, but they're all just attachments/accessories.

I know a few members are local like I am and have been out to their place, maybe they can chime in.

[justroberson]

I haven't used the bench, but I've been to their PA store and have been impressed with their equipment. I also had their GHD and it was a solid piece. I've got a few other things from them, but they're all just attachments/accessories.

I know a few members are local like I am and have been out to their place, maybe they can chime in.

Thanks for the insight. Good to know that they're at least legit.

[jrv1932]

I'm not sure about that bench but the Elite bench is great. I just purchased the bolt together version. It went on sale AFTER I bought it unfortunately but it came out to $214 total shipped. It's built like a tank. 17" height. 12" width. Great bench overall .

I'd go with the rogue or elite. That CFF bench seems decent but it's pretty light and weight capacity isn't all that great. length is also pretty short. Maybe it's plenty but I'd personally go for one that is just more sturdy. I went with the Elite over Rogue because of the height but at your height Rogue should be fine.

[Cleveland33]

my next bench, when I have the room:

[jrv1932]

Beast Metals makes great stuff. I was going to have him build me a flat bench but with shipping it just came out to a little too much but he does great work.

[justroberson]

I'm not sure about that bench but the Elite bench is great. I just purchased the bolt together version. It went on sale AFTER I bought it unfortunately but it came out to $214 total shipped. It's built like a tank. 17" height. 12" width. Great bench overall .

I'd go with the rogue or elite. That CFF bench seems decent but it's pretty light and weight capacity isn't all that great. length is also pretty short. Maybe it's plenty but I'd personally go for one that is just more sturdy. I went with the Elite over Rogue because of the height but at your height Rogue should be fine.

Yeah I was trying to get the EliteFTS "scholastic" bolt together last weekend, it showed that it was on sale for $170 this past weekend (which would have come out cheaper than the rogue). But when I clicked on the bench or put it in the cart the regular $189 was showing up. I emailed them but they never got back to me, and then the sale was gone.

Hmm now that I know the regular EFS is 17" and the same price as the rogue, I might still go with them.

How long was the actual shipping time on your bench? Site says 4-6 weeks, which might push me back towards the rogue which I hear ships decently quickly.

Edit: Did you get the "scholastic" bench? Their site says the pad is 12" on the "garage" bolt together and and 11" on the "garage line."

[jrv1932]

The 4-6 weeks is for the welded version. I was concerned about that as well. I emailed and they stated bolted version ships in two weeks. I ordered it on a Tuesday and it was at my doorstep exactly two weeks later. I know the Rogue is a great bench and has a ton of feedback but I do believe the Elite is a little more solid and If i remember right is over 70lbs. It's very heavy. I got the gripper padding as well and like it a lot.

[snova031]

OP, here's another option:

http://www.repfitness.com/rep-flat-bench

[Cleveland33]

Beast Metals makes great stuff. I was going to have him build me a flat bench but with shipping it just came out to a little too much but he does great work.

you might want to have him quote it without the pad and look into getting the Thompson fat pad yourself

[justroberson]

OP, here's another option:

http://www.repfitness.com/rep-flat-bench

Whoa, curveball. That looks perfect. Every spec I'm looking for (width, length, height, strength) is on point. Have you (or anyone else reading this) bought from them in general or that bench specifically?

$13 shipping too, seems too good to be true.

[Cleveland33]

Pendlay's is similar too

http://www.muscledriverusa.com/Pendl...ly_p_2830.html

[justroberson]

Pendlay's is similar too

http://www.muscledriverusa.com/Pendl...ly_p_2830.html

10" padding is a deal breaker for me though, i've been spoiled at a PL gym full of comp benches

[throwaway3441]

Whoa, curveball. That looks perfect. Every spec I'm looking for (width, length, height, strength) is on point. Have you (or anyone else reading this) bought from them in general or that bench specifically?

$13 shipping too, seems too good to be true.

I've been pestering them about their adjustable bench and they said they were going to post a video of their benches by the third.

Pendlay's is similar too

http://www.muscledriverusa.com/Pendl...ly_p_2830.html

That looks a little nicer to me. Looks like they've gotten better with the stapler. $198 shipped. Not bad, but I think I'd rather spend the extra $15 on EliteFTS or Rogue.

Edit: Spoke too soon. Saw 12" wide and figured that was the pad. It's actually 10".

[jrv1932]

My only concern with that RepFitness bench is that it seems very light. 33lbs which is the same as that Adidas bench you mentioned. I'm sure it's built much better than that bench though.

Rogue is 40+ pounds
Elite is 70lbs

[justroberson]

My only concern with that RepFitness bench is that it seems very light. 33lbs which is the same as that Adidas bench you mentioned. I'm sure it's built much better than that bench though.

Rogue is 40+ pounds
Elite is 70lbs

I noticed that too. It looks like its kind of a clone of the rogue, without the extra triangular bracing attaching the legs to the feet and at the corners of the legs and pad that the rogue has. Probably accounts for the lost weight.

So far i'm seeing good reviews though, and i have to assume they're not lying about the 1000lb capacity

[Cleveland33]

missed that point about the pad width. What's the point of 10" anyway?

[justroberson]

missed that point about the pad width. What's the point of 10" anyway?

There is one 10" pad bench at my gym, i'd rather just wait than be forced to use it. Feels like i'm going to slip off and drop a DB on my face at any second its so narrow

[Giovanni24]

The 4-6 weeks is for the welded version. I was concerned about that as well. I emailed and they stated bolted version ships in two weeks. I ordered it on a Tuesday and it was at my doorstep exactly two weeks later. I know the Rogue is a great bench and has a ton of feedback but I do believe the Elite is a little more solid and If i remember right is over 70lbs. It's very heavy. I got the gripper padding as well and like it a lot.

I'm looking to replace my Ironmaster bench with something wider and shorter and the FTS Scholastic seems to fit the bill. Can you explain the "gripper padding"? If possible, could you post a picture? I tried Googling it, but came up short. Thanks.

[rlundregan]

I'm looking to replace my Ironmaster bench with something wider and shorter and the FTS Scholastic seems to fit the bill. Can you explain the "gripper padding"? If possible, could you post a picture? I tried Googling it, but came up short. Thanks.

I don't know for sure, but I'll take a stab at it--I believe the gripper padding basically is less slippy, so you don't slide around on the bench. Helps you to maintain the arch in your back while under load.

[Stasher1]

I'm looking to replace my Ironmaster bench with something wider and shorter and the FTS Scholastic seems to fit the bill. Can you explain the "gripper padding"? If possible, could you post a picture? I tried Googling it, but came up short. Thanks.

It's generally the same type of textured vinyl that's used for "gripper" seats for dirt bikes...




Different companies will have different patterns, but you get the idea.

[Giovanni24]

It's generally the same type of textured vinyl that's used for "gripper" seats for dirt bikes...




Different companies will have different patterns, but you get the idea.

Thanks! Looks like I'll be getting the bolt together (the all-welded has an outrageous shipping fee). Still trying to decide between black and gripper black though. Right now my IronMaster bench's cover is all cracked on the head portion and I hate how the rough texture feels against my head. This makes me feel like I might not like the gripper texture as much as smooth. I do like the idea of my shoulder blades being locked in during benches though... Decisions, decisions...

[rlundregan]

Thanks! Looks like I'll be getting the bolt together (the all-welded has an outrageous shipping fee). Still trying to decide between black and gripper black though. Right now my IronMaster bench's cover is all cracked on the head portion and I hate how the rough texture feels against my head. This makes me feel like I might not like the gripper texture as much as smooth. I do like the idea of my shoulder blades being locked in during benches though... Decisions, decisions...

I don't have much experience with gripper vinyl, but I don't think it would feel all that bad against your head. Cracks in the vinyl are a very different feel.

It probably depends in part on how much you currently bench press, and what your "ceiling" is. My bench press sucks, and at 46 years old, I only see it improving so much. I don't have issues maintaining an arch with the smoother vinyl on my current bench. If you are benching 400 lbs now, you might feel very differently.

[jrv1932]

Stasher pretty much nailed it. If you'd like I can take pictures tonight and post them. It's not uncomfortable in any way. Also, I got the bolt together and I love it. It's a tank.

[Giovanni24]

Stasher pretty much nailed it. If you'd like I can take pictures tonight and post them. It's not uncomfortable in any way. Also, I got the bolt together and I love it. It's a tank.

Sure, I'd love to see some pics. Is it still a deep black color?

[jrv1932]

The gripper pad is more of a matte black color. The actual frame I got the platinum silver/grey frame. I was actually surprised with the gripper pad when my bench arrived since I couldn't really find much info online about the bench. I expected it just to have a gripper cover for the top portion of the bench as I've seen on other benches but was surprised that the entire padding was the gripper material.

[jrv1932]

Here you go. I asked my wife to take a few pics. The padding is a little dirty from chalk. Actually cleaning it may be a little more difficult than a standard pad but I haven't done so yet.

[morebarbell]

Here you go. I asked my wife to take a few pics. The padding is a little dirty from chalk. Actually cleaning it may be a little more difficult than a standard pad but I haven't done so yet.
....

I like the design a lot... probably my favorite of the bolt togethers that I've seen... only seen photos though. The only thing that I don't like is the front foot. I prefer not to have any edges in the front and would prefer a flat plate instead of square tubing.

[THErunCMD]

my next bench, when I have the room:

Just to derail a bit more - I want something like this with swing in monolift hooks set up as a dedicated benching station