Legend 4 Way Utility Bench Review

[Jack.Bauer]

Does anyone have any good solid "detail" pictures of the either the Legend 3 or 4 way?

Like of the semi-circle support, or some of the welds?

I know Legend says you could park a truck on it, but I'd like to see for myself a bit. Again I'd really love a broader support in the back "leg" but I might be able to "get over that".

[deadwoodgregg]

Does anyone have any good solid "detail" pictures of the either the Legend 3 or 4 way?

Like of the semi-circle support, or some of the welds?

I know Legend says you could park a truck on it, but I'd like to see for myself a bit. Again I'd really love a broader support in the back "leg" but I might be able to "get over that".

I probably have more Legend equipment than anyone on the forum. I have two 3-way benches so I really can't speak on the 4-way bench. The welds on my Legend pieces may not always look "pretty" but I have yet to see one that was anywhere near unacceptable. There is no wobble of any kind on any of my Legend benches. I only weigh about 190lbs. so really the truest test would be for guys that weigh 250+.





The semi-circular support is 3/8" thick. The rest of the bench is 11 gauge. Mostly 3 x 3 construction.

[matrix563]

you sure deadwood? i'm pretty sure you + bar and weights is more than 250+

[Jack.Bauer]

The semi-circular support is 3/8" thick. The rest of the bench is 11 gauge. Mostly 3 x 3 construction.

Thank you deadwood.

I'd rep you but it won't let me b/c I guess I repped you pretty recently.

How um "deep" is that semi-circular support?

How would you rate the robustness of the pin design (that locks into the semi circle)

TY again

[deadwoodgregg]

How um "deep" is that semi-circular support?

How would you rate the robustness of the pin design (that locks into the semi circle)

TY again

The support is 1 1/2" wide and has a 1/2" hole so I would guess the pin is about 1/2" in diameter. The yellow knob is plastic and there is a spring inside the metal housing. I don't think that would be an issue but I would prefer the knob be metal.

There is a local gym called Exalt Gym (on Youtube) that has 95% Legend equipment. The type gym that has 200lb. dumbbells and many 500lb.+ benchers and they use the Legend 3-way benches. I am sure if they had any issues with the benches that they would have replaced them by now.

The Legend 3-way and 4-way benches are 11 gauge and $525-$750 range. To get something heavier you would have to jump up to 7 gauge benches and pay in the $900+ range.

[Jack.Bauer]

There is a local gym called Exalt Gym (on Youtube) that has 95% Legend equipment. The type gym that has 200lb. dumbbells and many 500lb.+ benchers and they use the Legend 3-way benches. I am sure if they had any issues with the benches that they would have replaced them by now.

The Legend 3-way and 4-way benches are 11 gauge and $525-$750 range. To get something heavier you would have to jump up to 7 gauge benches and pay in the $900+ range.

Thanks.

Funny thing is - and realize I don't even press 200# right now, I just want overkill when it comes to safety... The thing is I'd buy the 3 way for the better flat bench support - except it's got the "tiny" seat, which I'm not a fan of.

Anyway - thanks again my friend

[emp1acur]

I have the 4-way and I also have an EliteFTS. Previously I've owned a Nautilus commercial, Cybex, and a bunch of home use benches. I'd definitely rank the Legend as #1 when it comes to adjustability but I really don't care for the height, seat height when adjusted for incline, and width of the pad. The EliteFTS is 17 1/2 inches high and has a wider pad. The seat is also preferred because it drops lower instead of raising higher. Being 5'9" I need lower rather than higher.

Legend 4 way made it to my future list of wants after reading many reviews. Is it fair to say you'd choose the EliteFTS now if you could have only one? In your home gym photos, I see what you mean that the Legend seat seems higher when you set it for incline. Hadn't noticed that before. Your EliteFTS is the 0-90 Incline I assume? Must be nice though to have two great benches

[BAVE]

Legend 4 way made it to my future list of wants after reading many reviews. Is it fair to say you'd choose the EliteFTS now if you could have only one? In your home gym photos, I see what you mean that the Legend seat seems higher when you set it for incline. Hadn't noticed that before. Your EliteFTS is the 0-90 Incline I assume? Must be nice though to have two great benches

I think the preference would be specific to me (height, etc). I like the EliteFTS but prefer the adjustability of the Legend. For example: the back support angle for shoulder presses is more adjustable to my liking on the legend but I love the seat height on the Elite for shoulder presses. I'd probably opt for a Williams Strength 0-90 Signature

Honestly, both benches are awesome and hard to fault.

[Maluket]

I'd probably opt for a Williams Strength 0-90 Signature

It's a nice bench. And it Looks like EFS now has their own version of it, with and without spotter platform:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...&m=PD&pid=4033
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...&m=PD&pid=4034

I wonder if they've had it all along and I just didn't notice when I was bench shopping.

[judgecrandall]

It's a nice bench. And it Looks like EFS now has their own version of it, with and without spotter platform:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...&m=PD&pid=4033
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...&m=PD&pid=4034

I wonder if they've had it all along and I just didn't notice when I was bench shopping.

That spotter platform is ridiculously huge. I guess it lives up to its name (0-90 Dumbbell Bench w/ Extra Large Spotter Platform).

[grumpytude]

love the 4-way bench from legend- so far no complaints.

[Jack.Bauer]

One final picture request...

Can someone take some pictures of the push bin area for the main back section?

I'd like to get an idea of the structure there. It's going to take the full load weight, and since it is welded to the side... Well just interested in seeing its structure up close.

Thanks again

[BAVE]

One final picture request...

Can someone take some pictures of the push bin area for the main back section?

I'd like to get an idea of the structure there. It's going to take the full load weight, and since it is welded to the side... Well just interested in seeing its structure up close.

Thanks again

Thats probably the one thing on the bench that concerned me from day one. I'm not sure if it is just mine but this one's pin doesn't really pass all the way through. Basically, it stops right at the end of the hole. My concern was really based on the thought that all of the weight is being supported by the pin and its not even passing beyond the end of the hole in the semicircular support piece. I may just be paranoid but I had a Weider bench snap completely at the weld (the frame supporting the middle of the bench) when I was a teen and the image has stuck around since. I'll snap a pic and attach to this post as soon as I get a chance.

[BAVE]

That spotter platform is ridiculously huge. I guess it lives up to its name (0-90 Dumbbell Bench w/ Extra Large Spotter Platform).

They should rename it to the Spotter platform with little 0-90 bench attached. I'd opt for the one without the platform.

[emp1acur]

It's a nice bench. And it Looks like EFS now has their own version of it, with and without spotter platform:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...&m=PD&pid=4033
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...&m=PD&pid=4034

I wonder if they've had it all along and I just didn't notice when I was bench shopping.

If I recall correctly you like it but had not got to the point that you love it? Just curious if this was and still is the case?

One thing I have learned about benches is that there are some really great ones but even those each have their strengths and there are always some trade offs

I would definitely go for the non-spotter version though on the Williams/EliteFTS.

[Maluket]

If I recall correctly you like it but had not got to the point that you love it? Just curious if this was and still is the case?

One thing I have learned about benches is that there are some really great ones but even those each have their strengths and there are always some trade offs

I would definitely go for the non-spotter version though on the Williams/EliteFTS.

I kinda love my bench now, yeah. It grew on me. The only real problem with the bench is my rack (not walk through), and that's not the bench's fault. There's enough room for incline - I just don't like being that far forward. It doesn't actually feel unstable to me in incline, even though I can cause some movement if I shake it back and forth. It may be that the ladder-style is more stable the more weight you put on it, or maybe I'm just not sensitive enough to notice a little bit of wobble. No wobble flat, at least.

I suppose a tiny nit pick is that while you can adjust the back upwards by simply lifting on it (the rear piece just falls into the next grove), you can't do the same to the seat part - you have to actually push the piece a little to get it into a groove. I have to lean over briefly! The horror!

I DO love the feeling of quality and solidity to the thing. I love the heft of it, the smoothness of the wheels, the thunk of the heavy rear piece falling into the next groove as I incline it. And the dimensions are just right for me for flat benching, and I've been setting PRs again (it's been a while). I doubt the PRs are just from the improvement in the bench, but you never know.

A bit more on topic, I seriously considered the Legend 4-way. It looks like a really nice bench, and has some clear advantages over mine, like decline and more adjustability.

And I can't resist... bench porn!



WS4.jpg

[jpy15026]

[QUOTE=Rginebaugh;628617343]Ok let me try and upload the pics here. You can see the box and where the bench poked through and the chipped paint by the wheel housing. Also as you can see in the incline position in the cage the bar is way behind your head, and if you straddle the cage then its too far in front of you. As someone else suggested, I turned the bench around and that felt like it should work. Have to wait for chest day to try that out.



I do incline bench presses and dumbell flys in my Powertec Rack using my Ironmaster Super bench set at a 30 degree incline.
From what I can see in the pic you have your Legend bench set at 45 degrees correct? (3rd hole from flat)



Can you do incline presses at 30 degrees? (2nd hole from flat)
Does it fit your rack set at a 30 degree incline?
Does anyone else have the Legend 4 way and a Powertec or similar rack with the rear crossbar in the rear,if so, do 30 degree inclines solve the problem or is the bar still too far back.
Thanks in advance

[BAVE]

[QUOTE=jpy15026;1093368703]

Ok let me try and upload the pics here. You can see the box and where the bench poked through and the chipped paint by the wheel housing. Also as you can see in the incline position in the cage the bar is way behind your head, and if you straddle the cage then its too far in front of you. As someone else suggested, I turned the bench around and that felt like it should work. Have to wait for chest day to try that out.



I do incline bench presses and dumbell flys in my Powertec Rack using my Ironmaster Super bench set at a 30 degree incline.
From what I can see in the pic you have your Legend bench set at 45 degrees correct? (3rd hole from flat)



Can you do incline presses at 30 degrees? (2nd hole from flat)
Does it fit your rack set at a 30 degree incline?
Does anyone else have the Legend 4 way and a Powertec or similar rack with the rear crossbar in the rear,if so, do 30 degree inclines solve the problem or is the bar still too far back.
Thanks in advance

Couldnt you reverse the bench and use the side without the crossbar for lifts where its in the way? Another option (with a small cost) is to have Dean at Black Widow Training Gear make you some spotter arms for the outside of your rack.

https://www.********.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

[Northernmoris]

[QUOTE=BAVE;1093469793]

Couldnt you reverse the bench and use the side without the crossbar for lifts where its in the way? Another option (with a small cost) is to have Dean at Black Widow Training Gear make you some spotter arms for the outside of your rack.

https://www.********.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Or drill 2 holes per side, get threaded rod and a 2 part epoxy and lag the rack into the ground. Once it's down remove the rear crossbar.

[jpy15026]

Thanks for the replies,I'm aware of all the alternate ways I can use the 4 way Legend bench if I purchase one to replace my Ironmaster bench,
I'm just trying to find out if setting the Legend 4 way at 30 degrees (instead of 45 degrees as Rginebaugh shows in his post) would solve the problem of the bar being "too far behind"
The only way to find out before I purchase one is to find a user that has one and uses it at 30 degrees in a rack like the Powertec with the rear cross brace.
Thanks in advance.