Best site to buy a bench press?

[matrix563]

why not just get what you had been using since it works for you? unless its out of production cant' be bought new?

[ProtienandIron]

I hear you about the westside bench press. It looked like a great choice when I looked at it. but after I checked the specs, the seat is higher than is allowed in competition bench presses. I was strongly considering ordering it until I saw it was too high.

How about just building a platform under the bench to bring your feet up a bit?

[BloodType3R]

EDIT: what he^ said..

I'm open to the idea that I could be wrong, and that finding an appropriate flat bench to use in the rack will result in a perfectly okay bench press, but that has not been my experience. I know the rouge rack was designed for that, its one of the reasons I ordered it, incase I need to max out without a spotter.

I hear you about the westside bench press. It looked like a great choice when I looked at it. but after I checked the specs, the seat is higher than is allowed in competition bench presses. I was strongly considering ordering it until I saw it was too high.

You could cut a few layers of 3/4" stall mats to fit just inside of the uprights to adjust the height, essentially raising the floor/lowering the bench.

[LegosInMyEgos]

why not just get what you had been using since it works for you? unless its out of production cant' be bought new?

Because what I have been using hasn't been working for me.

And since I am spending a significant amount of money on this gym, I want to find equipment that will work for me.

How about just building a platform under the bench to bring your feet up a bit?

EDIT: what he^ said..


You could cut a few layers of 3/4" stall mats to fit just inside of the uprights to adjust the height, essentially raising the floor/lowering the bench.

Thats actually a really good idea, would allow me to essentially make the height anything I wanted.

Thanks. Opens up a lot of options now.

[qwan456]

Do you happen to know of a similar quality adjustable and/or flat bench thats around 17 inches high?

I can't comment on the bench press, but for a weight bench for your rack, have you check out the Rogue Adjustable Bench, Sorinex NP Bench, or a cheaper option, the Pendlay Elite 0-90 Bench? The Rogue is 17". I'm not sure about the latter of the two though.

[LegosInMyEgos]

I can't comment on the bench press, but for a weight bench for your rack, have you check out the Rogue Adjustable Bench, Sorinex NP Bench, or a cheaper option, the Pendlay Elite 0-90 Bench? The Rogue is 17". I'm not sure about the latter of the two though.

I've looked into all of those benches, and they all have that wide leg on the front part so I cant position my legs. There would be a ton of options if I was a little taller and could get my legs outside.

[thedickus]

I answered his question as I saw fit. If my posts in this forum don't suit your personal standards, put me on "ignore."

Apparently you're unable to realize you didn't answer his question. Instead of me putting you on "ignore" how about you just don't comment about things you know nothing about. That makes a lot more sense.

[thedickus]

The OP did indeed state that he wanted a certain type of bench, he also explained why: He is certain that he can lift 10 to 15 lbs more from a dedicated bench press than from a rack. That's a significant difference.

This difference can hardly be explained rationally, by physics or mechanics. It might appear to be more of a "mental" or imaginary thing, and thus possibly an ill chosen reason to encur the added expense and reduced safety compared to just using the rack he already has.

Hence it could indeed be appropriate, even constructive, to to suggest that OP revisit his reasons before comitting to his chosen path.

One can conceive of many reasons for wanting a dedicated bench press, but the notion of being able to "lift more" may warrant some sceptisism.

Cheers

"The notion of being able to lift more may warrant some sceptisism"?? Are you for freaking real? Do you even know what power lifting is? I mean where do I start with you? AAAAGGGHHHH!!!!! That has to be the most ignorant statement ever on any weight lifting forum in history since Al Gore invented the internet. Congralutations you win.

[thedickus]

Sure it was.. He asked for opinions on where to buy one.



Because that's what happens on the interwebz.



In addition to adding some VERY logical feedback about his idea.. plenty of individuals did answer his question..








Shall I continue?

"Sure it was.. He asked for opinions on where to buy one."

Did you offer one? No, so pipe down if you have nothing to offer.


"In addition to adding some VERY logical feedback about his idea.. plenty of individuals did answer his question."

Plenty? As of my post only 817boy actually read the OP's post and gave him links to what he was looking for. BTW I repped 817boy for that. Almost three pages of typical rhetoric and only one post with a viable answer.

"Shall I continue?"

No please don't continue. You've shown me so little so far. I really don't want to think any less of you.

[ironwill2008]

Apparently you're unable to realize you didn't answer his question. Instead of me putting you on "ignore" how about you just don't comment about things you know nothing about. That makes a lot more sense.

LMAO. Who died and left you king of teh forumz?

I'll continue to post where and what I choose, within the forum rules.

[thedickus]

LMAO. Who died and left you king of teh forumz?

I've read the stickies and forum rules and I must have missed the part where because ironwill2008 says so is always correct. Again, good for you. You should never let ignorance of the subject matter keep you from giving advice. That's what makes America great.

I'll continue to post where and what I choose, within the forum rules.

As will I...As will I.

[ProtienandIron]

"Sure it was.. He asked for opinions on where to buy one."

Did you offer one? No, so pipe down if you have nothing to offer.


"In addition to adding some VERY logical feedback about his idea.. plenty of individuals did answer his question."

Plenty? As of my post only 817boy actually read the OP's post and gave him links to what he was looking for. BTW I repped 817boy for that. Almost three pages of typical rhetoric and only one post with a viable answer.

"Shall I continue?"

No please don't continue. You've shown me so little so far. I really don't want to think any less of you.

I'm struggling to understand your posts in this thread and your attacks on BT and IW. Its bordering on trolling/account hijack, you've been a regular on here with no issues that I can recall before.

I'm also struggling to see where you've helped in this thread? Your first post was nothing that I hadn't already said in my first post 2 hours previous, and yet you said that 817 was the only post that offered help. The post before me (read: before you) was a recommendation for a westside bench!?

I'm trying to avoid white knighting here, but I would hazard a guess that IW is one of, if not the most respected members on here based on his aquired knowledge and experience. He also spends a lot of time helping people on this forum. You may not agree with him, but at least show some respect.

[Vmango]

I'm struggling to understand your posts in this thread and your attacks on BT and IW. Its bordering on trolling/account hijack, you've been a regular on here with no issues that I can recall before.

I'm also struggling to see where you've helped in this thread? Your first post was nothing that I hadn't already said in my first post 2 hours previous, and yet you said that 817 was the only post that offered help. The post before me (read: before you) was a recommendation for a westside bench!?

I'm trying to avoid white knighting here, but I would hazard a guess that IW is one of, if not the most respected members on here based on his aquired knowledge and experience. He also spends a lot of time helping people on this forum. You may not agree with him, but at least show some respect.

Amen.

And Negged.

[BloodType3R]

thedickus, you seem very unhappy.

In the hopes of turning that frown upside down, I offer to you: a puppy..

[thedickus]

I'm struggling to understand your posts in this thread and your attacks on BT and IW. Its bordering on trolling/account hijack, you've been a regular on here with no issues that I can recall before.

I'm also struggling to see where you've helped in this thread? Your first post was nothing that I hadn't already said in my first post 2 hours previous, and yet you said that 817 was the only post that offered help. The post before me (read: before you) was a recommendation for a westside bench!?

I'm trying to avoid white knighting here, but I would hazard a guess that IW is one of, if not the most respected members on here based on his aquired knowledge and experience. He also spends a lot of time helping people on this forum. You may not agree with him, but at least show some respect.

Good for IW, let him share his experience when asked or warranted. He offered the OP absolutely no insite on where to look to buy the type of bench press that he wants. The OP is obvsiously an advanced powerlifter with a specific question about a specific piece of equipment that only one person that I've seen has posted a link to. The Westside bench you're mentioning looks nothing like what the OP has asked about.
No one here is being attacked. There's just a few people who don't like being told that get a rack isn't always an answer. The hijacking being done here is trying to turn a question about where to buy a dedicated bench press without the extra pegs into a you need to buy a power rack thread.
I've had this same issue on this site before with some other idiot who thought that buy a rack is the answer to any equipment question. If people would have kept their buy a rack comments to themselves this thread would have been dead a couple of pages ago.
Hopefully the OP's question has been answered to his satisfaction. Isn't that what helpful people would actually want.
There are some very useful and knowledgeable people on this site. There are people who know how to design exercise programs for people. There are competitive bodybuilders and powerlifters. There are nutritionists, and scientists. There are people who know how much a piece of equipment should cost in the used market. There are people with unlimited funds who can buy whatever they want and tell about the best of the best equipment in the new market. There are people who live in the UK or Canada and are familiar with the used/new equipments markets in their countries. It would be nice if people would actually stick to their areas of expertise when they reply to posts.

[Accutron]

Someones having a bad day...

[ProtienandIron]

Good for IW, let him share his experience when asked or warranted. He offered the OP absolutely no insite on where to look to buy the type of bench press that he wants. The OP is obvsiously an advanced powerlifter with a specific question about a specific piece of equipment that only one person that I've seen has posted a link to. The Westside bench you're mentioning looks nothing like what the OP has asked about.
No one here is being attacked. There's just a few people who don't like being told that get a rack isn't always an answer. The hijacking being done here is trying to turn a question about where to buy a dedicated bench press without the extra pegs into a you need to buy a power rack thread.
I've had this same issue on this site before with some other idiot who thought that buy a rack is the answer to any equipment question. If people would have kept their buy a rack comments to themselves this thread would have been dead a couple of pages ago.
Hopefully the OP's question has been answered to his satisfaction. Isn't that what helpful people would actually want.
There are some very useful and knowledgeable people on this site. There are people who know how to design exercise programs for people. There are competitive bodybuilders and powerlifters. There are nutritionists, and scientists. There are people who know how much a piece of equipment should cost in the used market. There are people with unlimited funds who can buy whatever they want and tell about the best of the best equipment in the new market. There are people who live in the UK or Canada and are familiar with the used/new equipments markets in their countries. It would be nice if people would actually stick to their areas of expertise when they reply to posts.

From what I could see, no one offered advice that is out of thier scope of practice. Safety advice was given based on the limited info in the OP. Benching is dangerous, no matter what type of lifter you are. Anyone can snap a tendon, blackout, or dislocate a joint, and if it ever does happen while benching, you need something to catch that 380lb bar before it crushes your internal organs. Vmangos post fitted the bill nicely in that its a dedicated PL bench, but it also has spotters. A power rack takes the place of bench hooks, and negates the need for a dedicated bench. From a PLing stand point OP surely just needs a strong, stable, low, wide, and firm bench to lift from, or am I missing something? If OP wanted the advice solely off powerlifter, then I think he has been here long enough to know that there is a PLing section full of them, but intead he asked here. You may think that was a mistake, but I think he got some pretty good advice off everyone....and he can always take or leave it.




OP if you are still here, how about just buying one of those commmercial models wit hthe extra catches or mini spotters and just take and angle grinder and cut them off? Just a thought.

[qwan456]

I've looked into all of those benches, and they all have that wide leg on the front part so I cant position my legs. There would be a ton of options if I was a little taller and could get my legs outside.

Ah, I see. So something similar to the Nautilus F30-90, Hammer Strength Pro Style Bench, or Legend 3222 maybe? I know the Nautilus is a 16" bench and the HS is a 17", and all of them doesn't have that wide leg you are concern of but they are expensive. If you you are able to make the drive from NY, you could attempt to contact the owner of this Cybex equipment package who is closing their gym in New Jersey, if the deal is still up. In the package, they got two adjustable bench that may be a good option. Here's the craigslist listing. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/spo/3503789491.html

Regarding the Westside Bench height, if that still an option, another alternative other than using stall mats or something for the placement of your feet, you could also attempt to contact Rogue and see if they can shorten it to meet your specification.

You more than likely have heard of this product, but to somewhat appease those who are concern with safety (including myself) if you are going with the more traditional bench press option rather than the Westside Bench, you could have a look at Sherm's Free-Spotter with a ceiling kit. It's much better than the spotter stand that was mentioned earlier, TBH, and many reviews that I had read on it said the control bar doesn't hinder their lift and I believe there's a review from a powerlifter you may able to find.

Not sure where you are located in the NY, but there's an equipment fabricator in Long Island, NY that you may be able to go to and try out their stuff. Like they got the flat bench: http://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/flat-bench.htm
This shows that Dean may be able to custom built you a bench press base on your needs and wants, and you may be able to some extent oversee the fabrication process in person.

[Maluket]

I use the free-spotter for benching, and I love it. But I'm not a competitive powerlifter. I don't think I'd want to use it if I were. I think I'd want a free bar, not an almost-free bar. I think I'd want a grip that matched what I'd be competing with, not one with a weird protrusion on one side, even if it's fairly subtle and not in the way. I think I'd either go with a very stable three-legged flat bench and use it in a rack, or if I had room and budget, I'd get a competition benching setup with very-adjustable safeties so I could set them at the perfect height.

A couple of those benches look good to ME (I don't like my FID bench), but I think you'd want at least a dedicated flat bench of competition specs if you're a competitive powerlifter.

[Vmango]

Thanks for the Neg and calling and the personal insult, thedickus. Stay classy.

Listen, I don't understand why this has gone the way it has. The thread was back on track and you came back and started the BS again. As for my original post, based on what the OP provided, I thought it was very helpful. My only beef with this whole thing would be that the OP could have elaborated on his needs, lifting perspectives, budget, and a variety of other contextual matters which would have aided people in providing a better answer.

If someone is going to be really picky about things (which is fine) it's better to address these things in your original post....otherwise it can be frustrating to the people that are trying to help you in good faith.

I also don't think it's ever a bad thing for people to advocate safety. Ever. Take it or leave it.

[owasM]

if you're having that bad of a time finding a bench to your spec, could you not use your specific specs and have a fabricator build you one to them?
judging by what fab shops usualy knock out, a bench press isnt so hard to have built from scratch.

[Maluket]

if you're having that bad of a time finding a bench to your spec, could you not use your specific specs and have a fabricator build you one to them?
judging by what fab shops usualy knock out, a bench press isnt so hard to have built from scratch.

In another thread, he mentioned that he was worried about the custom shops. I've personally ordered custom equipment, and the quality seemed even higher than my Legend GHD. But I'm sure quality varies a lot, and none of the shops are likely to publish weight limit ratings because they won't be testing to failure. Also, somewhere I think he mentioned that he wants it ASAP, where custom manufacture could take some time.

I'd go custom, personally, but that's probably because I've had good experiences instead of bad. I'm sure some people have had bad.

Mind you, I should probably let the _OP_ answer questions posed to him. I'm just highly-caffeinated. *chuckle*

[FastCatChamp]

Damn this iPad. I type a response, open a new window the copy a link and poof.....typed response disappears.

Anyways LIME, check this out http://www.edgefitnessystems.com/. Owners name is Rick. Best reference on these boards would be OSUDimond. Add an "a" into diamond if he can't be found. I do believe that he leaves the a out of his screen name.

[817boy]

Damn this iPad. I type a response, open a new window the copy a link and poof.....typed response disappears.

Anyways LIME, check this out http://www.edgefitnessystems.com/. Owners name is Rick. Best reference on these boards would be OSUDimond. Add an "a" into diamond if he can't be found. I do believe that he leaves the a out of his screen name.

He said on another thread he didnt want to buy from Rick, i believe he said he had a hard time contacting him in the past.

[Steelfan7]

He said on another thread he didnt want to buy from Rick, i believe he said he had a hard time contacting him in the past.

I've emailed Rick a few times on some questions I had and he responded quickly to my questions.

[KalleA]

"The notion of being able to lift more may warrant some sceptisism"?? Are you for freaking real? Do you even know what power lifting is? I mean where do I start with you? AAAAGGGHHHH!!!!! That has to be the most ignorant statement ever on any weight lifting forum in history since Al Gore invented the internet. Congralutations you win.

Really? You neg me for stating that the notion of being able to lift 10 to 15 lbs more from a dedicated bench press than from a power rack is debatable?

The issue is not about striving to lift more, or wanting to be able to lift more. Duh. The issue is if one flat bench will allow you to lift 10 to 15 lbs more than another flat bench. IMO that is unlikely as long as both benches are stable. Quite unlikely.

I base that notion not only on knowing what powerlifting is, but also on many years of lifting and powerlifting.

Did you actually read and properly comprehend the post you negged? Like, all the words...

Why are you so angry?

Cheers

[LegosInMyEgos]

I am thinking that it may be better to approach my bench issue as follows, I could be off base, but let me know what you guys think.

Having an adjustable bench that is higher than 17 inches is probably better overall at long as I get a flat bench that is under 17 inches. Incline bench press and military bench press require a higher level seat for optimal leg drive, so I figure that 18-18.5 inches might be a good option for that.

I am also gonna be getting a separate decline only bench too, so I can do weighted abs and decline bench. I am thinking that going through Valor for these 2 benches might NOT be a bad idea, because while most of their equipment is not the greatest quality, they seem to have a couple very good quality benches. I pmed someone on this site who uses the valor flat bench and powerlifts, and she said that she thought it was an amazing bench, and shes only 2 inches shorter than me, so I figure it would probably be perfect for my height too.

http://www.amazon.com/Valor-Athletic.../dp/B002ME0JGW
http://valorathleticsinc.com/store/D...h-p-16169.html

Ah, I see. So something similar to the Nautilus F30-90, Hammer Strength Pro Style Bench, or Legend 3222 maybe? I know the Nautilus is a 16" bench and the HS is a 17", and all of them doesn't have that wide leg you are concern of but they are expensive. If you you are able to make the drive from NY, you could attempt to contact the owner of this Cybex equipment package who is closing their gym in New Jersey, if the deal is still up. In the package, they got two adjustable bench that may be a good option. Here's the craigslist listing. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/spo/3503789491.html

Regarding the Westside Bench height, if that still an option, another alternative other than using stall mats or something for the placement of your feet, you could also attempt to contact Rogue and see if they can shorten it to meet your specification.

You more than likely have heard of this product, but to somewhat appease those who are concern with safety (including myself) if you are going with the more traditional bench press option rather than the Westside Bench, you could have a look at Sherm's Free-Spotter with a ceiling kit. It's much better than the spotter stand that was mentioned earlier, TBH, and many reviews that I had read on it said the control bar doesn't hinder their lift and I believe there's a review from a powerlifter you may able to find.

Not sure where you are located in the NY, but there's an equipment fabricator in Long Island, NY that you may be able to go to and try out their stuff. Like they got the flat bench: http://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/flat-bench.htm
This shows that Dean may be able to custom built you a bench press base on your needs and wants, and you may be able to some extent oversee the fabrication process in person.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked at a bunch of commercial grade equipment for benching, I just havent seen anywhere online I can buy it, it looks like you need to always contact the company for a quote. I will look into the craigslist suggestions though.

Rogue doesn't do custom orders anymore to my knowledge, because I asked for one before I ordered my R4.

As for that spotter..... really not something I could use based on what I train for.

That guy is located on long island? Awesome, maybe I can drive to his warehouse and speak in person.

I use the free-spotter for benching, and I love it. But I'm not a competitive powerlifter. I don't think I'd want to use it if I were. I think I'd want a free bar, not an almost-free bar. I think I'd want a grip that matched what I'd be competing with, not one with a weird protrusion on one side, even if it's fairly subtle and not in the way. I think I'd either go with a very stable three-legged flat bench and use it in a rack, or if I had room and budget, I'd get a competition benching setup with very-adjustable safeties so I could set them at the perfect height.

A couple of those benches look good to ME (I don't like my FID bench), but I think you'd want at least a dedicated flat bench of competition specs if you're a competitive powerlifter.

The FID benches look like a jack of all trades master of none kind of bench. I think I am gonna buy a separate decline. What exact model do you use?

if you're having that bad of a time finding a bench to your spec, could you not use your specific specs and have a fabricator build you one to them?
judging by what fab shops usualy knock out, a bench press isnt so hard to have built from scratch.

Like the others said, I am uneasy about the quality and time needed for it to be shipped. I am getting everything else put together this week, and having to wait 10 weeks to bench press would suck.

Damn this iPad. I type a response, open a new window the copy a link and poof.....typed response disappears.

Anyways LIME, check this out http://www.edgefitnessystems.com/. Owners name is Rick. Best reference on these boards would be OSUDimond. Add an "a" into diamond if he can't be found. I do believe that he leaves the a out of his screen name.

Maybe I will try to contact him again and see what happens.

[Maluket]

I am thinking that it may be better to approach my bench issue as follows...

I'm not a powerlifter, but on the surface, that sounds like a great approach.

The FID benches look like a jack of all trades master of none kind of bench. I think I am gonna buy a separate decline. What exact model do you use?

That's my impression as well, though I've only used mine. I use a Bodycraft F320 bench. It's nice that it fits well inside my rack, which isn't pass-through (Powertec). But I dislike the decline enough that I don't use it, it seems to wobble back and forth by a full inch if I shove it sideways, it's 20 inches up for flat bench, but then you're sitting on the ground when you're doing steep inclines.

So far, to me the nicest-looking flat/incline bench I've seen today is the Powerlift dumbbell bench. It looks really solid to me, and the design means no gap between the back and the seat.

http://www.power-lift.com/benches-powerlift.html

And the cost no object thread liked the "Nebula Fitness Awesome Utility Bench" for FID.

http://www.nebula-fitness.com/Produc...SubCategory=49

[jlockleOSU]

LIME,

I think you are on the right track, I agree that a dedicated flat bench is superior to a flat placed into a power rack.

I do think in the mean time you could get buy using a flat bench inside the rack? I got a Forza of CL, definitely doesn't happen often, but you never know.

You could also see if Dean at black widow could fab up a drop in bench for your R4. Something that would lock into the rack for stability, kinda like a bench on an ER rack.

[LegosInMyEgos]

I'm not a powerlifter, but on the surface, that sounds like a great approach.


That's my impression as well, though I've only used mine. I use a Bodycraft F320 bench. It's nice that it fits well inside my rack, which isn't pass-through (Powertec). But I dislike the decline enough that I don't use it, it seems to wobble back and forth by a full inch if I shove it sideways, it's 20 inches up for flat bench, but then you're sitting on the ground when you're doing steep inclines.

So far, to me the nicest-looking flat/incline bench I've seen today is the Powerlift dumbbell bench. It looks really solid to me, and the design means no gap between the back and the seat.

http://www.power-lift.com/benches-powerlift.html

And the cost no object thread liked the "Nebula Fitness Awesome Utility Bench" for FID.

http://www.nebula-fitness.com/Produc...SubCategory=49

Ya, the more i think about it, having 3 benches seems like the best idea overall.

20 inches seems like a ridiculously high up bench, but you're 6 foot 3, so I imagine its not quite as bad for you as it would be more me. At 5 foot 8, if I fell off a 20 inch bench I would probably die .

The powerlift stuff looks interesting, but as far as I know, rogue fitness took over nebula, and old products arent made anymore.

LIME,

I think you are on the right track, I agree that a dedicated flat bench is superior to a flat placed into a power rack.

I do think in the mean time you could get buy using a flat bench inside the rack? I got a Forza of CL, definitely doesn't happen often, but you never know.

You could also see if Dean at black widow could fab up a drop in bench for your R4. Something that would lock into the rack for stability, kinda like a bench on an ER rack.

Ya, I definitely plan on contacting Dean seeing that he is on Long Island and I can probably meet him in person to discuss this stuff if I need to.

I actually think Forzas are a little high for my liking, the one I used was nearly 18 inches up.