[POLL] Best bench for $1,000?

[michaelstone]

That valor does look nice for $299, I haven't found a place in canada though, shipping would suck I'm sure.

[Jetigen]

That valor does look nice for $299, I haven't found a place in canada though, shipping would suck I'm sure.

http://fitnessavenue.ca/item.php?id=521

[emp1acur]

That valor does look nice for $299, I haven't found a place in canada though, shipping would suck I'm sure.

I'm sure it would. I think Amazon.ca actually has it but it is alot more than from Amazon.com. I'd do the UPS across the border thing and pick it up there if I was going to order one.

[MensaTarzan]

I think I may be a bench whore because I love looking at them and drooling....

I think we're in good company here :-)

no body seems to value the telescoping feature of the rack benches. I haven't used a regular bench in a rack in years. I got so tired of having to reposition the bench when I went form flat to various incline positions. Does anyone else value that feature?

I think it would be a useful feature for me if I had enough room for a dedicated rack bench but as it currently stands, I need to move the same bench out of the rack for dumbbell work and having additional locking elements would just make it cumbersome .

If I had ordered both a pro rack and pro bench from Legend, they would've thrown in the locking feature for the bench for free (something to keep in mind if you're ordering both, you must insist that they do this though). Rae Crowther quoted an additional $500 for the changes that they require to the rack and bench. For these reasons, limited space and additional $$$, I shied away from this feature.

I also realize that this would’ve given me just the locking mechanism and neither bench truly telescopes. But for the same reasons, the telescoping feature was even less desirable to me than the locking feature.

A telescoping bench is on my list. I like the ProStar PS701 bench. Their "regular" PS656 bench looks just as good as all the other benches mentioned in the poll. Pictures are below.

http://www.prostarsports.com/freeweights/benches/

That is one cool looking (and functioning) bench!

This thread has affected my work the last couple of days. Keep checking to see what has been posted. So many nice benches in here and valuable insight. Someday I'm upgrading from my Powertec bench but it has to wait...however this thread will definitely be read a few times again when that time comes.
… In the meantime, I'll continue to look at all these gorgeous benches in this excellent thread.

Glad to know I`m not the only one whose work has suffered!

[Jetigen]

I think Valor is just a reseller as I see the same designs being sold under different names in different countries. At least it seems so to me. Quality is hit and miss in my experience. For example, I have a Valor CA-53 Speed Bag Platform. I love it; but had quality problems with their swivel for the platform.

Valor DD-11 has favorable reviews on amazon. I like its design, size and weight specs. The unbiased video review below was the tipping point for me. Besides, I didn't want to buy a used commercial bench that had probably literally thousand people sitting, laying, sweating, etc on it for my new rack. I'll do a quick review when I get my bench.

I bought it for $272 with free shipping from Ebay.

[MensaTarzan]

Tarzan, I decided on the Legend 3-way model 3103. I considered most every bench in this solar system and the Legend just seemed to provide the best value given my budget constraints. What I wanted in a new bench was ruggedness and simplicity. The Legend bench just kind of spoke to me and the quote I received from Legend was $480. They also gave me a big break on the shipping because I added the bench to a rack order placed the week before.

Congrats on the purchase! My recent experience with Legend equipment (Pro half-rack and #3222 Pro 3-way bench) has been excellent, both pieces are heavy duty, stable and easy to adjust.

For future readers, here’s a link to the bench that Dinerobill just purchased:

http://www.legendfitness.com/product...ench_3103.aspx

And here’s a short review by BB forum member SamDowdy on the similar, Legend #3164 bench:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...8152193&page=1

Looking forward to your review of the #3103 Dinerobill, be sure to post your review (or a link to it) to this thread when the bench arrives.

Dragon360 and I were able to consolidate shipping so it worked out for both of us.

Congrats on the Sorinex NP purchases! Love that you were able to consolidate shipping with a group purchase. We should try to do more of this on the Equipment Forum. Look forward to your reviews (and great job GarageIron on describing why you selected this bench over others.)

This Hammerstrength bench was posted earlier in the thread, instead of being $950 + for a new one, I got this from the Lexington Ky CL for $75.

Normally I’d congratulate you but instead I think you should be reported for larceny! :-) Incredible deal irongrandpa … that bench looks to be in great condition too, look forward to your review.

I ended up buying Valor DD-11 in a meantime. It's somewhat similar to what Irongrandpa has, the Hammer Strength FWMAB Adjustable Bench. Should get my bench delivered in a few days.

Congrats Jetigen, the DD-11 seems like incredible value. Look forward to your review since I'm also curious about Valor's build quality.

[michaelstone]

Dragon360 and I were able to consolidate shipping so it worked out for both of us.

ahhhh so that's why the york flat's up. anyone get it yet?

[Dinerobill]

Request for product information denied by IronMind. I emailed IronMind and asked what gauge steel was used in the manufacture of their IronMind Five Star Flat Bench II.


Guess what. They won't tell me.


"Thank you for your interest in the IronMind Five Star Flat Bench II.



We usually don’t quote steel gauges as most people misunderstand what they really mean and what most people really want to know is whether the equipment is strong enough to be used safely. All fabricated IronMind products are made in the US with US-sourced steel and that's part of how we achieve our extraordinary strength levels. If you are not familiar with IronMind products, they are designed for the strongest men in the world, and the Five Star Flat Bench II, In particular, has been tested at 4,000 lb. We hope this information is helpful!"

I don't know how you guys would react but I kinda think if I am smart enough to ask the question, I just might be smart enough to understand the answer and if I'm not, that's my bad. I responded that MY POLICY is to not do business with sellers who won't answer my questions. Back to the drawing board me thinks.

[dumb.bell]

Request for product information denied by IronMind. I emailed IronMind and asked what gauge steel was used in the manufacture of their IronMind Five Star Flat Bench II.


Guess what. They won't tell me.


"Thank you for your interest in the IronMind Five Star Flat Bench II.



We usually don’t quote steel gauges as most people misunderstand what they really mean and what most people really want to know is whether the equipment is strong enough to be used safely. All fabricated IronMind products are made in the US with US-sourced steel and that's part of how we achieve our extraordinary strength levels. If you are not familiar with IronMind products, they are designed for the strongest men in the world, and the Five Star Flat Bench II, In particular, has been tested at 4,000 lb. We hope this information is helpful!"

I don't know how you guys would react but I kinda think if I am smart enough to ask the question, I just might be smart enough to understand the answer and if I'm not, that's my bad. I responded that MY POLICY is to not do business with sellers who won't answer my questions. Back to the drawing board me thinks.

That was a very weak answer. Sounds like he either didn't know, or was ashamed to say!

[Dinerobill]

That was a very weak answer. Sounds like he either didn't know, or was ashamed to say!

I agree it was a weak answer. I decided no company interested in doing business would formulate a policy of not answering questions posed by perspective customers. They are either hiding something, are too embarrassed to admit they don't know their product or use different gauge steels based on what's available and don't want to make any commitments to customers they might not be willing/able to honor. In any event, I'll just keep researching.

[GarageIron]

Request for product information denied by IronMind. I emailed IronMind and asked what gauge steel was used in the manufacture of their IronMind Five Star Flat Bench II.


Guess what. They won't tell me.


"Thank you for your interest in the IronMind Five Star Flat Bench II.



We usually don’t quote steel gauges as most people misunderstand what they really mean and what most people really want to know is whether the equipment is strong enough to be used safely. All fabricated IronMind products are made in the US with US-sourced steel and that's part of how we achieve our extraordinary strength levels. If you are not familiar with IronMind products, they are designed for the strongest men in the world, and the Five Star Flat Bench II, In particular, has been tested at 4,000 lb. We hope this information is helpful!"

I don't know how you guys would react but I kinda think if I am smart enough to ask the question, I just might be smart enough to understand the answer and if I'm not, that's my bad. I responded that MY POLICY is to not do business with sellers who won't answer my questions. Back to the drawing board me thinks.

Of the thousand ways to articulate the answer of justifying using light gauge steel, that is probably the worst ever.

Treating your customer as too stupid to understand your "brilliance" is the worst approach ever. How much better would this have sounded? I'm making up the specs here.

"Hi Dinerobill, thanks for your question and I apologize that this info is not on our site. We make the bench from a lighter gauge steel (12g or whatever)than likely what you have seen from our competitors. In many cases these specifications are a prime focus when looking for a bench so we've ensured that our benches would match up against the best by testing them with up to 4000lbs.

By using American steel and American workers to engineer and build them, we are able to make a product that is superior to our Chinese competitors that use thicker, yet inferior off shore steel... and because they are lighter, we can ship them to you at a far better rate than the heavy Chinese benches"

I think I just convinced myself! Lol.

[jormone]

The Nautilus F3 0-90 hasn't been mentioned and the old one with fat legs always looked rather sturdy to me. Legs look skinner in the newest incarnation.

http://www.nautiluscommercial.com/pr...-utility-bench

This bench has a ratcheting seat pad and back pad adjustment. No pop pins, making it strong and reliable.
Back pad folds over the seat pad in incline position, eliminating the gap between the two pads.
Seat and back pad adjustments:
Back pad: flat, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 85º
Seat pad: flat, 10, 20 and 30º
Our seat and back profiles provide optimum support and pinch-free movement.
Bench heights are 16” from the floor so a user’s feet are flat on the floor and their back is fully supported (not arched).
57” L x 25 ” W x 19” H
Machine Weight: 107 lbs
Made in Independence VA, USA

[MensaTarzan]

We usually don’t quote steel gauges as most people misunderstand what they really mean and what most people really want to know is whether the equipment is strong enough to be used safely. All fabricated IronMind products are made in the US with US-sourced steel and that's part of how we achieve our extraordinary strength levels. If you are not familiar with IronMind products, they are designed for the strongest men in the world, and the Five Star Flat Bench II, In particular, has been tested at 4,000 lb. We hope this information is helpful!"

This would've made the top 10 ways NOT to treat an influential customer in my business classes. I say influential since for every person who actually posts to these forums, there's probably about 10 who simply read the posts (aka "lurkers" as I used to be) and therefore, a single response can literally influence hundreds of purchasing decisions.

Makes me wonder whether the person who responded is actually:

1) a competitor who has hacked into the email account of IronMind
2) a disgruntled employee who has become aware of an "important" meeting with HR to discuss his review
3) a marketing executive who's been embezzling money and is on his way to catch a flight to the Bahamas
4) owner of IronMind purposely trying to incur losses for "tax purposes"

We all want iron arms and iron abs, but I'm not sure an IronMind is best for business...

[Dinerobill]

This would've made the top 10 ways NOT to treat an influential customer in my business classes. I say influential since for every person who actually posts to these forums, there's probably about 10 who simply read the posts (aka "lurkers" as I used to be) and therefore, a single response can literally influence hundreds of purchasing decisions.

Makes me wonder whether the person who responded is actually:

1) a disgruntled employee who has become aware of an "important" meeting scheduled to discuss his review on Friday afternoon
2) a marketing executive who's been embezzling money and is on the way to catch a flight to the Bahamas after his last day on the "job"
3) a competitor who has hacked into the email account of IronMind
4) owner of the company purposely trying to incur losses for "tax purposes"

We all want IronArms and IronAbs, but I'm not sure anyone should strive for an IronMIND ...

You know, I think their flat bench is probably a quality product but there are many quality flat benches from which to choose. I've also been considering this bench from Strength Equipment: http://strengthequipment.net/pics/12/415b.jpg

I've asked questions of the owner and always received prompt, complete answers. This is the kind of company with which I'd like to do business. Good business practices should be rewarded.

[Maluket]

You know, I think their flat bench is probably a quality product but there are many quality flat benches from which to choose. I've also been considering this bench from Strength Equipment: http://strengthequipment.net/pics/12/415b.jpg

I've asked questions of the owner and always received prompt, complete answers. This is the kind of company with which I'd like to do business. Good business practices should be rewarded.

I liked dealing with him too, and the leverage row and shrugger he made me are works of art and better than what we agreed on. His prices were also lower than I expected for the quality, though admittedly not cheap and I know they've gone up somewhat since I bought from him.

The flat bench is probably 4x4x1/4" steel tube, which is 3 gauge if I'm looking at the right conversion chart. If so, it's a monster. A completely unnecessary monster, but since when did that stop any of us?

[Dinerobill]

I liked dealing with him too, and the leverage row and shrugger he made me are works of art and better than what we agreed on. His prices were also lower than I expected for the quality, though admittedly not cheap and I know they've gone up somewhat since I bought from him.

The flat bench is probably 4x4x1/4" steel tube, which is 3 gauge if I'm looking at the right conversion chart. If so, it's a monster. A completely unnecessary monster, but since when did that stop any of us?

Here is what I received from Strength Equipment:

"Bill: No. 315 Flat Bench is $285 in 3"x .120 wall, $300 in 4"x .120 wall $350 in 4" x .188 wall and $400 in 4" x .250 wall.Height : approx. 16-1/2" from floor to top of pad. Also available at your desired height, no extra charge if within 4" of standard.
Wheels of one end are available at no extra charge on the 4" x .188 and .250 wall models. $50 extra on all others.

Stephen DeWitt: Strength Equipment"

[morebarbell]

This post has some really nice photos of the SFID325. Also I thought it had a good discussion about construction of benches in general. I don't agree with all of it but I thought it had a lot of insight and was worth reading.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...3004053&page=1

In particular, I don't agree that

I decided years ago that I would never be happy with the ladder type catches for benches. they all have the same problem and there is no way around it for that type of mechanism. the support meets the backpad too far toward the base (very close to where the backpad is already stabilized by the hinge) rather than near the top (where no movement would be allowed at all). the only remedy would be to make the frame ridiculously long and unusable. this is why the ladder type benches never feel "commercial" quality to me.

It's a good point about the placement of the support and the stability of the bench. But most adjustable benches don't have support from the main height adjustment at the top of the pad. Usually it's some where much further down. Some flat-incline benches, including many ladder types, have an extra support built in near the top. Flat-incline-decline benches often lack that extra support. I don't think it's an issue of ladder type or pop pin type. I think it's an issue of flat-incline vs flat-incline-decline.

Here's the Rae Crowther/Nebula bench as an example. The support is not even close to the top. It has a separate support built in near the top (not unlike many ladder type benches).



I thought this was an insightful post...

Time to speak out in defense and favour of the "ladder type" bench!

IMO, the ladder type is the most pusposeful solution for an adjustable bench. It is simple, quick and easy to adjust as well as strong and safe.

It is true that the support would be subjected quite some load when the bench is in the flat position, which in turn would introduce bending/buckling stress on the support. This can however easily be remedied with an added support for the flat position. All good ladder type benches have such a support:

The Elite FTS 0-90, aka Williams Strength Signature 0-90

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=153661201






The Pendlay Elite 0-90

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=153951911






The Barbarian Warrior Bench







Cheers


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[jtaliani]

Here is what I received from Strength Equipment:

"Bill: No. 315 Flat Bench is $285 in 3"x .120 wall, $300 in 4"x .120 wall $350 in 4" x .188 wall and $400 in 4" x .250 wall.Height : approx. 16-1/2" from floor to top of pad. Also available at your desired height, no extra charge if within 4" of standard.
Wheels of one end are available at no extra charge on the 4" x .188 and .250 wall models. $50 extra on all others.

Stephen DeWitt: Strength Equipment"

Please let us know if you end up ordering one. I received similar responsiveness and the same quote when I contacted him after seeing this bench in the Rogue alternative thread. I was/am extremely tempted by that 4" tube .250" version. That thing has to be ridiculous.

[MensaTarzan]

The flat bench is probably 4x4x1/4" steel tube, which is 3 gauge if I'm looking at the right conversion chart. If so, it's a monster. A completely unnecessary monster, but since when did that stop any of us?

Tarzan want!!! (but sadly, measly 250 pound flat bench press not justify)

Also I thought it had a good discussion about construction of benches in general. I don't agree with all of it but I thought it had a lot of insight and was worth reading.

Great stuff morebarbell, thanks for digging it up. Personally, if I were ever to buy a ladder type bench again (very unlikely since it's not my preference), I would make sure that it had a support post when in flat position. Come to think of it, I'd want that extra support regardless of whether the bench was ladder type or pop-pin type. Unless of course, I also owned a dedicated flat bench ...

[Maluket]

Tarzan want!!! (but sadly, measly 250 pound flat bench press not justify)

Yeah, this bench makes me wish I needed a flat bench, but I totally don't. And I don't think anyone's bench press can justify a 4x4x1/4 bench. It's a hardware junkie's bench, purely for the joy of owning such a thing.

[Maluket]

Time to speak out in defense and favour of the "ladder type" bench!

IMO, the ladder type is the most pusposeful solution for an adjustable bench. It is simple, quick and easy to adjust as well as strong and safe.

It is true that the support would be subjected quite some load when the bench is in the flat position, which in turn would introduce bending/buckling stress on the support. This can however easily be remedied with an added support for the flat position. All good ladder type benches have such a support:

The Elite FTS 0-90, aka Williams Strength Signature 0-90

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=153661201

In addition to the fixed support in the flat position, the swing arm support on the Williams Strength Signature 0-90 is made of 3/8" thick steel with a U-shaped profile. I can't imagine it bending under any load that isn't completely artificial. The bench is a tank. Not all ladder-style benches will be this serious, but I just don't see this style of bench being inherently weak... except in comparison to a 4x4x1/4" flat bench, I suppose.


WS5.jpg

[GarageIron]

My thoughts on the ladder vs pop pin style were somewhat reinforced with that cybex earlier this week. It's not that it was a crappy design, even if that bench locked in place properly or did not, the pad was very stable due to the hinge on the bottom of the pad. It was similar to the NP with hinged design and shaft collars if I recall.

The way I see it, it is wear that is the pop pin flaw, not initial out of the box stability. Those pins and channels will wear as I've seen in other equipment, because of their relative contact width vs the width of the pad (wider = more leverage) That play will eventually cause premature stress and wear on the hinge. In my (simple but ever curious) mind it is basic mechanics that the wider support base of the ladder will distribute the load better vs a thinner fulcrum and last much longer. I guess what I'm saying is a small amount of movement at the pin translates to huge stress on the hinge. Mechanically I see the ladder is superior. Wear will still transfer to the hinge, but the wider base for support manages it much better.

I'm guessing the reverse is possible and that if the hinge is strong enough, the pin won't be stressed enough to wear, the torsional stress will be shared. But I see see the top of the pad taking the most force and therefore transferring it to the joint below the pad first. If this was not the case there would be no reason for an additional support in the flat position.

It's like lying a 2x4 on the ground then putting a sheet of plywood centred on it and standing on it. Wobbles a lot.

Then take the 2x4 out and put in a 2x12, much less wobble. Better distribution of weight.

Now wobble the 2x4 version a lot, it starts to round sooner and becomes much easier to wobble. Do the same with a 2x12, it will wear but slower as it it's under the same stress and has wider stance.

I'm not saying my logic is correct, but my experience and perhaps flawed logic see it that way.

In short. Ladder>pop pin

[Maluket]

I'm not a mechanical engineer, but that sounds logical.

[matrix563]

jetigen, the valor one is only rated to 650 pounds? http://valorathleticsinc.com/store/D...h-p-16384.html

is that just the angles and more for the flat position or no? I know you aren't really interested in pushing heavy weights, but you did get that heavy commercial rack . I think you would have been better off just using the ironmaster if the max limit for all the positions on the valor is really just 650 pounds

[Jetigen]

jetigen, the valor one is only rated to 650 pounds? http://valorathleticsinc.com/store/D...h-p-16384.html

is that just the angles and more for the flat position or no? I know you aren't really interested in pushing heavy weights, but you did get that heavy commercial rack . I think you would have been better off just using the ironmaster if the max limit for all the positions on the valor is really just 650 pounds

My understanding is that the weight limit on the DD-11 bench was given conservatively as it has a supporting stub in the flat position. From the below picture you can see the thickness of steel being used for the flat position support. I was seriously considering Pendlay, but after seeing the video review about the back pad stapling, self-tapping screws coming off and insert nuts being loose I decided I didn't want to deal with it. No doubt it's a tank of a bench though.

I still have my Ironmaster bench. It's in my old Powertec rack which I call now a Dumbbell rack. It's hard to beat Ironmaster bench when it comes to decline work. I can literally be upside down and bench press with the Shermworks Free-Spotter on. Reverse dips so to say. It's magic.

[MensaTarzan]

The runaway results of the poll and your advice (especially HealthNutMD who already owns one) were the final nudge I needed to place the order for the RC 1085 bench with the foot utility.

http://raecrowther.com/product/pro-adjustable-bench/

My reasons for selecting this bench:

a. Solid construction and Rae Crowther reputation.

b. Pad dimensions (11” pad width) and height (18”).

c. Leg Utility and innovative decline position. As I mentioned earlier, I intend to use this feature mostly for decline sit-ups (and rarely decline bench) so the high degree of decline means I save gym space by not buying a dedicated bench just for decline sit-ups, this gives me space to purchase a flat bench instead.

d. Reduced shipping costs if I ordered the bench with my RC rack (currently being ordered, here is a link to that thread for those interested: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=156420683 ) so it’s a little cheaper than ordering later. I was quoted shipping of $85 for any additional items so I also went ahead and ordered a flat bench and a dumbbell rack, all in the same Safety Orange color of the rack.

Link to pro flat bench: http://raecrowther.com/product/pro-flat-bench/

Link to 3-tier pro-style dumbbell rack: http://raecrowther.com/product/dumbbell-racks/

Wallet is much lighter but I am mucho EXCITED!

[BIgOrange865]

Safety Orange color of the rack!

I really hate you. JK nice choice colors!

[dragon360]

Congrats on the pick Mensa!

[emp1acur]

Congrats...that is a really nice bench. Look forward to more details once you have it!

[Accutron]

The runaway results of the poll and your advice (especially HealthNutMD who already owns one) were the final nudge I needed to place the order for the RC 1085 bench with the foot utility.!

Wow sounds awesome congrats - great choice!