Prime Fitness Adjustable Bench Review

[piratelifebad]

I've gone through a ton of adjustable benches (multiple models of Rogue, Rep, Ironmaster, Hoist, CAP, Legend). Each one had some good features, but also things I didn't like.

Well, it appears I can finally stop buying benches. The Prime adjustable bench fits all of my needs perfectly (for now, of course).

The construction, welds, powder coat, and fit and finish is better than any bench I've seen, at any price. Everything is square and almost perfectly level. The hinge has zero wobble, even when it's not supported in a slot. Each arm has a UHMW end cap so there's no metal on metal contact. The wheels have bearings and are nice and big, so moving the bench around is a breeze. It's one of those things that you don't really know you needed until you've have it.

The pad gap is an insane .50" to .65". I fit on just the back pad and can't feel the gap if I use both pads.

I find it by far the easiest and most enjoyable adjustable bench to use. Just lift the pad up and the ladder arm drops into place. Moving the pad back down is also great. The arm moves freely and you lift it up and place it wherever you want. It's a very easy motion. One of the things I didn't like about the AB-5200 is having to keep the ladder arm pinned upward on the cage around the ladder while you lower the arm on a fixed downward angle. You can't just lift the pad and put it where you want it, it's a bit awkward.

I also really like the reinforcement of the frame and that it's fully welded. No bolts to loosen over time, and no chance of play even when they're fully tightened.

The bench is also fairly compact and light enough at 94lbs to easily move around. At the same time feeling very solid when you're on it.

I may order the arm pads, still undecided. I really like doing dumbbell curls on a bench and the pads would make it easy to isolate.

There are potential negatives for some people. The pad is only 10" wide and is definitely on the softer side. If that was an issue for me, I would get a custom pad or just swap out the foam myself. Also, the pad gap is so small there's the usual farting sounds when the vinyl rubs together as you're moving the pads. In my experience it goes away over time. If not, some paraffin wax on the edges would do it.

All in all, this bench is a great value and worth every penny (for me). Every detail from the design to the manufacturing to the packaging is fantastic. It's also nice that it's made in Murica by some real craftsmen.


Beefy packaging.










Dat gap.......

[piratelifebad]

[piratelifebad]

[Stinkape]

Looks nice! I sold my prime RO-T8 handles so I could get the version 2 handles, this time in Hulk Smash Green.
They make some cool stuff!

[Murser]

Very nice.

[EricAtl]

Great looking bench, have not seen it before. Can you verify that the incline angle measurements are correct. Just kidding, enjoy the bench.

[vhd16]

Awesome bench .Finally someone on the forum got the bench

Is there a option to upgrade the pad to 12” and say custom colors for upholstery?

[piratelifebad]

....Can you verify that the incline angle measurements are correct. Just kidding, enjoy the bench.

On it!

[piratelifebad]

Awesome bench .Finally someone on the forum got the bench

Is there a option to upgrade the pad to 12” and say custom colors for upholstery?

Not that I know of. I just emailed them.

[Corbets]

Thanks so much for that. I’ve actually been looking for reviews of this bench over the last few days. The only thing that I’m hesitant about is the 10” width, as I’d really like to have 12... but this might be my next toy.

Did you get the decline attachment? Curious how stable that is.

[Greybird2]

Nice bench! You know those arm pads are so unique and not available on any other bench, I would get them. Just because you can. Just because this is the EQUIPMENT FORUM.

[ameade84]

Very nice! I had never seen this bench. I really like to markings for the incline.

[keyboardworkout]

Confirming your bench was shipped Fed Ex ground?

[gym62richard]

Thank's for the review and the pics, I. haven't come across this bench before , very impressive.

[piratelifebad]

Confirming your bench was shipped Fed Ex ground?

Yes, Fedex Ground.

[ShockDaMuscles]

Nice! Curious to know if that side-mounted handle gets in the way of your feet.

[BigSteve7856]

To the OP-which Legend model did you have and what did you not like about it?

I was close to ordering the 3103, but I am intrigued by the Prime bench because of the negligible pad gap. They are almost identical in price.

[piratelifebad]

Nice! Curious to know if that side-mounted handle gets in the way of your feet.

I don't get anywhere near it. You'd have to do a weird foot tuck, it's only 5" from center and is angled downwards.

[piratelifebad]

To the OP-which Legend model did you have and what did you not like about it?

I was close to ordering the 3103, but I am intrigued by the Prime bench because of the negligible pad gap. They are almost identical in price.

It was the 3103. I liked it, it's a really good bench. But I realized I prefer ladder style benches. The pad gap is also pretty large and the 4 feet make it slightly more difficult to get a level base compared benches with 3 feet. All minor stuff that probably doesn't matter to most people.

I should add that I liked the Legend pad better, and it has a 12" option, IIRC.

[piratelifebad]

As requested, here's a video showing the support arm and slot operation. I'm only lifting up and releasing the back pad in order to show that it's not possible for the arm to partially drop into a slot. It goes all the way in, or not at all. And once it's in the slot, there's zero chance for movement. A very nice design with the oversized slots, angled channel, and UHMW keeping the motion smooth.


https://imgur.com/a/G8gziqq

[vhd16]

Not that I know of. I just emailed them.

Cannot wait for your feedback
Hopefully option for thicker padding ? But then it will increase the bench height
It is already at 18” with what 2” thick padding ?

[Sais]

So how soft are we talking? It is already an expensive bench compared to what I was waiting for *the zero gap ab5000 from Repfitness* if you havent had experience with the ab5000 what would you deem the difference in softness from the 5000 and this?

Thank you

[C123C]

Appreciate the review. Prime is relatively close by me and I'm a fan of their stuff and the old Strive units. I sure do wish these companies would move up from the 10" pads but I can see some advantages for working range of motion in some cases.

[rpark]

Very cool, nice review. My only question is about the seat bottom.... since it's a 10" pad, the width if the seat is also 10:" but what does it taper down to? Seat pad appears to be a little bigger than I've seen (compared to say a Rogue AB3 or Legend 3216), not sure if it's the taper or length, just a nit picky curiosity of mine. But the angle cut outs are definitely cool.

[piratelifebad]

So how soft are we talking? It is already an expensive bench compared to what I was waiting for *the zero gap ab5000 from Repfitness* if you havent had experience with the ab5000 what would you deem the difference in softness from the 5000 and this?

Thank you

It's definitely a medium firmness. Coop has a video review where he pushes in the pad to illustrate. The AB-5200 would be considered very firm, in my opinion.

[piratelifebad]

Very cool, nice review. My only question is about the seat bottom.... since it's a 10" pad, the width if the seat is also 10:" but what does it taper down to? Seat pad appears to be a little bigger than I've seen (compared to say a Rogue AB3 or Legend 3216), not sure if it's the taper or length, just a nit picky curiosity of mine. But the angle cut outs are definitely cool.

The pad is 13.5" long and tapers down to 6".

[Sais]

It's definitely a medium firmness. Coop has a video review where he pushes in the pad to illustrate. The AB-5200 would be considered very firm, in my opinion.

Thank you very much, you having experience with the AB5200 is a big help. This was a great review by the way. Repped!

[BigSteve7856]

Piratelife,

Have you put the bench bench through a few workouts yet? How are you liking it in action?

[piratelifebad]

Piratelife,

Have you put the bench bench through a few workouts yet? How are you liking it in action?

Yea, just dumbbells and FT (I just sold my rack). It's been great so far, zero complaints.

[BigSteve7856]

Yea, just dumbbells and FT (I just sold my rack). It's been great so far, zero complaints.

One more question if you don't mind.

Can you clarify the number of positions for the front seat? I see 5 cut-outs on the front of your bench, but it looks like there is only 4 in the pictures on Prime's website.