Rep Fitness Thread

[weisgarb]

Looks fantastic! I'm anxious for the red to be in stock. Not a huge fan of upper band pegs.....but I've never used bands, so what do I know?

The band pegs are bolted in, so you can remove them if you'd like.

[coofoostu]

Not sure I like the 2nd catch on the safety spotter arms/jcups - seems like it would just add a counterweight to pivot on the pin and then fall out of place? I'm not understanding the functionality here?

[Buccaneer82]

Hey Duke when are the second batch of AB-5000 benches shipping?

[swimmer32]

Not sure I like the 2nd catch on the safety spotter arms/jcups - seems like it would just add a counterweight to pivot on the pin and then fall out of place? I'm not understanding the functionality here?

It keeps the j-hooks centered on the uprights, so if they get hit by the bar or plates they don't move in either direction.

[coofoostu]

It keeps the j-hooks centered on the uprights, so if they get hit by the bar or plates they don't move in either direction.

But they are on opposite sides? The lower catch prevents counterclockwise rotation like any j cup, but the top one also only prevents counterclockwise rotation, and adds weight to encourage clockwise rotation as it tips.


I don’t think the risk of tipping clockwise is actually that high, just don’t see the point in the 2nd catch.

[chadsalt]

But they are on opposite sides? The lower catch prevents counterclockwise rotation like any j cup, but the top one also only prevents counterclockwise rotation, and adds weight to encourage clockwise rotation as it tips.


I don’t think the risk of tipping clockwise is actually that high, just don’t see the point in the 2nd catch.

There is zero risk of tipping, the majority of the weight is clearly below the pivot point. Someone thought it was a good idea, for everyone like you there is another who sees an advantage.

You have way too much time on your hands.

[dukenukem7777]

Duke, any plans to add a monolift to the accessory line? Would love one for my 3000 series rack.

Yes, they are coming.

Rack is now on the rep website with detailed pictures and a video. Looks great! https://www.repfitness.com/strength-...5000-half-rack

Love that it is 47" - well done Duke. Excited to hear more about the additional features coming to it.

Do you find that the lower band pegs can be used without bolting down? Sometimes half racks will tip backwards if there isn't enough support after the weight storage upright.

Official stance is that you should bolt it down. Unofficial is that it depends how much resistance the bands you're using have. There is an additional extension at the base beyond the upright on the back, so you'd have to be going pretty heavy with the bands to have a safety issue. More likely it will just be unsettling to have it lift at all.

Hey Duke when are the second batch of AB-5000 benches shipping?

They should start going out tomorrow.

[swimmer32]

Hey Duke - when do you expect the colored options to be available?

[dukenukem7777]

Hey Duke - when do you expect the colored options to be available?

They're on the listing.

[swimmer32]

They're on the listing.

I meant available for purchase. I just saw that a date was added (3/28) this afternoon. Good to know!

[lsi1]

Duke I use a half rack and that HR of yours looks damn nice. If it would have been on the market last year at this time I'd be using it daily.

[swimmer32]

Duke I use a half rack and that HR of yours looks damn nice. If it would have been on the market last year at this time I'd be using it daily.

I went back and forth between the Legend performance half rack and Dynamic Titan half rack. Was about to pull the trigger on the Dynamic rack until the Rep rack dropped. It combines a lot of the elements I liked about both of them - so the best of both worlds.

[Mitcho7]

Anyone with an ab5000 bench, what size is the decline leg attachment that slots in to the end of the bench?

I have an old decline foot attachment sitting here and wondering whether I can save myself 90 and use it?!

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Duke, PM sent.

[cwcmac]

Anyone with an ab5000 bench, what size is the decline leg attachment that slots in to the end of the bench?

I have an old decline foot attachment sitting here and wondering whether I can save myself 90 and use it?!

Can't answer it but their CS (from my experience) is really quick to respond.

[dukenukem7777]

Anyone with an ab5000 bench, what size is the decline leg attachment that slots in to the end of the bench?

I have an old decline foot attachment sitting here and wondering whether I can save myself 90 and use it?!

2x2" but you'd need to create the hole in the tube so that the pop pin can insert. Otherwise just the pressure screw will likely not be enough.

[sera310]

Well, what do you know, I got an email from Rep saying that the fat pad is back in stock, & when I checked it, I saw that the comp flat bench can be ordered with the fat pad substituted for the regular 1, so I ordered it. I'll post up a review when I get some time on it.

Quick review: Rep shipped the bench promptly in a big, sturdy box. A couple of washers had got loose inside the box & the paint was scraped off a couple of spots of the frame, but no big deal--would have been easy to touch up if I had cared, but I didn't. All the hardware was there, and all the holes lined up. Assembly was quick & easy; it even came with 1 of those stamped-steel wrenches (which I didn't need to use).

In use the bench is rock-solid and stable. The wide pad is great, I'm glad I upgraded to it. The foam is just right, and the cover is grippy. The height, at 17", is just right; that and the tripod design of the feet allow for great foot drive. It's very heavy, and my garage is a multi-use facility, so it's nice that the bench has casters, & they work great.

In sum: I'll compare it to the bench I bought it to replace, the Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0. It also is sturdy & well-made. I like Rogue and buying American and all that, but at 18" it's a little too tall for me, and the feet get in the way--can't get decent foot drive for the bench press. It's $179.50 and the Donnie Thompson Fat Pad is $155, so $334.50 + shipping. Again I am biased, I would have paid that for an American-made product, but for me at least, it's a bad design, and I understand that it's too tall for at least some of the powerlifting federations (C'mon, Rogue, it's a flat bench, it's got 1 job). The Rep bench, WITH the wide pad, is $169 + shipping. Granted, the paint had rubbed off in a couple spots, but on the other hand, Rogue put their logo sticker on crooked, whereas Rep's is nice & straight (again, Rogue, how hard is it to give your people a template to put your own logo on straight?).

Conclusion: It's a solid, well-designed product which addresses every complaint I had with the Rogue bench. I shopped hard for an American-made one with the same attributes but never found one, and as it turns out I am very satisfied with the Rep 1--it's even better than I expected, and is a tremendous value. Well done, Duke.

[Mitcho7]

2x2" but you'd need to create the hole in the tube so that the pop pin can insert. Otherwise just the pressure screw will likely not be enough.

Too easy, thanks! I'll measure mine tonight.

If it wont fit, are the leg attachments in stock now as well?

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Duke, follow up PM sent. Thank you and sorry thread! Lol.

[kevin3636]

This damn half rack is so sexy. I'm thinking about getting rid of my 3 month old RM6 and AB2 bench in favor of this half rack and zero gap bench.

[Mizzoutiger26]

There is zero risk of tipping, the majority of the weight is clearly below the pivot point. Someone thought it was a good idea, for everyone like you there is another who sees an advantage.

You have way too much time on your hands.

I mean he's not really wrong. I spent about 15 seconds thinking about it and came to the same conclusion as him, so saying he has too much time on his hands seems like an invalid criticism. Not to mention the fact that any of us are even on here discussing gym equipment in the first place means we ALL have too much time on our hands.

[chadsalt]

I mean he's not really wrong. I spent about 15 seconds thinking about it and came to the same conclusion as him, so saying he has too much time on his hands seems like an invalid criticism. Not to mention the fact that any of us are even on here discussing gym equipment in the first place means we ALL have too much time on our hands.

Then you're both wrong, it won't tip.

[Mizzoutiger26]

Then you're both wrong, it won't tip.

Sorry, let me rephrase. I thought about it for 15 seconds and concluded the top catch serves no purpose. I don't think it would cause it to be more prone to tipping.

[vhd16]

Having second catch will NOT tip anything either for j cups or spotter arms.

FYI , i have seen old Reflex/Sorinex ( when their half racks were 42" wide inside) half safety spotter arms exactly like this.

The seller was not willing to sell the half spotter arms individually. Oh well.,

[Murser]

Got a FB-5000 with the wide pad last week. It is built like a tank and the pad is very nice. It is a definite upgrade over using my IronMaster as a flat bench. The customer service was excellent too.

[GamecockLifter]

Got a FB-5000 with the wide pad last week. It is built like a tank and the pad is very nice. It is a definite upgrade over using my IronMaster as a flat bench. The customer service was excellent too.

Glad to hear it. That bench is unbeatable for the money.

[kevin3636]

I went back and forth between the Legend performance half rack and Dynamic Titan half rack. Was about to pull the trigger on the Dynamic rack until the Rep rack dropped. It combines a lot of the elements I liked about both of them - so the best of both worlds.

Did you make a decision?

[piratelifebad]

Cannot post links, but there's a review of the HR-5000 with pics at r/homegym.

[Za78]

Got a FB-5000 with the wide pad last week. It is built like a tank and the pad is very nice. It is a definite upgrade over using my IronMaster as a flat bench. The customer service was excellent too.

I made the same upgrade 2 months ago with the regular pad and literally benched almost 10% more on my first day.

[swimmer32]

Did you make a decision?

Not yet. ha!

Leaning towards Rep - it has almost everything I want in a half rack, but I am concerned about the details. The review posted about is my only concern - some blemishes and stuff that I don't think I'd get with Dynamic. Absolutely fine for most people, but I'd rather spend some extra cash for "perfect". So still on the fence, may hold off until a few more reviews come in.

EDIT: things like paint blemishes, sloppy looking welds, or weight horns not fitting snug would bother me if buying new. Not so much if buying used.