As an ISSA-certified personal trainer with a house health club setup of my very own, I imagine there are just a few important items of apparatus it’s worthwhile to achieve smashing your objectives: a dependable barbell, a sturdy squat rack, and a high-quality weight bench (plus some bumper plates and dumbbells). Whilst you don’t essentially should go the adjustable route together with your dumbbells, investing in an adjustable weight bench is a brilliant technique to maximise your train choices. In any case, true FID benches (flat, incline, decline) help you prepare your chest, again, shoulders, and different goal areas from nearly any angle, which might go a good distance in serving to you obtain your strength- and muscle-building goals.
In relation to the adjustable bench market, nonetheless, it’s not at all times straightforward to discover a resolution that satisfies all the necessities our Breaking Muscle staff of licensed private trainers, energy and conditioning coaches, and CrossFitters search for — together with building high quality, portability, and ease of use — and nonetheless offers nice worth. However because of some intelligent design work by REP Health, you’ll be able to benefit from the flexibility of a dozen ladder-style changes and the consolation of a gap-free lifting expertise concurrently.
On this REP BlackWing adjustable bench evaluation, we’ll break down how one of many business’s most progressive producers blended one of the best options from its prime fashions right into a beastly bench that’s constructed like a tank and performs like a boss.
Key Takeaways
- The BlackWing Adjustable Bench combines the ladder-style changes from the REP Health AB-5200 with the redesigned ZeroGap™ seat know-how from the REP AB-5000 to provide the better of each worlds in a single well-built bench.
- The REP Health BlackWing is available in two totally different pad widths (12.2 or 14 inches), has a weight capability of 1,000 kilos, and meets Worldwide Powerlifting Federation (IPF) competitors peak requirements, making it well-suited for powerlifters and broadly constructed athletes.
- Out there in six colours, this zero-gap bench may be saved upright to go away extra room in your energy rack, weightlifting equipment, and different home gym equipment.
REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Execs
- The BlackWing is ultra-versatile, as it may be utilized as a flat bench, incline bench, or decline bench. Not solely can you employ the ladder-style system on the again pad to select from 12 totally different angles, however you may as well use the pop-pin adjustment on the seat pad to modify between six angles starting from -10 levels to 45 levels.
- REP’s patented ZeroGap™ function removes a possible distraction by guaranteeing you’ll by no means should cope with an annoying hole between the seat and again pads. This distinctive know-how significantly is useful when performing a flat bench press, as you’ll be seamlessly supported from finish to finish.
- This heavy-duty FID bench is constructed to final utilizing 11-gauge metal for the body and REP’s new CleanGrip materials for the padding. The Colorado-based firm additionally deserves credit score for giving the BlackWing a premium look with high-end finishes like stainless-steel knurled handles and laser-cut logos.
REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Cons
- Though the BlackWing brings loads of helpful options to the desk, a $600 price ticket may make it too costly for some individuals. Should you’re working with a tighter gym equipment budget, the REP AB-3000 is a rock-solid FID bench that prices practically half the worth.
- Whereas it’s designed to be saved vertically, this adjustable bench doesn’t precisely earn prime marks for portability. Tipping the scales at 131 kilos, the BlackWing requires some strength and endurance to maneuver, which might turn into bothersome should you transfer your bench round typically.
- The non-compulsory leg curler attachment felt extra like an afterthought to our testing staff, because it doesn’t appear to be comprised of the identical high-quality supplies because the bench itself. Plus, whereas it carried out adequately for sit-ups and crunches, it fell wanting expectations as a Nordic curl resolution.
Our Breaking Muscle Workforce has ample expertise making an attempt out each place on a wide range of adjustable benches to carry out lifts just like the bench press, overhead press, and flye variations. Assessing components resembling building high quality, portability, and padding, we developed a proprietary scoring system to rank vital parts that make up a fantastic bench.
REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Ranking
Our Breaking Muscle Workforce has ample expertise making an attempt out each place on a wide range of adjustable benches to carry out lifts just like the bench press, overhead press, and flye variations. Assessing components resembling building high quality, portability, and padding, we developed a proprietary scoring system to rank vital parts that make up a fantastic bench.
Right here’s how the REP BlackWing scored in every class:
| Issue | Ranking (out of 5) |
| Value and worth | 4.5 |
| Development high quality | 5 |
| Supply and meeting | 5 |
| Dimensions | 4 |
| Padding | 4.5 |
| Footprint and portability | 4 |
| Efficiency and ease of use | 5 |
| Incline ranges | 5 |
| Out there attachments | 4 |
| Guarantee | 4 |
REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench In-Depth Assessment
Although it’s definitely not essentially the most budget-friendly bench, the BlackWing undoubtedly delivers rock-solid worth. REP rigorously crafted a high-end piece of health club gear that stands out for its versatility, sturdiness, and construct high quality. Regardless of a hefty price ticket and a pretty big footprint, we firmly imagine it’s a worthwhile funding for critical lifters trying to degree up their dwelling health club setup.
Value and Worth
REP priced the BlackWing at about $600, increased than their different adjustable bench fashions. For comparability, the newest model of the AB-5200 begins at $549.99, whereas the AB-5000 is on sale for $449.99, as of this writing. Understand that the large pad possibility prices an extra $20, and the leg curler attachment is offered individually for about $110.
From a competitor standpoint, the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 — which does have a small hole between the seat pad and again pad — usually prices about the identical ($595) because the BlackWing. In the meantime, the TITAN Sequence Adjustable FID Bench by Titan Health is generally priced at $529.99 however solely has a weight capability of 600 kilos.
Though the BlackWing might not match everybody’s price range, it nonetheless brings nice worth. Not solely do you get a real FID bench that has a seemingly infinite array of adjustment potentialities, however you additionally get REP’s patented ZeroGap™ seat know-how. As somebody who’s all about getting essentially the most bang in your muscle-building buck, I believe the BlackWing boasts greater than sufficient strengths to justify its higher-end price ticket. Our testing staff rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars for worth and worth.
Development High quality
“Secure” is the phrase that instantly got here to thoughts for our testing staff when making an attempt out the BlackWing. REP used premium supplies to provide a top-notch bench that feels greater than able to withstanding all of your exercises for years to come back. Created from 11-gauge metal, the BlackWing’s body is a rock-solid piece of engineering, offering wonderful stability and general help.
REP devoted ample consideration to the finer particulars, too. As an alternative of utilizing plastic adjustment knobs like they do on the AB-5000, they opted for stainless-steel on the BlackWing. A knurled, stainless-steel deal with not solely makes the bench simpler to maneuver because of its wonderful grip-ability, but it surely additionally provides to the BlackWing’s premium aesthetic.
REP additionally improved the person expertise by together with knurled handles for adjusting the incline and utilizing laser-cut numbers on the body so you’ll be able to simply see which angle you have got the again pad set to. In the meantime, grooved rubber ft give the bench added stability by retaining it firmly anchored to the ground. Plus, you’ll be able to select from 5 body shade choices (metallic black, white, pink, blue, military inexperienced, or matte black) to make sure your bench suits in with the remainder of your property health club setup.
Each the seat pads and again pads come coated in REP’s new CleanGrip vinyl, which our testing staff believes is one of the best materials the corporate has used up to now. Further grippy and straightforward to wash, it’s precisely the kind of vinyl lifters search for, as a grippy materials can stop you from sliding round on the bench and feeling unstable and unsafe.
As somebody who makes use of an adjustable bench for every part from dumbbell chest flyes to rows to overhead presses, I imagine nothing is worse than laying down on one which feels slippery or has tears in it. The thick, matte vinyl REP used on the BlackWing is the kind of design resolution that helped this bench earn all 5 stars for building high quality.
Supply and Meeting
With free delivery on all orders, REP makes the ordering course of slightly extra budget-friendly. Our testing staff didn’t encounter any supply points, which speaks volumes about how effectively the bench was packaged and dealt with.
Assembling the BlackWing did take a while (round 20 minutes). Our product testers, who’ve assembled lots of of items of health club gear, contemplate this to be on par for a completely adjustable bench. Nevertheless, REP didn’t embody any instruments to help with this course of. To deliver your BlackWing to life, you will have to have a ratchet and sockets readily available, in addition to slightly little bit of endurance to place all of the items in place.
Total, we scored this bench a 4.5 out of 5 stars for supply and meeting.
Dimensions
Positively on the bigger facet, a completely assembled BlackWing measures 59.5 inches lengthy, 25.8 inches large, and 17.2 inches tall, placing it firmly throughout the IPF competitors customary. Weighing in at 131 kilos, it’s additionally fairly heavy in comparison with a few of REP’s different benches. For instance, the AB-5000 is 20 kilos lighter, and the AB-5100 ideas the scales at 95 kilos.
In the meantime, the BlackWing comes inventory with 12.2-inch-wide pads that may be upgraded to 14 inches for an extra $20. Whereas the usual possibility compares favorably to one thing just like the Titan Sequence Adjustable Bench (which comes with a 12-inch-wide pad), the BlackWing is 1.2 inches wider than the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0. For extra sizable athletes, having that possibility is a giant profit from a consolation and efficiency standpoint, as a wider again pad will present extra help. Nevertheless, remember that the 14-inch-wide pads are not compliant with IPF guidelines, because the width can’t exceed 12.6 inches.
The design of the entrance and rear ft add to the general stability of this heavy-duty bench. The entrance foot measures 14.8 inches large, which supplies higher anchoring and appears to be the inspiration behind the BlackWing’s identify. All in all, we scored this bench 4 out of 5 stars for dimensions, with the load being one of many solely drawbacks.
Padding
Skinny padding can result in skinny endurance for lifters. In any case, nobody needs to lie down on a bench and really feel as if the steel body is digging into their again. Fortunately, the BlackWing has thick cushioning that places our staff of testers in a cushty place to execute all of their lifts.
Furthermore, the padding is wrapped in dense CleanGrip vinyl that appears and feels higher than different sorts of vinyl REP has used on their benches. Not solely is the matte black materials further grippy, but it surely’s additionally a breeze to wash. So, even should you’re breaking a critical sweat in your storage health club, you received’t have to fret about your bench struggling any floor injury so long as you wipe it down after your final rep.
From a padding perspective, we scored the BlackWing 5 out of 5 stars.
Footprint and Portability
Based mostly on its dimensions, the BlackWing has a reasonably sizable footprint of 10.7 sq. ft. In reality, at 59.5 inches lengthy, it’s effectively forward of different REP benches and is likely one of the longest adjustable benches available on the market. Whereas the AB-5200 is simply an inch shorter, the AB-5100 is 5 inches shorter than the BlackWing, with the AB-5000 falling proper within the center at 57 inches lengthy.
These dimensions, together with weighing 131 kilos, make the BlackWing a bit tough to maneuver round and retailer vertically with no little little bit of effort. Nonetheless, our testers appreciated the knurled deal with and rollers for serving to take a few of the burden off. If you wish to retailer the BlackWing vertically, you’ll must have at the least 3.1 sq. ft of house to accommodate it. Fortunately, the bench’s closed ladder system additionally assists with the storage course of, because it prevents the arm of the again pad from sliding misplaced when the bench is positioned upright.
Total, being able to scale back the bench’s footprint by over a 3rd is a giant profit for dwelling health club homeowners with restricted house. Nevertheless, due to its massive footprint and heavy body, the BlackWing scored 4 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability.
Efficiency and Ease of Use
Is the juice well worth the squeeze with the BlackWing? Based mostly on our testers’ experiences, it met the bar from a efficiency standpoint. REP hit a house run with its new adjustment techniques, making it easy to slip the seat backwards and forwards utilizing the Zero-Hole function that’s made their AB-5000 mannequin significantly in style.
Noticeably lighter and fewer cumbersome than its predecessor, our staff was impressed with the best way REP applied the distinctive spring-loaded pop-pin and ratcheting system to make clean and safe changes to the seat pad. Although much like the system used on the AB-5000, they felt it was a transparent improve and simpler to make use of.
Most significantly, the BlackWing offered a secure platform for our testers to carry out every part from spider curls to chest-supported dumbbell rows. Having a sturdy bench that may go from a flat place to being tilted again to -8 levels in a matter of seconds with none hiccups ought to provide you with peace of thoughts and loads of confidence heading into your exercise. The BlackWing acquired all 5 stars for its sturdy efficiency and user-friendly design.
Incline Ranges
As a real FID bench, the BlackWing offers you the choice to coach on a flat bench, on an incline, or at a decline. By incorporating a closed ladder-style adjustment system, REP made it doable to select from 12 totally different again pad angles ranging between -8 to 85 levels. Moreover the ample angle selections, the testers additionally loved the added sturdiness of getting the adjustment arms situated contained in the ladder rail. This helped cut back any wobble that may have occurred at incline angles, and in my expertise, this can be a frequent subject with cheaper benches.
As well as, REP designed the seat pad to have the ability to go from -10 to 45 levels. That sort of vary separates the BlackWing from different adjustable benches just like the AB-3000, which has 5 seat pad changes, and the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0, which solely has three angle selections for the seat pad (0, 15, and 30 levels).
Total, that is the place the BlackWing actually shines essentially the most. Whether or not you wish to get stronger on the incline press, develop your delts from an upright place, or construct your decrease chest on a decline, you have got the final word instrument to get the job accomplished. We scored the BlackWing 5 out of 5 stars on this space.
Out there Attachments
You’ll be able to take your BlackWing expertise to new heights should you’re keen to pay the proper worth. For about $110, you should buy the non-compulsory leg curler attachment that was particularly designed to suit with this ultra-versatile, ultra-stable adjustable bench. Nevertheless, it’s best to mood your expectations about simply how practical the attachment is.
Though our testers had been keen to check the curler’s capacity to carry out Nordic curls, they had been in the end left dissatisfied by the expertise. Between skinny foam and a scarcity of a toe kick plate, the curler proved to be lower than preferrred for executing this brutal hamstring train. Plus, even with the 14-inch-wide model, our testers discovered the again pad to be too skinny for the BlackWing to be a real Nordic bench.
That stated, the attachment isn’t a complete bust, as you should utilize it to develop your belly muscle tissues with sit-ups, crunches, and different core workouts. In the end, although, the curler didn’t obtain the identical consideration to element from REP because the star of the present. In comparison with the BlackWing itself, the supplies used on the curler — like using plastic knobs over stainless-steel — felt a notch beneath. For these causes, this bench acquired 4 out of 5 stars on this class.
Guarantee
REP Health features a 10-year guarantee on bench frames, together with a one-year guarantee on sewn gadgets. Whereas that offers you a stable window to make the most of the BlackWing and nonetheless be coated, the coverage isn’t fairly pretty much as good as a few of REP’s rivals.
Rogue, for instance, gives a restricted lifetime guarantee on frames that voids if a product has been broken attributable to negligent or defective use, alteration, upkeep, storage, or dealing with by the person. Plus, it offers a three-year guarantee on sewn gadgets — a two-year leg up on REP.
In the meantime, Power USA stands behind its frames with a lifetime guarantee, together with a 10-year coverage on shifting components and one yr of protection for upholstery and attachments. This is applicable to gear used solely in non-public indoor dwelling settings, resembling basements and garages.
So, though REP’s guarantee coverage is stable, it falls wanting a few of its rivals. Due to that, we scored the BlackWing 4 out of 5 stars on this class.
REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Specs
From its IPF-compliant peak to its stainless-steel finishes, the BlackWing gives many enticing options in a single well-built bundle (or bench, on this case). REP designed this bench to deal with heavy hundreds again and again by using high-quality supplies that should not have any bother holding up over time. Listed below are the entire specs for the BlackWing, beginning with a full breakdown of its dimensions and ending with a better take a look at its compatibility with attachments.
Dimensions
The REP BlackWing measures 59.5 inches lengthy, 25.8 inches large, and 17.2 inches tall for a complete footprint of 10.7 sq. ft. This 131-pound FID bench has a seat pad size of 15.6 inches with a 38.2-inch lengthy again pad that’s out there in two totally different widths (12.2 inches or 14 inches). So, whether or not you’re a broad athlete who wants large pads or somebody on the smaller facet who wants the usual dimension, the BlackWing may be tailor-made to your physique sort.
Trying beneath, the entrance foot is 14.8 inches large, with the rear foot measuring 10 inches wider. The entrance deal with is 6.9 inches lengthy with a diameter of 25 millimeters.
Supplies
REP spared no expense when it got here to the BlackWing’s building. Made with 11-gauge metal, this bench is constructed to take a pounding — and proceed performing. Plus, REP neatly swapped the AB-5000’s plastic adjustment knobs for stainless-steel ones that look (and really feel) like a transparent improve.
In the meantime, the seat and bench pads are coated within the firm’s new CleanGrip matte vinyl, which is thicker and appears extra sturdy than earlier vinyl produced by REP.
Weight Capability
The REP Health BlackWing has a weight capability of 1,000 kilos. This is similar ranking because the AB-3000, which we contemplate among the best values for a budget-friendly dwelling health club bench. However, the REP AB-4100 solely has a weight capability of 700 kilos.
Suitable Attachments
REP designed an non-compulsory Leg Curler Attachment particularly for this bench. You’ll be able to insert the attachment into the built-in receiving put up on the BlackWing’s again body to carry out core workouts, decline presses, and Nordic hamstring curls.
Understand that the attachment is not included once you buy the bench. The leg curler is offered individually for about $110.
REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Buyer Critiques
It’s no shock that the BlackWing has garnered virtually unanimous 5-star critiques on REP’s web site based mostly on its specs, versatility, and efficiency. Though a number of customers highlighted how heavy the bench is, the spectacular construct high quality and talent to have a zero-gap lifting expertise stood out as overwhelming positives.
Described as “distinctive” and “amazingly sturdy” in separate critiques, the BlackWing’s high-end finishes and high-quality particulars make it a house run within the eyes of nearly everybody who offered suggestions on REP’s web site.
REP BlackWing vs. Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0
The Rogue vs REP adjustable bench battle comes down to a couple key components. From a worth perspective, the BlackWing is correct on par with Rogue’s Adjustable Bench 3.0, which prices just below $600 for the usual mannequin. Nevertheless, that determine jumps to $695 for the stainless-steel model — practically $100 greater than the $600 BlackWing.
Nonetheless, you get extra flexibility with REP’s latest bench, as you’ll be able to change between 12 again pad angles in comparison with simply 10 for the Adjustable Bench 3.0. Whereas each benches help you set the seat pad angle at 0, 15, and 30 levels, the BlackWing gives extra versatility with three extra angles (-10, 8, and 45 levels).
One main distinction to think about is whether or not you like your health club gear to be made within the USA. If that’s the case, you’ll wish to go together with Rogue, as REP manufactures a majority of their merchandise in China. Nonetheless, that’s not essentially a knock on the BlackWing (or any of REP’s benches), as we’ve constantly discovered them to be well-constructed and well-performing.
- Dimensions: 17.5” H x 52” L x 11” W
- Weight capability: 1,000 kilos
- Supplies: 11-gauge metal, vinyl cowl, rubber ft
- Guarantee: Restricted lifetime on the body
Last Verdict: Is the REP BlackWing Adjustable Bench Price It?
Should you worth versatility, it’s exhausting to not put the REP BlackWing on the prime of one of the best adjustable bench record. With 72 potential combos and nil gaps, you will get inventive together with your exercises and by no means have to fret about not feeling absolutely supported. Plus, though the leg curler attachment lacked the identical polish because the bench itself, it nonetheless offers you much more train choices.
In fact, the BlackWing’s $600 price ticket places it extra within the premium bench class than the budget-friendly one. However between its wonderful building and talent to do something you possibly can ask for (and extra), it’s value paying slightly extra for a very distinctive adjustable bench that may simply be REP’s most interesting design work up to now.
FAQs
There are a number of worthy contenders, together with the REP AB-5000, which supplies you the ZeroGap function and loads of adjustment choices for round $450. Nevertheless, in case your price range permits, the BlackWing is one of the best bench REP produces, because it offers essentially the most flexibility and help and is crafted with high quality supplies that look nice and may final.
Should you like to alter up your angle of assault and maximize what you are able to do with dumbbells and a barbell, investing in an adjustable weight bench is the best way to go. Having the pliability to carry out flat, incline, and decline variations of various workouts instantly opens the door to a extra inventive, dynamic exercise.
Key components to think about embody the dimensions of the hole between the again and seat pads (too massive could make the bench really feel unstable), the variety of again and seat pad angles, and the way straightforward it’s to make changes. Take note of whether or not the bench has a pull-pin or ladder adjustment system, because the latter is often extra sturdy. You’ll additionally wish to ensure that there’s enough padding to supply a cushty and supportive platform for lifting.
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