In regards to the time I used to be wrapping up my assessment for the Rep Health AB-5000 Zero Hole Bench again in December, Rep launched the ever-so-popular FB-5000 Competitors Bench in all the identical colours that the AB-5000 was being provided in. Along with there now being 5 shade decisions somewhat than simply the one, there have been some apparent modifications made to the body that seemed promising as properly.
Being that I used to be curious if the newer body was superior to that of the earlier era’s body, and in addition as a result of I form of needed the flat bench that I knew I’d be utilizing for years to return to match the gorgeous, new, hammertone blue AB-5000 that I additionally meant to maintain for an amazing a few years, I opted to order one other FB-5000 in that very same hammertone blue.
On this brief replace to the FB-5000 Evaluation (which may be seen right here), I’m going to briefly go over the variations between the 2 generations. This clearly received’t be all that useful to those that don’t personal an FB-5000 but since you may solely order the latest gen model however it might be useful to those that personal any of the earlier gen benches who’re additionally questioning if they need to improve.
Different Than Including Shade Choices, What Modified?
There have been 4 modifications made to the body of the FB-5000 and so they all have at the least some influence on the texture of the bench. I’ll focus on them in no explicit order.
New Rubber Ft
Rep added rubber ft to each the back and front of the bench; good rubber ft too, just like these discovered on the AB-5000; at the least on the again of the body.
As you doubtless suspect, it is a large enchancment. In fact, it will haven’t any important influence on those that use their bench on rubber flooring, but it surely’ll be a serious enchancment for anybody lifting on a concrete basis or on a wooden platform.
Narrower Stance
As a way to accommodate the brand new rubber ft, the form of the ft wanted to be modified. This alteration has to led a barely narrower stance within the rear and a noticeably smaller foot within the entrance.
This alteration doesn’t influence the soundness of the bench when used for bench urgent, but it surely does barely scale back the soundness of the bench as complete should you sit in the direction of the entrance of the unit or should you step on to the bench for some purpose in the direction of the entrance half of the bench. This isn’t precisely unusual for a tripod design, however the truth stays that the broader entrance foot on older gen benches did provide barely extra front-end stability.
It must be talked about although that some people had points with that bigger entrance foot plate of older era FB-5000’s not being completely flat, and this variation to form does eradicate that difficulty utterly. General I feel the addition of rubber ft makes this an excellent change.
Rear Publish Meeting
The tactic by which the rear submit attaches to the horizontal legging has modified. Relatively than the submit resting on high of the legging and bolting on on the facet, the submit will get bolted on the high of the legging.
This little question will give the bench a for much longer life as this actually is a extra wise, secure technique to be part of these two items (in the event that they’re not going to be welded).
Wheel Positioning
The place of the wheels have been raised to be increased off the bottom when the bench is sitting flat on the bottom. All this does is require you to elevate the entrance finish of the bench increased off the bottom earlier than the wheels make contact with the ground.
The wheels had been by no means so near the bottom that there was any danger of the bench transferring round when in use, so I’m undecided why this variation was made. Personally I just like the older wheel state of affairs, however to be sincere, should you by no means dealt with the earlier era bench you’d be none-the-wiser, so it’s no matter.
Oh yeah!
There’s extra branding on the newer benches; on each the pads and the body itself.
Ought to You Replace Your Earlier Gen FB-5000?
Until you’re sliding round on the earlier model since you don’t have rubber flooring I don’t assume that upgrading must be a precedence. Remember that even earlier than these modifications the FB-5000 was among the best flat utility benches in the marketplace; positively the greatest bench for the cash. In different phrases should you personal any model of this bench then you’re already in an amazing spot.
Now there are two very minor the reason why you continue to would possibly improve, however I might assume each of those want to use to you earlier than it’s really value contemplating.
First, you could not personal a Vast Pad but however you do need one. Now you can purchase the FB-5000 already outfitted with the Vast Pad somewhat than having to purchase the body and the Vast Pad individually. It’s $20 extra, however that’s nonetheless $30 lower than shopping for that pad alone.
The second purpose is, in fact, since you need a completely different shade to match the theme of your health club. Now I’d say it is a foolish purpose, however I did it!
So positive, in order for you a brand new shade, a wider pad, and also you wouldn’t be stressing your checking account by doing so, improve away. In any other case, simply follow the FB-5000 that you have already got. It’s nonetheless an incredible bench!
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