This can be a fast evaluate of the Rep Health FB-4000; a light-weight model of Rep’s notorious FB-5000 Competitors Bench.
On this evaluate I get straight to the purpose concerning the FB-4000. I’ll go over the specs and options, focus on any of these options that warrant dialogue, after which I’ll dive proper right into a comparability between the FB-4000 Lite Comp Bench and the FB-5000 Competitors Bench.
In case you are studying this evaluate since you are searching for a brand new flat utility bench, however you’re not but aware of Rep’s FB-5000, I strongly counsel you learn a few of my evaluate content material on the 5000 earlier than you in the end decide on which bench to purchase. Truly, I might counsel that you simply learn up on the FB-5000 earlier than you commit to purchasing any different flat bench.
- FB-5000 Comp Bench Evaluation
- Replace to the FB-5000 Bench Evaluation
Benefit from the evaluate, and be happy to go away suggestions or ask a query within the feedback part following the article.
Rep Health FB-4000 Comp Lite Bench Specs
- 3″x3″, 14-gauge metal body
- tripod design
- rubber toes for added stability
- flooring to high of pad distance: 17″
- pad dimensions: 12″ extensive x 45″ lengthy
- 2.5″ thick pad with grippy vinyl
- wheels and deal with for mobility
- obtainable in 5 colours
- black, metallic black (no upcharge)
- silver, hammertone blue, hammertone pink ($10 upcharge)
- base worth: $115
FB-4000 Lite Comp Bench Evaluation
The FB-4000 is a really low-cost, feature-heavy flat bench. It has a variety of premium attributes that you simply usually received’t discover on such a low price utility bench. For example, grippy vinyl on a full 12″ extensive, 2.5″ thick pad, a 3″x3″ metal body (vs 2×3 and even 2×2), and each wheels and a deal with for simply mobility across the fitness center. It’s simply a variety of bench for the cash; and also you’d solely should take a fast take a look at my Bench Patrons Information to see what different benches would run you, and what options you’d get (or wouldn’t get) in your cash.
The FB-4000 can be a stable bench. Even at 14-gauge, the truth that the body is 3″ x 3″ tube metal (vs say 2″ x 2″) means the bench continues to be fairly robust. Solely a small % of lifters will ever come near this bench’s most capability.
The tripod body shouldn’t be solely robust sufficient, it’s fairly steady. The FB-4000 doesn’t wobble or rock, and the rubber toes not solely assist with that stability, but in addition assist to cut back the bench from sliding round on smoother surfaces like concrete or a wooden platform. As a matter of reality, Rep has a few of the nicest rubber toes in the marketplace (you possibly can see they’ve used the identical model of toes on the FB-4000 as they did on the AB-5000.
Lastly, there could solely be 5 shade choices to select from (right now anyway) quite than a number of dozen colours, however actually, the place else can you purchase a bench that’s barely over $100 that has any shade selections in any respect! It actually prices solely $10 to improve your bench from fundamental black to silver, blue, or pink; all of that are very elegant wanting.
Are there any cons?
At this worth? Probably not, no.
If the body was 2″ x 2″, that will be a con. If the pad was solely 10-11″ extensive, that will be a con. If there was solely an affordable, slick vinyl and never the grippy vinyl, that will be a con. If there have been no wheels that would possibly be a con, however not likely as a result of a 14-gauge bench isn’t all that heavy or tough to maneuver round. There are simply no actual negatives to this bench.
FB-4000 Lite Bench vs FB-5000 Competitors Bench
The FB-4000 and the FB-5000 are very related at a fast look, however they’re really fairly totally different certainly. Here’s a chart of these variations, which I’ll focus on in additional element.
FB-4000
FB-5000 Base Worth $115 $149 Most Worth (with upgrades) $125 $179 Body 14-gauge 11-gauge Weight Capability 700 lbs 1000+ lbs Pad Size 45″ 48″ Pad Thickness 2.5″ 4″ Body Peak (with out pad) 14.5″ 13″ Complete Peak 17″ 17″ Large Pad Compatibility sure sure Thompson Compatibility sure sure
So the worth is clearly totally different. $125 is essentially the most you’d pay for the FB-4000 earlier than transport, however you may spend as a lot as $179 on the FB-5000 in case you go together with the extensive pad improve and a shade improve.
The largest distinction is the usage of 14-gauge metal on the FB-4000 quite than the trade normal 11-gauge. This lowers the whole weight of the bench, and in addition lowers its most capability; from over 1000-lbs to 700-lbs. 700-lbs might be fantastic for 90% of bench pressers on the market, however that’s not all of you!
Each benches have grippy vinyl, and each pads are 12″ extensive by default. The FB-5000 has an extended pad at 48″ (versus 45″), and a thicker pad at 4″ (versus 2.5″). Since each have a pad that sits 17″ off the bottom, meaning the peak of the frames themselves are distinctive.
Lastly, the FB-5000 is the one one of many two that may even have Rep’s extensive pad, and that implies that it’s the one one that may have a Thompson Fats Pad.
Seems the FB-4000 can have the Large Pad (or Thompson). That’s going to be a reasonably excessive bench although at 18.5″. Not terribly excessive, however excessive nonetheless.
(Talking of… please be aware that in these photographs I’ve the Thompson Pad on my FB-5000 body. This makes the pad dimensions 14.5″ extensive x 50″ lengthy, and the pad sits 17.5″ off the bottom. If the Large Pad have been put in as an alternative, the size could be 14″ x 48″ x 17″.)
So is the FB-4000 a viable various to the FB-5000?
Sure however no. The FB-5000 is already top-of-the-line bench choices in the marketplace by far. The worth is extraordinarily aggressive, the $20 improve to the extensive pad is ridiculous (by that I imply it’s good), and the cross-compatibility with one of the best bench pad in the marketplace makes the FB-5000 one of many best purchases you’ll ever make in your storage fitness center.
Perhaps you don’t care concerning the additional weight capability of the FB-5000, however for the comparatively small worth distinction you get the choice to improve to a superior pad down the highway. Fact be advised I believe you can purchase the extensive pad with the body instantly quite than pay $50 to improve to it later. You’ll by no means return when you’ve benched on a 14″ pad. It’s one of the best!
That having been mentioned, I don’t assume the FB-4000 is a nasty bench or perhaps a unhealthy deal. Matter of reality I believe it too is being supplied at a very reasonable worth level. I simply occur to assume that when in comparison with the FB-5000 it loses its enchantment. In fact, if all you want is a 12″ extensive bench with no different bells and whistles, by all means save the money and go together with the FB-4000. For a stable, fundamental utility bench, it’s going to be arduous to high the FB-4000 within the finances division.
FB-4000 Bench Evaluation Abstract
The earlier paragraph just about sums all of it up. The FB-4000 is a good flat bench at an extraordinarily aggressive worth. The issue is that the FB-5000 is twice as a lot bench for no the place close to twice as a lot cash. For less than $34 extra you get a stronger body with nearly no weight capability, a thicker pad, and the power to improve to a large pad. Pay a mere $20 extra now and also you don’t must improve later (which might price you $50 as an alternative of $20.)
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