The Prime 3×3 Utility Bench is a comparatively new Vulcan bench; it was launched alongside the Prime Adjustable Bench solely a pair months in the past. I lastly picked up the flat model of the Prime for a assessment, and that is that assessment.
Earlier than we get began, here’s a fast rundown of the Prime’s specs:
- bolt-together body is constructed of three″ x 3″ field metal.
- bench is assembled utilizing heavy-duty {hardware} and (8) thick gusset plates.
- metal elements are laser lower and the {hardware} is completed in black zinc.
- the 2½” thick pad is 12″ broad, 43½” lengthy, and distance from flooring to prime of pad is 17″.
- the padding is tremendous dense, agency, and coated in premium, textured, non-slip vinyl.
- value is $189, with transport included.
* the Prime is at present on sale for $159. This assessment is written as if the bench is NOT on sale. Maintain this $30 value distinction in thoughts as you learn this assessment, because it does make this bench much more interesting.
Vulcan Prime Dimensions
The Vulcan Prime Bench is fairly customary when it comes to its dimensions; at the least for probably the most half. The pad is a typical 2½” thick, 12″ broad, and the peak is nice at 17″. A barely less-than-typical dimension is the size of the pad; measuring in at simply 43½”. The pad size is a bit shorter than the usual 47-48″ size discovered on IPF-spec’d benches nevertheless it’s by no means extraordinary to have a pad within the mid-40’s. Solely the tallest of lifters will even discover, and even then they most likely received’t even care. 43½” is functionally lengthy sufficient, in spite of everything.
The profit to the shorter pad is solely a extra compact bench. The Prime takes up barely much less area, weighs slightly bit much less, and it will possibly even retailer vertically on its finish when not getting used. The 17″ top of the pad continues to be the place you need it, as is that 12″ width, so so long as you’re not tremendous tall you aren’t lacking out on something by not going with a 48″ lengthy bench.
Now in case you’re truly available in the market for a lighter, extra compact utility bench to your storage gymnasium however you don’t need to resort to one thing low cost, the Vulcan Prime simply could also be excellent for you. It’s positively not a box-store high quality bench by any means; it’s very well-built, and it nonetheless has one thing only a few benches at present have…
Textured Vinyl
Along with the robust, steady body, the Vulcan Prime has a wonderful pad; a pad with a really high-quality really feel and end. It’s very agency and supportive and it’s straightforward to inform that the fill materials isn’t an affordable, smooth foam such as you’d discover in a Titan or Wal-Mart bench. It’s very dense.
Higher but, Vulcan went with a textured vinyl cowl; the form of vinyl discovered on premium pads just like the Thompson Fats Pad. One of these vinyl has 1000’s; if not thousands and thousands; of small rubber nodules that forestall slipping and sliding on the pad. When benching, this vinyl actually helps you dig these lats in and keep put all through your entire set.
Total the pad is nice. The density is ideal for a severe bench and the grippy vinyl is a really good contact. Most of us have used a flat bench with this textured materials by now and it actually is difficult to return to a budget, slick vinyl after that.
Vulcan Prime Bench – Execs and Cons
Execs
- Sturdy 3″x3″ metal building. The Prime Bench has just about no weight limitations.
- The 17″ top is correct in that IPF candy spot. Not too low, not too excessive.
- The broad 12″ pad is extremely agency and is roofed in textured, non-slip vinyl, very similar to the Thompson pads.
- The bench is surprisingly light-weight and compact, and regardless of being mild sufficient to choose up it does have wheels and a deal with for simple transport round your gymnasium.
- Delivery is a part of the $189 value, that means we will assume the bench retails for a reasonably cheap $150 or so.
- Meeting is fast. Directions have been straightforward to comply with and primary instruments have been even included; although I counsel utilizing your personal ratchet and wrenches for a faster meeting.
- Personally I discover using black {hardware} to be a pleasant contact.
- The Prime Bench will stand securely on its finish when not in use to avoid wasting area.
Cons
- The bolt configuration for the pad isn’t suitable with different pads, although in equity this solely turns into a difficulty with the fats pads, and there are extra acceptable frames for folk who’re searching for a thick, over-sized pad.
- The pad is comparatively quick at 43.5″, not lengthy sufficient to fulfill IPF specs.
Vulcan Prime & Rogue Monster
To me the Vulcan Prime Utility Bench strikes me as a extra compact, lightweight model of the Monster Utility Bench; at the least the Monster Bench with the usual (non-Fats) pad. The bolt-together frames are related in design, they each have 2½” thick and 12″ broad pads, and there may be solely ½” distinction in general top.
Regardless of these similarities there are additionally some variations. The Monster has non-slip rubber ft and the pad is 4″ longer however the price is about $75 extra earlier than the transport is added in. Additionally the Monster can settle for the fats pads whereas the Vulcan can not (although you’d have to purchase a shorty body to make that work, which after all locks you right into a fats pad). All that stated the Vulcan Prime Bench has the benefit of being lighter, of getting wheels and a deal with, of getting a textured, grippy vinyl cowl, and naturally being far inexpensive.
On the finish of the day these two benches are most likely extra related trying than functionally related, however they each have their place. Clearly the worth of the Vulcan Prime is friendlier to the pockets although at $189 shipped versus $265 pre-shipping.
Vulcan Prime 3×3 Flat Bench Evaluation Abstract
The Prime is a stable bench, and it’s priced comparatively effectively. Now I wouldn’t say that Vulcan is giving the Prime away nevertheless it’s priced about the identical to your door because the Rep FB-5000 whereas being less expensive than each of the flat Rogue benches (a lot lower than the Monster.)
So do you have to purchase the Prime over any of those three different benches?
Effectively the Rogue Utility Bench 2.0 doesn’t have a grippy pad nevertheless it nonetheless has a pleasant pad; a really dense pad. The two.0 will value you $20-25 extra delivered however you’ll get a number of further inches on the general size of the pad, however you received’t get wheels. If you need one thing compact and cell then the Vulcan could be the way in which to go, however in case you want that full 48″ size effectively then perhaps not.
The FB-5000 is stiff competitors for any bench, together with the Vulcan Prime. At nearly the identical value delivered, the FB-5000 is designed completely for the thick, broad pads whereas the Vulcan has a standard-sized pad. They each have grippy vinyl, they each have wheels and a deal with, and they’re each positive benches. If a fats pad is what you need then Rep is the way in which to go. If you need a extra standard-sized pad on a compact, mild body then it’s the Vulcan.
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