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If you truly want to get a full body workout while working out in your home gym, then you need to find the absolute best Roman chair.
These chairs are designed to help you strengthen the muscles in your lower back and abdomen, and strengthen they do. Many people have added this piece of workout equipment to their home gyms, and you’ll often find them in general (public) fitness centers as well.
There are many questions that need to be answered before you choose the one that suits your needs. For example, what exactly is a Roman chair? What are some of the benefits of using one? Which are the best options on the market right now?
We’ll answer all of these questions and more in this complete guide to the best roman chairs.
Table of Contents
Comparing Roman Chairs
Preview | Product Name | Dimensions (LxWxH) | No. Of Positions | Max Weight | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54" x 27" x 23" | 5 Hip, 3 Calf | 350 Lbs. | ||
| 44.25" x 24" | 5 | 250 Lbs. | ||
| *10% Off Coupon Code In Review | 38" x 24" x 32" | 5 | 250 Lbs. | |
| 43.5" x 27.5" x 37.5" | 6 | 300 Lbs. | ||
| 40'' x 27'' x 10'' | 12 | 275 Lbs. | ||
| 44" x 14" x 10" | 7 | 400 Lbs. | ||
| 36" x 17" x 7" | 4 | 250 Lbs. | ||
| 56" x 29" x 43" | 3 | 300 Lbs. |
What Is A Roman Chair?
When you first glance at a Roman chair, those who have never seen one before might be a bit puzzled. The chair isn’t really a “chair” at all.
It’s two padded pieces that are connected to a metal frame. One of those padded sections is taller than the other and is ergonomically designed to support the upper part of the body. The lower section comfortably supports the ankles, keeping the knees straight.
Although some assume that the Roman chair got its name from the Roman Empire, this has yet to be proven. What is known is that there are many benefits to adding one of these to your home gym. It can be used to strengthen the lower back, but can also target the gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and abs.
Features To Look For In A Roman Chair
Stability & Construction
You should be looking for a chair that is light yet stable. If it is too flimsy, it will move during your workouts, and this can prevent you from using the machine correctly. Even worse, it can tip over and cause injury, so first and foremost, make sure the unit is stable and built to last with a frame made from heavy-duty steel.
Adjustability
The ability to adjust the height is extremely important. If a unit is too tall or short, users aren't able to perform the exercises correctly. The ankle pad should be fully adjustable, as well as the overall length of the machine.
Proper Gap
Including a gap in the design of the roman chair's hip pad is especially important for men because it allows space for the pelvic area to lie flat while performing the exercise. This is a big complaint for roman chairs, especially among the male population.
Comfort
The biggest factor that determines how comfortable a roman chair is has to do with padding. Try to find a machine with thick padding where you rest your hips and calves. Thin, low-quality padding can cause pain and pressure on the back, core, or legs, making you a lot less likely to use your machine.
Roman Chair Extras
Some of the best roman chairs come with add-ons for performing additional exercises, such as an upper body dip bar. An extra feature like this is great for working out the chest and triceps, and it ultimately allows you to get a total-body workout with just one piece of equipment.
Ease Of Assembly & Maintenance
Most roman chairs require some assembly before they can be used in your home gym, so confirm that putting together the model isn't rocket science.
It's also really important to make sure your roman chair is easy to clean, which is an essential step in equipment maintenance. The best models have easy-to-wipe down frames, seat padding, and leg rollers, and some even come with removable covers for easier cleaning.
8 Best Roman Chairs Reviewed
1. Valor Fitness CB-13
- HEAVY DUTY BENCH/CHAIR- The CB-13 is...
- DUAL LAYERED PAD- The high-quality,...
- VERSATILE MACHINE BENCH- Use our Roman...
- STEEL FOOT PLATE- The sturdy steel foot plate...
In some cases, the best roman chair is the one with the most unique design. The Valor Fitness CB-13 Roman Chair has an unusual tripod-like base that will keep it steady during your workouts no matter what the floor of your home gym is made of. This is possibly the best hyperextension Roman chair for that reason alone.
In addition to the unusual tripod base, the Valor Fitness CB-13 Roman Chair has a diamond plated footplate that offers additional support, and it’s made of heavy duty 12-gauge steel.
It has five possible height adjustments that are locked into place with a pin, and the shin pads and waist pad are made of high-quality vinyl, which is very easy to clean. It can support up to 350 pounds and measures 54 inches tall by 39 inches wide.
Of course, even top ones have some pros and cons. The Valor Fitness CB-13 Roman Chair is no exception to this rule. The main con is the lack of foldability, so storing this machine can be a hassle.
4.6 / 5Pros
Cons
2. Titan Fitness Back/Extension Bench
Despite its official name, the Titan Fitness Back/Extension Bench is possibly one of the leaders. Not only does it come in a snappy red and black color combination, but it also had a number of different height settings and it folds up when it’s not in use.
If you’re looking for a new Roman chair for your home gym, then the Titan Fitness Back/Extension Bench is a great option. It weighs a mere 44 pounds, yet it can support up to 250. It measures 44.25 inches high by 24 inches wide, and, as we’ve already stated, it folds up when it’s not in use.
This makes the Titan Fitness Back/Extension Bench a good piece of equipment for those with a home gym that lacks a lot of floor space. There are five different height settings that adjust with the use of a simple pin, and the top pad is embroidered with the Titan logo.
This doesn’t affect the usage of the equipment, but it is a nice touch that makes this contender for best Roman chair look as though it costs a lot more than it really does.
4.5 / 5Pros
Cons
3. Sunny Health & Fitness Hyperextension Roman Chair
- LOWER BODY WORKOUT: Targets the lower back,...
- EXPERT DESIGNED: Features a sleek and sturdy...
- SPACE SAVING: Foldable for easy storage,...
- COMFORT: high density foam hip support pads...
Up To 10% Off Your Order - Use Coupon Code = SAVE10
*Only at Brands Website
The Sunny Health and Fitness Hyperextension Roman Chair is a basic but effective model for any home gym. It works to target the lower back, hips, and glutes while also offering a high level of comfort with its foam hip pad.
Although the maximum weight support is a low 250 pounds, I love the adjustability of this roman chair. It can be adjusted through an easy lever system to fit a wide range of height requirements. It also features nonslip handlebars, allowing users to maintain a solid grip throughout every workout.
Another great feature of the Sunny Health and Fitness roman chair is its foldable design. It folds flat to makes storage and transport more convenient. This model gives you the option to purchase an additional dip station, so if you're looking for an upper body workout as well, consider spending the extra money.
4.5 / 5Pros
Cons
4. Marcy Adjustable Hyperextension Roman Chair
- VERSATILE EQUIPMENT – This training bench...
- HYPEREXTENSION BENCH – The Marcy Roman...
- INTEGRATED PADDING – This gym equipment...
- PREMIUM QUALITY CONSTRUCTION – Made with a...
The Marcy Adjustable Hyperextension Roman Chair is one of the top because it’s incredibly easy to set up and use. If you’re new to this type of workout, then you need something reliable and not overly complicated. This is that model.
The Marcy Adjustable Hyperextension Roman Chair has a top section that adjusts with a lever, and bottom section that moves up to down, depending on the height that you want it to be, using a circular peg system.
Just pull it to the correct height and turn the round handle of the peg to hold it in place. On top of this, this contestant for the best home roman chair is padded with high-density foam and the steel frame is powder coated.
This fella measures 43.5 inches by 37.5 inches by 27.5 inches, making it small enough to stash in the corner of your home gym when it’s not in use.
4.3 / 5Pros
Cons
5. XMark Roman Chair XM-4429
- Ten levels of adjustments
- Wide horseshoe base for stability
- 14-gauge steel mainframe construction with...
- Extra thick 2.5-inch high-density cushion and...
The XMark Roman Chair is a contender for one of the best simply because it’s incredibly sturdy. Between the 14-gauge steel frame and the horseshoe-shaped base, you won’t have to worry about this guy not supporting your weight or moving around mid-workout.
The XMark Roman Chair is a great option for your home gym because it’s made to last. The pads are coated in Duraguard vinyl and the frame consists of 14-gauge powder coated steel. It has ten possible height adjustments and the feet are coated in skid-resistant rubber.
With that said, this isn’t a lightweight piece of equipment for your home gym. You really do get something that’s well made. This is evident by the XMark Roman Chair’s 66-pound weight and its dimensions, which are 46 inches by 25 inches by 9 inches. It can support up to 300 pounds of weight.
4.3 / 5Pros
Cons
6. Finer Form Multi-Functional Weight Bench
- All-in-one Adjustable Weight Bench: designed...
- Lift with Confidence: Our Strength training...
- Comfortable and Sturdy - Home Gym Equipment...
- Easy to Assemble - Upgraded user's manual and...
The Finer Form Multi-Functional Weight Bench is an all-in-one solution for targeting most major muscle groups. Not only does it serve as a reliable roman chair, but it also offers different positions to focus on the abs, back, chest, glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles.
While this model is not technically a roman chair, it does have a roman chair function, so you can easily let that slide. I love that the bench can be adjusted to a variety of different positions, including 1 flat and 2 decline bench settings with 4 foot adjustments. There are also 8 thigh support cushions for simple, smooth height adjustments.
Even though the bench itself is lightweight, it is designed to eliminate the risk of wobbling or shaking. It comes equipped with extra supporting tubes that form a triangle frame structure, and this frame can handle up to 660 pounds of static weight or 400 pounds of dynamic weight.
4.3 / 5Pros
Cons
7. Stamina Pro Roman Chair and Bench
- HOME FITNESS AB/HYPER TRAINING- Our fitness...
- EFFICIENT CORE WORKOUT- This hyperextension...
- ADJUSTABLE EXERCISE AB BENCH - This...
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN - This compact and...
The Stamina Pro Roman Chair and Bench is a combination of a Roman chair and a workout bench. This makes it one of the best ones for your home gym because it does double duty.
This contender for best home Roman chair comes with pivoting foam rollers that will easily hold your ankles in place while you’re exercising. It measures 36 inches by 7 inches by 17 inches and weighs a mere 42.4 pounds.
It can support up to 250 pounds of weight and comes with an attached, thickly padded weight bench. The Stamina Pro Roman Chair and Bench even folds up when it’s not in use.
I don't love that it only has 4 height adjustment options, but as long as you're of average height, you should be able to find a comfortable position.
4.2 / 5Pros
Cons
8. Cap Barbell Strength
- Steel construction Roman Chair
- Perfect for home use
- 300-pound max capacity
- Great for GHD, Sit Up, Hip Back Extension
Sometimes, a great chair is one that’s built a little differently than the others. The Cap Barbell Strength Roman Chair is one of them. Rather than have a single set of ankle or shin pads, this one has a set of dual foam rollers designed to hold your lower legs in place on both sides.
You won’t have to worry about accidentally moving during your workout with this contender for the best home Roman chair.
The Cap Strength Roman chair is made of steel and can support up to 300 pounds of weight. It comes in a combination of gray and black, with the black vinyl pads sitting on top of the powder-coated steel frame.
The top section adjusts using a lever and can be set to tilt at a number of different angles. The lower body section has a circular pin that holds it in place, and there seven height settings. Overall, the Cap Strength weighs 39 pounds and measures 56 inches by 43 inches by 29 inches.
Like the other potential options in this list, the Cap Strength has a couple of pros and cons. You need to weight them in order to see if this is the best hyperextension Roman chair for your home gym.
4.0 / 5Pros
Cons
Benefits of a Roman Chair - Why Use One?
The main benefits of the Roman chair are to provide you with a way to workout the hard-to-reach muscles of the lower back.
The way that the chair is designed makes it easy for you to lie on your stomach (although the top of the chair should hit at your waist) with your ankles hooked under the bottom section of the chair.
From there, you can do extension crunches and other exercises designed to give your glutes, hamstrings, abdominal muscles, and those tricky lower back muscles an intense workout.
Here are a few more benefits of adding a roman chair to your home workout space:
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Are roman chairs worth it?
Since there are very few pieces of home gym equipment that specifically target the lower back, I'd say that yes, investing in a roman chair is worth it. It's a great choice if you suffer from back issues in the past or simply want to prevent back-related problems in the future.
What should I look for in a roman chair?
Stability, adjustability, and comfort are probably the 3 biggest things to consider when browsing around for your roman chair. You can refer to the buyer's guide (features to look for) section to learn about all of the important things to look for before making your purchase.
Is the roman chair the same thing as the glute ham developer (GHD) machine?
It's very common to confuse a roman chair with a GHD machine because they target similar muscle groups.
However, a glute ham developer requires more strength in the knee joints so that you can contract glutes and hamstring safely, whereas using a roman chair means putting stress on your core to strengthen your hips and lower back.
Conclusion
If you truly want a whole body workout, then the best home Roman chair is exactly what you need. Each of the models here will do the job nicely.
As you can see, there are several worthy contenders here for taking the title of best Roman chair. We highly recommend the Valor Fitness CB-13 due to its great price-point and versatility. When choosing one for your home gym, you need to determine exactly what you’re looking for and whether or not you need extras and add-ons or prefer to just keep things simple.
Thankfully, many of the best hyperextension Roman chair models on the market are adjustable, so you won’t have to worry about finding one designed for your exact proportions. With that said, you do need to ensure that the one that you choose is sturdy enough to handle your workouts.
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Last Updated on February 22, 2023
