REP FITNESS AB-3000 FID Adjustable Bench Reviewed & Compared

REP FITNESS AB-3000 FID weight bench Reviewed

Main Features Of The Rep Fitness Weight Bench

The frame of this bench is made of heavy-duty steel that is ASTM rated and can support up to 1000 lbs (453.6 kg). The thickness of the steel varies from part to part, ranging from 7-gauge to 14-gauge.

This bench is fully adjustable and offers flat, incline and decline position as well as adjustments ranging from 85-degree incline to -20-degree decline for a grand total of 7 back positions. The seat offers 4 different positions and provides ergonomic support.

The entire bench (seat, back pad, and foot roller) uses an upgraded pad made of ultra grippy fabric, which has an anti-slip design to help keep users in place while lifting. The older version of the REP Fitness AB-3000 weight bench used vinyl padding, which isn't nearly as durable or comfortable as the upgraded model. 

The assembled dimensions in the flat position are 54″ x 26″ x 17.5″ (137.2 x 66 x 44.5 cm) and the empty weight of the bench is 85 lbs (38.6 kg). The back-base is equipped with transportation wheels for easy portability, so even though this bench is heavier than most, it can be easily moved. 

REP FITNESS offers a 10-year frame warranty and a 30-day warranty on the padding and upholstery. 

Packaging & Assembly

The REP Fitness AB-3000 FID Adjustable Bench comes mostly pre-assembled. Of course, it's recommended that you double-check if the bolts are properly tightened to avoid any unwanted surprises. Most users suggest using a socket wrench, and you should be good to go after a few minutes of tightening. 

With that being said, several users claimed to have issues locating and tightening the bolts properly since the instructions don't cover this. That’s why I’ve included the original assembly video to help out: 

Pricing Guide

The fact of the matter is... this isn't a budget-friendly weight bench. Yes, there are plenty of budget options on the market that will cost you less than $100, but this model isn't one of them. 

That being said, it's important to understand that you get what you pay for. The higher price tag is a reflection of the heavy-duty steel construction, extreme sturdiness, high level of adjustability, and massive 1000-pound weight support. 

My Experience Using The AB-3000 FID

Frame & Adjustability

I've tried out a lot of weight benches in my days, and very few come close to the Rep Fitness bench in terms of construction. The frame is as sturdy as it gets, and I have no trouble believing that this bench can handle the 1000-pound weight support it claims to have. 

Considering the high price tag, I did think that there were be a few more adjustment options; some benches at this price point - and even cheaper - have more adjustments for both the back and seat. Adjusting between the 7 back positions was easy, though, and I really like the ladder system (rather than the traditional lock-pin system). 

The transportation wheels are a great bonus. In fact, they're a necessity considering the 85-pound weight of the bench, which is heavier than most. 

I’ve scoured the market for negative reviews regarding the sturdiness and found only two. Both of them were in regards to bad welding at the seat-pad. However, both reviews had the older vinyl-pad bench version, not the newest version. Another thing to note is that this welding issue seems to be a problem with 1 in 200 users, so hopefully, you won’t experience this issue. 

Comfort

The bench's wide side at the shoulders measures 11.5 inches (29.2 cm) and the distance from the top side of the pad (flat position) to the ground is 17.5 inches (44.5 cm). REP FITNESS also designed the bench to have a very minimal gap between the seat pad and the back pad, which is a major plus considering many benches have a large gap that can make the workout uncomfortable. 

I love that the ultra-grippy pad is rather soft, but still very durable. I believe that there will be several users who will find the pads too soft, though. But in my opinion, they're soft enough for comfort but also firm enough for stability. 

Height & Weight Limitations

Unless you're The Hulk, you should experience no weight limitations when using the REP FITNESS. Considering the dimensions, users ranging from 5’3” to 6’4” should have no problems using this bench. 

Besides bench length and width, one of the most important specs is the height – 17.5 inches. The IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) recommends height of weight benches to be between 16.5” and 17.75” to cater to as many people as possible while also preventing the risk of injury, and at 17.5", Rep Fitness meets those standards. 

That said, 17.5" is on the high end of that recommendation, so shorter individuals - let's say below 5'3" - might have a hard time using the AB-3000 FID. 

Pros And Cons Of The Rep Fitness

Let’s summarize all the information from above in a list of pros and cons: 

Comparisons With Similar Weight Benches  

One of the best ways to do your due diligence for selecting the best weight bench for you is to compare it with similar models. There are 3 that are very similar in functionality and design to the Rep Fitness bench:

Is The Rep Fitness AB-3000 FID Worth Buying? 

Would I recommend REP FITNESS AB-3000 FID bench? I certainly would... as long as you're willing to pay for light-commercial quality. But if you're on a budget, then there are other benches that are better worth your time - and money. 

If for some reason this particular weight bench is not good enough for you, be sure to check our adjustable weight benches guide for more recommendations.