Anything and Everything Sporting Goods and Outdoors
I looked for several things when I was selecting the weight bench that would be used with my Valor Fitness BD-41 Power/Squat Rack. First was the frame construction. I wanted the least amount of nuts and bolts and the most amount of welds. It needed to be able to handle the weight. I wanted at least 600 pounds. Next, I didn’t want to be replacing the cushions in a year, so it had to have heavy duty mat and stitching. And lastly, I wanted 2 part adjustment of the seat and back.
A quick Google search and I found several that seemed to meet my list of demands, but unfortunately without getting to put my hands on the weight bench, I couldn’t tell if it was going be sturdy and rugged enough. I’ve been lifting in commercial gyms for years and have grown accustomed to commercial grade equipment. I lucked out and was able to get my hands on the Fitness Gear Pro Utility Weight Bench.
It didn’t take long to realize this bench was exactly what I was looking for. Very few nuts and bolts, which also translates to easy assembly. Very heavy duty steel construction and cushions, and both the back and the seat adjust. The weight bench is also rated to 600 pounds.
The benefit of having the back panel adjust is obvious, but several weight benches don’t allow for the seat to adjust or to be tilted. When lifting heavy weight on an incline, the tilted seat is a must-have for both the ability to lift the heavy weight properly and safely. I can’t imagine sliding off the end of the seat while holding 150 pounds plus is a good idea. The back and seat lock firmly in place with the spring loaded adjustment locks.
One thing to note is the Fitness Gear Pro Weight Bench is a bit on the heavy side. This can be good and bad. It means it is heavy duty but more difficult to just pick up and move. It does, however, have a front lifting handle and wheels on the rear of the bench. I have not had problems moving this around my home gym, nor does Brittany, but it could be a problem if you had to move it up or down stairs, or in very tight spaces.
Pros:
* Heavy duty
* Back and seat adjustment
* Holds 600 pounds
* Front lifting handle and rear wheels
* Very stable
Cons:
* Heavy
* Hard to maneuver in tight spaces
I’m actually very happy with the Fitness Gear Pro Weight Bench and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a heavy duty, commercial quality bench.