It’s probably not much of a secret that a weight bench is one of the most useful tools you can have at your disposal in your home gym. There are so many different benches on the market, but we think the Rogue AB 3.0 and the REP AB-5000 are two great options to consider for your home gym. While a flat bench is great for your standard bench press and dumbbell rows, adjustable benches like these two beasts can take your workouts to the next level with extra angles that allow you to focus on specific areas, such as your upper chest or rear delts.
Both of these companies offer adjustable weight benches that are forged from 11-gauge steel, have a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, and sell for a similar price. They both weigh over 100 pounds, they feature a handle and wheels to make them easily portable, and the padding used on both is a nice mix of firm and comfortable. How are they different, you ask? The main differences are the number of adjustments available, and the overall design of each, but let’s expand on the varying traits of these weight benches, and how they may impact your decision.
Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 Highlights
When it comes to some of the best workout equipment you can buy, Rogue is consistently at the front of the pack, and the AB 3.0 is no exception. This is not an FID (Flat, Incline, Decline) bench, but you still have ten different back pad angles you can use. This ladder-style adjustable bench makes it possible to focus on your back and biceps in multiple ways, on top of your incline bench press and seated shoulder press. Even though the actual weight limit is not listed on the Rogue website, the 11-gauge steel used on the framework is professional quality, and makes the AB 3.0 one of the strongest benches out there.
While this bench does weigh a beefy 125 pounds, the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 is pretty accommodating in terms of storage due in part to its built-in stand. This is probably our favorite feature about this bench since it allows you to move it out of your power rack, stash it in the corner, and rep out your squats. The Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 measures 17.5 inches tall when flat, around 4.5 feet long, and just over two feet wide, including the wheels. The back pad is right at 11 inches wide, and while that might be a good fit for a lot of users, those with a wide back may be disappointed to find you don’t have the option to switch it out for a wider pad.
This adjustable bench is made from 11-gauge steel, features ten different back pad adjustments, three different seat pad adjustments, and a built-in stand.
Main Takeaways
- Rogue uses 11-gauge steel to manufacture this weight bench, making it super sturdy.
- The ladder-style adjustment provides ten different back pad angles and three seat pad angles.
- The built-in stand on the AB 3.0 allows you to make the most of your available space and store it vertically.
REP Fitness AB-5000 Highlights
Like Rogue, REP Fitness also uses 11-gauge steel to forge the AB-5000 — making it a commercial-grade weight bench. This pin-style adjustment bench pairs five seat pad and seven back pad adjustments for you to use. Our favorite thing about the AB-5000, though, is that it offers a zero-gap adjustment mechanism with the seat. This provides — as you may assume — zero gap between the padding, regardless of the angle.
The non-slip vinyl padding will give you good traction as you begin to sweat during your workout, and you can swap out your original padding for a wider back pad. The dimensions are relatively similar to the AB 3.0 — nearly two feet wide and just over 4.5 feet long. While you can technically stand the AB-5000 upright on the wheels, the top of the back pad may wear down over time if you store it vertically. REP also offers a leg roller attachment you can add on to transform the AB-5000 into an FID bench to accommodate decline bench presses and decline sit-ups.
The REP Fitness AB-5000 Zero Gap Weight Bench stands out from its competitors as it doesn’t have the typical gap you may find on other weight benches across the market. Plus, it has seven back pad adjustments and five seat pad adjustments.
Main Takeaways
- The zero gap mechanism on the AB-5000 completely eliminates the annoying gap you often deal with between the padding on an adjustable weight bench.
- The 11-gauge steel here is commercial grade and offers a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds.
- The additional leg attachment turns this weight bench into a full FID bench.
Rogue Adjustable Bench vs REP Adjustable Bench Video Review
Our Reviews Writer, Jake, put both of these weight benches to the ultimate test during his detailed video review. Follow along as he breaks down the pros and cons of each option to help you decide which one is best for you.
What Are The Big Differences Between The Rogue AB 3.0 And The REP AB-5000?
Both Rogue and REP’s weight benches are similar in fashion, but there are a few differences that stand out. From the number of adjustments to how you make those adjustments, and the framework of each bench — we compare these differences below.
Adjustments
Yes, both of these weight benches offer multiple back pad, and seat pad angles to switch up your workouts, but they’re very different at the same time. With the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0, you’re working with a ladder-style adjustment that (as you may assume) resembles a ladder. All you have to do is lift up on the back pad, grab one of the handles connected to the adjustment rail, and slide the rail into one of the ten angles available. The same goes for the seat pad, simply lift up on the seat, and you can position it in three different ways.
The REP Fitness AB-5000 is a pin-style adjustable bench. So to utilize the seven different back pad adjustments, pull out the pin to unlock the mechanism, and glide the back pad up and down. For the seat pad, you also have a pin-style mechanism that allows the seat to move up and down the five different possible angles. There’s also a knob that will slide the seat to the front and back if you pull down on it. This is where the zero gap comes into the equation. Regardless of the positioning of the seat and back pads, you will never have to deal with an annoying gap.
There’s a Slight Price Difference
While both of these benches are available for relatively the same price, the Rogue AB 3.0 will actually be a bit more expensive if you were to opt for the upgraded version.
Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0
Rogue offers the AB 3.0 in two different prices on their website. The base model features powder black coated adjustment rails and a price tag that starts around $600, but once you factor in shipping and taxes, that price rises to over $700. If you decide you want to swap out those black rails for stainless steel ones, that will tack on an additional $100 or so, putting your total around $800.
You don’t have the option of switching out the 11-inch back pad for a wider one, but you can switch it out for a premium textured foam pad for about $160. So in all, you could potentially spend around $900 on this weight bench. It’s pretty obvious that this is a good amount of money to be spending on just a weight bench, and while it may last you a lifetime, you could be better off going with a cheaper option if you aren’t lifting weight that will put the capacity of this bench to the test.
Thankfully you can finance this purchase if you choose to. Rogue offers two different options for you to utilize — Affirm and PayLater from PayPal. The monthly payments you’ll be making through Affirm depend on your credit score. But with PayLater, you can choose between four interest-free payments of around $175, or you can spend about $35 a month over 24 months.
REP AB-5000
The AB-5000 is available for purchase at two different prices depending on your chosen color. The Metallic Black, Red, Blue, and Matte Black options will cost around $600, while the clear coat option costs about $680. REP does offer a couple of attachments you can add to your bench, the leg roller is about $110, and the wider back pad is right around $90.
If you decide you want the accessories, you’ll be looking at spending around $700 to $900 on the AB-5000. Similar to the AB 3.0, the high quality means you may never need to buy another weight bench, but it’s still a hefty price tag. While you can’t use Affirm, REP does offer the ability to use PayLater from PayPal where you can make four payments of $150, or right around $30 for two years.
Front Foot Design
The front feet of both of these weight benches are noticeably different, and may actually impact the way you work out. Rogue designed the AB 3.0 with a narrow front foot that does not interfere with your workout — this will be extremely beneficial during your bench presses, so you can get optimal foot drive. On the other hand, the REP AB-5000 has a front foot that sticks out to either side a little bit. This may not bother some, but it does, in fact, take up more space than the AB 3.0, and could impact your bench press.
Both weight benches have a handle located on the front foot, as well, but they’re positioned a bit differently. The handle on the AB 3.0 is located on the front of the foot and is really easy to grab However, the AB-5000 has a handle that is a little more difficult to get ahold of. It’s technically under the seat, and you have to reach a little further back. This shouldn’t direct you away from the AB-5000, but it is worth mentioning.
Storage
Because of the size of a weight bench, it can be a little difficult to find a sweet spot to store it. Rogue designed the AB 3.0 with a built-in stand that will make the most of your available space. This is ideal for anyone tight on space in their home gym. Simply lift up on the handle and push the bench up to sit on the stand — that way, you can stash it in a corner, or move it from your power rack to do some back squats.
The REP AB-5000 doesn’t have a built-in stand like the AB 3.0, but you can technically position it upright, and set it on the wheels and the metal that encases them. It’s worth mentioning though that the top of the back pad will also be sitting on the ground, so you will run the risk of causing some wear and tear to that padding.
Attachments
Once again, besides the premium padding, Rogue does not offer any attachments for the AB 3.0. However, REP provides the option to add a leg roller or a wider back pad. So, if you want to transform your AB-5000 into an FID bench (Flat, Incline, Decline), to work in some decline bench presses, you can easily do so.
Color Options
Both the AB 3.0, and the AB-5000 come in Black, Blue, and Red. The AB-5000 also comes in a clear coat option, while you can swap out the black adjustment rails on the AB 3.0 for stainless steel ones.
Which Bench is the Better Option?
While one of these benches may not be objectively “better” than the other, there are still some features that each has that could make it a better fit for you specifically. While both of these benches have a weight capacity that floats around 1,000 pounds, it’s probably smart to factor in the price, the adjustments available, and the overall design of each one. If you’re tight on space, then the AB 3.0 may be a better fit for you since it can be stored vertically. That feature will cut back on the footprint it demands, and make it possible to store in the corner of your gym. You can still store the AB-5000 upright, but it might not be the best way to store it as the padding may begin to wear over time.
Since the adjustments are different, this is likely going to be a big factor for a lot of people. The number of angles available, and the way you adjust each bench is quite different. If you want more back pad angles, the AB 3.0 will be ideal, but on the other hand, the AB-5000 has more seat adjustments. The AB 3.0 is a ladder-style adjustable bench, while the AB-5000 is a pin-style adjustable bench, so one may feel more comfortable adjusting than the other (depending on your preference).
[Read More: Best Upper Chest Exercises for Building Muscle]
The overall design of each weight bench is also worth considering, specifically the front foot. The front foot on the AB 3.0 is significantly narrower and may lead to optimal foot drive since your feet can be positioned better. The front foot on the AB-5000 might not affect everyone in a negative way, but it does stick out on either side, so you may need to position your feet a little differently during your bench press.
Both of these weight benches are top quality and provide a lot of versatility to your workout program. You can easily adjust the back pad to do incline bench presses, shoulder presses, and even back and bicep work. While they’re similar in the way they function, their builds are different, and the price is a little different too — be sure to factor in the features of each, and you’ll be better able to decide which one is “the best” for you.
Is a Smaller Front Foot Really That Important?
Technically yes, the smaller the front foot on a weight bench is, the better foot placement you can achieve to produce optimal foot drive for your bench presses. If that is a feature you’re really looking for, you might be better off with the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 since the front foot takes up about half the space as it does on the AB-5000. This could also lead to more comfort when setting up for your presses.
Is There Anything That One of These Benches Can Do That the Other One Can’t?
Since you can add a leg roller to the AB-5000, you can technically do more with it than you can with the AB 3.0 (which offers no attachments). This leg roller will turn the AB-5000 into an FID bench, so you can rep out some decline bench presses and do some decline sit-ups if you choose to. Now you could still place a bumper plate or two underneath the front foot on the AB 3.0 to create a decline, but if you really want to develop your chest the best way possible, the AB-5000 may be the best choice for you.
Final Word
Finding the right weight bench for your home gym can be a bit of a difficult task, so when choosing between these two solid options, you want to be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each. If space is not on your side, you’ll want to snag the AB 3.0 since you can store it upright in the corner of your room. If you want to perform some decline bench presses, then the AB-5000 will be the best bet since you can add on the leg roller to turn it into an FID bench.
Adjustments may also be a big factor in your decision-making process with these weight benches. The AB 3.0 has more back pad adjustments you can use, while the AB-5000 actually has more seat pad adjustments available. So at the end of it all, just be sure to figure out what features are make or break for you, and your decision should be relatively easy. No matter which route you choose, we don’t think you’ll go wrong with either option.
FAQs
What are the limitations with the Rogue AB 3.0 and the REP AB-5000?
The only limitations with either of these weight benches will be from the adjustments you have available. The AB 3.0 has more back pad adjustments, but the AB-5000 has more seat pad adjustments, and can be turned into an FID bench. Additionally, you can add attachments to the AB-5000, which you can’t do with the AB 3.0.
How much do the Rogue AB 3.0 and REP Fitness AB-5000 cost?
These weight benches both have price tags that start at about $600, but additional factors will determine their final price tags. With the Rogue AB 3.0, you can swap out the stock guide rails for stainless steel ones for about $100, and you can’t forget about the extra $100 or so in shipping and taxes — potentially leaving you with a $900 purchase.
In addition to the $600 price tag for the Metallic Black, Matte Black, Red, and Blue options, the REP AB-5000 also has a clear coat version that starts at around $680. You can add a leg roller attachment for about $110 to turn it into an FID bench and/or opt for a wider back pad for about $90. Since shipping is free with REP, you could see a final price tag ranging from $600 to about $880, depending on your configuration.
Does the difference in the front foot make the Rogue AB 3.0 more suitable for bench presses than the REP AB-5000?
This feature may not affect everyone the same way, but this could make it “easier” to get comfortable for your bench presses on the AB 3.0. Without anything interfering with your feet, you can also produce more foot drive, which could increase the weight you can lift.
