REP Fitness BlackWing Weight Bench Review

An adjustable weight bench is a no-brainer for home gyms, as it allows for an array of exercises like dumbbell shoulder presses, chest-supported lateral raises, and incline bench presses. FID benches (flat, incline, decline) like the REP Fitness BlackWing open up the options even more because they allow you to incorporate decline bench presses into your workout arsenal. Plus, if you purchase the optional leg roller, you can perform Nordic curls and decline sit-ups as well. This beast of a weight bench features a 1,000-pound weight capacity and an 11-gauge steel build, as well as REP’s patented ZeroGap seat, eliminating the awkward gap between the pads that most incline and FID benches have. 

Speaking of the padding, the vinyl used here is grippy and easy to clean, and you can stick with the standard 12-inch or opt for the 14-inch wide pads. The ladder-style adjustment for the back pad is easy to use, and there are 12 adjustment points from -8 degrees to 85 degrees, while the pop-pin adjustment on the seat pad offers six angles from -10 degrees to 45 degrees, so you can hit your muscles from a range of angles. You might think the $600 price tag is steep at first, but we believe the BlackWing offers excellent value due to its top-tier build, the multitude of adjustment points, and the ability to store it vertically.

Main Takeaways

REP Fitness BlackWing Highlights

• Price: $600
• Weight: 131 pounds
• Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds
• Materials: 11-gauge steel, vinyl padding
• Adjustability: Ladder-style
• Dimensions: 17.2” H x 59.5” L x 25.8” W

While the $600 price tag may make your eyes pop out like a Looney Tunes character, we actually think this is a good deal, considering what you’re getting from it. The BlackWing offers an impressive 1,000-pound weight capacity (including your body weight), and a ton of versatility due to its wide range of adjustment points and the option to purchase a leg roller attachment. While it will cost you an extra $110, this attachment allows you to strengthen your core with decline sit-ups, and develop your hamstrings with some Nordic curls. 

It’s easy to adjust the back pad with the ladder-style design, and since it’s a closed ladder, the adjustment arm is closed inside the rails. This allows the ladder to stay in place and prevents any side-to-side wobble. We also enjoy the stainless steel knurled handles on either side of the ladder and the stainless knurled handle at the base of the front foot. The laser-cut degree markings allow you to see which angle you’re working with clearly, and the combination of 12 back pad and six seat pad angles available here provides the means to target your muscles in various ways. 

We’re big on the vinyl padding since it’s really grippy, but it’s also easy to clean — you just wipe it off with a dish detergent and water mix. While this bench is almost five feet long, those tight on space will love the ability to store it vertically after completing their workout session. While the wheels make it portable, it does weigh a hefty 131 pounds, so you might want to brace before you lift it. But that weight helps create a sturdy bench, so you shouldn’t expect any wobble when performing Bulgarian split squats, step-ups, or tricep dips on the bench. While purchasing any home gym essential like this is an investment, we think the versatility and stability of this bench make the price tag worth it.

Pros

• The 11-gauge steel build is top-notch quality, allowing this bench to potentially last a lifetime.
• The wide range of adjustments for the back and seat pads allows for versatility within your workouts. 
• The vertical storage means you can save space when you’re done working out.
• The ZeroGap seat pad eliminates the annoying gap between the seat and back pads at all times.

Cons

• The $600 price tag may be too steep for some folks.
• Some home gym owners may not want a bench that weighs 131 pounds.

Training With the REP Fitness BlackWing

This is REP’s most expensive bench and feels like a flagship bench whenever we work out with it. The assembly process is relatively simple; it’s super easy to adjust the back and seat pads, and the padding provides the perfect amount of comfort and support when lifting. We also love the tripod design, and even though it dominates a good chunk of space, the vertical storage makes up for it.

Assembly

Before you channel your inner Ronnie Coleman, you’ll need to spend 20 minutes or so assembling the BlackWing. This is normal, though, and while it always helps to have an extra set of hands, we accomplished this with one person. REP doesn’t include any tools for assembly, so be sure to keep a ratchet and sockets on deck.

Back Pad Adjustability

We found the ladder-style adjustment system for the back pad to be a smooth process overall. Simply lift on the support post with the stainless steel knurled handles and guide it into the grooves of the angle that you want. REP also uses UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) on the rollers that fit in the grooves to help protect the steel from scratches.

Regarding the 12 available angles, the back pad can sit at -8, 0, 10, 20, 30, 37.5, 45, 52.5, 60, 67.5, 75, and 85 degrees. And since the 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 85-degree angles are laser-cut into the frame, it’s clear which angle you’re working with.

While powerlifters prepping for their next competition from home may not need the adjustments found here, the versatility is what makes this such a solid bench. Since it’s a true FID bench, you can do a lot more than you can with a standard adjustable bench. This allows you to target your entire chest, but we wish there were leg rollers at the base of the seat pad to secure your legs. There is an optional leg roller for this bench that attaches at the end of the back pad, but for the price, it’d be nice if it came standard.

Seat Pad Adjustability

The ZeroGap seat pad is one of our favorite features about the BlackWing since it eliminates that uncomfortable gap that you find on most incline and FID benches. With the inclusion of a pop-pin on the side of the seat, you can easily slide the seat back or forward to one of the seven positions that best coincide with the angle of the back pad.

Under the frame is another pop-pin used to adjust the six available angles for the seat. These consist of -10, 0, 8 15, 30, and 45 degrees, allowing you to position the seat to lift comfortably. 

Padding

The vinyl padding on this bench is the perfect mixture of the comfort, firmness, and grippiness (even if you sweat a lot) needed for a good workout. It’s also really easy to clean — just use a mixture of mild dish detergent and water and wipe it down with a sponge or cloth.

Stability

While the front foot is wider than what you’ll find with the REP FB-5000, it tapers in the front, allowing you to set your feet for your lifts comfortably. There’s a protective liner under the front and back feet to allow the bench to grip the floor better, and the back foot is wider than their other benches for added stability. REP also increased the tolerances on the hinge points, so you hardly feel any wobble while working out. This played out during our testing — we didn’t feel any movement whatsoever when we did movements like spider curls and chest-supported dumbbell rows.

Dimensions, Weight, and Portability

The BlackWing is a pretty large bench, measuring 59.5 inches long, 25.8 inches wide, and 17.2 inches tall, which is just above the IPF competition standard. Another thing to remember is that you can upgrade the pads to 14 inches wide rather than the stock 12-inch wide pads, so bigger athletes can lift in comfort.

This is bigger than some other weight benches we’ve reviewed, like the Force USA Commercial FID, but not too big to be a deal-breaker. However, it is pretty heavy, weighing 131 pounds. Thankfully, a set of wheels on the back of the bench makes it relatively easy to slide it around your gym, and the stainless steel knurled handle at the base of the front foot is easily accessible.

Storage

A current trend with weight benches is including vertical storage, and that’s another awesome feature with the BlackWing. This is ideal for anyone tight on space. Grab the handle at the front foot, lift the bench vertically, and it’ll stand on its own. And remember, since the ladder is closed, you don’t have to worry about the back pad sliding away from the rest of the bench. 

What to Consider Before Buying the REP Fitness BlackWing

Like every other piece of equipment, there are some important factors that you need to consider before adding the BlackWing to your home gym. We always suggest working within your available budget, but you need to decide whether or not you need all of the available adjustments and if you want a specific color to match an aesthetic.

Price

The BlackWing will cost you a pretty penny with a $600 price tag. Choosing the wide pads will cost you an extra $20, and the leg roller attachment is about $110. While we think the price is justified due to the high-quality build and versatility, those on a tight budget can find plenty of cheaper options. Two that come to mind are the REP AB-3000 2.0, which sports a $320 price tag, and the Force USA MyBench, which costs $400 and comes with a preacher curl and leg developer attachment for leg curls and leg extensions. 

Adjustments

The 12 adjustments for the back pad and six adjustments for the seat pad are part of what makes this such an awesome bench. In fact, this is more than what most adjustable benches offer, meaning this may be the best bench on the market in that regard. 

That said, we also realize that only some people want or need an adjustable bench. If that’s not a priority for you, then you’ll be better off targeting a strictly flat bench. REP has a solid one in the FB-5000 that you might want to check out. 

Color

This may be nit-picky, but sometimes you just want all of your gear to match. If that’s you, then you’ll be pumped to find that REP has you covered with six different colors, and changing your color does not impact the price. You can buy this bench in Matte Black, Metallic Black, Blue, Green, White, and Red. 

REP Fitness BlackWing Vs. The Competition

While there are too many adjustable weight benches on the market to compare the BlackWing to all of them, we decided to compare it to some of the more popular benches.

	REP Fitness BlackWing	REP Fitness AB-3000 2.0	Force USA MyBench	Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench
Price	$600	$320	$400	$320
Weight Capacity	1,000 pounds	1,000 pounds	705 pounds	N/A
Adjustment Style	Ladder Style	Ladder Style	Ladder Style	Non-adjustable
Number of Adjustments	12 for back pad, 6 for seat pad	8 for back pad, 5 for seat pad	7 for back pad, 3 for seat pad	None
Attachments	Leg roller	None	Leg developer and preacher curl	None

While the three adjustable benches on this list are similar in that they feature a ladder-style adjustment system, they’re also pretty different. If you’re looking for the most possible adjustments, then the BlackWing is the best bet. However, it’s also the most expensive one here, so if money is your biggest concern, then the Rogue Fold Up Utility Bench or the REP AB-3000 2.0 are your best options. 

If space (or lack thereof) is your issue, then the Rogue Fold Up is easily the best solution. That said, you must remember that the Fold Up’s weight capacity is undisclosed, so if you’re strong enough to potentially break it, you might want to consider one of the other three options here. If you want the most versatile bench here, we suggest going for the Force USA MyBench because it includes leg developer and preacher curl attachments. It’s also an FID bench, so you can still target all your muscles. 

We’re big on these benches for a reason, so we don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. Just do your homework, and you’ll land on the best option.

Places to Buy

You can purchase the BlackWing directly through the REP Fitness website. 

Warranties

REP offers a 10-year warranty on the frame of this bench and a one-year warranty on the pop-pin located on the seat.

Company Information

REP offers a wide variety of fitness equipment, from strength gear to cardio equipment, and they offer a full refund on all of their equipment within 30 days of your purchase. You can reach a team member via email at [email protected], or via phone at 720-420-1731. 

In Conclusion

Due to their versatility, adjustable weight benches are one of the best investments you can make for your home gym, and the BlackWing is REP’s pride and joy. This bench can support up to 1,000 pounds of weight, features an 11-gauge steel frame, and is available in six colors. The back pad features a ladder-style adjustment system with 12 possible angles (the most we’ve seen), while the seat pad features a pop-pin adjustment style with six different angles. 

The new and improved ZeroGap seat offers more comfort when lifting, and the vertical storage is clutch for those who are a little tight on space. While the $600 price tag may be steep for some, the sturdy build and high versatility make for an excellent purchase here.

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