Product Description

Make your workout space a fitness center. The Bowflex Adjustable Bench 5.1 Series is an outstanding addition to any workout space for positioning support when you're exercising and for maximum workout versatility. Just adjust the bench to one of six positions and you can add a variety of new and powerful exercises. It's the perfect way to transform your space into a personal fitness center. Built strong to last long with heavy-duty commercial quality steel.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1221 in Sports & Outdoors
• Brand: Bowflex
• Model: Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Bench 5.1
• Dimensions: 10.50" h x 17.50" w x 51.00" l, 74.00 pounds

Features

• Transform any space into a personal free weight fitness center
• Adjusts to six different positions; 17-degree decline to 90-degree incline
• Comes with a removable leg hold-down brace for added decline position support
• Corrects posture and stabilizes positioning for a safe, muscle-building free-weight workout
• 30-year warranty on frame; one-year warranty on upholstery

Amazon.com Product Description
Get more out of your workout using Bowflex SelectTech free-weights with the 5.1 Series adjustable bench. It adjusts to six different positions--with 17-degree decline to 90-degree incline--for positioning support when you're exercising and for maximum workout versatility. Just adjust the bench to one of six positions and you can add a variety of new and powerful exercises. It's the perfect way to transform your space into a personal fitness center.

This bench is also great for correcting posture and stabilizing your positioning for a safe, muscle-building free-weight workout. It's built-strong to last with heavy-duty commercial quality steel and durable upholstery. It comes standard with a removable leg hold-down brace for added decline position support. It wheels away for easy storage and measures 26 by 20 by 56 inches (W x H x L). Assembly is required.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 56" L x 26" W x 20" H (142.25 L x 66 W x 51 H cm)
• Adjusts to six different positions
• 17° decline to 90° incline
• Constructed of heavy-duty commercial quality steel
• Corrects posture and stabilizes positioning for a safe, muscle-building free weight workout
• Can be used with more than 30 exercises
• Comes standard with a removable leg hold-down brace for added decline position support
• Wheels away for easy storage

About Utility Benches
Despite the competition from trendy new fitness inventions, free-weight lifting continues to be a popular option for home strength training. Free weights offer a special benefit in strength training because they promote quicker strength gains. Free weights also work a larger number of muscles than resistance machines, which tend to focus on isolated muscles.

Specially-designed adjustable pads, grips, and bars help limit and guide movements to minimize the possibility of muscle or joint damage. Plus, from a single utility bench, a vast number of exercises can be performed. Whether it is focusing on the abdomen, arms, chest, or any other muscle group, a utility bench can help you maximize your strength training goals while minimizing your risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer's Warranty
30-year warranty on frame, one-year warranty on upholstery

Customer Reviews

This Bowflex bench is solid...
I bought the Select-Tech 552 dumbell set w/stand, so I needed a bench to go with it. I saw this was the 'matching' bench and had good reviews, so I went with it without much shopping around. I think I paid $150 with no tax or shipping. As I did not shop around, I don't know if this is a good 'value' compared to other brands.

As far as the bench itself, it is very sturdy. No wobbling while you are using it - this is a big plus. It also looks very nice and obviously matches my other equipment.

The adjustment options are nice to have, but to me they are mostly unnecessary. I only use it in the flat position and one incline position. I can't imagine what one would do with all the other positions, but maybe someone who is more sophisticated in their work out could utilize them.

The leg attachment, again, is very sturdy. I didn't buy it for sit-ups, nor would I recommend this to someone who wanted it solely for sit-ups, but if you want a bench primarily for lifting that gives you a sit-up option, this will work just fine.

As to the negatives... This was mentioned by another reviewer, but there is a opening in the bench where it folds up. It is really in a bad place (atleast for me, I am 6' 3") - right on the small of the back. It is uncomfortable and seems like it could cause injury. I am able to get around it by scooting my rear as close to the end of the bench before I lay back. Still, it seems like this could have been designed better.

The assembly was simple and consists primarily of using washers and bolts. On mine, on the bottom end, the welds were in the way of one of the holes I needed to put a bolt/washer through. The washer would not sit flat and it was very difficult to get this one tight.

Another complaint would be that the wheels are useless the way they are positioned - you will just end up dragging it from one place to another. And the bench does not fold up for storage, so it may not be the most compact bench to tuck away when not in use.

Overall, I would recommend the bench and I would buy it again, but it is far from perfect. If you shop around you may be able to find a better option for your individual needs. Hopefully my insight helps with your purchase decision!

Great value, read why! (Other related product info too.)
This is a very nice bench by any standards and as other reviews mention, it is very easy to put together. The instructions are well-written, the diagrams clear and the whole thing is well-engineered and heavy duty construction. It is also veasy to adjust and doesn't have a lot of little parts. It is virually identical to the Bowflex 3.1 bench, just with more positions.

I find the four positions on the 3.1 adequate for a good workout, but more angles are always better. This is especially true if you are injured or feeling strained. Also, it is a perfect product to use with a dumbbell workout. If you go this route, I recommend either Pair of Personal PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbells - 5-45 Pounds in 5 Pound Increments or PowerBlock SportBlock Dumbbell Set. These adjustable dumbbells are rugged, less expensive than other brands and the safest that I know of.

Some other details about the bench... the material is a medium thick vinyl. I think a better material and padding would improve the product overall, but at this price point I think it's plenty rugged. I'm very happy with the quality/cost ration.

If you get this bench, you can eventually get a power rack that can be used with your bench and as a squat/deadlift rack. One that I like is Phys-x Half Rack 10418, but you there are others depending upon your needs. Get a good one though, this is not something you want to skimp on especially if you are looking to build significant mass.

If you are new (or old) to this type of training, I recommend Build Muscle Lose Fat Look Great: Everything You Need to Know to Transform Your Body and Starting Strength. These are probably the ONLY two books most people will ever need on strength training, building mass, etc. They are BOTH dense with great information systematically laid out. I have other suggestions on my listmania lists, check my profile if you are interested. I also reviewed most of the adjustable dumbells on available on here.

Pretty Close to Perfect
I was looking for a decent bench to go along with my SelectTech dumbbell set and have found the 5.1 to be the best for the price. The construction is very sturdy and it took me about a half hour to put together. Contrary to one of the other reviews here, the bench travels from a decline position (with an excellent feature that allows the seat to be raised, preventing any back pain) to a 0, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degree incline. The detachable leg support allows for crunches and situps, one of my basic requirements. Construction and functionality-wise, this bench reminds me of the higher quality equipment I've used at health clubs but this is actually better due to the detachable leg support.

One complaint I have is that when I move the bench, the bench has to be lifted high in order for the wheels to catch the floor, otherwise, I end up dragging the bench on the legs. It's not that big of a deal now that I know this needs to be done. Overall, I am extremely happy to have purchased this bench.