Most sequels aren’t nearly as good as the original. But Rep Fitness has been proving that wrong lately with the complete redesign of their entire product line. The AB-3000 2.0 is part of that redesign.
So, how does it stack up to the original?
This is actually the 3rd iteration of this bench (we’ll call the first one the 0.0), and Rep has changed a lot! But all change isn’t necessarily positive. Let’s take a closer look and see if it’s just changed, or is it actually better?
GymCrafter Ratings
OVERALL
92
STABILITY
25
CONVENIENCE
19
ADJUSTABILITY
23
AESTHETICS
25
Stability: 25/25
Steel Gauge: 5 pts.
Rear Foot Width: 5 pts.
Height: 5 pts.
Tolerance: 5 pts.
Back Pad Width: 5 pts.
Convenience: 19/25
Ease of adjustment: 7 pts.
Wheels & Handles: 7 pts.
Vertical Storage: 5 pts.
Adjustability: 23/25
Back Adjustments: 8 pts.
Seat Adjustments: 5 pts.
Leg Rollers: 5 pts.
Zero Gap/Back Pad Length: 5 pts.
Aesthetics: 25/25
Finish Quality: 7 pts.
Back & Seat Pads: 10 pts.
Finish Durability: 5 pts.
You can see a detailed explanation of our bench scoring process here.
The Short Version
Rep Fitness has taken what was once the best bang for the buck FID adjustable bench on the market and made it better in almost every way. What was already a great bench has just jumped well ahead of the competition in both quality and value. Rep earned their reputation as a major player in the home fitness industry with their benches, and the new AB-3000 2.0 does nothing but make that reputation better.
So, can you tell I like the improvements Rep has made with this bench? My very first “real” weight bench was the original AB-3000 (you can read my review of that bench here). Before that, I had always trained with very inexpensive and kind of shoddy benches (hey, you use what you can afford, right?).
As you can tell from my review of the original AB-3000, I liked it a lot. But at the time I reviewed it, I didn’t realize all the opportunities for improvement that it had. It was so much better than what I had been using I didn’t really think to look for areas it needed to be better. Looking at the new 2.0, I can now see all the things that needed a change.
The AB-3000 2.0 is noticeably more stable than the original. The back adjustments are much more solid (even the sound it makes when adjusting is more substantial). The wheels and handle are better, too. The original had a handle that, on many occasions, had me swearing because I banged my shin on it.
Probably the most tactile change is the seat and back. Rep has gone to what they call “CleanGrip” vinyl pads that are both more dense (which equals stability) and have a ton more grip. CleanGrip is the first bench pad material where I haven’t added a bench wrap or other aid to keep my shoulders locked to the bench during the bench press.
As with all of Rep’s benches, the AB-3000 2.0 has tons of nice touches like multiple color options, laser cutouts, and well-done branding. This bench looks really sweet!
There are a couple of things I don’t like about the redesign, but none are deal-breakers (at least for me).
The biggest one is the location of the leg rollers when not in use. When I bench, I like to scoot my feet in and under the end of the bench… Exactly where the leg rollers are located. When I used this bench, I just couldn’t find a comfortable foot position that wasn’t distracting.
The solution was to raise the leg rollers up and out of the way. The problem with that is now I was back to banging my shins on the bench again (maybe I should just start watching where I’m going?🤷🏼♂️).
I did find a solution to this problem eventually and outline it later in this article.
The leg rollers are easy to adjust with a removable pin. I’ve seen others complain about this pin, but it’s not bad at all. Sure, when you compare it to the pop-pins on their BlackWing bench, it’s not nearly as nice. But the BlackWing is almost $800, so there’s that. For the price of the AB-3000 2.0, the pin was a non-issue to me.
I also wish it could be stored vertically. I don’t have a ton of room in my garage gym, and as I used this bench, I found myself wishing I could stand it upright to get it out of the way.
But in the end, to get an 11-gauge steel, 1,000 lb capacity, stable FID bench with the best pads around for just over $300 is a no-brainer. Especially for anyone looking to get the most for their budget when buying a bench.
MSRP on the AB-3000 2.0 is $319.99, but Rep often has sales. You can check the current price here.
If this bench doesn’t fit all of your needs, make sure to check out our Recommended Benches page. Or read on for a much more in-depth look at this newest version of the AB-3000.
- Bench Weight: 89.3lbs
- Bench Height: 17.1”
- Bench Width: 25.8”
- Bench Length: 56.6”
- Back Pad Angles: -12, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 70, 85
- Seat Pad Angles: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20
- Number of Leg Roller Positions: 6
- Back Pad Length: 36”
- Back/Seat Pad Width: 11.8”/15”
- Seat Pad Length: 15”
- Leg Roller Length: 7.7” (each)
- Pad Gap: 2.1”
- Footprint: 9.85 SQFT
- Tolerance: 3%
- Weight Capacity: 1,000lbs
- Material: 11-Gauge Steel
Image Gallery
Ab-3000 2.0 Pros And Cons
PROS
11-gauge steel
CleanGrip vinyl pads
Flat, incline, decline
Comes with leg rollers
Leg rollers are detachable
Leg rollers can swing freely with a stop pin for ease of use
Squared off back pad
Seat gap doesn’t have a hinge in it
Quiet operation
Multiple finishes
New handle location
Laser cut details
The price
CONS
Leg rollers are tricky to figure out
No vertical storage
The seat gap is over 2″
The handle is not knurled
Dirt easily sticks to the CleanGrip vinyl
What I Like About The New Ab-3000 2.0
The AB-3000 2.0 has all of the things I liked about the 0.0 (remember, I owned the very first version of this bench several years ago) and quite a few more. Rep really did a great job on the redesign. Here are the high points for me.
*I also want to point out that virtually every other fitness manufacturer has copied (stolen) features from the AB-3000 or simply duplicated the design entirely. So, it’s not just me that likes this bench. As the historically best-selling adjustable bench on the market, pretty much everyone likes a lot of things about the AB-3000. So much so that they continue to copy it to this day!
The Seat and Back Pads
For me, the single biggest thing I noticed when using the 2.0 versus the original is the major upgrade across the seat and back. There are a few huge upgrades that make this bench really stand out.
I’ve already talked about the CleanGrip vinyl being the best, most grippy bench pad material around. But grip isn’t the only change.
The back pad is now a complete rectangle vs the weird oblong, curved shape it used to be. The sides of the pad are firmer and don’t give (I noticed this a lot when kneeling on the bench for rows). The trim is now firmly secured (a big miss on previous versions), too.
The back pad measures 36″ long and, combined with the new rectangular design, can stand on its own as a flat bench (meaning you don’t need to worry about the seat gap and can bench press solely using the back pad).
The seat is also now reversible, which I love! The wide front of the seat (optimized for decline work) can feel awkward if you are used to using a traditional adjustable bench. Rep designed this seat so you can take it off and reverse it (not an on-the-fly operation, though).
I actually prefer the seat reversed and love that it has this option.
Lastly, there is no hinge that sits in the gap between the seat and the pad. This is one of my biggest gripes about their AB-5200 (you can see my full review of that bench here). This means that if you sit on the gap (and everyone will at some point), you don’t get a hard hinge jammed right in your @$$!
Solid Construction & Quiet Operation
The next thing I immediately noticed about the new 2.0 is how much quieter and more sturdy it is. By adding rubber grip pads on both front and rear feet as well as noise-dampening plastic on the ladder adjustment, Rep has increased the solidity of this bench considerably.
Adjusting the back makes a satisfying “thunk” instead of the metal-on-metal clanging of the original. It’s like the difference between closing the door on a 1980’s American car (IYKYK) and a current model Tesla.
It’s also important to note that 11-gauge steel is usually reserved for more expensive benches. To get this level of stability and construction in a bench at this price is rare.
This bench feels like it should cost a lot more.
The Leg Rollers
I have a love/hate relationship with the leg rollers on this bench. When I first tried this bench, I wanted to rip them off and throw them across the room. They got in the way every time I bench-pressed.
If I raised them to get them out of the way when benching, they stuck out, and I invariably tripped over them. If they were easily removable (they are removable, but it’s not quick), I’d just take them off when not needed (one of my favorite features on the rollers for their BlackWing bench).
So, why am I listing them as a thing I like? Because I turned to Rep for help and watched their video on how they designed this bench. In that video (which you can easily find on their site), they show exactly how to solve my gripes with the rollers.
Unlike other reviewers who don’t actually use the products they are reviewing (I’m looking directly at you, GGR😡), I wanted to make sure I was using all of the available features of the bench… And using them correctly. And wow, I’m glad I did. I usually train for 4-6 months with every product I review, and there was no way I was going to live with the roller issue for that long.
The video shows that if you actually use the two leg roller pins provided in the manner they are designed, the leg roller problem goes away (mostly).
By placing one pin in the most forward position and another 2 spots from the back, I was able to get the leg rollers to move freely between those two points. When benching, the pin kept the leg rollers (mostly) out of my way while not sticking them out into the middle of the room. When using the decline, the rollers easily slid forward and locked against the front pin, perfect for decline work.
Not only does that solve the problem of the rollers being in the way, but it means I no longer need to adjust the rollers based on my use. It took one annoying step out of using this bench. You can see a video demonstration of this on the AB-3000 2.0 product page here.
The Details
For the longest time, garage gym gear was rudimentary at best. Most of it was imported from China with no design or thought about aesthetics. Companies like Rogue changed that by designing products in-house and paying more attention to both quality and appearance.
But even then, there was little focus on details and aesthetic design. Even Rogue cuts some serious corners in this area (until they stop using stickers for endcaps on their barbells; I’m not changing my opinion here).
Rep Fitness is the first company to seriously take design and aesthetics seriously. And they are doing it across their entire line of products. The AB-3000 2.0 is no exception.
From the quality of the powder coat to the laser cutouts to the number of finishes, the Ab-3000 is a smart-looking bench that is as nice looking as it is functional.
What I Wish Was Different About This Bench
No matter how nice a product is, there are almost always things that could be better. The AB-3000 2.0 is no exception to this, although this list is waaaay shorter than it would be for the 0.0 or 1.0 versions of this bench.
The Leg Rollers
As I mentioned, I have a love/hate relationship with these things.
At first, they were in the way no matter how I positioned them. If positioned for benching, I tripped over them. When positioned for declined use, I tripped over them. they were just kind of always in the way.
But then I took the time to figure out their 2-pin system, and that pretty much fixed everything. I still don’t love how I occasionally feel the rollers brush my ankles on the bench press, but I’m 100% used to it now.
My wish here is that this system was better explained and demonstrated up front so the user doesn’t have to figure it out on their own. It is explained in their product video, but you’d have to seek that out to find it.
It is a unique feature that’s not well-described in the manual (or really even described at all).
No Vertical Storage
I’ll make this one quick. Rep makes products for home and garage gyms. One of the single biggest commonalities between all of our home gyms is space constraints. While there are a lot of gorgeous pictures online of people’s garage gyms that take up the entirety of a 3-car garage, that’s the exception, not the rule.
In my opinion, ALL weight benches for home gym applications should store vertically.
I understand that there needs to be a balance between price and features and that vertical storage is a feature on Rep’s more expensive benches. But I still want the AB-3000 2.0 to stand upright and get the heck out of the way when needed.
No Knurled Handle
You know what wouldn’t have added a ton to the cost of this bench (that’s my opinion as someone who has never manufactured a product in his life)? Knurling the handle. At the very least, put a rubber grip on it!
Not for aesthetic reasons, but functional ones.
The handle on this bench is slick metal. Sweaty hands can easily slip right off, drop the bench, bang the rollers into your shins, and possibly land on your toe. Not that that has actually happened to me or anything 🙄.
Rep has knurled every other handle on every other bench they have redesigned. Why skip this one!?
Rep’s AB-3000 2.0 vs. The Competition
The competitive landscape for this bench is unique. Usually, if I’m reviewing a product, I compare it to other products that are comparable in both price and features. With the AB-3000, virtually everyone else has copied Rep almost completely (they don’t even try to hide it).
So, that means that all the comparisons are to other people’s copies of the 0.0 or 1.0 version of this bench. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before they steal the design of the 3.0, but until then, there isn’t a lot of real competition for this bench.
That said, let’s look at the 4 other choices you may have on your list and how they compare to the ab-3000 2.0.
Titan Fitness has always been known to have questionable practices around other people’s intellectual property. Their entire original line of products were simply copies of other people’s products.
Recently, they’ve been going to great lengths to change that reputation (kudos, Titan!). A lot of their new benches and barbells are miles ahead of what they made before.
Unfortunately, that description doesn’t apply to their new Elite series FID bench, which is an obvious copy of the AB-3000 1.0. It has the same awkward handle, slick vinyl pads, and metal-on-metal adjustment ladder as the early versions of the Rep bench. The same weird back pad shape, too narrow rear foot, and in the way leg rollers are there as well.
The only real benefit this Titan bench offers over the Rep is that it’s $30 less.
The AB-3000 2.0 is definitely $30 better (more like a few hundred dollars better) and is an easy choice over the Titan Elite series. If you need to spend less than the Rep bench, check out the comparison to the Get Rx’D model below.
Bells of Steel is basically the Titan Fitness of Canada. Almost all of their original product line was a copy of someone else’s gear. It mostly still is.
Typically, the benefit of that business model is that you can offer the “same” gear at lower prices. So it makes absolutely no sense to me how their FID commercial 3.0 bench is priced at $400, $80 higher than the AB-3000 2.0.
With fixed leg rollers, no handle, narrow and unstable feet, and fewer aesthetic touches, nothing about this bench is better than Rep’s or anyone else’s offering in the same price category.
In fairness to Bells of Steel, they do make a few really strong products that I do recommend. This just isn’t one of them.
I love Fringe Sport as a home gym company. Their bumpers are the absolute best on the market. Unfortunately, I can’t put this bench in the same category.
Another clear knockoff of the earlier version of the AB-3000, the Fringe Sport FID bench just doesn’t compare. Especially at $90 more!
I will give Fringe credit for upgrading their leg rollers and pad covering. Their new Gecko Grip covering is grippy and well done. The handle and rollers are as tucked away as they can be, and the bench is very stable.
If Rep wasn’t around making benches, this would be one I might recommend. But when you can get the AB-3000 2.0 for $90 less, the decision here is easy.
Even though I list the Rep AB-3000 2.0 as our “Budget Pick” for weight benches, I realize that $320 is not considered “budget” by a lot of people. That’s still a lot of money.
And that’s where the Get Rx’D FIDB-300 comes in. At $249, it represents substantial savings over the Rep model.
Is it as good? Nope. But it is the best FID bench you can get at $249.
There is even on thing I think this bench does better than the Rep bench.
The Get Rx’D bench offers a top-mounted set of leg rollers as an option. This allows you to only attach the leg rollers when needed. It also allows you to use the bench as a Nordic curl bench. This is a feature usually only found on premium, top of the line benches.
So, if you are on a tight budget and like the AB-3000 but don’t want to spend over $300, check out this Get Rx’D FIDB-300. Oh, and props to Get Rx’D for not simply copying Rep’s design. They are one of the few who haven’t!
Alternatives To The AB-3000 2.0
If you are on a very tight budget, the Get Rx’D FIDB-300 (as described above) is an ideal choice. At $249, it’s the best bench in its price category.
If you want to go with something a little nicer than the AB-3000 2.0, look no further than the AB-5200 2.0. This is my favorite bench by Rep, and the adjustable bench I recommend to all family and friends who ask for advice. It’s also the bench I use most often in my own garage gym (I also own the BlackWing, their flagship bench, but I enjoy using the 5200 much more).
If $319 is your budget, though, I don’t have an alternate recommendation that’s anywhere close to the AB-3000 2.0.
The Verdict
I’ve already said it multiple times. The Rep Fitness AB-3000 2.0 is the best bench by a mile in its price category. Nothing else is even close. And I’ve tested at least 13 other competing benches in the last year or so.
When it comes to plates, I recommend Fringe Sport. For barbells, my top pick is American Barbell. Every company seems to have a forte. For Rep Fitness, it’s always been and continues to be their benches. The AB-3000 2.0 is no exception.
FAQ
Why is there no Rogue comparison in this article?
Because Rogue doesn’t do anything “budget.” They don’t make a bench in this price category, and the one that matches up feature-wise is 50% more expensive!
Can you remove the leg rollers?
Yes, you can! It’s a simple (not quick) process to remove both the rollers and the seat. Keep in mind, though, that the rollers are very beneficial for any decline work you plan to do.
I already own the ab-3000 1.0. Is it worth upgrading?
If you were looking at both side by side and wanted to know which to buy, I’d recommend the 2.0, even if it was more expensive. As to whether you should replace your current bench, that depends on you.
If there are things you don’t like about your bench, and you have the money to spend, I say go for it! If not, then don’t.
Rep Fitness AB-3000 2.0
The Rep Fitness AB-3000 2.0 is, hands down, the best FID adjustable bench you can get in its price range.
4.5
would you buy this or the 5200?
If budget didn’t come into play and I didn’t need/want the leg rollers, the 5200 is the easy choice. But if budget is a concern or you want those leg rollers, the 3000 is an amazingly good bench.
How hard is it to reverse the seat? I can see myself wanting to flip it around during workouts depending on what I’m training.
It’s kind of a pain, to be honest. It’s not quick or easy to access. You have to pull the rollers off to get access to the four screws. It’s not terrible, but it’s not something I would call a quick change or something you’d want to do regularly.