Although the package arrived as though it was dragged behind the truck to get here and taped together as an afterthought, the workout bench arrived with all piece intact/unharmed and all the nuts/bolts/etc kept together in a convenient red plastic bag to differentiate from all other plastic wrappings.
The first thing to do is toss out all but one of the "tools" they kindly provide. Use those and I guarantee this will take you hours instead of the 20 minutes it took me. I used one of the hex tools as an anchor as I tightened the bolts with my own wrench and used my own drill/screwdriver. Unlike other reviewers, all the pieces matched up and all holes aligned so perhaps others were factory flaws or quite possibly user error (if you tighten everything as you go, you won't have much wiggle room to align all the pieces, natch). The instruction manual may be overwhelming for people who are used to IKEA instructions, but once you take a deep breath and find your zen space, it's all deliriously straightforward.
As for the product itself: It feels stable and solid. I am 5'7" and 145-150lbs and am confident this will keep me off the ground even with 10-15 pound dumbbells. Anyone heavier I cannot vouch for. The bench is narrow so you have to be sure you're centered before starting sit-ups, but this is also a minimal to no concern.
Similar to another reviewer, I don't trust the one main drop-pin that keeps the entire thing from collapsing on itself, so I just wrapped a rubber band around it and the main support beam to secure it for the movement that is expected on this bench. Padding is decent, I'm sure more expensive products have thicker foam, but I also don't need to add anything to the bench for added comfort. The thing I like the most about this compared to other ab/hyper benches I've seen is how easily it folds up and can be tucked away in my limited space apartment. Definitely one of the strongest features. The bench is admittedly short, especially if you're taller than 5"5', so don't expect to be able to lie on it for bench-presses (if you absolutely need that, you might want to shell out some extra cash and spring for the
IRONMAN Triathlon X-Class Light Commercial Multi-Workout Abdominal/Hyper Back Extension Bench
). I don't mind keeping my core engaged by using my legs as supports when I do light dumbbell-presses, but that's a personal choice and at your own risk. I don't think enough is said about the bench portion of the product, which can also be declined for more intense reps. Overall, this little guy is still perfect for rows, seated curl-ups, 1-legged squats, incline push-ups, bench push-ups, and dips.
I'm thrilled with how many different gym workouts I can now do in the privacy of my own home without having to pay massive amounts in gym memberships fees just to get into a crowded fitness room. And when is all said and done, I can pull out two pins, fold it all up, and tuck it away! Note: I haven't put much mileage on it so I will update this review if it begins to disappoint.
| Brand | Stamina |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 40 Pounds |
| Material | Carbon Steel |
| Color | Pewter |
| Product Dimensions | 56"D x 27"W x 35"H |
| Frame Material | Carbon Steel |
| Weight Limit | 250 Pounds |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 36 x 17 x 7.2 inches |
| Package Weight | 19.41 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 56 x 27 x 35 inches |
| Brand Name | Stamina |
| Warranty Description | 5 year frame/90 days parts |
| Model Name | 20-2021 |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Stamina Products, Inc. |
| Part Number | 20-2021 |
| Included Components | Stamina® Ab/Hyper Bench Pro |
| Size | 0 |
