Love it or Hate it? Trying to decide if the Shorty Bench from Prime Fitness lives up to the hype.

Summary

In this detailed review, the user shares their personal experience with the Shorty bench from Prime Fitness, highlighting both the features they love and dislike. They praise the bench's easy attachment installation, storage solutions, and the removable headrest but criticize the lack of a stand and the underwhelming decline position. Despite the price and some shortcomings, they find the bench serves their needs well due to its versatility and compact design, making it a strong contender for those with space constraints or seeking a multi-functional bench.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Shorty bench from Prime Fitness is praised for its quick and easy attachment installation and removal.
• 😐 The reviewer is not a professional product reviewer but offers a personal perspective on the bench they've been using exclusively.
• 😞 The lack of a stand feature on the bench is a significant drawback, especially considering the bench's price and the fact that competitors offer it as standard.
• 😡 The reviewer expresses frustration with the expectation that a stand feature might be released later as a separate, likely expensive purchase.
• 🤔 The decline position on the bench is criticized for being uncomfortable, especially for taller users, due to the need to remove the headrest.
• 🛋️ The bench pad is appreciated for its width, thickness, and non-grippy material, which the reviewer finds advantageous for various exercises.
• 💤 The bench is noted to be less comfortable for sitting between sets due to its thinness compared to thicker, grippier pads.
• 📏 The bench's decline attachment is underwhelming, with the reviewer preferring their previous Rogue version.
• 🔄 The ladder-style adjustment is appreciated for its ease of use and the open area it provides behind the pad.
• 💰 The high price of the bench and its accessories is a point of contention, with the reviewer questioning the value for money.
• 🔄 The removable headrest is a standout feature, offering versatility for exercises like military press and reverse cable flies.
• 🚫 The centering device for the bench with the Prodigy rack is seen as cumbersome and not offering enough benefit to justify its use.
• 🔧 The bench's adjustment points are thoughtfully placed to provide incremental changes that cater to individual user needs.
• 😤 The rubber foot pad is criticized for frequently falling off, indicating a design flaw that could be improved.
• 🚶 The bench is easy to move around the gym due to its wheels, which adds to its user-friendliness.
• 🤔 The placement of the fixed handle is seen as inconvenient for left-handed users and could be improved with a symmetrical design.
• 💪 The preacher pad and dumbbell attachment exceed expectations, providing a satisfactory alternative to a dedicated preacher bench.
• 🛍️ Custom color options for the bench are appreciated, despite the additional cost, offering a sense of personalization.
• 👎 The elbow pads are not disliked, but their utility is questioned, especially with the effectiveness of the preacher attachment.
• 📦 The bench's ease of assembly and compact packaging is a positive point, contrasting with other bulky and difficult-to-assemble options.
• 😐 The lack of a footrest in the upright utility position is a missed opportunity that could be addressed in future designs.

Q & A

What is the reviewer's stance on being a product reviewer?

The reviewer does not pretend to be a professional product reviewer and does not own multiple benches for comparison. They are just an individual who uses the gym and likes to discuss equipment with others.

What is the reviewer's main issue with the lack of a stand on the Shorty bench?

The reviewer is frustrated by the absence of a stand because it's a crucial feature for a home gym. They feel that Prime Fitness had the time to get it right but chose to release the bench without it, possibly intending to sell a stand as a separate, expensive upgrade later.

How does the reviewer feel about the storage options on the Shorty bench?

The reviewer loves the storage options, appreciating the dedicated space for each attachment, which helps keep their gym space neat and organized.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the decline position of the Shorty bench?

The reviewer finds the decline position uncomfortable, especially for someone of average height, as it causes their head to hang off the end of the bench when the headrest is removed for the decline attachment.

How does the reviewer describe the bench pad of the Shorty bench?

The reviewer likes the bench pad, appreciating its width, thickness, softness, and non-grippy vinyl. They find it advantageous for various exercises, except for those requiring a very comfortable pad for resting between sets.

What does the reviewer dislike about the decline attachment on the Shorty bench?

The reviewer finds the decline attachment underwhelming, with small foam rollers and an odd distance between them, making it less comfortable compared to the Rogue version they had previously.

What is the reviewer's view on the ladder-style adjustment of the Shorty bench?

The reviewer appreciates the ladder-style adjustment, as it allows for easy one-handed movement between positions and does not interfere with cables during exercises.

How does the reviewer feel about the price of the Shorty bench and its accessories?

The reviewer thinks the bench is expensive, especially when accessories are added. They express disappointment that a discount code does not apply to the accessories and feel the overall cost is high.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the removable headrest feature of the Shorty bench?

The reviewer loves the removable headrest, considering it a smart design that provides versatility for exercises like military press and reverse cable flies, and for chest support during dumbbell rows or flies.

What does the reviewer dislike about the centering device for the Shorty bench?

The reviewer finds the centering device unnecessary and inconvenient. It's only useful with the Prodigy rack, and even then, it's a hassle to set up and adjust, leading the reviewer to store it away rather than use it.

What is the reviewer's overall sentiment towards the Shorty bench?

The reviewer feels conflicted about the Shorty bench. While they appreciate its versatility and some unique features, they also have several dislikes, including the lack of a stand and the price. However, they would still choose this bench over others on the market due to its functionality and space-saving design.