Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Bench

Review 1 – This Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Bench is solid…

I bought the Select-Tech 552 dumbell set w/stand, so I needed a bench to go with it. 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 (at least 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!

Review 2 – Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Bench is 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.

Review 3 – Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Adjustable Bench is Better than Bowflex 3.1 bench!

My roommate had the 3.1 bowflex bench and got restationed in Guam so I had to break down and buy a bench. I went with the 5.1 because it has 0/30/45/60/90 degree settings versus the 3.1 which has 0/45/90. The benchs look the same but I think this one is sturdier. Has adjustable feet to level it out, and it also has a two-position adjustable seat which the 3.1 DID NOT HAVE.

I like using different inclines and you can use them for support on other things besides bench (curls, offset shoulder work, etc). I honestly paid the extra $70 for the 60° setting because my shoulders have seen a lot of damage over the years and 45° give me less results at more risk of injury. So if you’re looking for a reason as to WHY you should spend the extra money, it’s simple: adds 30 & 60 degree inclines and an adjustable seat (MUCH BETTER and more versatile than 3.1).

Oh and I’ve used many benches in lots of gyms of fitness stores over the years–this bench fits my frame well with good support under my back without hindering shoulder blade motion (like the benches at my gym). Also the adjustment is easy (on the way up, you just lift the head of the bench and it jumps to each setting, drop it to set it in place). The decline setting is OK, good for chest, not for abs–get a separate ab bench with adjustable decline angles or buy some inversion boots and hang from you’re pullup bar. Oh and the leg attachment is removable on both benches–sometimes it gets in the way, pops out with a pin in about 3 seconds.

Don’t like: The lack of fine-tuned incline angles and the gap between the upper and lower cushion when its flat. No idea what its rated at for weight, either. I’ve had over 550lbs of body and bar weight on mine (at inclines) with no problems (but it could be more than nautilus has it spec’d for).