I got this bench to replace an ancient York incline bench I have had for 30+ years. The Body Solid bench is much heavier duty and inspires much more confidence in handling a load than my old bench. I didn''t have any issues assembling it except for one of the plastic "bearings" which broke as I hit it in trying to get it installed. One side with 2 of the 4 locator tabs broke off. The instructions indicated that this was supposedly nylon plastic but it snapped like any regular plastic. I called the customer service number and asked for a replacement which they said would arrive within a week but it has already been over a week and nothing yet. I have placed the broken bearing with the two remaining locator tabs facing up so the bench is still usable but I''m really disappointed that anything so delicate is part of the basic bench functionality. With the exception of the plastic "bearings" I think this bench is very good and worth the $200 I paid for it. I like that the seat is separately adjustable for angle.Update: I received the replacement plastic bearing at no charge so customer service is good as well.
If you have the ability to look at a schematic and figure out how to assemble something based on just that schematic, you''ll be fine. Be prepared to identify appropriate hardware as well.
Something that might save people some time: You need to attach the slider to the main post before you bolt the post to the rear legs. I noticed this before I started assembly. This is not something stated on the schematic and I imagine many people have been forced to bolt and unbolt the bench a couple times during assembly. All bolts and nuts have built in threadlock, so having a socket AND crescent wrench handy is necessary (or at the very least two crescent wrenches) to tighten things up. It took me about an hour to put together, but like one other reviewer said, it might take others a couple hours.
After assembly the bench seems decent. It adjusts to many different levels. The seat locking mechanism is kind of silly, but it works. The padding is very decent. I felt comfortable doing all my exercises on the bench. It''s a good balance between heavy and light, it doesn''t rock much when you use it and it''s easy to move.
I think the bench is worth purchasing if you can pick one up for under $250. I wouldn''t pay $300 for it.
Buy Body Solid Commercial Flat to Incline Weight Bench GFI21 Now
Bench is very good quality compared to some of the other benchs in the same price range but.....Make sure you have a good 2-3 hours for assembly (no joke). The instructions are awful I am not kidding. They are useless. If you are not good at putting things together, get a different bench. Also make sure you have tools (pliers/crescent wrench) or you are out of luck. I finally got it together and am pleased with it; it is very comfortable.
Read Best Reviews of Body Solid Commercial Flat to Incline Weight Bench GFI21 Here
Ive put a lot of Body Solid equipment together so this wasnt too bad compared to their Leverage Squat. overall the bench is great, ez to move with the wheels, changes positions easily and is solid. great value too.Want Body Solid Commercial Flat to Incline Weight Bench GFI21 Discount?
I have read the complaints of the instructions here and while they aren''t step-by-step, they are plenty good to put this simple bench together. On a side note, I always get a kick out of the entertaining chinese-to-english grammar, aka "Engrish" nuggets that you find in the instructions of chinese made products...For example"Be careful not to tighten the bolt to tight. This not allow for the transport wheel to rotate properly."
Anyways, It took me exactly 1:18 minutes and that includes about 15 to 20 minutes unboxing it and hauling all the components to the basement and removing all bands and packing materials & laying out all the parts, plus clean-up afterwards. Once assembled, the bench feels very, very solid and if i was strong enough, would not hesitate to use it for 400lb inclines, and 700-800lbs in flat position and that doesn''t include 200lb bodyweight, yes it feels SOLID. If i ever got to where i was using over 400lbs on inclines, It would be a snap to fabricate a couple bars made of 1/2" thick steel and run them to the lower cross member on the floor or just replace the stock support bars with heavier ones using the stock mounts. Until then this bench is stronger than i will ever be so no worrys. I like the fact that this particular model, when you use in flat position, rests on the main beam and doesn''t hang out with nothing under to support like most designs. The only catch is that the bolts on the frame dig into the rear of the uphostered back rest in flat position, but im going to install a thin 1/8" thick metal plate on the back of the uphostered part so it contacts that. I use this with a Powertec rack(which is excellent too BTW) and could not be happier with the combination. I can roll it into the rack and by straddling the Powertec''s front lower cross member with the front leg of the bench, can perform incline and military press inside the rack perfectly off the insides of the front uprights of the rack. The pop pin pulls out and you slide the bench back or forth depending what angle you want and is a little sticky compared to stuff i have used at gyms but it''s nothing really worth fussing about. One other positive note, the height is lower than about any bench you will find and is ideal for doing bench etc as you can keep your feet flat on the ground. Very solid, useful and simple bench with no extra gimmicks and junky attachments, highly recommended.
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