Most Versatile Bench? Prime Shorty Bench Review

[@GarageGymLab]

What do you think of the Prime Shorty Bench?

[@matthewarnold2802]

Best reviewer out there. No gimmicks - clear and concise reviews. You can always tell the hard work and effort you put into the details. Look forward to seeing more from you, Adam 💪🏻

[@GarageGymLab]

Thank you so much, Matthew! Means a lot.

[@Shabanezloth]

I'm 5'8, not a very wide guy, and the most comfortable bench I've ever used was 9.8'' inches wide. The shoulder freedom during a dumbbell bench press feels absolutely amazing on these narrower pads. If I didn't already have an expensive bench at home, I would certainly consider this one, especially for the preacher pad attachment.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for sharing your experience and watching!

[@plmn93]

That never seems to get mentioned but it's why most adjustable benches were always around 10" wide up until recently. 10" is more versatile for more people. Somehow wide pads got associated with premium benches but really they work best on a dedicated flat bench IMO. The Superbench gives you both, but the pad in general is mediocre. I guess that's OK considering the price, but it would be nice to see a truly "pro" version.

[@dxs2007]

I'm on the bigger end - 6'3" and 230. I love a standard, non-wide pad for the same reason. ROM on DB and multi-grip bar presses. Well said, Alex.

[@twistedbarbell3950]

So glad to see you back reviewing products! Your style and thoroughness behind your reviews is appreciated, especially all of the demonstrations (i.e. lack of hinge on bench). Very curious about the upcoming attachment, too.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much, Marcus! Appreciate you as always. Hope you’re well, brother.

[@Gnoll-1337]

Was that a gungnir curler sighting!? Hope we get a review ❤

[@jchar4224]

Just ordered one. Can't wait for the leg curl extension to drop.

[@GarageGymLab]

Nice! Hope you enjoy it

[@Smellslikegelfling]

This is by far one of the best weight bench reviews I've ever seen. It's not overhyped, and you give a lot of very useful information and demos for comparison. There are so many good options out there that its hard to decide which one I want for my first bench.

[@mwpig5]

Still waiting for mine to ship and I 💯 agree with your assessment that it’s not the best option as a primary bench for a powerlifter or someone who believes that “benchpress is king” but as a utility bench/secondary bench for accessories or for the people whose focus is more on hypertrophy type training this bench will satisfy that market VERY well.

[@GarageGymLab]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts once you've tried it! Thanks for watching!

[@GoreckiFit]

I’m hoping they bring this to Home Gym Con so I can try it out since I’ll be there this year. Looks like a solid bench and I’ve been debating on buying a stand alone utility bench so this could essentially replace the need for that. Overall, great review Adam!!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much, brother!

[@morebrainmoregains3234]

$725 for the bench and an additional $200 for the preacher curl attachment is crazy.

[@danielpicerni24]

The preacher pad and removable head piece look awesome. Look forward to seeing the upcoming attachments!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching, Daniel!

[@danc4454]

Not really a fan tbh but great review. Overall the iron master has more versatility between being able to be stood up, and the two different widths on each end of the bench. Also, the removable seat allows for so many variations. The iron master eco system is larger as well. At that price I think I’d want a perfect product.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thank you for watching! Ironmaster has a solid ecosystem. It's going to get interesting when Prime drops the new attachment.

[@danc4454]

@@GarageGymLab Agreed definitely still curious on what’s coming

[@meisdetermined]

That is actually one thing that I never understood about Rogue Fitness and their $200 leg roller for their $1000 bench- no freak’n handle!! Just didn’t seem very thought out. Prime looked at the details.

[@meisdetermined]

If this bench compares with the Ironmaster, I can see how the additional attachment would be a leg curl and extension attachment that would allow the Shorty bench to be put at an angle and the main leg attachment could secure in the post at the back. Possibly a tricep extension piece similar to Powertec. Just ideas.

[@pumpingfe838]

Just ordered this bench and attachments... price was astounding.

[@corman2332]

Same. But I think it'll be worth the cost in the long run

[@fwiffo42]

Fantastic review! Extremely thorough and honest. This would be a great bench for my accessory work, but the lack of vertical storage is a dealbreaker in my current space. If the leg extension/leg curl attachment is as compelling as the teases make it out to be, that might be enough to make me find room.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Keep your eyes peeled in the next couple of months.

[@HughLeFitness]

The short back pad does come in handy for also seated overhead dumbbell triceps extensions.

[@GarageGymLab]

Absolutely. Great call!

[@Two_Names]

Excellent review and comparison, thank you very much! I've got kind of a tie in my head between the Prime shorty and the Ironmaster. Two big considerations for me are weight, pad height, and pad width. I'm 5'8" and like another commenter said, narrow pads just with better for me to get that good per stretch on movements that open the chest. I'm also short enough that the almost inch height difference between the two benches matters if I want any good leg drive. Weight of the bench is a big trade-off better the ability for my wife to easily move the bench around and the stability to use is decline function for ab work. I'm honestly torn. I can reupholster the Prime pad too be grippier but not shorter when flat. The stability definitely favors the Prime bench. The Ironmaster is easier to adjust, move around, and store. Prime wins handily for chest supported work. Seat and pad gap are very unfortunate in Ironmaster's design. Both benches are 90%ers for me. They're so close but have enough right and wrong that I could be happy enough with either but happy enough is hard to swallow at half a grand minimum.

[@robertduncan6292]

Great review, Adam. I'm crossing my fingers that Prime is coming up with a dumbbell spotter system for bench pressing. You might want to mention shipping costs when you break down pricing.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching, Robert! Good point on shipping - will be sure to include on the next one.

[@balboa0621]

I'm pretty happy with my ironmasters. The leg attachment is the best in the business, which provides a huge advantage for that bench over others. Im not sure how it could be improved upon other than being easier to store and mount. The only real knock on ironmasters that the seat always is positioned at a 90 degree angle which makes it awkward to climb over for incline presses. The cable tower is also of high enough quality that I bought the seat for it to keep it as a dedicated station, while retaining the ability to roll it around if I decide to rearrange my space or sell my house in the future. Frankly, I couldn't imagine what a nightmare it would be to change houses with a garage full of bulky, selectorized equipment.

[@bulaclacj]

I thought the side plates on the dumbbell cradle is to make it compatible with an EZ curl bar?

[@Thepokechoprx]

Premium piece of equipment from a quality provider. Idk if it’ll have a lot of market space vs the more budget friendly lineup like REP, but I love the ingenuity from Prime.

[@GarageGymLab]

I’m with you. They push the envelope when it comes to innovation. Thanks for watching!

[@GrayMatterLifting]

I'm pretty positive the removable UHMW cradles on the DB rack, are so you can rack an EZ curl Bar, not necessarily meant to accommodate different sized dumbbells.

[@GarageGymLab]

Yeah, I could have elaborated further on that.

[@GrayMatterLifting]

@@GarageGymLab Good stuff dude. I'm excited for the upcoming attachments as well. And as always, I learned a few things watching your video even though I have the bench myself.

[@GarageGymLab]

Appreciate you, brother.

[@mitchbeck6422]

This is great. I'm a bodybuilder and the only bench I'll need

[@50CalFitness]

You know what amazes me is. There must be a huge market for squat racks and adjustable benches. Every company sells them. I thought the market would have bottle necked by now.

[@dxs2007]

Fantastic review and a unique product! I really, really love this design. I might not buy V1, though. The ladders are my least favorite bit. Enclose them, please. The front handle - maybe knurl it and move it low center like Rep. The width is good as I like ROM on DB bench presses - the vinyl isn't a deal breaker as I just don't lift insanely heavy. Design V2 to stand upright, please. Love the attachments aside from the cradle as I think that might get in the way. Laser the seat angles. Boom - perfect bench. I love my Rogue adjustable 3.0. I'll sell it for V2 of this bench or a competitor that steals these ideas. An amazing addition to the stagnant bench world but would love to see a few tweaks. I guess, in thinking about it a little more, I'm wondering if the ladder design isn't primarily to reduce weight from the enclosed benches? Are they targeting smaller lifters? For the price, though, the ladder design leaves something to be desired - just looks cheap/flimsy/scratchy. I'd pay $600 for the base shorty bench as is.

[@GarageGymLab]

Great thoughts - thanks for sharing!

[@dxs2007]

​@@GarageGymLab- thanks for reviewing such a unique product. Can't wait for the next one :)

[@GarageGymLab]

Appreciate you, my friend.

[@MetalsForBrunch]

I own the gen 1 of this bench. I would say it is the best over built bench weighing under 100lbs and its very solid in terms of stability and gap tolerance compared to my rep 5200 2.0 bench. Since the pad is softer I would lean on my chest for doing rear shoulder dumbbell work or do lighter barbell work. The smaller pad also gives more shoulder range movement. For me to upgrade to the shorty bench with the new attachments would cost around $800 and it only benefit me doing curls which isnt worth the upgrade. I would use that $800 for commercial piece like the prime double side preacher. I wouldnt recommend the shorty bench gen 2 at all for the value.

[@GarageGymLab]

IMO, the shorty is a better buy than gen 1 and worth the extra $50, but I agree it's probably not worth the upgrade in your case unless you flipped the gen 1 for a nice price.

[@MetalsForBrunch]

​​@@GarageGymLab Gen 1 resell for $700-$800 with included bicep pads with leg attachments. A $400 loss if you include tax and shipping from original price.

[@GarageGymLab]

I hear ya, and agree with you.

[@Smellslikegelfling]

Interesting. I've been comparing the Rep 5200 and 4100 to other benches like the Prime. Do you really think this bench is better built than the Rep 5200? What about the pad thickness and material?

[@iraluft1825]

What is the back pad length with the head rest removed? This measurement is not on the product web page, or in your review?

[@MrSixxshooter]

Great review on both benches . I really love the Prime bench but I really want to have a bench that stands up and the shipping and total get very expensive . For the price of the prime bench with elbow pads and decline attachment I could Get the Ironmaster pro 2.0 , the 75 pound iron master adjustable dumbbells and stand for Just a $100 more . I’m totally in on buying and supporting 🇺🇸 made but I have to chase the obvious better deal .

[@themalloftheinternet5682]

In watching this video, which was great by the way, I agree the padding is too slick. I also agree the handle placement is poor and needs a redesign. Overall i like this bench especially if a leg developer for curls and extensions is offered. Sadly its way too expensive for me so i will have to keep my separate leg bench and still get a preacher curl bench. I wanted to save valuable floor space but its cheaper to just buy separate pieces of equipment.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts 👊

[@meisdetermined]

When will prime reveal the other attachment’s function?

[@GarageGymLab]

Aiming for this Spring.

[@IntelligentProbe]

The Ironmaster 1. Is VERY grippy on the pad, not "marginally" (this is just a fact). 2. LIght Weight. 3. Easy to move and stand up. 4. Very Easy to Adjust and is typically more solid than a later style adjustment due to it locking in place. 5. Lots of Attachments (optional) 6. Both Wide and Narrow Pad on the (Pro v2 model). It's probably the better over all bench generally speaking than this Prime one. However I do like the super easy to read degree markers on the Prime.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@plmn93]

I guess if you really love curls it can't be beat. But overall I think it's awfully expensive and limited compared to the Superbench while falling short of the quality of others in its price range. Nice review.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching, and appreciate the thoughts!

[@MudPig6110]

No vertical storage option is a deal breaker for smaller home gyms. Takes up to much space. Anyone know what this secret coming in the spring attachment will hit? Legs maybe or pullover?

[@rjm656]

Price has to take into account shipped cost. REP is at $600 shipped. Prime adds $100 ship cost so you're at $825 shipped. That's a really tough sell for a bench that doesn't look as stable or functional as an actual bench. You have to really value the attachments to justify the overall sacrifice in flat/incline/decline benching.

[@bulaclacj]

How is the wobble on the head piece attachment?

[@GarageGymLab]

Basically non-existent. Really impressive attachment system.

[@benbarnett1076]

It’s a shame this bench seems so well thought-out in some ways, and so poorly in others. The removable headrest and attachments are awesome, but the padding, handle, and lack of vertical storage are terrible oversights. It’s also frustrating that Prime insists on forcing their snot green color on you for a premium-priced unit. It could be the perfect bench if they took their customer’s wishes into consideration and ironed out some of those details, but until then it’s a pass.

[@GarageGymLab]

Appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts! I too hope they address some of those things in a future version

[@JJ-to6qu]

It lost me on not being able to store it vertically.

[@trollzone1]

That pad looks like trash, but the size of that bench seem very interesting. My Blacking is a beast.

[@reconstructionwouldhavesav9472]

Versatile in the home gym world means something that is very watered down for those who are looking to use a bunch of accessories but not excel at anything.

[@GoldbergDaBoss]

Not as visitas as superbench pro

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Prime lost me with how slippery the pad is.

[@GarageGymLab]

Biggest thing that needs to be changed, in my opinion.

[@HarlemGreatest]

Overpriced