One Bench To Rule Them All? Rep AB-5200 2.0 vs. Blackwing, The Most Detailed Comparison You'll See!

[@chazmcflazzton3058]

Really great in depth comparison, thank you for putting this together. Subscribed.

[@GymCrafter]

Thank you!

[@Ripped677]

Nice to have someone talk about gym equipment and use for us tall guys. Usually we get the reviews from 5’8” guys and that makes a difference

[@GymCrafter]

Glad you found the channel! I get flack for saying I'm tall in pretty much every video, but it's nice to hear that it helps some people!

[@jasondobson7719]

Great comparison! I was conflicted between the AB-5200 and the Blackwing. I ultimately went with the Blackwing because I heard rumors that Rep was going to add a leg curl attachment. After using it for a bit, I was still conflicted in my decision. Because one small gripe I have is when pressing heavy with incline or overhead presses, the seat shifts slightly. It's not terrible, it was just distracting at first; I'm used to it now. With all that said, I actually have no regrets, and seeing your comparison just solidified my thoughts! I'm a heavy dude that moves heavy weight and in the past, I've bent up some benches. This one does not flex or budge. I feel safe and secure on it! I have been an R&D machinist/engineer for 30 years, and from my perspective, The Blackwing has it all over The Manta Ray. The Manta Ray costs twice as much after shipping and you're not twice the bench. Plus, The Blackwing has massive pillow bearings in the pivot while the Manta Ray has a bolt. Because of that, that pivot bolt will require maintenance. So once again, great reviews! I look forward towards others from you!

[@GymCrafter]

That's great info! Especially on the hinge. While I've trained on the Manta Ray, I didn't get a chance to really get a good look at the details like that. Honesly, once I saw the price after shipping, there was no way. I'm not sure how they can justify that price, but I know a bunch of people who paid it. i can't even imagine lifting enough to bend a bench, you must be putting up a ton of weight! Thanks for the comment and the kind words!

[@cwills75]

Great job man. I went with the Blackwing wide and leg roller. It's a freaking tank and I love it. My wife loves the stability of it, but hates the weight. If she's working out herself she grabs a 22lb SpoxFit FID bench, which I will admit isn't that bad in a pinch. I'm REALLY hoping REP comes out with a more premium leg roller attachment in the future, maybe a lat pulldown pad, preacher curl attachment, etc. They seem to be leaving money on the table as other benches have these sorts of add-ons and this thing is more than capable of it.

[@GymCrafter]

I agree on the rollers, could be better. As for the attachments, I think the BW is meant to just be a great bench. They may come out with a different model that offers a bunch of other attachments, but I like that it's a great bench, that's what it's made for, and that's it.

[@krowlzzz]

Excellent in depth comparison.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks!

[@JohnDoe-c1b]

Tim, Thanks for a great vid,! Just returned from the California showroom. Picked up the 5200 2.0. Had second guessed not going with the Blackwing. Your review was so invaluable for my application! The 5200 2.0 was truly the "perfect blend". You hit on all points. Well done. No regrets.

[@GymCrafter]

@@JohnDoe-c1b I'm jealous! I'd love to get to one of their showrooms someday. Enjoy the bench, it's a great choice!

[@EverlastingMarshall]

Man, this was a great breakdown. Your statement at the end is really lingering, that the Blackwing is "too heavy, too overbuilt, etc" for most home gym owners. My gym is snuggled into my two car garage where I do actually park two cars. I have a Rogue folding rack which is amazing and everything else, I try to store up against the walls and out of the way. The result of that means, that each time I use my gym, I have to move a lot of it into place, including the bench. I've really been on the fence between these two and the AB-4100. I'm still so conflicted even after this. Feels like the Blackwing will tick all the boxes, but the mobility is a big concern for me since I'll likely be moving it around every day.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks for posting this, I can see how you would feel that way now. For some more detail... My female clients HATE moving the BlackWing around. It's not that big a deal to me. What I really meant was that most home gym owners squeeze their gym in between their washing machine and their kid's bikes. Like 95% of people who train at home don't have gyms like I do and the BlackWing is overkill for them. The AB5200 is more than enough for most people. That said, when I eventually go down to one bench, it will be the BlackWing. I love that thing! Hope that helps, and if not, I'm always happy to answer more questions!

[@lastview0730]

Thanks for the review. Structured communication is appreciated and first hand experience is evident. And no bullshit review. Subbed!

[@GymCrafter]

@@lastview0730 Thank you!

[@BrianJrVance]

This was an awesome review. Really appreciate your demeanor and outlook when it comes to using and THEN reviewing a product. Thanks!

[@GymCrafter]

Thank you! That's my goal 100%! I appreciate you noticing that.

[@jesserodgers2812]

Very helpful review and well worth the 30 minutes to watch it all!

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[@javipiglifts]

Great review, I had the black wing since it released and I finally sold it. I just bought the 4100 and its supposed to get here on sat. The constant adjusting is just 2 annoying to get around and my wife hates moving it around.

[@GymCrafter]

I'm with you 100% and am getting rid of the BlackWing for both of those reasons. I just don't care about the gap enough to go to all that fiddling every time I adjust the bench. And it's a beast to move around. I'm going to just the 5200 and an FB5000 when I need a super stable base for something.

[@bfaint4363]

Appreciate the objective and intuitive review

[@mikehallishere]

Great in depth review. Definitely subscribing.

[@GymCrafter]

Thank you!

[@slothy120]

Great video. Keep em coming, so many people are over coop now, and you are much more authentic.

[@GymCrafter]

Thank you! That's high praise and I really appreciate it!

[@stmille]

Thanks so much for the review, I'm 6'5" and was looking at one of these two. I always bet on the side of my laziness, 5200 looks great.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks! I'm actually getting rid of the BlackWing. I just don't care about the zero gap and it's way too heavy. I'm going with the 5200 and an fb5000 flat bench, but could easily get by with the 5200 alone.

[@stmille]

@@GymCrafter awesome, have you tried out the wide pad?

[@GymCrafter]

@@stmille It's on the way to my house now😁

[@reverendterminator]

Good review. i dont like equipment with to much technology like the blackwing. would choose the Rep AB 5200. i could only wish it was a bit less hight, like 42-43 cm to get the feet well planted in the ground.

[@GymCrafter]

17" is pretty standard for bench height.

[@reverendterminator]

@@GymCrafter yeah thats good. but i think i tried lower. i am just 176 cm and wife is even lower. but most bench are from 17,5 " and higher as far as i have checked, and have had.

[@nexus438]

Excellent detailed review, thank you. Ordered the Blackwing to replace my ancient bench before i saw your video, but happy with my choice. If i had the budget and space, a separate wide pad flat bench and adjustable bench is the way to go as you've done.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks! Enjoy the new bench!

[@cantbelievethiswassohardtochan]

Thank you! Great comparison. Have my heart set on the Blackwing and it's super helpful to hear this first-hand experience with it. You are 6'6" and you're wearing a Discontinuum DGC hoodie so I presume you play disc golf. I want to see a 6'6" built dude drive. As good as this video is, why don't you expand to disc golf videos?!

[@GymCrafter]

I started my online life with a disc golf blog called Mind Body Disc. I also do freelance writing for Innova now. After my dogs, it's my #1 passion in life. But even after 20 years of playing, I'm still a mediocre disc golfer and as a lifetime unathletic person, I don't think I'll be getting better enough to give advice on video anytime soon. I might just make people's games worse!😂

[@alexandonian1273]

Favorite new home gym channel. Thank you for your efforts with this thorough review.

[@GymCrafter]

Thank you so much! That means a ton and I really appreciate it!

[@ElPietroK1NG]

Thanks for the review ! Very detailed !

[@joeandhelendrakeley7801]

phenomenal review! Thanks.

[@GymCrafter]

Thank you! And thank you for checking out the videos, I really appreciate it. A lot of people tell me they are too long, but I like to be detailed. I also like to talk.😂😂😂

[@r8der674]

I had the original Ab-5000 ZeroGap it was great but didn’t use it much. I sold it along with my FB-5000 to make space for a standalone bench the Blackwing. I think the Blackwing is great, it’s definitely heavy. I quickly regretted selling my FB-5000 so I just bought one again in clear coat and it looks amazing. I personally think REPs best bench is the flat bench FB-5000. I like having a dedicated flat bench no worries about the seats and its slightly lower profile.

[@GymCrafter]

That's a really great point! People sleep on the value of a well-built flat bench. It's also one of the best ways to save money on a home gym. You get a great bench at a much lower price.

[@r8der674]

@@GymCrafter yeah, if you have no garage space Blackwing is great if you can only have 1 do it all. Luckily I can barely get away with both benches and still park 1 car in the garage w/o having to take the car out if I don’t want to.

[@reconstructionwouldhavesav9472]

Flat bench is garbage. No reason to own one.

[@GymCrafter]

@@reconstructionwouldhavesav9472 Tell me you don't know anything about weight training without telling me you don't know anything about weight training.

[@reconstructionwouldhavesav9472]

@@GymCrafter No offense but looking at your physique tells me you still use less efficient, outdated exercises which involve an ordinary flat bench.

[@senorbautista6143]

Great and detailed review. Putting those two benches on top of the plyo boxes sure was a chore 🥵

[@GymCrafter]

Ha! They are both beasts! Thanks for the compliment!

[@brettkuhlman9334]

Can you do Nordic curls on the 5200? Thanks for the detailed review, I really appreciate the thoughtfulness.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks! Funny you should ask that as I'm probably gonna get rid of my BlackWing. You can do Nordics on any bench that is flat if you have a rack and add this: gymcrafter.com/recommends/exp-edge-flex-wedge/ . That set up will be part of my current garage gym rebuild.

[@AnontheGOAT]

5200 all the way. Zero gap is a finicky gimmick and the back pad is shorter vs the 5200. You can flat bench on the 5200’s back pad alone like you mentioned. Also, don’t care for decline so that’s another $20 saved by going the 5200 route. I actually just ordered one about an hour before watching this video and your comparison solidified that my decision was the right one.

[@GymCrafter]

Agree across the board, but I do like the decline. Not for decline pressing or ab work, but for ground based low row set ups. If you point the declined end at the low row, you can sit on the bench and row instead of on the ground, which I really like.

[@snip3rkodak]

Excellent video

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks!

[@AnontheGOAT]

Any feedback on the wide vs standard pad option?

[@GymCrafter]

Stay tuned. I just sold both the benches in this video. I ordered another 5200 2.0, but in clear grind and with the standard pad. I also ordered an FB5000 with the wide pad. I am planning to shoot a short video comparing the two pads to help people decide. I think it comes down to what exercises you are doing. For chest supported rows, for example, I like the narrower pad. For pressing, I like the wider pad.

[@altairtheeagle]

Thank you Tim, always solid vids

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks!

[@JOHN-fk8mb]

Thank you for the thorough review. If you want to do decline presses in different positions then the Blackwing would be better suited ?

[@GymCrafter]

With the leg rollers, the BlackWing will do a ton of decline angles (you are basically using the incline in reverse). That said, I use my 5200 with it's slight decline all the time. If I need a bit more angle, I'll put a bumper plate or two under the end.

[@JOHN-fk8mb]

Thank you!

[@GavinBrown]

I hope you had permission from Gluck. There is only one bench king! Good job, bench prince.

[@GymCrafter]

😂I am neither! I said in the land of benches, Rep is king. Gluck is my favorite home gym channel by a mile. Love that guy. Looking forward to meeting him in a couple of weeks at Home Gym Con!

[@GavinBrown]

@@GymCrafter Take a few bench pictures with you and he'll be all over you.

[@GymCrafter]

@@GavinBrown 😂

[@livegoer182]

Thanks for the review it helped cement the 5200 choice for me. I appreciate that the backrest is 3-5" longer than their other models did you get 12" or 14" wide back pad?

[@GymCrafter]

The ones shown are the "standard" pads. I just replaced both of these benches, though. I went with an FB5000 with the wide pad and a different color AB5200, still with the standard pad width. Because I use the incline for chest supported rows, etc, I stuck with the narrower pad. I also like the narrower pad for some dumbbell movements. Since the only time I really felt like a wider pad would benefit me is the bench press, I bought the flat bench with that.

[@clintonlewis2547]

Bought the 5200 before I watched this and I’m glad I did. The other is a hard miss, to big front plate, fiddle seat, short back pad, that is just too much not me.

[@GymCrafter]

I sold my BlackWing and just have the 5200 and another flat bench now. Love it! 5200 is the way to go for most garage gym folks!

[@TheGhu123]

Love the black wing. Picked it up last Black Friday. Sold my fb5000 as this does it all.

[@GymCrafter]

Great upgrade! That FB5000 is pretty awesome too. Any issues with how heavy the BW is? Sometimes I do wish it was easier to move around and a few of my clients hate moving it.

[@TheGhu123]

@@GymCrafter its too heavy for my wife to move but I dont mint it at all. I should have waited for the clear grind but it was not avaable during last years Black Friday.

[@GymCrafter]

@@TheGhu123 First, 100000% on the clear grind! And your feedback is similar to a lot of people. I think the AB-5200 might be a better choice for a lot of people as the BW is for sure tough to move around for some people.

[@bbuchner]

at 16:40 why would you need to support the upper bench with your shoulder, can't you just utilize the ladder to hold it?

[@GymCrafter]

I'm not the smartest man sometimes.😂

[@bbuchner]

@@GymCrafter. LOL. still appreciated the review though

[@snip3rkodak]

Do u think there is any issues for someone 5’8 using the blackwing

[@GymCrafter]

Not at all. Just be aware that it's really heavy and kind of hard to move around.

[@superchristian6293]

Do you have an opinion on the rep 4100 vs 3000?

[@GymCrafter]

The 4100 is like a smaller 5200. It's nicer than the 3000 in pretty much every way and a bit more stable IMO. If you don't mind the price difference, it's a pretty easy choice imo.

[@DingusSquatfordJr.]

What would you say about the Rep or Rogue benches compared to commercial benches like Life Fitness or Hammer Strength?

[@altairtheeagle]

Hammer is an absolute “last your lifetime” equipment, but honestly I think it’s what is important to you. I lift heavy, but I want an Ecosystem, so IronMaster Super Bench Pro 2.0, but black wing does look and I’m sure feels better, but both have the SAME max weight so….. IM wins, choose what fits your style of lifting

[@GymCrafter]

Both of those brands make commercial grade gear. IMO they aren't the best looking and lack some features (like leg rollers, etc) because those things can break easier in a commercial setting. I used to work at a place that had a complete Hammer Strength gym and it was awesome... And VERY expensive! @altairtheeagle is right, though, they will last you forever and then some.

[@GymCrafter]

Agree, but be careful about looking at specs like max weight. ALL companies fudge those numbers a bit. Some, they are understatements, others are lies because they know no one will be putting 1,000 lbs on their bench. Some of the tests that Gluck has done shows just how meaningless some of those stats are. I think I might need to reach out to Iron Master, though. You seem to really like that bench!

[@DingusSquatfordJr.]

@@GymCrafter That's very insightful. Now, it is true that they don't provide many features in an adjustable bench in a commercial setting; they mean a weight bench is a weight bench. I'd used a life fitness bench in my school gym and liked how it felt. Then I trusted the Amazon ads a year back and got a weight bench there called Steelbody Deluxe for $180, which is crazy, and it has nothing like the Life Fitness bench. I'd never own a Rep or Rogue bench; thta's why I am curious if those benches are properly made, and I think the review provided the answer.

[@toddkerensky-xe4uz]

Appears black wing doesn't have a rear vertical post which means you should be able to do incline bench facing the front of the rack with a rear base stabilizer

[@bobbyhunt3009]

Very Nice Job Hit another Homerun Blackwing for me just has too many adjustments. The gap on 5200 from seat to back pad honestly is not an issue so the Zerogap is just IMO, a selling feature. It does look cool and is impressive but not really necessary functional wise. I think if you workout alone and not many people are seeing your gym than the 5200 is more than enough but if you train people or you want to show off your gym then the Blackwing is the more impressive one. I Like all your videos but your Comparison videos are my favorite as you actually compare things. BTW, all youtube viewers know that everyone with a channel wants us viewers to subscribe, like, comment, and share so you do not need to say it every video to help your channel grow. Your channel will grow as fast or faster if you didn't say it every video. It just gets old Sorry, just giving honest feelings, nothing against you. Matter of fact IMO, the best reviewers are You, Gluck, Home Gym Hacks, Goreck, and Basement Brandon, y'all have Integrity and deliver Honesty. Truthfully, I watch Coop at GGR too to see the newest equipment as he always has it first in most cases and he puts out 3 videos a week or one every 3 or 4 days but I don't watch him for Integrity or Honesty, although he is a lot more honest now after he made it big with GGR and he sold it. He's reached the top with GGR so he has no reason to be dishonest anymore but he is still so Pro Rogue that it gets a little nauseous sometimes.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks. Yeah, the 5200 is perfect for just about everyone. I do like the stability of the BlackWing, but you are right, the adjustments can be a little much. I appreciate your feedback. The problem is that when I AB test asking people to like and subscribe, there is a huge difference. But I'm with you, I hate hearing it, and hate saying it. As for Coop, he's started another channel that is just him working out, so good for him. On GGR, he's just a talking head at this point. I'd be willing to bet that Rogue pays them a buttload of money. He lost some of my respect when he started shooting videos with his shirt off. Lost the rest when he reviewed the Rep double black diamond, said it was a better bar than the Rogue OPB, but that he'd still go with the Rogue... Um, what? Glad he can afford fancy coats and watches now, he's put in years of work and I don't blame him for cashing in.

[@bobbyhunt3009]

​@@GymCrafter Yeah, see that's what I mean about Coop, no matter what, he always says he would buy Rogue, even if the item from another company is better. He has been doing that for awhile, he got away with it because up until REP's recent Boom there hasn't been any equipment that could rival Rogue, unless it was too expensive for him to recommend, but people are starting to see through him now, just as you have, how Pro Rogue he is and it ruins his credibility as a reviewer. I used to be one of his biggest fans but I saw through him a year or so ago and lost my respect for him for the exact reason you mentioned so I knew then he was a sell out and Rogue had him in their back pocket. He Soured me towards reviewers in general until I gave others a chance. At first I watched all of them with Distain and then I said, give them a chance and I gained respect for a small number (5) of them and that's all. I gave a lot of them a chance but only 5, I've seen, earned my respect. Most are just collecting as much equipment as they can. It's sad to watch some of them as they are So Bad and you can't fathom how they could have a review channel but if you can turn on a camera you can have a channel. I wanted to start a channel just so I'd be the only person that didn't say the spill about Like, Comment, and Subscribe, on every video. LOL

[@GymCrafter]

@@bobbyhunt3009 Agreed. It's really hard for most people to pass on the amount of money that he's getting.

[@bobbyhunt3009]

​@@GymCrafter Yeah, it shouldn't turn down the money, he should've gone about some things differently. He came up with an idea and he was the first and the original guy doing home gym reviews and his idea worked, companies wanted the exposure and the people wanted an outlet to see new equipment. He sold out to guarantee success for his idea but the things he did later is what turned people away from him. He should have at least 5M subs but he's got 450K so that means 9 out of 10 people interested in home gyms have turned against him. He did it to himself

[@tylerharrison4775]

Very good review

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks!