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The PowerBlock Sport Bench is designed by the same company that created the bestselling PowerBlock adjustable dumbbell collection, and represents excellent value for money considering its 550 lb weight limit.
But how does this compare to weight benches in the same price range? Would you actually be better investing in a FID bench with leg developer attachment for full body workouts rather than mainly upper body?
In this review we take a closer look at the design features, warranty, attachments, and exercise options, to help you decide if this is the best weight bench for your own home workouts.
Design features
Two of the most important features for any adjustable weight bench are strength and stability, which is why PowerBlock have designed their Sport Bench with a wide rear stabilizer bar and low center of gravity.
The 550 lb weight capacity is also ideal for anyone looking to combine this bench with a set of PowerBlock dumbbells, and is made possible by the 2″x3″ 14-gauge steel frame.
Although the PowerBlock Classic 70 set has a maximum weight of 70 lbs per dumbbell, the PowerBlock Elite 90 set increments all the way to 90 lbs. This is the same as if you bought the PowerBlock Elite set and purchased two of the expansion kits (50 lbs to 70 lbs, and 70 lbs to 90 lbs), which can work out more cost effective than buying the 90 lb set on its own.
This is the highest we’ve seen for an adjustable dumbbell, and even taking into account the 180 lbs of a fully loaded set, this still leaves you with over 350 lbs capacity.
Of course, the PowerBlock Sport Bench isn’t just limited to dumbbell workouts, as the high weight limit, front carry handle, and rear-mounted transport wheels make it the perfect combination for squat racks, power cages, and smith machines.
Although this isn’t considered a true FID bench as you don’t have the decline setting, the 5-position back support and adjustable seat still provide support through a range of incline settings, from flat all the way to nearly vertical.
The ladder style of back support adjustment is also incredibly strong, quick, and reliable, with minimal moving parts and very little maintenance required.
PowerBlock Sport Bench – Features Summary
- Separate seat and back pad adjustment
- 5 position back pad adjustment
- Optional dip attachment available
- 550 LB weight capacity
What attachments are available?
It’s not really until you reach the $200 to $300 price range that you really start seeing weight benches with a range of attachment options, such as a preacher curl, leg developer, or even lat pulldown tower.
However, the PowerBlock Sport Bench can be upgraded with a dip attachment that fits to the top of the back support, as well as a Sport Bench Chin attachment with a 250 lb capacity. This allows you to add dips to your chest or triceps workout, and extend your back workouts with pull ups using various grip positions.
Due to the angle of the bar you’re kept away from the bulk of the base frame, but there isn’t enough height to perform dips with additional resistance, such as by attaching a dip belt and weight plates.
It’s a similar situation to the Ironmaster Super Bench, which also allows you to fit a dip attachment to the back support, as well as chin up, sit up, and preacher curl attachments.
The Ironmaster is usually priced around $100 more than the PowerBlock bench, but the 1000 lb weight capacity, range of incline settings, and upgrade options have made it another popular option for home gyms.
We actually put together a review of the Ironmaster Super Bench, where we compare it with some of the best known XMark and Body Solid benches in the same price range, which you can read here.
Exercise options
PowerBlock’s current weight bench collection is comprised of two designs; the Sport Bench and the Travel Bench. Unfortunately neither of these offer any form of leg developer attachment, which has an impact on the number of lower body exercises you can perform.
However, both benches feature a high 550 lb capacity, and do an excellent job of supporting heavy dumbbell workouts, which is really what they were designed for.
Some of the upper body exercise options (when combined with dumbbells):
- Incline bench press
- Flat bench press
- Incline dumbbell fly
- Seated bicep curl
- Seated calf raise
- Seated shoulder press
- Dumbbell rows
- Concentration curls
- Lying tricep extension
- Pullovers
What’s covered by the warranty?
- 10 year home use warranty Frame
- 1 Year warranty pads
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
4.5 / 5
The high weight capacity and dense cushioning that tapers to provide improved lower back support are two of the main advantages the PowerBlock Sport Bench has over weight benches in the same price range.
Although there's a slight gap between the back support and seat, this is to be expected, and isn't to the same degree that we've seen on many of the XMark Fitness benches.
PowerBlock already offer their dip and chin up attachments, but if we were to improve this bench in any way we would suggest adding some form of lower body exercise options.
At the moment, affordably priced weight benches with attachments is a market that XMark dominates, but the Sport Bench is still $80 cheaper than the earliest weight bench in their collection to offer a similar weight capacity (XM-4419 supports 600 lbs).
Overall, if you're looking for a compact, adjustable weight bench that can support the heaviest dumbbell workouts and offers a range of incline settings, you won't find any better than the PowerBlock Sport Bench.
Weight capacity: 550 lbs
USA Home Gym gives in-depth insights into gym equipment, supplements, and fitness training methods. The motivation behind USA Home Gym is to provide you with information that goes beyond what you can find in any user manual, customer review, or other online review sites.
We go to great lengths to ensure that our reviews are completely comprehensive, usually covering everything from the design features to the warranty coverage and exercise options. This is all to help guide you towards the home gym equipment that’s best suited to your goals and budget, whilst also being the highest quality option in your chosen price range.
