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The Universal Decline Bench is currently available at an entry level price, with many of the features found in decline benches and ab boards twice the price.
This product article takes a look at the bench in a bit more detail, including how regular use can help improve your core strength and what other people think of the bench judging from a wide range of customer reviews.
Design features
When it comes to choosing a new weights bench, there are really two main categories; a bench for resistance exercises such as the bench press, and a bench designed more for abdominal and core workouts.
The Universal Decline Bench falls into the latter category, providing a stable base from which to perform a variety of exercises that target your abdominals and overall core.
Although there are designs such as the XMark 12 position decline bench that provide you with a wider range of height settings, benches such as this will usually cost more than twice the price of the Universal Decline Bench.
Aside from the different height settings, another useful feature is the addition of the extra large 8 inch padded foam rollers.
To help prevent your legs and ankles from slipping off the side of these rollers, they have been specially contoured to curve in towards the middle of each roller.
This combines with the well padded back support to ensure that you stay in a comfortable and stable position throughout every rep and set in your workout.
Universal Decline Bench – Features Summary
- Freestanding decline bench offers wide variety of core workouts
- Perform sit-ups, twists and more
- Choose from two decline positions
- Eight-inch padded foam rollers keep feet comfortably and safely in place
- Measures 17 by 23 by 45 inches (W x H x D); 200-pound maximum user weight
Benefits of a decline bench
Despite the rise in popularity of ab toning belts and various other products with claims of strengthening and defining your core muscles, sit up variations remain one of the most popular and effective ways to improve your core.
When performed correctly, decline crunches on the Universal Decline Bench can isolate the abdominals with exercises such as situps, or even target the obliques with twisting decline crunches.
If you happen to fall under the 200 lb weight limit, you can even hold a weight plate across your chest or behind your head, which helps to increase the intensity of the exercises.
A strong core will not only improve your balance and co-ordination in everyday activities, but also your overall strength in resistance exercises such as squats and overhead presses, while at the same time reducing the risk of injury.
While working out with the Universal Decline Bench on its own won’t get those abs to show, combining 20 minute workouts a few times a week with a healthy lifestyle and diet plan is the best way to get there.
Customer reviews
If you still aren’t sure whether this bench is the right choice for you, one of the best ways to decide how effective and high quality an exercise product is, is to read some of the customer reviews.
Being one of the most popular workout benches currently available, there are currently hundreds of customer reviews across sites such as Amazon that provide real feedback from people who have actually purchased the Universal Decline Bench.
After reading through a large number of these reviews, the positives and negatives are generally found to be the following:
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to move from room to room
- Quick to put together
- Sturdy and comfortable design
- Great for short workouts if you are limited on time
- Works your abs without putting pressure on your lower back
Cons:
- Not ideal for people taller than 6ft
- Lacks a wide range of height positions
Review Overview
Overall Rating
4 / 5
Although the Universal Decline Bench lacks the range of height positions that higher priced designs provide, when you consider that this is less than half the price of these benches then what you get still represents excellent value for money.
The padded rollers are also spaced far enough apart to create an effective and comfortable position from which to perform a variety of exercises that target both your abdominals and obliques, allowing you to perform a full core workout.
The lightweight and compact design is great for if you only have a short amount of time to workout and still want to be able to store it away quickly when you're done.
Warranty: Frame - 2 years, Upholstery - 30 days Product dimensions: 45" (L) X 17" (W) X 25" (H) Maximum weight: 200lb
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.
