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4.5
This is the ideal home-gym bench available on Amazon, so far as I can tell.--Strength--Unless you're benching insane amounts, this bench is sufficiently strong. 12 gauge 2x3 tubing is going to easily hold your typical lifter benching up to 400lbs. Unless you are quite large and lift very heavy, this will be a very solid bench for you. It also isn't overbuilt. There are other benches available with rated capacities for 1000lbs and made from 11 gauge steel. While these benches are stronger, I believe them to be unnecessary for the majority of weightlifters for a home gym. Since there is a cost premium, I think these can be avoided unless very heavy weights will be used.The legs are also very wide and feel very stable. It is also a nice weight for easily moving into and out of a power rack.--Padding--This bench uses two foam densities. This means that there is a thin layer of soft cushioning, backed by a thicker layer of dense foam. This ensures the material is durable and supportive, yet comfortable.--Size--The bench is a great size for me. Note that this is thinner than power-lifting specification at 10 inches wide instead of 12. I find this sufficient, but someone picky about the standard size may want something wider. Overall it's quite large in person, and generously long so it's easy to get in position.--Shipping/Assembly--I was quite impressed with the packaging. It came in nested 5-sided boxes, strapped with plastic, and with dense cardboard corner pieces. Internally, honeycomb board and bubble wrap was used to keep thing in place. Even with lots of shipping mistreatment, I think it will arrive safe. This is well above average, even for heavy items. There are also several notices about inspecting for damage and what to do if you find any. I think the company is being very proactive about shipping damage.Assembly is quite easy. There are 7 bolts and washers. No bolts are required; the threads are incorporated into the bench. Make sure you do final tightening on a flat surface to avoid any wobble; there's some play in the bolt holes where the legs attach that permits getting it fully level.I am a hobby powerlifter who has been out of the gym for a while and decided to start lifting seriously in my garage. I did a lot of research before making a purchase and I ended up really only considering Valor products as they are inexpensive, based in the USA, had great reviews, and had a lot of information available on their website. The DA-6 is a great value.Valor rates the DA-6 at 850# total weight (including lifter), which is a few plates more than I'll get to. I have benched well over 300# with this bench and had zero concern with stability. I've done high box squats on it with much more than that and similarly have no concern. It's comfortable and feels like a gym bench when I'm on it.Assembly is very easy; I had my 11-year-old son do most of the work and it took 10 minutes, tops. Alone I could have probably been benching in 3 minutes. The vinyl is high quality, though I've only had it for a couple of months--if there is premature degradation I will amend my review but I don't anticipate it.It is pretty light, so easy to move around. I like to loop bands under the bench on to the bar and medium+ bands pull it off the floor, so I either stay on the bench in between sets or put some 45s on the feet to keep it grounded.I was a little skeptical when ordering this for my gym. I had no previous experience with Valor, but quality benches are typically $50+ more expensive than this, and so Valor seemed to be a "budget line."I couldn't be happier with this piece of equipment.-Assembles easily-Is proportioned properly (length, width, height)-The materials seem to be quality and the bench is very sturdy-The padding is just right, now too firm, not too plush so it gives plenty of support.The completed unit is very light making it easy to move, really the only thing that could make it better is if it had wheels on it, so you could roll it, but it's light enough that they are not necessary.I was initially going to purchase a bench from Christians Fitness Factory, because I already own one from them, but they were out of stock so I picked this up instead. After shipping the Valor bench is cheaper, and it seems to be a superior build. Highly recommended.For the record we've only had these benches for a few weeks, so I can't speak to the long term durability, but they seem solid that I don't think it will be a problem.Excellent for short people to bench press. I'm 5'9" with somewhat short legs and the 17" bench height is perfect -- it allows me to keep my feet flat on the floor arch my back a little for balance and drive. Assembly was very simple too -- took 5 minutes. Be sure to put in all bolts then sit the bench flat on the floor before tightening so as to prevent wobbling. It's easy to move in and out of my PPR200x power rack. The cushion is firm and that contributes to the overall stability. I also use it for bench dips and dumbbell pullovers.EDIT 4/2017: This little bench has held up to hundreds of workouts over the past year and a half, and the more I use it, the more I like it. My trainer has a Rogue flat bench and I much prefer the Valor DA-7. It's easier to move in and out of the rack and the lighter weight of this bench makes it a cinch to move. It also stands upright.I like the bench overall, although it is a bit narrow. I have some concerns about the future of the bench as it already is creaking and wobbling just a tad. But its less than 3 months old, so its a tad concerning. But as of right now it is holding weight great and I am able to do everything on it.Nice solid bench, no wobbles. It's light and can be picked up with ease. Plenty long too. I'm 6ft and can lie down with my knees bent and fit my heels on no problem...just like you'd expect at the gym. My teenage daughter put it together with a friend and a 17mm wrench in no time.THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. WAS WAITING ON A FEW OTHER OPTIONS, BUT WITH COVID19 THEY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS CAME UP ON AMAZON SO I TOOK A CHANCE AND IT CAME OUT PERFECT.Good bench, sturdy, easy to put together. It is a little low, so doing bench presses can be difficult without a spotter. But overall great for working out or stretching! I use mine to change light bulbs!
