When building out your home gym, you want to make all types of exercises available.
Adding a weight bench to your equipment means you will not be limited to just a few moves and can start diversifying how you workout.
The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench is the ideal weight bench for those fitness goals.
With six different angles, you can truly work all the muscles you need to feel strong and fit from your own home.
Things to Consider Before Buying The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench
While you can do a serious amount of full body exercises without a weight bench, having a way to stabilize your core, sit down, and mix up your exercise routine can be a game changer for your fitness.
This weight bench, with a 600 pound weight capacity, is exactly what you need to take your exercises to the next level and ensure you are never bored with the moves available to you.
You have a decent amount of choices when it comes to not only buying fitness equipment in general, but buying weight benches.
You want to ask yourself a few questions before making the final choice to purchase this particular bench.
Do You Need The Leg Extension and Leg Curl Feature?
This weight bench comes with a leg extension and leg curl feature. This allows you to work your hamstrings and quadriceps effectively from the bench.
You need to decide if this is a feature you need and will actually use. Those with knee pain should avoid leg extensions and leg curls, but for others it can be a serious training benefit.
How Often Do You Use Free Weights to Workout?
In general, a weight bench is used in tandem with free weights like dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells.
You need to be honest with yourself about how often you workout with dumbbells and what exercises are going to help you reach your fitness goals.
The weight bench can help you diversify your movements, but only if you already have a habit of using dumbbells to build strength.
Does Your Gym Have Enough Space?
While this particular weight bench does come with a 50% space saving feature when it is stored vertically, it still requires a significant amount of room to both store and use.
Measure your workout space twice and compare it to the dimensions of the weight bench so you can be absolutely sure it will fit.
Introducing the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench
This heavy duty and commercial quality weight bench features a 600 pound weight limit and an adjustable seat.
With its easy one click space saving design, you can literally have the bench just about anywhere as it takes up 50% less space when it is folded up.
A weight bench can change the way you workout by giving you more versatility in specific exercises and changing the range of motion you use with certain muscles.
This is especially true with this specific weight bench as you get six different backrest angles to choose from.
This allows you to choose different ranges of motion to focus on through your training.
With your purchase of this bench you receive all the parts you need to put it together yourself.
Keep in mind that the delivery of this bench does weigh 70 pounds and you might need help bringing it in from your porch to your workout space.
The bench does include Allen keys to help you put it together and assembly averages about 30-40 minutes.
Pros of the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench
- On wheels
- 50% space saving when stored vertically
- Six different angles
- Adjustable seat
- Adjustable stand legs
Cons of the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench
- 70 pound shipping weight
- Assembly required
- Large gap between seat pad and backrest
Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench Features & Benefits
What makes the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench such a great workout bench?
Here are a few features and benefits you’ll want to know more about.
Six Adjustment Angles
Depending on the angle your weight bench is placed on, the specific muscles you are working will change.
For instance, inclining the bench works your upper chest while having the bench on a decline will focus on your lower chest.
With six different adjustment angles, there is no question that your entire chest will be muscular and fit with regular use of the weight bench.
The six levels include 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees, plus flat and a -20 degree decline.
The -20 degree incline will work your lower chest, the flat incline will work your overall chest, 30 and 45 degrees covers your upper chest, and 90 degree incline works your shoulders.
You really can cover it all with this one bench.
600 Pound Weight Limit
No matter where you are starting out in your fitness journey, or how heavy you might be able to lift, you can be sure that the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench is going to support you.
With a 600 pound weight limit you can use the bench as a support system while you lose weight and build strength, or lift heavier and heavier weights without worrying about the bench being unable to support your weight plus your dumbbells.
Stores Vertically
For those who are worried about the space the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench might take up in their home, you can rest easy.
With an easy click button, you can fold the bench up to save 50% of the room in your workout space.
Simply unfold the bench when you want to use it and then fold it back up when you are finished to make room for other exercises.
Keep in mind that this weight bench is about 70 pounds, so you may not be moving it around your workout space, but you could set it up so that wherever you fold it, it is out of the way enough.
Three Seat Adjustments
The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench is not a one size fits all. With the adjustable seat, you are able to maximize both your exercise options and your comfort.
Instead of worrying about sliding of the bench, you can focus on proper form of your movement because you have the stability you need.
Has Wheels
Since the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench has wheels, you can easily transport it from place to place within your workout space.
This allows for easy storage of the weight bench without hurting yourself lugging it.
Just remember that the weight bench does weigh close to 70 pounds and even though it does have wheels it still might be heavy to lift and maneuver.
Leg Extension/Curl Bar
The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench comes with a leg extension and leg curl bar. This allows you to use the bar as a support system to complete exercises like sit ups, leg extensions, and leg curls.
Leg extensions help you strengthen the key ligaments that are attached to the knee joint by strengthening your quad. Leg curls help you improve flexibility in your hamstrings.
While you cannot attach any weight to the leg extension and leg curl bar, you can still benefit from using it as a stability bar to build the muscles in your legs.
Adjustable Legs
Another benefit of the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench is that it has adjustable legs.
This means that if your floor is a little uneven, you can simply adjust one of the legs to the proper height to be sure you are not wobbling and rocking around.
Having adjustable feet makes the bench solid on any type of surface. Whether your floor is solid wood, concrete, or carpeted, you do not have to stress about the weight bench moving from side to side.
You can trust it to be stable and help assist with the exercises you want.
15 Year Warranty
No matter how long you plan to use your weight bench, you know you are covered under the warranty.
With a 15 year warranty, you will be willing to use your bench every single day.
What Others Are Saying About The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench
To save you some time, we took around at what others are saying about the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench.
Here’s what you can expect based.
Review #1
LeBoo from Leboo’s Leisure says that this weight bench is, “Very high quality.” He claims that it is worth the price point.
Review #2
Jay.D from Jays Home Gym states, “When you buy any piece of home gym equipment from Bowflex you expect quality, this reputable company builds some of the best, highly rated fitness products out there and the Bowflex 5.1s Stowable Bench is no exception.” Review #3
Garage Gym Pro recommends this weight bench giving it 4.6/5 stars and says, “I’m pleased to say that the Bowflex 5.1S stowable bench is rock-solid and comfortable on the back.”
Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench Alternatives
It takes some time to decided what type of equipment you truly want to have in your gym whether it is at home or in a commercial setting.
Take a look at some of these other weight bench options to be sure this is the right choice for you and your fitness goals.
FLYBIRD Weight Bench
For those who are looking for a very adjustable and easy to use weight bench, the FLYBIRD Weight Bench Adjustable Strength Training Bench is your best bet.
With this adjustable weight bench, you are getting a weight bench with seven back positions and three different seat positions.
It truly will give you the versatility you are looking for in your dumbbell workouts with two inch soft foam padding that will not crack.
FLYBIRD Weight Bench Highlights
- 620 pound weight capacity
- Seven back positions
- Three seat positions
- No assembly needed
- Foldable to save 80% space
Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max Weight Bench
With a 12-inch, smooth backrest that can be adjusted to three positions, you can easily work the muscle groups you want to focus on.
With the Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max Weight Bench, you are getting additional stability during workouts with its three position adjustable leg hold down bar.
Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max Weight Bench Highlights
- 800 pound weight capacity
- Folds for storage
- Adjustable leg hold down bar
- 12’’ wide backrest
- Adjustable leg hold down
Power Systems Fitness Deck
Whether you want to use it to lift free weights or to do some step aerobics, the Power Systems Fitness Deck can be a great way to give yourself a challenge in everything from strength training, aerobic conditioning, and plyometric power.
With this weight bench, you have quick transitions using the release levels and a stable bench you can rely on.
Power Systems Fitness Deck Highlights
- 330 pound weight limit
- Over 12 positions
- 8-14’’ platform options
- Tubing notches for variation
- Can be used as a 8’’ aerobic step
Final Thoughts
The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench is your answer to adding a solid piece of workout equipment to your gym that will give more versatility in your workouts.
Allowing you to use multiple different angles to get the best muscle exercises possible, you will not leave any muscle group under worked.
With the ability to complete different types of exercises, you will truly be able to work your whole body using this weight bench.
