Few pieces of home gym equipment offer as much functionality as an adjustable weight bench. With multiple angles to target specific muscle groups, you can quickly go from banging out a few sets of incline bench presses to putting it in a flat position for single-arm rows.
If you’re looking to take your strength training game to the next level, one of the best weight benches on the market comes from Major Fitness; a brand we’ve come to admire for all-in-one squat racks, barbells, weight plates, and more. In this Major Fitness Adjustable Bench review, we’ll take a look at this high-quality training tool that gives you ample optionality and rock-solid stability at a budget-friendly price point.
Having already earned our respect with the ultra-versatile PLM03 Multi-Functional Power Rack, let’s see why one of the leading fitness brands deserves another major round of applause.
Our Major Fitness Adjustable Bench Review, Summarized
The Major Fitness PLT01 Adjustable Weight Bench provides excellent versatility and value based on its budget-friendly price point of roughly $260. Offering a robust weight capacity of 1,300 pounds, this well-built strength training tool can be utilized for everything from heavy barbell bench presses to chest-supported rows. With near-perfect scores of 4.5 out of 5 for both durability and stability, you can expect consistent performance for years to come by investing in this adjustable weight bench.
How We Test Adjustable Weight Benches
Build quality is paramount when it comes to weight benches. They must be made with high-quality materials that provide a safe training environment for bench presses, rows, or even bodyweight exercises. To earn at least a 3-out-of-5 rating, a bench should feature a mostly metal construction (preferably 11-gauge steel) that can handle consistent use, although the seat and back padding may be thin and the vinyl covers may not have the best grip or feel.
Whether it’s a flat bench or an FID bench (flat, incline, decline), the last thing you want is to feel it wobble or shake mid-set. Our testers take note of any instability issues that detract from their workout experience. To earn a 3-out-of-5 rating, a bench should be stable enough for traditional bench exercises like flyes, presses, and rows, though there may be some slight shakiness. Higher scores go to heavy-duty models that have absolutely zero wobbling.
How easily can you move and store a bench when it’s not in use? Heavier profiles won’t move as easily, so manufacturers will often add features to enhance the portability, such as caster wheels on one end and a handle on the other. Lightweight benches under 60 pounds typically earn high scores in this category. However, any weight bench that has wheels and a handle meets our threshold for a 3-out-of-5 rating.
Over the years, we have developed a comprehensive weight bench testing methodology that includes specific criteria for both flat and adjustable benches. For every bench we test, we carefully evaluate categories such as construction, durability, stowability, stability, and value to rate benches on a scale of 1 to 5. For adjustable weight benches like the PLT01, we also assess how easy it is to change the seat and back pad angles. To date, we’ve tested over 50 weight benches from top brands such as REP Fitness, Rogue, and Major Fitness.
The Garage Gym Reviews team includes certified personal trainers, Olympic-level athletes, and strength training enthusiasts who have cranked out hundreds of bench workouts on both budget-friendly and high-end models. In 2025, we helped more than 6,500 lifters find the right weight bench for their home gym, and we’re ready to help connect you with the right one, too.
The Adjustable Bench from Major Fitness has eight adjustable positions on the pack pad and another four for the seat pad. Moving from flat to nearly vertical, the adjustable weight bench provides lots of versatility for many exercises, although it’s not a FID bench and doesn’t allow decline angles. At 61.7 pounds, this bench is rated to hold up to 1,300 pounds, and will support you through heavy workouts.
What our tester says:
“With this many positions between the back and seat pads, you can adjust your bench to just about anything you want.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- The PLT01 weight bench comes in two colorway options for the frame: black or red. There’s no price difference between the two, so you can choose the one that suits your home gym aesthetic the best.
- This product is HSA/FSA-eligible, meaning you can use pre-tax dollars to fund your purchase. Alternatively, you can finance this bench through Shop Pay, allowing you to spread the total cost over more manageable installments.
- Major Fitness offers a no-reason return policy within 35 days from the delivery date. This gives you sufficient time to test the bench before committing to it. However, it must be in good condition with no scratches, wear, or damage to be eligible for return.
Is the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench Worth It?
At a list price of roughly $260, the PLT01 costs about $50 less than the average weight bench based on our research and testing data. However, you may be able to find it for even cheaper during promotional periods, as we’ve seen it on sale for $225 and lower.
Checking key boxes for ergonomics, stability, and durability, we think this can be a wise investment if you’re looking for an affordable, reliable adjustable weight bench. It may not boast a premium look or feel like other heavy-duty benches, such as the REP Fitness Blackwing (which is also more than double the price), but it’s a reliable piece of equipment, nonetheless, that should get the job done without breaking the bank.
So, if you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, this is one of the better options available—though it’s certainly not the only worthy contender in this price range (more on that later).
Still weighing your bench options? Check out some key specs and features for this well-priced offering from Major Fitness.
Major Fitness Adjustable Bench: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $259.99 |
| Footprint | 42.5” L x 8.3” W x 17.7” H |
| Pad Dimensions | 31.5” L x 8.3″ W |
| Pad Thickness | 2.5″ |
| Materials | Alloy steel |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 1,300 lbs |
| Back Pad Angles | 9 back pad angles |
| Seat Pad Angles | 4 seat pad angles |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
Workout Experience with the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench
GGR Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, put the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench through a series of workouts to get a good feel for its adjustability, stability, and overall performance. Right off the bat, she was impressed by its steadiness, noting that there was “very little wiggling” during testing. Meanwhile, the ladder-style adjustment system proved to be user-friendly, allowing for quick changes during her workout.
Having a weight bench like the PLT01 from Major Fitness can be a great centerpiece for home gym training. You can build an entire workout routine around this bench and a pair of adjustable dumbbells. Even if it only serves as a comfortable seat for mid-workout rest periods, it’s a worthwhile addition that’s maneuverable yet sturdy enough for effective training.
Ben Emminger, NASM-CNC, NASM-CSNC
Let’s dive deeper into Lindsay’s full training experience, so you can get direct insight on this adjustable weight bench from Major Fitness.
Major Fitness Adjustable Bench Rating
Construction
Made from alloy steel, the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench tips the scales at 61.7 pounds—right on par with the weight of the average weight bench. It features a three-post design that helps ensure maximum stability, resulting in a near-perfect construction score of 4.5 out of 5.
“The steel base is about double the thickness of what you’d find on most quality squat racks,” Lindsay says. “It uses a 5-gauge steel for its base, as well.”
Meanwhile, the PLT01 measures 42.5 inches long by 8.3 inches wide by 17.7 inches tall. That second figure is particularly noteworthy, as it’s significantly narrower than what we typically see with benches. In fact, it’s less than half the width of the average bench (20 inches). This could be problematic for larger lifters who need a wider back pad for more support, so this is something to keep in mind.
Durability
The PLT01 boasts an impressive weight capacity of 1,300 pounds, which is roughly 350 pounds more than the average weight bench we’ve tested. In fact, this is even higher than the Rogue FB-5000 Flat Bench (our top overall weight bench). This gives you plenty of room for progressive overload1; a key component to building strength and muscle.
However, the high weight capacity isn’t the only reason we gave the PLT01 a 4.5-out-of-5 rating for durability. This bench has 2.5-inch-thick padding that can provide sufficient support for all your lifts. Plus, the PLT01 has a fully ergonomical design that makes it feel like there’s a single pad of thick foam covered with vinyl.
Is this the best padding or vinyl we’ve felt? Compared to higher-end benches like the REP Fitness Nighthawk, the PLT01 doesn’t boast that same premium look or feel. However, this should still hold up well, especially based on its budget-friendly price point.
Adjustability
The Major Fitness Adjustable Bench features nine back pad adjustments ranging from flat to 90 degrees, giving you ample options to train at different angles. Plus, there are four seat pad positions for even more targeted training.
“With this many positions between the back and seat pads, you can adjust your bench to just about any functionality you want,” Lindsay says. “It uses an open ladder system, which is very easy to adjust, but it’s also easy to pinch your fingers into if you’re not paying attention.”
We rate the adjustability at a solid 4 out of 5 since there are other benches that offer a more robust range of options. For example, the Rogue AB-5200 has 10 back pad positions, four seat pad positions, and optional decline angles of -8, -6, and -4 degrees. However, the highly customizable AB-5200 also costs about double the price.
Portability
We’re big fans of compact exercise equipment since many home gym owners need to maximize space. Due to its size, the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench doesn’t take up a ton of room, which is great if real estate is already an issue. In addition, it features rear transport wheels and a front handle that makes it easy to move out of the way when you’re done working out.
“It can’t be stored upright, but overall, it would be good for someone limited on space,” Lindsay says, rating the portability at 3.5 out of 5.
If portability is your top priority, the GIANT Lifting Adjustable Weight Bench can be a solid alternative. I personally tested this bench and appreciate that it can be stored upright—a big space-saving bonus. That said, the PLT01 blows the GIANT bench out of the water in terms of weight capacity (1,300 pounds vs 700 pounds) and adjustability, so even though it didn’t score particularly high for portability, it’s far from impossible to reposition.
Stability and Size
The Major Fitness Adjustable Bench scored much better than the average weight bench for size and stability, earning a 4.5 out of 5 in this category. As mentioned earlier, the three-post design helps the bench stay well-anchored and balanced, allowing you to fully focus on your workout.
“Overall, this feels like a very stable bench,” Lindsay notes. “There was very little wiggle while testing and the base of the bench is very solid.”
At 17.3 inches tall, the PLT01 is right on par with commercial standards for height. In fact, it falls right within the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) rules for a competition bench, which must measure 16.5 to 17.7 inches from the floor to the top of the pad.
Value
Is this the best bang for your buck solution? Not necessarily. Still, we awarded a 4 out of 5 in this category because the PLT01 gives you a solid, stable bench with sufficient adjustability for the price.
“I was hoping this bench would be a better value when you compare it to others because, overall, I wasn’t blown away by it,” Lindsay explains.
Listed for roughly $260, the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench is in the same ballpark as the REP AB-3100—a bench I owned for several years. While the AB-3100 doesn’t offer as many back pad positions, or as high of a weight capacity, it comes in four colorways and has a slightly wider back pad that tapers to 9 inches at the top. However, while you only get a one-year warranty from Major Fitness, REP provides a 10-year frame warranty for its benches, which adds significant value.
You could argue, though, that you get a better deal from Major Fitness because of the more robust weight capacity (1,300 pounds vs. 700) and more expansive ladder adjustment system. Ultimately, you’ll need to crunch the numbers and determine which features you’re willing to pay for prior to checkout.
Customer Experience
As mentioned above, Major Fitness only provides a one-year warranty with this bench. This is disappointing but not totally surprising, given its budget-oriented price point.
We still awarded a 4-out-of-5 customer experience score for several reasons. First, the company offers a no-reason return policy within 35 days from the delivery date. As long as the bench isn’t damaged (and you have the original packaging), you can return it for a full refund within that time frame.
In addition, we appreciate that Major Fitness offers financing options to help athletes manage their purchasing power. You can also use available HSA/FSA funds to make the PLT01 part of your home gym arsenal.
Lindsay also contacted customer service several times and was pleased to report that they responded within 48 hours. However, there were some concerns that the representatives didn’t know the exact details about the product, which led us to our less-than-perfect score.
Customer Reviews
The Major Fitness Adjustable Bench has earned an average rating of 4.9 stars based on 815 reviews on the company website. Customers routinely praise its sturdy design and excellent stability, along with how easy it is to make adjustments.
That said, a few negative reviews mention that it’s difficult to get the bench completely level when it’s in the flat position. Here are some direct testimonials that showcase how customers feel about this Major Fitness product:
Major Fitness Adjustable Bench Vs
The world of adjustable weight benches is just as diverse as the adjustable dumbbell market, with manufacturers offering everything from budget-oriented profiles to premium options with better build materials and higher weight capacities. So, if you’re on the hunt for a bench that gives you ample training flexibility, there are a few contenders worth considering at different price points.
While the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench offers an excellent weight capacity of 1,300 pounds, the TITAN Series Adjustable Weight Bench from Titan Fitness isn’t far behind at 1,000 pounds. This heavy-duty model is significantly heavier (about double the weight) and boasts a roomier back pad (nearly 9 inches longer and almost 4 inches wider), making it more accommodating for bigger lifters. However, it also comes with a substantially higher price tag of $634.99 compared to the PLT01’s $259.99 cost.
On the other hand, you could go in the opposite direction for an even more budget-friendly bench; for example, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Workout Bench only costs $150 on Amazon. That comes with some notable trade-offs in terms of weight capacity and back pad positions, but it can be a great starter bench for those just getting into resistance training. It’s also worth noting that the Flybird bench only weighs 28.5 pounds, making it more portable but also less stable under heavy loads.
Ultimately, if you’ve got more financial flexibility, check out our TITAN Series Adjustable Bench review for this higher-end option. Otherwise, read our full FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench review for more information on this beginner-friendly model.
|
|
|
|
|
| Major Fitness Bench | Titan Series Adjustable Bench | FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench | |
|
Rating
|
|||
| Capacity | 1,300 lbs | 800 lbs | |
| Material | Alloy steel | Powder-coated steel, HeftyGrip vinyl | Steel |
| Adjustable? | — | ||
| Bench Height | 17.7″ | 18.8 inches | |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1-year for frame, 30 days for pad |
Final Verdict of Our Major Fitness Adjustable Bench Review
The Major Fitness Adjustable Bench is a rock-solid option if you’re not ready to go all-in on a higher-end weight bench. It offers a robust weight capacity, plenty of adjustment options, and a sturdy design that ensures a safe, stable training experience. It may not blow you away aesthetically, but its functionality and budget-friendly price make it a worthwhile investment for your home gym.
- The 1,300-pound weight capacity puts it at the top of its class.
- The three-post triangular design helps ensure maximum stability when in use.
- Although you get nine back pad angles, this bench does not offer decline capabilities.
- Major Fitness offers a 35-day, no-reason return policy that you won’t find with most other manufacturers.
Major Fitness Adjustable Bench Review: FAQs
Is an adjustable weight bench worth it?
An adjustable weight bench like the Major Fitness PLT01 can be a great investment for a home gym owner since it allows you to perform such a wide variety of exercises. You can change the angle of the seat and back pad to target specific muscles, paving the way for hyper-focused strength training workouts.
How much weight can the Major Fitness PLT01 Weight Bench hold?
The PLT01 has a weight capacity of 1,300 pounds, which is roughly 350 pounds more than the average weight bench based on our research and testing data.
What are the key features of the Major Fitness Adjustable Bench?
The Major Fitness Adjustable Bench has a 1,300-pound weight capacity, nine back pad positions, four seat pad positions, rear transport wheels, and a front handle. You can also purchase this weight bench in either Black or Red colorways for an added sense of personalization.
References
- Chaves, T. S., Scarpelli, M. C., Bergamasco, J. G. A., Silva, D. G. D., Medalha Junior, R. A., Dias, N. F., Bittencourt, D., Carello Filho, P. C., Angleri, V., Nóbrega, S. R., Roberts, M. D., Ugrinowitsch, C., & Libardi, C. A. (2024). Effects of Resistance Training Overload Progression Protocols on Strength and Muscle Mass. International journal of sports medicine, 45(7), 504–510. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2256-5857
