The best weight benches all have certain things in common: They’re built strong, can support athletes of various heights and weights, and are comfortable to use for a range of exercises. Not all of them, though, boast the collection of features that makes the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench so impressively high-performing.
In our Force USA Pro Series FID Bench review, you’ll hear from strength coach and former GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, who’s used this bench in her gym for months and calls it one of her favorite benches of all time. (Spoiler: Her fellow athletes concur).
Our Force USA Pro Series FID Bench Review, Summarized
This is one of the best weight benches our tester has ever used—and as a competitive weightlifter and product tester, she’s used a lot of them. Kate and her weightlifting team members praise the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench for its ease of use, high weight capacity, and comfortable padding, as well as its easy-to-transport, no-wobble build.
How We Test Weight Benches
We consider how straightforward the setup process is and give a 3-point score to benches that can be built in under 90 minutes with one or two people. Complicated adjustment systems, delivery issues, or poor interior packaging may lower the score here.
We assess the materials used in the bench’s build, prioritizing thicker 11- or 12-gauge steel for durability while also evaluating pad stitching and overall upholstery finish. To earn at least a 3 out of 5, a bench must feature a primarily metal frame sturdy enough for regular use, though thinner padding and lower-grip vinyl may be present. Higher-quality vinyl and denser foam earn stronger scores.
We evaluate how easily the back and seat pads move through flat and inclined angles (as well as declined angles, if applicable). A simple pin or ladder system offering at least five incline settings typically earns a 3 out of 5. Extra features like decline options or gapless pads can boost the score, too. Flat benches aren’t rated in this category since they’re fixed at one angle.
We rate each weight bench on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent, using industry standards and our multipoint weight bench testing methodology. After extensive testing, we average those scores to determine an overall rating, continually updating our recommendations as new models are released and existing benches are improved.
We are product testers by profession, but we’re also certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, weightlifting coaches, and competitive athletes. Our testing team consists of credentialed fitness industry pros who are analytical by nature and committed to helping you find the best home gym equipment.
The Force USA Pro Series FID Bench combines five benches in one, with 14 total adjustment positions and a nearly 1,000-pound weight rating.
What our tester says:
“The pad and cover are pretty high quality. One thing I’d point out is that the cover has a sort of matte finish to it that really shows sweat and chalk marks, more so than our other benches. It wipes clean very easily with a damp cloth, so that’s not an issue. But we do fuss over cleaning it more than we do our other ones.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- Our tester says the bench pad and upholstery are high-quality, but with more of a matte finish than usual, which can lead to quicker accumulation of sweat and chalk. You may find yourself wiping it down a lot, Kate says.
- There’s no true locking mechanism on this bench, which may lead to a bit of excess movement during certain exercises. Our testers, in particular, haven’t had that experience, but we want to call it out for anyone who may be concerned about the lack of a locking pin.
- Force USA doesn’t disclose some specifications that you may care about: pad thickness, pad width, and product weight, for example. Consider calling the company to confirm.
- While this bench does decline to -10 degrees, customer reviews indicate that it’s not suitable for decline exercises because there are no rollers to lock your legs in the decline position.
Is the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench Worth It?
Force USA is most well-known as a producer of some of the best home gyms (a.k.a functional trainers), like its G15 all-in-one trainer. However, the brand also makes a selection of other equipment, including weight benches, like the Pro Series FID Bench. After extensive testing, our product testers have determined that this bench lives up to the high standard of quality Force USA is known for. Here’s a look at who it’s a good choice for, and who may want to consider a different weight bench.
Still deciding? Review dimensions, weight capacity, and more to determine if this is the right bench for your home gym.
Force USA Pro Series FID Bench: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $599 |
| Footprint | 52” L x 26.5” W x 17” H |
| Pad Dimensions | 11” W x 52” L |
| Pad Thickness | Not disclosed online |
| Materials | Steel tubing, powder coat, rip-stop mesh backing, commercial-grade foam |
| Weight | Not disclosed online |
| Weight Capacity | 992 lbs |
| Back Pad Angles | 8 positions (-10° to 75°) |
| Seat Pad Angles | 6 positions (-10° to 75°) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime structural warranty |
Using the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench
Kate has used the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench in her home gym for months. That’s where her weightlifting team and personal training clients all train, so it has seen plenty of use. “It probably gets used by multiple people four to five times a week for everything from bench press to incline curls to leg raises to a seat between lifts,” she says.
She and her team members have all been impressed with its durability, versatility, and sturdiness. This has ultimately led to the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench being one of the highest-rated benches we’ve tested, with an overall score of 4.8 out of 5.
“This is one of my favorite benches,” Kate says. “We’ve had some pretty budget-oriented benches in the gym in the past, but now we have a few really nice ones in there, and this one is my favorite.” While “experience” is not a criterion we use in our weight bench testing methodology, Kate says she’d give it two thumbs up and a 5 out of 5 if it were.
A weight bench in general is a great addition to any home gym, but an adjustable one like the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench, significantly increases the range of exercises you are able to do on a day-to-day basis.
Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC
Force USA Pro Series FID Bench Rating
Construction
The Force USA Pro Series FID Bench earns a perfect 5-out-of-5 score for construction from Kate. She notes that the materials, including the foam padding and heavy-duty upholstery, feel high-quality.
Kate says she particularly loves the knurled handle that you can use to wheel the bench around your gym, calling it “so lovely.” Another positive callout? The laser-cut angles for the back pad. “Chef’s kiss,” Kate quips.
One thing Kate points out is that the cover has a sort of matte finish to it that really shows sweat and chalk marks, more so than other benches. But it’s no big deal: It wipes clean very easily with a damp cloth, she says.
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Durability
Kate has no qualms about durability with the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench. “One of our strongest benchers has repped north of 120 kilograms on it, and he weighs over 100 kilograms, so you’re talking more than 220 kilograms—close to 500 pounds—on the bench,” she says.
Accordingly, she rates the FID Bench a 5 out of 5 for durability, also noting that she nor her team members have experienced any significant issues with wobbling. That said, she does note that there’s no true locking mechanism on this bench.
“Because there’s no mechanism like a pop-pin, you could potentially have issues with movement on a bench like this,” she points out. “But so far, no problems for us, even for our heavier athletes.”
Adjustability
The adjustability here is akin to what you’d find on an incline bench in a commercial gym. There are eight backrest adjustments and six seat adjustments, with a total range of -10 to 75 degrees. This makes it suitable for most everything you’d want to use a bench for: flat bench press, incline bench press, pullovers, skullcrushers, single-arm bent-over rows, Bulgarian split squats, hip thrusts, chest-supported rows, and more.
We do have to point out that this bench isn’t a good option for those who want a true decline bench. While the bench does have a -10-degree decline position, customer reviews indicate that the lack of leg rollers make it difficult to do certain exercises, like decline presses, chest flyes, sit-ups, or Russian twists. One reviewer expresses dismay, saying, “It’s advertised as a flat, incline, decline bench when it really isn’t,” and you’ll “just slide to the floor” when attempting decline presses.
The maximum angle of 75 degrees may also be a limitation for those who want a fully upright position.
Still, Kate gives the bench a 5 out of 5 for adjustability, because it’s incredibly easy to change positions. “You just lift and lock it into place, similar to chaise lounges,” she explains. “There are laser-cut angle numbers at each adjustment, which is awesome for our newer lifters because they can easily set the bench to where they need it each week by just jotting down the angle.”
Portability
The Force USA Pro Series FID Bench earns another 5-point score for portability. “It’s not lightweight because it’s not cheap,” Kate calls out, “But it’s still incredibly easy to move thanks to the handles and transport wheels.”
“We have another FID bench that has a leg extension attachment, and that bench is annoying to move,” she adds. “This one wheels easily over the rubber and wood we have in the gym. We have beginners in the gym who are able to easily move it.”
Stability and Size
Kate awards the Pro Series FID Bench a score of 4 out of 5 for stability and size, mainly knocking off that one point due to the lack of a locking pin, which could impact stability (though it hasn’t, in our experience).
From a size standpoint, this bench is suitable for most everyone. “We have people in our gym who range from just over 5 feet to almost 6 feet, 5 inches, and no one has any issues with pad length or width,” Kate notes. “There is a small gap between the seat and the back pad, but it’s not noticeable or bothersome during movements like bench press.”
Value
This is an all-around great bench, Kate says. It’s certainly not the most budget-friendly model at its list price of around $600, but its construction and performance justify the price point.
Between the heavy-gauge steel tubing, nearly 1,000-lb weight rating, high-grip upholstery, and ease of use, Kate says the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench is a good investment for anyone with strength-related fitness goals.
She ultimately rates the value at 4 out of 5, citing the limited decline positions, lack of leg rollers for support in those decline positions, and lack of a locking mechanism as key reasons for the 1-point deduction.
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Customer Experience
It’s hard to find a piece of equipment with a better warranty than this one’s lifetime structural warranty. That means the steel frame is protected against manufacturing defects for the life of the product. Naturally, the upholstery doesn’t get the same treatment since it’s a less durable component of the bench, but we have no concerns about the longevity of the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench.
Shipping is always free with no order minimum, as well. We love that!
If you have questions about your bench, head to Force USA’s help center. Can’t find the answer you need? Contact the company via phone, email, fax, or snail mail. The customer service department is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, mountain time.
If you need to return your bench, you have 30 days to do so for a full refund, less a 15% restocking fee and the cost of return shipping. We don’t love a restocking fee, but it’s pretty standard with large, heavy items like weight benches, so we didn’t knock any points off here.
Customer Reviews
Customers clearly love their Force USA Pro Series FID Bench. With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on the Force USA website, it outshines the average weight bench in this category. Buyers call it “extremely well built” and “a masterpiece.” Negative or neutral reviews tend to focus on the fact that there are limited decline capabilities and no leg rollers to keep your body stable in those positions.
Force USA Pro Series FID Bench Vs
The Major Fitness Adjustable Bench is one of our other top picks for adjustable benches; this one stands out as one of the best budget-friendly options. It costs about $220, which is much less than the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench, yet it has an even higher weight capacity (1,300 pounds) and offers a slightly lower decline of -12 degrees.
The Major Fitness Bench has nine back pad angles and four seat angles compared to Force USA’s eight and six, respectively. The tradeoff is that the upholstery isn’t as nice, and the tapered back pad feels a little small, per our testers.
Another option is the Titan Fitness Titan Series Adjustable Weight Bench. Our testers appreciate the zero-gap design, which is hard to come by with adjustable benches. This one features nine back pad angles and three seat pad positions for a total of 27 configurable angles.
We like that it’s available in multiple colors as opposed to just black, too. It also has an awesome upright storage position, which is great for those concerned about floor space. That said, it is slightly more expensive than the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench.
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| Pro Series FID Bench | Major Fitness Bench | TITAN Series Bench | |
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Rating
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| Capacity | 992 lbs | 1,300 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Material | Heavy-gauge steel tubing | Alloy steel | 11-gauge steel |
| Adjustable? | |||
| Declines? | — | — | — |
| Bench Height | 17 inches | 17.7″ | 17 inches |
| Bench Weight | unlisted | 61.7 lbs | 120 lbs |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime structural warranty | 1 year | 1-year warranty |
Final Verdict of Our Force USA Pro Series FID Bench Review
Whether you work out primarily with barbells, dumbbells, or your own body weight, the Force USA Pro Series FID Bench can be a solid investment (both literally in terms of build and figuratively in terms of value), per our testers. Below are a few parting points to help you decide whether this bench is best for your home gym setup.
- This bench features a range of -10 to 75 degrees, but it’s not the best option for decline exercises because there are no rollers to lock the legs in place.
- Other than the above callout, you’ll be hard-pressed to find issues with this adjustable weight bench, according to our testers.
- Kate and her weightlifting team determined that the bench is sturdy, stable, and capable of supporting beginners and advanced athletes for a variety of exercises.
Force USA Pro Series FID Bench Review: FAQs
What are the benefits of using an FID bench?
A flat-incline-decline (FID) bench offers significantly more exercise variety than a flat bench, allowing you to train your chest, shoulders, back, arms, and core from multiple angles with one piece of equipment1. By adjusting the back pad to incline or decline positions, you can easily target different portions of the pectoral muscles (upper, mid, and lower), change shoulder muscle recruitment, and create a new stimulus for strength and hypertrophy without needing multiple benches or a functional trainer.
Who makes the best adjustable weight bench?
Some of the best adjustable weight benches come from brands like Force USA (reviewed here), Titan Fitness, Major Fitness, Rogue Fitness, and REP Fitness.
What exercises can you do on an FID bench?
You can do a lot with an FID bench. You can perform incline presses, decline presses, shoulder presses, chest-supported rows, Bulgarian split squats, step-ups, hip thrusts, and even certain core movements like decline sit-ups, all with the same setup. Certain models may allow for leg curls (Nordic curls), and we’ve even seen FID benches with preacher curl attachments.
References
- Rodríguez-Ridao, D., Antequera-Vique, J. A., Martín-Fuentes, I., & Muyor, J. M. (2020). Effect of Five Bench Inclinations on the Electromyographic Activity of the Pectoralis Major, Anterior Deltoid, and Triceps Brachii during the Bench Press Exercise. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19), 7339. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197339
