GMWD V8 Review: The Ultimate 4-in-1 Pressing Machine?

Multi-functional machine? Space-saving home gym solution? If you have been looking into the GMWD FID Bench & Shoulder Press V8, you have likely heard it called a game-changing 4-in-1 home gym asset. But does it actually live up to the hype across all four movements?

We are giving you the official Design Build Lift breakdown of the GMWD FID Bench & Shoulder Press V8. We look at what it does best, where it falls short, and a $15-ish DIY hack that fixes one of the biggest flaws common to home gym pressing machines.

The Basics: What is the GMWD V8?

At its core, the GMWD FID Bench & Shoulder Press V8 is a pressing machine featuring two independent scissoring arms. Instead of relying on a standard barbell, it uses a unique plate-loaded lever system integrated directly with an adjustable bench. This should save you valuable time in your workout.

Key Specifications & Dimensions

Footprint: Approximately 67” Wide x 67” Long. Note: You will need extra clearance behind the machine to load plates and access the rear pop-pin.
Maximum Range of Motion: 22.75” (as measured from the bottom of the handles when flat to the bottom of the handles when they are pressed together)
Steel Quality: Built primarily with heavy-duty 3x3” 14-gauge steel.
Weight Capacity: 600 lbs total (300 lbs per arm).
Starting Weight: Each arm weighs 7.5 lbs (15 lbs total starting resistance).
Loadable Sleeve Space: 11.5” on both the pressing arms and storage horns.
Price: Around $1,200 retail (depending on color choice).

The machine is guided by a gas cylinder designed to assist with adjusting the carriage height. While marketing materials claim this allows for one-handed adjustments, keep in mind that once you load up heavy plates, you will absolutely need two hands to guide the carriage upward. Further, with lighter weight, you will need two hands to press downwards.

Exercise Ranking

The internet consensus claims this machine is excellent for incline press and shoulder press, mediocre for flat bench, and terrible for decline. I disagree.

Here is our official ranking of the 4-in-1 movements based on actual, heavy training.

1. Incline Bench: Smooth track, excellent muscle engagement. Full (Range of Motion) ROM. Watch for handles clicking at the top depending on your setup. Overall: GREAT.

2. Flat Bench: GREAT.: At 5'11" and 210 LBS, the handles easily drop below chest level enabling full ROM.

3. Shoulder Press: GOOD (with a catch). Feels amazing once moving, but harsh on joints at the start. Starting "in the hole" can strain the rotator cuffs. I did achieve full ROM.

4. Decline Bench: Fail. The carriage simply cannot drop low enough. Incomplete ROM. Misses the last few crucial inches of depth.

The Verdict: The GMWD FID Bench & Shoulder Press V8 is not a 4-in-1 machine. It is a very nice 3-in-1 machine. If you are buying this primarily for decline pressing, skip it. If you want an incredible incline, flat, and (to some extent) overhead press, it delivers.

Room for Improvement: What We Want to See in Version 9

While this machine has earned a permanent spot in my gym, it isn't flawless. If GMWD is working on a Version 9, here are the exact adjustments we hope they make:

The Rotator Cuff Issue: Because there is no foot release pedal (like you find on premium commercial gym machines), you are forced to start every single lift from the absolute bottom of the repetition. This puts your shoulders in a mechanically weak, overstretched position, forcing you to lift lighter than you normally could.
The Height Pop-Pin Placement: The adjustment pin is located directly at the back of the frame. Moving this pin to the side would allow home gym owners to flush the machine up against a wall, saving massive amounts of real estate.
Fit and Finish Nuances: The handle position labels are cheap, peeling stickers rather than clean, laser-etched numbers. Additionally, the backrest pad has a minor wobble, a substantial 2-inch gap between pads, and the seat uses a metal-on-metal adjustment system that will chip paint over time.
Longevity Fears: Gas cylinders inevitably wear out over time. Because this is a highly specific part, we hope GMWD continues to supply replacement gas tubes long after the V8 is discontinued.

The $8 GMWD Lift-Off Hack

Don't want to strain your shoulders starting from the bottom of a heavy shoulder or bench press? Since the machine lacks a built-in foot release, I cam up with a spring-loaded lift-off block hack.

What You Need:

Two Solid Rubber Wheel Chocks
Two lightweight resistance bands.
Two soft loop tie-down straps.
Four x 1” Hitch pins (or resistance Band Pegs)

How It Works:

Place a soft loop tiedown strap on the rubber stopper underneath each arm.
Hitch the resistance band to the handle of the rubber chock block.
Wedge the rubber wheel chocks into the "V" shape where the scissoring arms rest. Do not fully insert into the “V.” Back it off about 1” to prevent the wedge from getting stuck in the “V.” These chock blocks elevate the starting position of the two arms by several inches, letting you start the exercise at a higher, more comfortable) position.
Feed the loose end of the resistance band through the bottom loop of the Soft Loop Tiedown straps, then attach the resistance band to band pegs/hitch pins (1” for the frame’s 1” holes).
Adjust the tension so there is just enough pull to snap the block out of the way when the arms are raised, but not so much could pull the block out from underneath the arms before you raise the arm.
When you push up to lift the weight off, the spring-loaded chocks shoot downward and out of the way, giving you a completely clear path for repititions without shoulder pain!

Style Tip: If you use rubber chocks, they will leave black scuff marks on white paint. Consider buying the black version of the GMWD V8 if you plan to try this hack. However, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser easily removes these rubber scuffs.

Final Thoughts: Is the GMWD V8 Worth It?

If you have $1,200 to spend and want a plate-loaded pressing station that safely mimics a barbell path with the stability of a machine, the GMWD FID Bench & Shoulder Press V8 is an absolute win. Just remember to treat it as a 3-in-1 powerhouse rather than a true decline machine.

Ready to add the GMWD FID Bench & Shoulder Press V8 to your training space? Want to save some extra cash?

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GMWD FID Bench and Shoulder Press V8