Keppi Fitness Bench 6000

Written By PJ

Intro

The Keppi Fitness Bench 6000 is their new flagship bench. Unlike my recent review of the Keppi Fitness Bench 5000, the Bench 6000 WAS designed with Powerlifting in mind. It has GRIPPY upholstery, and the top pad is at 17.2” tall – which is within the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) specification.

Just like the BENCH 5000, the Bench 6000 is a FID bench – meaning it can be used in the FLAT position, INCLINE position, and DECLINE position. It can also be stored vertically.

However, unlike the BENCH 5000, it has some higher end finishes like:

  • Laser cut end caps on the square tubing,

  • Permanently affixed grip pads on the bottom (which will not slide off like they do on the 5000)

  • Knurled Front Handle

  • Better, bigger, wider wheels

  • Higher-end leg attachment

Decline Bench Foot Attachment

To affix the leg attachment , you simply insert it into the port located at the head of the bench’s Back Pad. It has:

  • 4 Adjustment Positions for LENGTH

  • 8 Adjustment Positions for HEIGHT

  • 5 Adjustment Positions for LEG ROLLER PADS

  • 5 Adjustment Positions for ANGLE SETTINS

Pad Adjustment

Both the Seat Pad and the Back Pad can be adjusted via a fairly premium knurled pop pin

The back pad has 11 adjustment positions , ranging from 85 degrees to 0 degrees

The front Seat has 8 adjustment positions, ranging from 30 degrees to 0 to NEGATIVE 37.5 degrees

Elbow Pads

What sets this bench apart from some other options are these elbow attachments.

They can be stored on the bottom of the bench - and they remain on the bench even when you store it vertically (i.e., they do not fall off unless you set the bench down very abruptly).

They attach to the bench via the 2 pegs on the elbow pads being inserted into the key holes under the back pad. They can be set to any one of 5 heights.

They are used to immobilize your elbows so that the you have better isolation on your biceps during curls. ALSO - some people prefer a WIDE bench pad. These elbow pads convert the bench “regular-sized pad” to a wide pad. Wide pads are preferred by some lifters because with the shoulder placed against the pad instead of hanging off the pad – you are less prone to injury, you have better stability, and they allow your scapulas to rest and retract more comfortably.

Comparisons

The REP Fitness AB-4100  and REP Fitness NIGHTHAWK are advertised to be comprised of both 7 and 14 gauge steel. KEPPI does not advertised that gauge of their steel. However, it appears to be the same thickness of steel as my AB-4100 (per visual inspection). However, to accurately measure this I would have to cut the bench’s square tubing open…and I ain’t doing that. I assume that it is also 7 and 14…but I wish that their website listed the gauge. Prime Fitness does not list the gauge of their steel either. I wish every company did.

Here is a comparison table (click on the image to download PDF).

More details here:

Criticisms

Shipping

As I said in my KEPPI 5000 review, if a Bench is over $400 I do expect it be delivered in pristine condition. While the Keppi 6000 is under $400, the shipping was still substandard even for the $346 price. In fact, this is the condition of the box – when it arrived…a huge gaping hole in it. The ends of the box should have been better protected. If you are going to leave a big gaping void with no padding or reinforcement at the ends of the box– of course a hole can easily occur. When I opened it up –  I could see right away that it had damage in multiple places. I may have to get a paint-touch-up kit to cover the paint chips/scratches.

UPDATE: Keppi saw my review and stated that they will make changes to their shipping. They specifically stated that they will “reinforce the packing.” Therefore, by the time you order yours, it will likely be shipped in better condition than mine.

Rubber Non-Slip Feet

This is probably nit-picking, but here goes: the Rubber feet could use two extra screws better secure them. I don’t like that I can stick my finger under here – because it could get snagged on something and them tear the pad. Is this likely not really — but it is possible.

Wheels

The wheels are wide and move smoothly. But they are plastic. It seems to be durable hard plastic….but obviously rubber wheels - like you get with the AB4100 – it would be preferred if they were rubber.

Decline Bench Foot Attachment

They have nice looking shiny discs on the ends to protect the pads. However, they are plastic. I think under the wrong circumstances, like if I were dropped at weird angle the possibility exist for the plastic to crack.

Further, one of the knobs (The angle adjustment) was “cheap” - while all other other knobs were high-end. I wish they were all high end.

Lastly, the lining to the Foot Roller adjustment was slightly warped, and as a result, I have friction when moving the foot rollers.

Elbow Pads

The Powder coat on the Bench 6000 is not a s nice as my AB-4100, and is going to get more scratched up over time. One way to mitigate scratches would be for them to add UHMW plastic liners on the elbow pads.

Upholstery Backing/Skirting

Love the look, feel, and performance of the grippy upholstery but the skirting underneath it stapled on.  And since the staples are spaced out, something could get caught between them, and end up ripping the skirting or ripping out a staple. I wish they could have refined this a bit more.

Conclusion:

This is my new favorite bench in my gym. I might go as far as to say I like it better than my beloved REP AB-4100…BECAUSE unlike the AB4100 – it does decline, has a port for the INCLUDED leg attachment, and has the included elbow pads.

To purchase - remember do NOT pay full price. Click the link below and use Promo Code “DBL” to save 6% off!


 

PJ
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Keppi Fitness Bench 5000