Yeah I love the upgrades on the 5200 2.0. I sold my Rogue AB 3.0 for it. I like the 5200 over the Blackwing after getting to try both, but to be fair I never use or would use the leg rollers.
I've had both for almost 6 months and still can't decide! The comparison video I'm editing right now is limited to only comparing and trying to leave my preferences out of it (kind of impossible, but I tried). If I didn't do GymCrafter for a living, and was starting from scratch, the 5200 is the way I'd go. But now that I'm training clients in my garage gym, I lean heavily on the Blackwing for its stability. To me, it's just like using a bench that's bolted down. And it doesn't cost $1200 like the Rogue Manta! I like the longer back pad of the 5200 (I'm 6'6") and I've never ever had an issue with the seat gap (especially on the 2.0!). But things like chest supported rows on the BlackWing are soooo much better. Like I said, I still can't decide! If I fall back to my normal measurement of when I'm training for myself (not clients, not a YT video, not a product evaluation period, etc), I reach for the BlackWing every time. So I think that's where I'm leaning. Expecially since it's only $100 more than the 5200.
I ended up getting the IronMaster Super Bench Pro, super happy with it, the leg curl and extension attachments plus all the other attachments is just too good to pass up. Plus it also has 1K max bench support so it’s not weaker. Thanks Tim, those benches are very pretty and look like fun to use
It’s one of the best choices for most people. I’ve had one for a while and I installed REP pads (FB-3000 back pad + AB-4100 seat pad) on it and it’s even better now. Aside from bells and whistles like laser cut numbers and a knurled handle, it really does it all and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. In fact, I grabbed a REP AB-5200 for cheap and flipped it because the Super Bench Pro worked better for me since it was more compact and easier to move around.
@@jamestonbellajo Thank you for the input brother, especially since you speak having had both, I don't mind dropping some bills as long as I don't end up having a bench like "the Buzzsaw" so quickly forgotten after they touted "attachments on the way"
One of the Most Detailed Comparison Reviews Ever!!!! Not only do you mention the features, you compare each one in detail!!! Coop, in his comparison review of the same benches said the 2.0 has a couple improved features over the 1.0, in your video I counted around 10 You also speak in a manner where we can follow you, Coop speaks so fast just to finish the video that we barely know what he has said by the end. I compare you to him because the industry says he is the best. Don't get me wrong, I like Coop but I find I can learn more sometimes in other's video as they explain more in depth instead of rushing through every detail to hurry the video along and this video is a Prime example of that. Great job, hit a Homerun with this video
Thank you so much! GGR, in the beginning, was amazing. Coop is responsible for a large amount of the growth of garage gyms. That said, I call them out directly in the video I'm dropping today (comparison of the 5200 vs BlackWing). You simply cannot do a good review of anything when you spend 5 minutes with it. I still watch the channel, but Gluck has taken the top spot in my favorites for exactly this reason. Most people can't shop for this stuff irl, so they rely on us to provide detail. GGR just doesn't do that anymore. Thanks again for the kind words, I really appreciate it! Now if only a few hundred thousand other people could see the same thing, I'd be good to go!😂
@@GymCrafter Pulling for you and your channel. Yeah, I like Gluck too More exposure means more subs, I think whoever watches your videos they will like them.
I love all the new things REP is doing and it’s clear they are investing heavily into R&D. But there’s a con that hasn’t been talked about enough until recently with the Ares 2.0 teaser. The momentum of new releases can start making customers feel burned. We always talk about buying once and crying once compared to electronics such as smart phones. However, REP’s constant upgrades make that pretty difficult. A lot of it is on the consumer to fight the GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) but I wonder if there will be a long term effect of this. Not everyone wants to keep selling their equipment at losses just to upgrade. But yeah, if you take a look at the comments of the Ares 2.0 teaser video, there are some pretty upset people. Even the clear grind point you made at the end of the video plays into this. Early adopters usually get screwed by most companies and that’s just the price to pay to get something early but it’s made even worse for “buy it for life” products like the ones REP sells. Also, I’ve never been a fan of their preordering system. It’s not unique to REP but it seems very clear to me the preorder system is used for them to fund their manufacturing, so they are taking money from their customer interest free to fund production. It’s not entirely a bad thing but I wish they were more upfront about it, especially with some preorders that can take 4-6 months to fulfill.
I understand the sentiment and that these are high cost products, but logically speaking people have not been screwed by buying the Ares 1.0, it does everything advertised and if you put off buying equipment just to wait for the ultimate release you'll be waiting until the end of time.
First, I totally get what you are saying. It can be really frustrating to spend a ton of money on something only to have something better and less expensive come out a few months later. I spent 30 years in the consumer electronics industry where that particular issue is worse than anywhere except maybe computers. I remember selling my Dad a plasma TV for $2500 and then 3 months later selling one of his friends the exact same TV for $1500. Dad has never let me forget that! So while I get the frustration, the flip side is asking Rep and other companies to delay new products or improvements so that people who bought an earlier version won't be upset. I just don't see that as a viable business model. I'd rather see them take in all the feedback and make changes ASAP. As a last note, I try to never buy the V1 of anything. Cars, garage gym gear, etc. While these cable systems from Rep look great, most are a completely new animal and firmly a V1. There has to be a bit of buyer beware in those instances. All that said, IMO Rep has introduced way too many cable solutions. I honestly can't keep them all straight and I certainly can't figure out who is the right customer for each one. I can't even figure out which one I want (and I do want one). Hopefully they get things in this category settled down a bit in the near future!
You are right The fix to the problem is to make the 1.0 the best know how instead of leaving features on the drawing board to add to the 2.0 but they are not gonna do that when they can sell the 1.0 and then the 2.0 to the same customer. You know they have the upgraded features ready to go to put on the 1.0, they are not learning more in a 2 month time frame, the ideas were already there but as I said why sell one when you can sell two. Yeah, it's Greedy but it's business
I love that you’ve always got a little disc golf plug in your vids. You’ve really cornered the lifting enthusiast, home gym evangelist, disc golf fanatic market 😂
That's been the goal all along! That's an audience potential of like 12 people!😂Disc golf is my biggest passion in life and how I spend most of my time. it's why I train and a sport I can play for the rest of my life. Very cool that you noticed!
You know, I didn't even realize just how much better the new stuff is until I started doing detailed videos like this. It's amazing what can be done when a company truly focuses on what's best for their customers!
your bench reviews are the best !
Thanks!
Yeah I love the upgrades on the 5200 2.0. I sold my Rogue AB 3.0 for it. I like the 5200 over the Blackwing after getting to try both, but to be fair I never use or would use the leg rollers.
I've had both for almost 6 months and still can't decide! The comparison video I'm editing right now is limited to only comparing and trying to leave my preferences out of it (kind of impossible, but I tried). If I didn't do GymCrafter for a living, and was starting from scratch, the 5200 is the way I'd go. But now that I'm training clients in my garage gym, I lean heavily on the Blackwing for its stability. To me, it's just like using a bench that's bolted down. And it doesn't cost $1200 like the Rogue Manta!
I like the longer back pad of the 5200 (I'm 6'6") and I've never ever had an issue with the seat gap (especially on the 2.0!). But things like chest supported rows on the BlackWing are soooo much better. Like I said, I still can't decide!
If I fall back to my normal measurement of when I'm training for myself (not clients, not a YT video, not a product evaluation period, etc), I reach for the BlackWing every time. So I think that's where I'm leaning. Expecially since it's only $100 more than the 5200.
I ended up getting the IronMaster Super Bench Pro, super happy with it, the leg curl and extension attachments plus all the other attachments is just too good to pass up. Plus it also has 1K max bench support so it’s not weaker. Thanks Tim, those benches are very pretty and look like fun to use
It’s one of the best choices for most people. I’ve had one for a while and I installed REP pads (FB-3000 back pad + AB-4100 seat pad) on it and it’s even better now. Aside from bells and whistles like laser cut numbers and a knurled handle, it really does it all and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. In fact, I grabbed a REP AB-5200 for cheap and flipped it because the Super Bench Pro worked better for me since it was more compact and easier to move around.
@@jamestonbellajo Thank you for the input brother, especially since you speak having had both, I don't mind dropping some bills as long as I don't end up having a bench like "the Buzzsaw" so quickly forgotten after they touted "attachments on the way"
I've heard good things about that Iron Master bench!
One of the Most Detailed Comparison Reviews Ever!!!!
Not only do you mention the features, you compare each one in detail!!!
Coop, in his comparison review of the same benches said the 2.0 has a couple improved features over the 1.0, in your video I counted around 10
You also speak in a manner where we can follow you, Coop speaks so fast just to finish the video that we barely know what he has said by the end. I compare you to him because the industry says he is the best. Don't get me wrong, I like Coop but I find I can learn more sometimes in other's video as they explain more in depth instead of rushing through every detail to hurry the video along and this video is a Prime example of that.
Great job, hit a Homerun with this video
Thank you so much! GGR, in the beginning, was amazing. Coop is responsible for a large amount of the growth of garage gyms. That said, I call them out directly in the video I'm dropping today (comparison of the 5200 vs BlackWing). You simply cannot do a good review of anything when you spend 5 minutes with it. I still watch the channel, but Gluck has taken the top spot in my favorites for exactly this reason. Most people can't shop for this stuff irl, so they rely on us to provide detail. GGR just doesn't do that anymore. Thanks again for the kind words, I really appreciate it! Now if only a few hundred thousand other people could see the same thing, I'd be good to go!😂
@@GymCrafter
Pulling for you and your channel.
Yeah, I like Gluck too
More exposure means more subs, I think whoever watches your videos they will like them.
I love all the new things REP is doing and it’s clear they are investing heavily into R&D. But there’s a con that hasn’t been talked about enough until recently with the Ares 2.0 teaser. The momentum of new releases can start making customers feel burned. We always talk about buying once and crying once compared to electronics such as smart phones. However, REP’s constant upgrades make that pretty difficult. A lot of it is on the consumer to fight the GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) but I wonder if there will be a long term effect of this. Not everyone wants to keep selling their equipment at losses just to upgrade. But yeah, if you take a look at the comments of the Ares 2.0 teaser video, there are some pretty upset people. Even the clear grind point you made at the end of the video plays into this. Early adopters usually get screwed by most companies and that’s just the price to pay to get something early but it’s made even worse for “buy it for life” products like the ones REP sells.
Also, I’ve never been a fan of their preordering system. It’s not unique to REP but it seems very clear to me the preorder system is used for them to fund their manufacturing, so they are taking money from their customer interest free to fund production. It’s not entirely a bad thing but I wish they were more upfront about it, especially with some preorders that can take 4-6 months to fulfill.
I understand the sentiment and that these are high cost products, but logically speaking people have not been screwed by buying the Ares 1.0, it does everything advertised and if you put off buying equipment just to wait for the ultimate release you'll be waiting until the end of time.
First, I totally get what you are saying. It can be really frustrating to spend a ton of money on something only to have something better and less expensive come out a few months later. I spent 30 years in the consumer electronics industry where that particular issue is worse than anywhere except maybe computers. I remember selling my Dad a plasma TV for $2500 and then 3 months later selling one of his friends the exact same TV for $1500. Dad has never let me forget that!
So while I get the frustration, the flip side is asking Rep and other companies to delay new products or improvements so that people who bought an earlier version won't be upset. I just don't see that as a viable business model. I'd rather see them take in all the feedback and make changes ASAP.
As a last note, I try to never buy the V1 of anything. Cars, garage gym gear, etc. While these cable systems from Rep look great, most are a completely new animal and firmly a V1. There has to be a bit of buyer beware in those instances.
All that said, IMO Rep has introduced way too many cable solutions. I honestly can't keep them all straight and I certainly can't figure out who is the right customer for each one. I can't even figure out which one I want (and I do want one). Hopefully they get things in this category settled down a bit in the near future!
You are right
The fix to the problem is to make the 1.0 the best know how instead of leaving features on the drawing board to add to the 2.0 but they are not gonna do that when they can sell the 1.0 and then the 2.0 to the same customer. You know they have the upgraded features ready to go to put on the 1.0, they are not learning more in a 2 month time frame, the ideas were already there but as I said why sell one when you can sell two.
Yeah, it's Greedy but it's business
Sweet review and comparison. You're knocking them out the park!
Thank you! Next one drops today! AB-5200 vs the BlackWing.
I love that you’ve always got a little disc golf plug in your vids. You’ve really cornered the lifting enthusiast, home gym evangelist, disc golf fanatic market 😂
That's been the goal all along! That's an audience potential of like 12 people!😂Disc golf is my biggest passion in life and how I spend most of my time. it's why I train and a sport I can play for the rest of my life. Very cool that you noticed!
Huuuuuuuuundred percent rep has come so far from just 4 years ago
You know, I didn't even realize just how much better the new stuff is until I started doing detailed videos like this. It's amazing what can be done when a company truly focuses on what's best for their customers!