Customer Reviews

Apex Roman/Hyper Extension Bench

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I am very satisfied with the Apex Chair. I used one many years ago in a gym. I looked on line and found it on Amazon.com. Apex instructions were very easy to follow. This peace of equipment is very well constructed and is very good for your lower back and abs.

I've used a couple of different styles of Roman Chairs when I belonged to the YMCA and found them beneficial. I have suffered with back problems for the last 20 years and decided to get one for my home. Not wanting to spend a lot I opted for the Apex. It wasn't too difficult to assemble but I did have a bolt that lacked threads and had to use one from my own hardware supply. As someone else pointed out, the handles should extend out further and the cushion should be both thicker and perhaps not quite so wide. I will have to experiment with the rear leg adjustment to find the optimal position. Since I just received and assembled it today I haven't used it enough to comment on long term benefits for my back. Hopefully it will do the trick in strengthening and reducing the pain in my low back.

Update: I modified this bench to make it more ergonomic by cutting steel pipe in two 20" lengths that is slightly larger in diameter than the handlebars. I removed the rubber grips from the handlebars and then slipped the newly cut pipe over the old handlebars. As they slope slightly downward there is no need to secure them. This improvement (though not approved by the manufacturer) has made this device much easier to mount and dismount as the handles are now in front of the body.

Before the above modification, I was at the point of wanting to sell it, but it is now a pleasure to use and I have noticed improved low back strength.

I'm over 65 and been weight training most of my life. Not only is this a quality piece of equipment it is an amazing buy, especially if you take advantage of Amazon.Com's Super Saver Shipping Offer. Assembly was a piece of cake, all parts are well finished and fit together nicely. The unit is made by IMPEX, makers of Marcy, Apex, Iron Grip and probably half dozen other lines of weight lifting equipment. An added benefit is that they have a great webb site with catolgues, parts, weight training advice and a customer service line. I was able to replace the cheesey foam rolls on the machine with better quality ones. I weight 200lbs and am 6ft tall. The bench is solid when I do both back extensions and crunchies, even with an extra 45lbs of weight. I highly recommend this product. I would like to see a power cage as reasonably priced and finely made.

Great bench for an overall ab workout. I am 200 lbs and the bench remains stable when I do sit-ups, even with 90 extra lbs on my chest.

I have had experience with this type of product for many years and it is very useful in maintaining a healthy back. This particular Roman Chair works well, but could be easier to use if the handles extended out further. The abbreviated style handles make it somewhat more challenging to get into and out of the bent over position.

I really like this piece of equipment. The instructions for setup were easy to follow and assembly was simple. There were no damaged pieces. It is very sturdy and looks like it will last for years. I get a great workout of my abdominal muscles - I think its easier than doing situps because your legs are held in place by the supports, plus you are working out more muscles by hyperextending the abdominals. I don't use it as much for extending the back but is similarly easy to use. The first time I used it my torso was sore for a few days, now I am using it almost every day and seeing results in just a few weeks. Its not too big and have room to leave it in a corner of my bedroom so I can use it quickly in the morning or evening.

It's just what I wanted. I'm only 5'4" and have no problem with the height as others have mentioned. I'm very pleased and the price was great!

I've had back problems for years, due to spurs on my spine. When I used a Roman Chair years ago, my back always felt great. I love this piece of equipment. It's comfortable to use, it was easy to assemble, feels stable when I use it, and really gives me a strength-building workout for my back. I haven't tried all of the adjustments, yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to vary my workout quite a bit with them. Value, comfort, adjustable, and durable, an overall a great value for the price. I got the Ironman 3-Station Power Tower with the Apex/Roman Hyperextension Bench, together the price cannot be beat.

I am surprised to see so many people raving about this thing.

Sure, it's well constructed, and the price is right. But it's not very usable.

The chair/pad doesn't interface well with male anatomy (I am 5' 10").

I don't understand why the foot bar moves up and down-- it would be impossible to use this with the foot bar at any position other than the highest one-- and I wish that it went a little higher.

Here is what would be helpful: if you could adjust the distance between the foot bar and the chair/pad, a feature that you will find on 100% of roman chairs at the gym.

Maybe I don't understand the range of exercises that can be done with it? It comes with no suggested exercises, and I have never heard of any being done on a roman chair other than back extensions -- so I doubt that is the problem.

Came right away..holes misdrilled and structural piers dont line up..couldn't attatch one of the arms because of the mis-drilled holes..advise getting a chair from a reliable company..padding is good, for what it's worth..:(