It looks like the new powertec utility bench can no longer straddle the rear bar (on the ground) of a powertec rack. Is this going to be a problem when doing incline bench press inside the rack? The old bench is still available. Should I get that one instead?

Once I get everything set up in my home I think I'll be doing some in-depth reviews of some of this equipment and putting them on my website. There's a lot of things I've found that I wished I knew before purchasing. Too many of these items are heavy, expensive, and very hard to get to examine in person before you purchase them.

This is something else to consider before purchasing the new style Powertec Utility Bench -- it was briefly mentioned in another thread -- there is a large gap between the seat section and the back section.

I just went out of my way to get the new style Utility Bench. I had seen an old one in person at a store and I don't remember if it had this gap problem or not. I doubt it -- I think that the seat portion and the bench portion were right next to each other.

When the bench is level, the gap between the seat pad and the back pad is 4 1/2" across. When the other person mentioned it, they said that you can straddle over it. I'm just under 5' 4" tall and it seems like a really big gap to me. The photos that Powertec takes of the bench are angled to not show this.

It really seems to me that they could have made some different design decisions so that the gap would not be necessary, or at least be smaller.

Regarding your specific question, I won’t know for another week or two when my power rack arrives. The way the base is on the new bench style it definitely can’t straddle anything. There is no way for me to guess from photos on web sites as to whether or not the change in how it inclines/declines also changes how far back it can be slid into a power rack -- the actual base might be shorter allowing it to go further back. (If such things could be determined from manufacturer’s photos, the seat gap wouldn’t have been such an unpleasant surprise). I think it would be a big mistake if Powertec changed their bench so that you couldn’t do inclines in a Powertec rack.

Right now with the seat at an incline, my shoulders would be approximately 19" from where the back of the base is. Looking at pictures of the power rack, it’s really hard to say if that would work or not. When I get my power rack I will follow up on this.

In the photo I’m trying to attach, you can see the seat pad on the left, the back pad on the right, and a ruler showing the gap distance. (I'm not sure if I can get this to work.)

If anyone has any other questions feel free to ask. I did take a full set of photos and notes while I assembled the bench. It took me a total of about 1 1/2 hours to assemble it. I went very slowly and took a lot of photos of it from a lot of angles (for my upcoming web site).

Thanks for the reply.

The reason I asked my question was because I seem to remember over at BB.com that if you had the lat pull station then you couldn't straddle the bench over the rack and it made incline benchs a problem. So I am just assuming that if you can't straddle the new design then it will be very difficult to lift the bar up to start the lift because you are to far away from the back of the cage. BUT.... you are right, maybe the base of the bench is shorter to take care of this.

I am thinking that maybe I should just get the older style bench. It may have it quirks but it is a proven design etc....

The old Powertec bench has the same problem regarding the lat tower attachment and the PowerTec Power Rack.

This article has a good description of the Bodycraft F320 bench and a good photo of one in a power rack. This might be an alternative to consider. It also has a lot of other interesting material about purchasing home gym equipment.

http://www.dolfzine.com/page689.htm

It looks like the bench inclines/declines differently and would probably not be a problem (you need to look at the pictures on the site above and in the store below to see how the mechanism works).

I think what sold me on the Powertec bench was that I was able to see (an old style one) in a store in person. It was built solidly, etc.

It's difficult to tell what this equipment will actually be like in person -- how solid will it feel? how will it fit? (I'm short & a lot of stuff is just proportioned better for taller people.)

I'm reserving my final judgment on the Powertec bench until I get some real use on it. But I'm leaning towards wishing I had picked a different bench.

I don't know anything about this store, but they have some good "manufacturer" photos of the Bodycraft bench at different angles of incline. They sell the bench for $199 (but the leg stuff for it costs extra).

http://bestbuyfitness.webdirectbrands.com/product.asp?intProdID=90

Wow, that's a big gap. My bodysoild F/I/D bench has what I think is a large gap and it's only 3 3/4".

The old Powertec bench has the same problem regarding the lat tower attachment and the PowerTec Power Rack.

I know this. What I am asking is will the new bench have this problem WITHOUT the lat tower attachment because you can not straddle the back bar on the rack with it.

Gotcha. Regarding that partcular question, MYOB will be the one to answer.

My bench is the new style with the big gap. I'm thinkin' of rolling up a towel and stuffing it in there so there is some support where the gap is.

My bench is the new style with the big gap. I'm thinkin' of rolling up a towel and stuffing it in there so there is some support where the gap is.
That sounds like a good idea. I might try that with my bench as well.

Is this still a problem with the current Powertec Utility bench?

You'll find as time goes on that the gap in the bench isn't going to affect any of your exercises. I've got the similar bench on my WB-LS. Measuring the gap just now, I've got about 3 1/2". Try putting the back rest to 90 degrees and note how the pads contact each other where they meet. This is the reason for the gap when both pads are horizontal.

As far as the Powertec bench or anybody else's bench fitting into the Powertec rack to do incline work inside...it's not going to happen. The Ironmaster bench comes closer than most, but it's still a compromise. To straddle the rear rack support you end up having the pull the rack out further from a wall than you may be willing to live with. Most people don't have that much real estate to work with when it comes to there weight room. But that's a way to get it done.
Personally...I got a second curved support like the one the pull-up bars attach to...and swapped out the straight support on the floor in the rear. This probably isn't going to be an option for anybody because if you call Powertec and ask to purchase the support, they're probably going to tell you no. I was a bit more creative and just got lucky.