In-depth review
Bowflex SelectTech 5.1S Stowable Bench Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Bowflex 5.1S: six angles, stowing design, leg hold-down, and whether a classic bench still earns its premium.
Bowflex SelectTech 5.1S Stowable Bench
The stowable classic: six angles, a leg hold-down for decline work, and a bench that stands upright when you are done.
Our verdict
The Bowflex 5.1S is the best stowable bench, because it combines a trusted brand, a genuinely useful upright storage position, and six solid angles in a bench that suits adjustable dumbbell training perfectly. Its 600 lb rating and six angles are real limits for very strong lifters, but for the home gym it was designed for, it remains a convincing buy.
What we like
- The stowing design is genuinely useful: one release lets the bench fold upright, freeing floor space in a room that serves other purposes.
- Six angles including decline cover the core pressing menu, and the removable leg hold-down braces you for decline sit-ups.
- Bowflex build quality shows in the adjustment knob and frame finish, which feel a step above budget folding benches in daily use.
What to watch out for
- The 600 lb load rating is the lowest among the heavy-duty picks here, so strong lifters pressing heavy dumbbells should check total load carefully.
- Six angles are fewer steps than ladder benches offer, so lifters who micro-adjust their incline may miss an intermediate setting.
- It is a bench for dumbbell training, not a station: there is no rack, preacher pad, or leg developer in the package.
Who it is for
Home gym owners, especially adjustable-dumbbell owners, who want a quality bench that tidies itself away between sessions.
Stowing that actually gets used
Many benches claim to save space, but the 5.1S is one of the few where the storage position is genuinely part of daily use. A single release lets the bench fold upright, so a room that serves as a gym in the morning can serve as something else by lunchtime, without carrying a bench to a closet. That convenience is why the 5.1S has stayed popular for years: it removes the friction that makes people skip sessions in shared rooms.
Six angles, well chosen
Six angles sound few next to benches advertising dozens of positions, but the 5.1S picks the angles that matter: flat, decline, and inclines at 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. The removable leg hold-down braces you for decline sit-ups, which many adjustable benches handle poorly. Lifters who micro-adjust incline by small steps may miss an intermediate notch, but most programmes live happily within these six.
How it stacks up
Against the REP AB-3000 2.0, the Bowflex wins on storage and loses on capacity and angle count, since the REP is a heavier, more versatile bench. Against the YOLEO 827, the Bowflex wins on brand support and stowing and loses on capacity and price. Against the Keppi Bench500, the Bowflex wins on upright storage and loses on folding flatness and heavy-load headroom.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners love the upright stowing position for freeing floor space between sessions.
- Owners say the six angles cover the pressing menu they actually use.
- Owners find the leg hold-down helpful for decline sit-ups.
Common complaints
- Owners note the load rating is lower than heavy-duty rivals, so strong lifters must total their loads carefully.
- Owners sometimes wish for an intermediate incline step between the six set angles.
- Owners point out the bench is a dumbbell tool, with no rack or curl station included.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 600 lb maximum load
- Angles
- Six positions: flat, decline, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees
- Stowing
- Folds upright with a single release
- Extras
- Removable leg hold-down brace
- Frame
- Alloy steel
Also consider
REP AB-3000 2.0 Adjustable Bench
The heavy-duty home-gym standard: 11-gauge steel, eight back angles, and a frame that treats heavy pressing as routine.
- Capacity: 1,000 lb total load
- Back angles: Eight positions, from -12 to 85 degrees
YOLEO Adjustable Weight Bench, 827 lb
The value pick that keeps showing up in home gyms: certified capacity, 84 positions, and setup in about a minute.
- Capacity: 827 lb, ASTM certified
- Positions: 84 combined: 7 back, 4 seat, 3 leg
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Is the 5.1S good with Bowflex adjustable dumbbells?
Yes, it was designed alongside them, and the bench height and angles suit dumbbell pressing, rows, and seated work with adjustable pairs. It works equally well with any dumbbells, but the pairing is the natural one.
How much space does it save when stowed?
Stowed upright, it occupies a small floor footprint against a wall, freeing the training area for other use. It still needs full working space during a session, so measure the room you train in as well as the corner you stow in.
Is 600 lb enough capacity?
For most home lifters, yes, since total load means body weight plus weights, and typical dumbbell sessions sit well below it. Strong lifters pressing heavy pairs should total their load carefully and consider the REP or MAJOR FITNESS benches if the margin looks thin.