Second review: I have used this adjustable crunch bench for about fifteen to twenty years. Other than replacing a couple of foam rollers and discarding the plastic end caps (not really needed), the bench is as good as when it came out of the box. It is just as sturdy as the ones I have used at gyms, and the grab bar is increasingly useful for exercising as well as dismounting as I age (I am almost 70). The last I looked it was made in America, not you-know-where.
I have serious arthritis all over my body and a raging case of fibromyalgia (Everybody with M.E. also has FMS, and I am no exception). The inversion effect I get with the bench in a fully extended position is substantial. For a few years I used a wooden support under the business end to raise the angle of inversion--I get all the benefits of an inversion table with far less strain on my tendons and ligaments. Last year I finally did away with the box--at my age, a more gentle angle of inclination is advisable. I have done a great deal of brutal physical work, as a former Teamster, as well as taking care of my house and an acre of trees. I have lost four inches in height and also fell two stories six years ago. To address this situation, I use this crunch bench along with a 23 pound medicine ball, in combination with a Chi machine and 100 leg lifts per day, and over the past several years I have substantially mitigated my kyphosis. I can carry reasonably heavy objects again, and my vertebrae are not slipping out of line all the time. I wish I was as happy with everything I've purchased--together with the Chi machine, this bench has made a huge difference in my ability to maintain an active lifestyle.
Earlier review I posted years ago:
This product was not only considerably less expensive than analogous products by other manufacturers, it was shipped to my home in California in five days, arriving on a Saturday. Not too shabby.
Overall I am pleased. The height and adjustments and overall size are the same as the heavier enameled model at my gym, but the pad is longer, wider at the shoulders, and mounted a little higher on the frame, so it is far more comfortable, especially considering that my head can't touch the floor (which happens with some other models, tending to be inconvenient and annoying).
The frame is a battleship color, but not ugly and plenty sturdy; plastic fittings are heavy-gauge and not likely to split easily. I have done a number of crunches, performed my upside-down routine with a twelve pound medicine ball (part of my physical therapy, the reason I have a crunch bench in my bedroom to begin with), and just enjoyed the passive inversion. So far it is as good or better in every practical way than every other model I have used, quite a few overall. I consider it to have been a good investment.
--Perhaps the coolest feature is the vertical grip that allows one to climb on or off with ease. Most crunch benches lack this feature, and, as an older disabled person, I really appreciate it--I am used to having to step up on something else to do my crunches, and this is no longer necessary; nor do I pull my back muscles trying to get off!
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 67.5 x 25.5 x 5.2 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 46.6 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 61 x 20 x 47 inches |
| Item Weight | 38 Pounds |
| Brand Name | XMark |
| Model Name | XM-4416.1 |
| Color | Gray |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | XMARK |
| Part Number | XM-4416.1 |
