ATX® Warrior Bench 2.0

The Warrior bench was one of my first introductions to ATX 13 years ago – at the time it was branded Barbarian. Back then the saw tooth adjustment system was not as popular as it is today. So the bench did have sort of a unique look when checking them out online. But by no means would I regard it as a stand out.

It was not till I got to see the Warrior bench in person at FIBO did I get a true appreciation for the bench. It was around the same dimensions as the Powertec benches I was selling at the time. But it just looked so much more beefy. But when I got my hands on it was when it had me hooked.

To give it a bit of context, the Powertec benches were great back in 2008. I still have one of these benches today. But as the competition improved better designed benches out performed the Powertec bench. The Powertec bench had the linkage system which was needed for their leverage multi gyms. Plus it was great for shoulder pressing in the upright position on half racks or smith machines that were lacking in depth.

However this linkage system came with a draw back. Whenever you add adjustability you often do so at the expense of stability. Not all the time, but it did in the Powertec bench. When you were lifting it was fine, but you could physically wobble the bench from side to side. For some this became an issue and wobbling would be raised as a concern by people researching the Powertec bench.

This was even more an issue in Germany. My first experience with the German consumer was when I was working on the Powertec booth in FIBO. The Germans would come up and methodically analyse the equipment. It was like they were downloading the blueprints. Then more often than not they would give it a shake. I could now see why German products are over engineered. That is what Germans want.

It was clear that the Powertec bench was not as appealing to the Germans.

At the time ATX/Barbarian were also distributing Powertec. So I made my way over to check out their equipment. And when in Rome, I went up the Warrior bench and gave it a shake. The thing did not move. It was unfair to compare it with the Powertec bench as they performed different roles. But ultimately customers did. And so did I and this bench was just one of the reasons I started importing ATX.

The Warrior Bench has remained largely unchanged over the years. Cosmetically it looks far more appealing than it did in the past. It always has been an incredibly well built flat incline bench.

In this latest version, ATX have added the docking point for the head rest extension and the ab crunch attachment. Plus it also has these rubber stoppers added so you can store the bench upright.

For gym owners, ATX now have the option to upgrade to PU pads.

The saw tooth adjustment system now features the angles laser cut into the frame, which makes it a bit easier for you to set up for different exercises. The adjustment arm now also features a nylon sleeve which reduces the noise when someone changes between angles.

For gym equipment enthusiasts, the level of detail on this bench compared to the past will have you licking your lips. The old designs just had a piece of round tube welded on the back as the support for flat bench. Now it has this custom ATX rubber boot – so it is more solid and quieter than before.

Even the handles on both the back rest and seat pad are knurled.

The shrouds on the back support not only hide the wheels but also disengages them when storing upright.

This bench is really workhouse, so I don’t want to keep going on how pretty it is, but it if looks are important for your gym you can have the best of both worlds with this bench.

This bench is not for everyone. For a home user who wants multiple exercises for each bodypart, you are better off getting a bench that can accept attachments. Obviously if decline is important for you then this bench is not suitable.

They are popular with gym owners because they are so basic. There are no pins or complicated mechanisms used to adjust between positions. So you don’t have the time and expenses of repairing or replacing parts. Plus they are IPF height and can handle any weight thrown at them making them perfect for strength orientated gyms.

They are also popular with the serious garage gym owner. If you have space for say a dedicated leg extension leg curl machine and you want a bench just for your power rack and dumbbell work then this is a great option. The Warrior bench is every bit as good as any high level bench up to and maybe over the $1,500 mark.

But it is often more compact than the American benches, while being every bit as solid.