Brandon Cole's Reviews (13)


(4.67)
2/28/2026
Solid attachement that works as advertised. Smooth rotation and good knurling. My only complaint is the bends are fairly passive and I would prefer slightly more aggressive bends for certain movements. If it wasn't for that minor preference issue, I wouldn't have a need to look anywhere else. It gets regular use in my gym, 2-3 times per week!
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(4.67)
2/28/2026
I've had this bench for about a month now, and am very happy with it! I previously used a REP AB 3000 2.0 FID and this was an improvement for me personally. The upright storage feature is super nice and it tucks nicely within my rep x pepin dumbell stand or my functional trainer, opening up precious floor space, when needed. I also find it to be "lighter" to move around the gym and easier to maneuver. I'm not certain, but I think it may be due to how its balanced and the placement of the handle. On that note, touches like the knurled handles feel very premium and look great! The bench pad is grippy and is plenty wide. Adjustments are easy and light! Another big area of improvement for me is the narrowing of the seat pad vs the widening with the AB 3000 2.0. I found it annoying to widen my stance significantly to get around the seat pad,when sitting down for flat or incline work. The only downside I can see is lack of decline position (which I never used anyways) and it doesn't have the large ecosystem that some of the newest benches do. That being said, if your not interested in having all those different attachments and just want a solid, comfortable, easy to maneuver bench, I think this is a great pick!
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(5.00)
2/28/2026
I have owned and used these dumbells for close to a year and have been very happy with them! The weight changes are quick and updated pop pins for the adder weights look and feel great! I own the 85 lb set and this has been sufficient for all of my accessory lifts, but admittedly I'm not s super strong guy. They feel very well balanced, and the knurling feels good in the hand with just the right amount of bite for me. There is some rattling with certain movements, but the plates feel very secure and it's minimal enough I don't personally find it annoying at all. I have found that the finish on the plates will scuff, especially where the adder pin rubs on the innermost plate, but it certainly doesn't hurt function. I have these paired with the rolling dumbell stand and have been super happy with the pairing. While I've found myself missing certain dedicated pieces from a commercial gym, a full set of dumbells isn't one of them, and I find them to be more than quick and efficient enough for drop sets, or use between multiple lifters. One final note, I haven't experienced the issue with plates getting wedged/stuck that other users have, but I am extra careful to but them back in squarely, so I don't have to deal with that potential problem. Your mileage may vary of course. Overall, highly recommend!
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(5.00)
2/28/2026
I've owned and used Ares 2.0 for a little over a year now, and it has been a great add-on to my rack! For reference, I have a ceiling height clearance of 82" and the pulleys just barely clear. There are a couple pulleys that look like they may touch, but I have them positioned in between joists, so it has never been an issue. The trolleys, as mentioned in other reviews, are easy to move up and down, and even with an 80 inch rack, I have enough adjustment for tricep extentions with a ez curl attachment, bicep curls, and a variety of bench supported and standing chest flies. A minor gripe I have is the notorious cable twisting issue. From other reviews I've read, this is not unique to the Ares 2.0 system, but it is an annoyance you may face, if purchasing. Another potential thing to consider is ROM for lat pull downs. I am 5'10" with a relatively long arms, I needed to put my bench in decline to not bottom out at the top of a rep. This is all specific to the attachement and carabiner combination you use, but in all cases with attachments on the banana clip this was an issue. I don't view this as a fault of the Ares, as it doesn't seen to be a problem for anyone blessed to have a 93" rack and taller ceilings! Low rows work well, and I don't find it annoying to switch the banana clip, from high to low. The foot plate is relatively close to the cable attachment point, when compared to commercial low row machines, but I was able to easily mitigate this with a few yoga blocks to create a little more distance. All in all, I would recommend this system for anyone in the REP ecosystem!
Performance
Value
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(4.33)
2/28/2026
For an all-in-one piece of equipment, you'll be hard pressed to get a better bang for your buck! I use this on a regular basis for 45 degree back extensions, reverse hypers, and band-assisted Nordic curls. It feels very stable in use (when the tension knobs are fully tightened), and I haven't noticed any wear/tear beyond cosmetic at over a year in use. Some minor negatives I've noticed is the lack of ability load a reverse hyper with a pendulum, so there isn't really anything pulling you into spinal decompression at the bottom of the movement. I am 5'10" and find that my feet hit the frame with reverse hypers, but I can overcome this by bending my knees slightly. Build quality is good and I haven't found it lacking yet, but I dont get the impression it would hold up well with regular, hard use, like in a commercial setting, but that's more of a guess that anything. Overall, I'm very happy with all the movements I can perform on this single piece of equipment and feel comfortable recommending it to friends!
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13 total