The Complete Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack Review
If you’re trying to develop muscle groups, train your core and arms, and ton your whole body muscles, then you might want to consider getting a workout bench.
Weight benches are among the most efficient machines you can add to your home gym today.
Problem is; lots of fitness companies out there claim their weight bench is the best, throwing you into a bit of dilemma as to which weight bench to go for.
In this article, I’ll be looking at the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack.
This weight bench isn’t just a bench; it comes with additional features such as preacher pad, leg extension, weight storage, and a squat rack.
I recommend that you read this article to the end so you’re armed with the full details of the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack to enable you make the right decision.
If you can’t, check the quick review box just below the Table of Contents.
3.9 Stars Based on 571 Ratings
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack is a beginner and expert friendly bench for fitness enthusiasts.
It comprises a multi-angle bench, a free-standing squat rack, and a leg extension. More so, the Gym XRS20 weight bench also comes with a preacher curl attachment device.
Its heavy-duty free-standing squat rack has a very sturdy construction. It has multiple fitness stations in a single, lightweight build. If you used to the regular or Olympic-sized barbell, the XRS20's adjustable-width uprights are up to the task.
The adjustable safety spotters’ measures a fascinating 9.5′′ long and have all the safety and comfort you need through each workout session. You can also boost your endurance with the Olympic exercise bench from Gold's Gym.
Furthermore, the machine is one of the most inexpensive weight benches available right now. It also features a curl pad and a leg development attachment.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
With its amazing features including the leg developer attachment, standalone squat rack, preacher pad, durability, the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack beats many other workout bench. Add the fact that it's very affordable and you have a fitness machine that's worth every cent you pay for it.
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Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack Overview
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack is produced by Gold’s Gym, one of the leading makers of fitness equipment all over the world.
Founded in 1965 by Joe Gold, Gold’s Gym international has gone on to produce high-quality fitness equipment – one of which is this weight bench for Olympic standard workouts.
While most weight benches are designed to work your upper body, the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack engages the whole body and has a more satisfying fitness experience.
With the barbell, weight plates, and dumbells, you can perform some very productive exercises. These are some great exercise options for your biceps and chest. During the exercise, you could grab the appropriate weight dumbbells and lay face-up on the bench.
It comes with a leg development device that is beneficial to your hamstring and calf muscles.
The most critical feature of the squat rack that should be highlighted here is that it is made with Olympic 7′ bars. The squat rack of the Gold's Gym XRS 20 does not have a huge footprint.
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack is made of sturdy steel tubing. The construction quality of the Gold's Gym XRS20 weight bench is perfect, and it will most likely last for several years. It's also well-finished, with gray corrosion-resistant paint.
The weight bench has a pleasant exterior appearance. its cushioning is of high quality, and the leather coverings are long-lasting.
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack is one of the best benches that gives great value for money. It is not the most affordable out there, but it is well worth the cost because it has many features.
The Gold's Gym XRS20 weight bench framework is very secure and does not wobble in any way. It has durable protection and built-in protective catches. You never know, when you're doing the bench press alone, something might go really wrong.
The Gold's Gym XRS20 weight bench is easy to install. Hence, it is advised that you first consult the owner’s manual to help you with the installation process.
However, once you understand what the process, then the installation process becomes super easy. But you must know that the Gold's Gym XRS20 weight bench does not come with any tools.
Nevertheless, there are a few drawbacks, such as the lack of barbell support for squats.
What makes the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack stand out is the preacher pad and the leg developer attachment it comes with.
Full Review
Specifications
Bench Dimensions | User Capacity (Bench) | User Capacity (Rack) | Weight Capacity | Max User Weight | Exercises | Wheels | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
72''L x 26''W x 22''H | 300 lb | 600 lb | 128 lb | 300 lb | 10+ | No | 90 Days |
Features
Compatible with Dumbbells Or Olympic Bar
One of the great features of the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack is that it can be used with the squat rack for barbell exercises, or the bench can be used separately for dumbbell workouts.
Having the ability to use all kinds of weights gives you many more options for incorporating into your exercise.
Standalone Squat Rack
The ability to quickly move the squat rack means that you can move the bench out of the way and do squats without any interference. This also ensures that you are not as constrained in terms of where you will position the units.
Moreover, the squat rack's height is customizable, making it suitable for most individual heights. Because of this, if a barbell is placed on top of the squat stand at its highest setting, it could also be used as a pull-up bar.
6-Roll Leg Developer
The 6-roll leg developer will help you work out your quads and hamstrings. It is a perfect addition to have. You would not really purchase a separate unit to operate just the hamstrings, so the leg developer means you don't forget your hamstring muscles.
Adjustable Safety Spotters
Take it or leave it; getting safety spotters will help you tackle certain physiological obstacles and press a little further than you can otherwise. Knowing you have a safety net will improve your morale and mental fortitude.
For bench press and squat workouts, switch the safety spotters to your preferred position.
Having an actual spotter would also be preferable, but protective spotters are a perfect substitute. And with the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack, you've got one.
Multiple Positions
Like other customizable fitness benches, it can be modified to level, incline, and decline positions. Most Olympic benches lack the number of customizable positions seen on standard benches.
As a result, the Gold's Gym XRS 20 Olympic exercise bench has the same level of mobility as a customizable bench.
Weight Plate Storage
Two posts on the back of the squat stand are used to hold weight plates until you've done your exercise. Perfect for keeping your fitness area clean! When exercising, it's also a good idea to place weights on here to help balance the stand.
Construction & Design
Bench
The weight bench is the key feature of the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack. Its frame is made of the same steel tubing as the squat rack and is painted gray to prevent corrosion.
It has long-lasting leather coverings made of synthetic materials and approximately 3′′ (7.6 cm) of padding, providing all the comfort needed for the required workouts.
It's a customizable weight bench with many configurations, including incline, horizontal, and drop. Its highest incline orientation places the backrest at an angle of approximately 70°.
However, its only decline position places it at an angle of approximately 5° less than 180°.
This Gold's Gym weight bench is very robust, with a total weight capacity of 600 lb, or a maximum of 300 lb (136 kg) of user weight and 300 lb of usable weight.
The bench is 72′′ (183 cm) long and approximately 22′′ (56 cm) wide when positioned horizontally. Its diameter is 12′′ (30 cm), which is wide enough to have the required comfort and support for all workouts.
Furthermore, since it is 22′′ above the floor line, shorter users under 5′ can make it challenging to hit the floor while doing horizontal presses. However, as a general rule, the bench can easily accommodate people at both heights.
We particularly like that the bench can gently pull away from the rack, giving you adequate space to workout. It also allows you to comfortably do bench and chest press without any issues.
Sadly, the preacher pad is set at 30 degrees and cannot be adjusted. You can, however, adjust the vertical height by up to three degrees. We take a look at the Squat rack in subsequent sections below; the Squat rack is designed to hold an Olympic 7' bar.
Squats Rack
A most critical feature of the squat rack that should be highlighted here is that it is made for Olympic 7′ bars.
The width between the upright posts of the rack is approximately 41.5′′ (105 cm) on the inside and 48′′ (122 cm) on the outside.
This means that a typical 6′ bar would be too small for it, and the weight plate stoppers would break on top of or between the upright posts of the rack.
Furthermore, even if a 6′ bar will surpass the upright post, there would be enough clearance for its sleeves to stack it with so many frames. As a result, it's better to go for a 7' Olympic bar with this rack.
The squat rack with the Gold's Gym XRS 20 does not have a massive footprint. Its 32" (81 cm) length and 48" (122 cm) high, and the required space for its use alone aren’t even more than that, perhaps one additional foot at the front.
On the other hand, the upright posts are flexible, with 9 adjustment holes spaced approximately 3′′ (7.6 cm) apart. The overall height of the bar is 64′′. (162 cm). The rack has two 9.5′′ (24 cm) grab bars, each with four attachment points.
It also includes two pegs for weight plate housing, each with a 1′′ average thickness. The pegs are attached to the rack at the back.
Accessories
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack features some additional accessories that offers users a lot of workout options.
Preacher Pad
This exercise station seems to be intended for preacher curls. It has the same leather seats as the bench and is placed at around a 30° angle. The preacher pad's angle is not adjustable.
Its vertical post, on the other hand, has three height change positions. Also, the entire package includes a curved bar (or curl yoke) for preacher curl exercises. This bar is reasonably straightforward, with easy grips. The preacher pad and curl yoke are also removable.
Leg Development Attachment
This specific exercise station allows you to do both leg extensions and leg curls. It is also the part that holds the weight binding peg for the curl yoke. This 1′′ thick peg is intended for ordinary weight plates.
However, the package has an adapter for it, which offers the 2′′ thickness needed for Olympic weight plates. This section, like the preacher pad, is obviously detachable.
Three sets of padded rollers are integrated into the leg attachment to ensure regular stability for leg extensions and curls. They are padded with rubber foam material. The leg connection has a weight limit of 300 lb (136 kg).
Affordability
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack is one of the few benches available in which you won’t have to break the bank to own.
It is not inexpensive in terms of price, but it is well worth the cost because it has many features such as the squat rack, leg developer attachment, and preacher pad.
Exercises
With the barbell, weight plates, and dumbells, you will be able to do some very productive exercises.
Every one of the essential exercises that you can do on this bench is mentioned below.
Hammer Bench Press: This is an excellent exercise for the chest and biceps. During the exercise, you take the appropriate weight dumbbells and lay face-up on the bench.
Keep your feet down on the ground with your hands straight over your shoulders. Then you raise the dumbbells and put your arms down. This represents one rep.
Triceps Dip: This exercise is just for the triceps and requires the use of a bench. There is no need for dumbbells or a bar. You take a seat on the bench's side, your arms back. Then you pull your body up and then position your legs straight while holding your arms straight. That is one triceps dip rep.
Preacher Curl: Grab an E-Z bar and place your upper arms on the preacher pad. The palm should be facing outward and slightly inclined inward.
You breathe and slowly lower the bar again until the biceps are entirely stretched, then exhale and return the bar to the starting spot. You should be able to complete 4-5 sets of 10-15 reps.
Leg Curls: Leg curls help improve muscle balance and flexibility. In this exercise, you sit on the bench (you can also change the bench angle) and position your legs under the leg growth attachment.
Put the right weight on the attachment and then take it down and back up. Maintain a tight core and smooth movement. This focuses on the legs and the middle of the body.
There are over 20 different exercises that you can perform with the unit. The below are some of the most common exercises that you can do:
- Incline dumbbell curls
- Dumbbell Lunges
- Pullovers
- Incline dumbbell flys
- Flat barbell bench press
- Shrugs
- Back squats
- Front squats
- Seated side laterals
Safety
The framework is very secure and does not wobble in any way. It has durable protection and built-in protective catches. You never know, but when you're doing the bench press alone, something might go really wrong. It eliminates the risk of the bar collapsing on your neck. The safety catch is 10 inches wide and can be adjusted to various heights.
Assembly
The system is simple to put together. It is advised that you first read the user manual. However, once you understand what the mechanism is, it is effortless. The package does not have any tools.
You must get them individually, including flexible wrenches and screwdrivers. Tighten the nuts and bolts thoroughly so they don't fall off in the middle of the exercise, which would be very risky.
The Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench with Squat Rack requires no maintenance.
However, you may have to apply lubricating oil to the joints from time to time.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Get Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack If:
- You want an affordable weight bench.
- You want a workout bench made with high-quality materials.
- You want to enjoy the benefits of a workout bench that comes with squat rack, leg developer attachment, and preacher pad.
- You want a weight that's made to last.
Final Thoughts
That's it with the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack review!
I've covered all you need to know about this weight bench.
The construction quality is exceptional, and it will last for several years.
It also features a squat rack, leg developer attachment and unlike some workout benches, the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack actively engages the upper and lower body muscles.
The standalone squat rack and bench press rack, equipped with safety spotters, is a defining quality.
While the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack may sound like one equipment.
In reality, you get two machines as you can separate the rack from the bench. In most other workout benches, both the rack and the bench are attached.
In addition to all its excellent features, this machine is also very affordable.
With its perks, there's no doubt that the Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Workout Bench With Squat Rack offers great value.
Highly recommended.
