Brutally Honest Fitness Reviews // Gym Reviewer
The Team at Gym Reviewer is made up of long-time fitness and health fanatics, consumers, and enthusiasts.
After privately reviewing, purchasing, and building gyms for years and being dissatisfied with many of the "deals", we decided to take things into our own hands.
As a group of passionate fitness-lovers, we hold a high level of respect and honor for the craft of reviewing fitness equipment, giving honest opinions and reviews that come from our passion for fitness.
We created Gym Reviewer to provide brutally honest reviews for the fitness community.
These are our Top Picks... The highly selective list of items that have made it through the crucible - tried and proven products that we believe in with all our hearts, and would recommend to anyone who has a pretty penny saved up and ready for an investment in their health, fitness, and future.
The Quest to Perfection
Through reviewing and sifting through millions of dollars worth of fitness equipment, there has always been one nagging question in the back of our minds... is this or is this not the holy grail of fitness equipment.
Like you would expect, more often than not, we would be disappointed. That said, we have also seen successes.
Equipment so great you are tempted to buy an extra set only to store it in your grandmother's living room.
Equipment so incredible, so geniusly crafted that it mouthwateringly makes you need to have it in your dream gym.
You have almost reached the holy grail. Read on to attain it.
Top Barbell for 2024 // Editor's Choice
Rogue Stainless Steel Ohio Bar // Our Favorite Barbell (We Own Five of Them) // Gym Reviewer
The True Arrow: The Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar (Stainless Steel)
The Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar is a true keeper of a barbell.
As a matter of a fact, we now own five exact copies of the bar because we love it so much. The feeling of the bar is superb, the lacking center knurl a dream, and the bar spin a breeze.
The only thing we would truly change about the bar is to get rid of the grooves on the shaft sleeves and replace it with a smooth, non-chip stainless steel surface.
All that being said, this is just about the closest thing to perfection a man (or woman) could desire for their home gym.
Likewise, this bar can charge for many years in a commercial facility, box gym, or just about any other atmosphere you could want to put it in.
For that and more, we stand by the Rogue Fitness Stainless Steel Ohio Bar and recommend it to all who can afford the investment.
Quick Specs:
Made in America
Bar Length: 86.75”
Loadable Sleeve Length: 16.40”
Diameter: 28.5MM
Bar Weight: 20KG
Shaft Coating: Stainless Steel
Knurl Mark: Dual (No Center Knurl)
Tensile Strength: 200,000 PSI
Favorite Upgrades:
-Rogue's Top of The Line Collars
-Upgraded J-Cups (To Protect the Knurl)
-Upgraded Spotter Arms (To Protect the Knurl)
-Upgraded Safety Straps (To Protect the Knurl)
★★★★★ - Five Star Recommendation
★★☆☆☆ - Two Star Affordability
★★★★★ - Five Star Quality
Closing Comments: Who doesn't love a rust-proof bar that you can pass down to your kids?!
The Quest for the Ultimate Bench // Gym Reviewer
There and Back Again, A Consumer's Tale
Over the past 10+ years, we have returned, sold, or gotten rid of more fitness equipment than we have kept.
Oftentimes, this was due to imported fitness equipment having poor quality control during the fulfillment process, leading to a product that comes scratched, dented, or worse, to the consumer.
Fortunately, things have taken a turn for the better, with many American based fitness companies designing their products in-country, then out-sourcing the manufacturing abroad while maintaining a watchful eye on the fulfillment and quality control process. That coupled with tier one customer service leads us to our next Top Pick of 2024.
Top Flat Bench For 2024 // Editor's Choice
Griffin Fitness Competition Flat Bench V3 // Editor's Choice Flat Bench // Gym Reviewer
Good 'Ole Betsy: Griffin Fitness Competition Flat Bench V3
The Griffin Fitness Competition Flat Bench V3 is where the rubber meets the road and the sky meets the sea.
In other words, this bench is the perfect synergy of where quality American engineering meets foreign manufacturer's robust crafting capabilities.
Through their excellent customer service and thorough quality inspection protocols, they have managed to produce an incredible product at a competitive price.
As a bench in our personal staff gym, it has become a true stand-out amongst the rest.
Bearing very few logos and hardly any flashy names, it becomes the silent murdered-out bench that says "use me, I mean business".
If this sounds like your kind of vibe, look no further.
Quick Specs:
Designed in America, Imported from Abroad
Length: 48"
Width: 12.5”
Height: 17”
Bench Weight: 58lbs
Bench Capacity: 1000lbs
Pad Thickness: 4"
Materials: Heavy Duty Steel, Vinyl
Favorite Upgrades:
-Vertical Storage Adapter
-14" Wide Pad Upgrade
★★★★★ - Five Star Recommendation
★★★★☆ - Four Star Affordability
★★★★☆ - Four Star Quality
Closing Comments: Murdered-out Competition Flat Bench (IPF Spec) with limited flashy logos, thick 4" pad, and a competitive price-point make this bench our favorite of the year.
Looking for a more in-depth guide on the Griffin Flat Bench? Check out our full review, now!
Half Price or Half Rack? // Gym Reviewer
Nothing Like a Good Steal
Rogue Fitness is a big name in the fitness space and for good reason.
That being said, American Made lines of products often cost more since the state-side cost of labor, materials, and design costs are generally higher than those of abroad.
In other words, nice American-Made things often don't come cheap, and Rogue Fitness makes a lot of nice things.
For that reason, we prefer hacking our way into the premiere Rogue Monster Series racks, as opposed to paying full price.
How does one pay half price for a four post rack?
Well, the simple answer is, you don't. You purchase a two post rack, thereby cutting the cost of materials in half.
Half the cost is a tempting sell, and one that we prefer, especially when we are talking about a line of products at this high a level of quality and price point.
Top Squat Rack for 2024 // Editor's Choice
Rogue SM-2 Monster Squat Stand 2.0 // Quality For Less American Made Rack // Gym Reviewer
Quality for Less: Rogue SM-2 Monster Rack 2.0
The Rogue SM-2 Monster Rack 2.0 is your key into the half-off section of Rogue’s infamous Monster Series Racks.
With the removal of the two front posts of their four post power rack, the cost of equipment is literally halved, hence saving you a pretty penny.
Many fitness enthusiasts and lifters around the world prefer the open feeling to working out that a half rack provides.
Rogue has knocked it out of the park with the SM-2, presenting a more affordable American Made Rack, with Monster level attachments, at a fraction of the price of their four post racks.
Quick Specs:
Made in America
Height: 93” (with options for 73”/100”/108”)
Foot Print: 50” x 54”
Materials: 3”x3”, 11 Gauge Steel
Attachments: Tons
Favorite Attachments:
-Safety Spotter Arms
-Upgraded J-Cups
★★★★★ - Five Star Recommendation
★★☆☆☆ - Two Star Affordability
★★★★★ - Five Star Quality
Closing Comments: Great way to hack yourself into picking up the industry’s finest for cheaper.
Looking for a more in-depth guide on the Rogue Fitness SM-2 Monster Rack 2.0? Check out our full review, now!
