Body-Solid (GHYP345B) 45 Degree Hyperextension Bench - Adjustable Back & Abdominal Exercise Machine with Thick Support Pads for Home and Commercial Gym, Black

Several reviews have commented negatively about packaging. Mine came recently, and the packaging was excellent. Box in good shape, parts strapped down, and nothing moving around. I did notice, as did another reviewer, that a few of the parts were already assembled. For example, the pads were on the handles, while the instructions had a step for installing the pads on the handles. A couple of other items were like that. Could be repackaging a return, but also could be that something that BS has done since the last instructions were printed. BTW, assembly is easy. I'm a klutzy 69 year old. So I took my time. 1.5 hours start to finish, with lots of coffee breaks along the way. People with normal abilities can do it much faster. The instructions are very, very clear, and all the bolts and washers are clearly numbered and labeled. Really easy.In terms of the equipment, my preliminary impression is very favorable. I used to have a Powerline 90degree unit (PCH24X). It was not a good fit, and I had to discontinue use. At least for me, this unit with its 45 degree angle and excellent footpad (allows the legs to be straight) is much gentler on the back. Maybe it is not as good of a workout for the lower back, but that is a compromise I will accept happily. I'll update this review after a few months of useUpdate after 2.5 years - still looks like new after continuous use for nearly three years. It has had the intended effect of strengthening my lower back, and I also find using the side bends a terrific way to exercise the obliques. No regrets whatsoever on this purchase.

I sent one of these as a present to my Dad. He likes it. It’s well-made.But he asked me if it was used. He said it came dirty and scratched up.Pretty disappointing.

High quality feel and build. Easy to assemble. Awesome lower back stretch. Comfortable on hips/soft pads. Not too heavy to push around on floor/easy to move.

As a gym owner for over 25 years I have owned 5 brands of Hyperextensions. Most of the reviewers here use this at home. It will be fine for that IF you are 5'10 or taller and do not share this with another person. Let me explain. I am 6'0 and I am using the next to lowest height adjustment. It is of critical importance that as you hinge at the hip that there no pressure into the abdomen from the top of the hip pad so you can hold your lumbar curve as you lower your torso toward the floor. If you do not hold that curve (or at minimum a flat back) you will encourage back pain instead of preventing or curing it. So the hip rest MUST go low enough not to interfere so you are not bending around it and losing your back posture. Second deal killer was the lack of as pop pin. A pop pin is on every back extension in every gym and makes raising and lowering the hip pad easy. A pop pin is spring loaded and will put slight pressure on the on the steel tube and will "find" the next hole in the height adjustment. After it "pops" into the hole you twist to tighten. The photo here shows a different knob altogether from the one I recieved. Mine has a big round knob to turn and the photo has a "T' shaped knob that I assumed was a pop pin. I assumed this due to the price of the Hyperextension. (note to Vendors; when your product changes you MUST change photo and/orwritten description.) Did any of you receive the one in the photo and is it spring loaded? If you have 2 users or more and no pop pin you can score the steel tubing with a mark so that you can move the hip rest to that spot and know there is a hole there. This will still be much slower than a pop pin and a big waste of time even for a small personal training studio or family use. Hope this helps.

This did not disappoint. We were looking for a gym quality sturdy machine that was not cheap and flimsy like a lot of the other ones for sale. Heavier than expected but I fully expect this thing to last a long time with no issues. The packaging from the manufacturer is less than desirable so by the time it made it here UPS had tossed it around enough that some of the bolts had come loose out of the box. Gronk fitness helped me out and took care of it no questions asked during covid quarantine times. My fiancé is super stoked to have her favorite machine in our basement gym. Couldn’t be happier. Side note. I am very careful with directions and follow directions by words and pictures but the pictures are somewhat deceiving. I had to take the base apart and flip it because the drawing shows three holes on the bottom of the main support but you need to pay attention to the holes for the vertical support to get it right.

This is a heavy duty piece of equipment. I've been a member at gyms that had lesser quality equipment. This should last 10 lifetimes for the average home user. Some of the other comments are on the right track regarding the height requirements. I'm 5'10" and am using it near the short end of adjustment. I could see where someone nearing the 5'3" mark would need to make a modification. On a positive note, if you're 6'10" this machine probably has you covered.My biggest complaint stems from the fact that I tend to place a high value on FORM as well as FUNCTION. The finish on this equipment is not good. Honestly, it looks like it was painted with a spray can. For this kind of money, I would expect a good, thick layer of powder coating. The floor jack I use in my home garage has a better looking and more durable finish. The barely adequate protection in the packaging does not help the situation. The fact that they include bottles of both black and silver touch-up paint indicates to me that they're aware that scratches during transport are an issue.This must be assembled, but it's not difficult or even too time-consuming. Follow the instructions and pay attention to details and you won't have a problem. There's not much difference in an 80mm long bolt versus an 85mm bolt, as an example.Overall, I'd buy it again, but it wouldn't really take much effort or expense on the part of the seller/manufacturer to make this a 5-star product instead of a 4-star.