Are you looking for an in-depth and zero BS review of the newest FLYBIRD adjustable bench?
I’ve owned the FB-299 for several months now, and I have to say, I am impressed. Now, it isn’t perfect, and I’ll let you know where the bench comes up short for me. But, if you’re looking for an all-around high quality budget weight bench for your home gym, then read on, because this might be the bench for you…
FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench Review
Product Specifications
| Unfolded Dimensions | 46.5″L x 13.8″W x 18.8″H |
| Folded Dimensions | 30.1″L x 13.8″W x 8.5″H |
| Weight | 35 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | 700 pounds |
| Backrest Positions | 8 |
| Seat Positions | 3 |
Warranty: 30 days for the seat and back pads, one year for the frame
Want to see the FLYBIRD bench in action?
Here is my short unboxing + first impressions video:
IN A HURRY? Here are the Pros and Cons of the FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench
What I Like About the Bench
- High quality stitching on the back pad
- Strong, durable material
- High weight capacity
- 8 adjustable backrest positions
- Sturdy and stable with zero wobble
- Lightweight and foldable
What I Don’t Like About the Bench
- Bench pad may be too soft for some, depending on your preference
Product Rating: 
Who is this Bench Designed for?
The FB-299 is a high quality budget weight bench perfect for any home gym builder. It suits everyone from casual beginners to experienced weightlifters.
Unboxing, Packaging, and Setup
The bench arrived two days after it was shipped out to me.
When ordering gym equipment online, half the battle is just making sure the box is packaged properly and arrives safely. Thankfully, FLYBIRD double-boxes the bench, with a large outer box (see above) and a smaller box inside containing the bench:
There was plenty of packaging paper inside the box, as well as plastic wrap to keep everything safe. The bench was in perfect condition when I took it out of the box.
Thankfully, setup was quick and easy.
A simple instructional diagram is included, but you won’t really need it. To set it up, you simply unfold the bench and attach the m10 safety bolt to the middle hinge between the back pad and seat rest:
You will need to attach the footpad roller with a smaller bolt (included) and then screw it into place. And don’t attach it the wrong way like I did in my unboxing video!
What’s nice about the footpad is there are three adjustable positions you can set it at. Most benches I’ve used have only one or two, so this was a nice feature.
Overall, the unboxing and setup process took me less than 10 minutes to complete. Quick and easy!
Comfort and Feel
Immediately the stitching on the backrest pad stuck out to me. Extremely well done and high quality. The material is a nice, smooth PU leather. Aesthetically speaking it looks a lot better than most other benches in this price range.
The gap in between the seat and backrest is minimal, and barely noticeable when using it. Additionally, the seat and backrest pad is a 2″ thick multi-layered padding.
But, how does it feel?
Soft and cushiony. And whether this is a pro or con will largely depend on your own preferences. Some people like a bench with a harder cushion (like the Finer Form Bench), which can feel more stable when lifting heavy.
Others prefer a softer, more comfortable bench which isn’t as hard on your back. And, if that’s you, you’re going to love the way this bench feels.
Strength and Stability
No matter how good a bench may look or feel, it’s useless if it isn’t strong and stable. My number one question I ask when reviewing a bench is: does it wobble while lifting?
The answer: No!
Thankfully, after putting this bench through several workouts, I can say confidently this bench has zero wobble. Additionally, the weight capacity is a whopping 700 pounds. Although most lifters buying this bench won’t get close to the max capacity, it’s nice to know you can lift heavy with it.
Now, I haven’t tested it with super heavy weights, but from what I’ve seen I do believe this bench can handle close to its 700 pound capacity.
So, it’s excellent for beginners, intermediates, and even advanced lifters. Although I would say it’s primarily intended for beginners and intermediates.
Adjustability
Most weight benches have 6-8 adjustable backrest positions and 1-3 seat positions. So FLYBIRD is right on par. There are several incline angles you can adjust it to, which is excellent for variation when doing dumbbell benching. And you can set it to fully upright for seated shoulder presses, curls, raises, etc.
Additionally, you have two decline options as well. I don’t use the deepest decline angle because it’s too awkward on the lower back and could cause an injury if you’re not careful.
Adjusting is a breeze. It’s a simple pin-pulling adjustment ladder:
Nothing fancy here, but it does the job well.
Size and Foldability
The dimensions of the FLYBIRD adjustable bench are pretty standard and in line with other benches in this price range.
One aspect of note is the decreased height of the seat in comparison to previous versions of the FLYBIRD bench. Down from about 21 inches to 19 inches, this makes using this bench much easier for shorter people.
Folding the bench is also incredibly easy. You simply remove the m10 safety bolt, set the backrest and seat into its fully decline (lowest) position, and bring the two pieces together. Takes 15 seconds all in all.
When folded up, you save about 16.5 inches of space, making it easy to put this in a closet, corner, and out of the way.
Is the FLYBIRD FB-299 Adjustable Bench Worth Buying?
As I stated before, the FLYBIRD FB-299 is a high-end budget weight bench. It’s going to fill all your needs as a basic home gym bench.
Given FLYBIRD’s increasing reputation as a superb online fitness retailer, as well as the success of their previous benches, the future bodes well for the FLYBIRD FB-299 bench. It’s sturdy, well-constructed, and looks to be durable as well. This bench will likely last you for years, provided you take care of it and use it as intended.
So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or even an advanced lifter looking to get your home gym started the right way, this newest FLYBIRD adjustable bench is the perfect place to start.
Yes, it’s absolutely worth buying, especially at this price range.
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