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.

Not crazy about the fact BodySolid manufactures this in China, but this is a solid piece that appears well built. Very easy to follow instructions, and every bolt, nut, and washer is attached to two separate cardboard pieces and numbered to coincide with the printed directions. Couldn't have been easier to follow. I didn't have the metric wrenches, but a 3/4" and 11/16" wrench worked well. I'm 6-2 and 230lbs, and my wife is 5-6, and this adjusts well to accommodate each of us. No wobble at all. We like the flat foot rest over the usual round foam pieces seen on similar items. This allows us to change position and do side bends. Great addition to our workout room.

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.

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.

Overall this is a good value and it works well for me. I'm 6'2" 230 lbs and I fit into the bench just fine. Lots of adjustment capacity. The extension wobbles a little but it works well for my needs.

This product does not indicate the importance of your height. I am 5'10 and I have to bring the rest down to the second to last notch. This means this equipment is NOT for anyone shorter than 5'9. It's a great piece of equipment. It's solid. I took off three stars because of: it is heavily scratched up in two areas; the footing in the front is not balanced and I had to add material to stabilize it; and the most important one, it is not flexible for shorter people. This is quite misleading for an expensive piece of equipment. Anyone who wants to purchase this, I would suggest contacting the company. I contacted the company but they never responded.

Solid piece of equipment for home. I’m about 5”5’ and it might be a little too long for anyone shorter because my hips JUST meet the edge of the pads at the lowest setting. Solid build and easy to operate. Great for back, ab & oblique exercises and it cracks my back like MAGIC... When I lean forward into a hang and push against the hip pads, it separates all the little compressions in my spine :) It’s one of my favorite pieces in the gym and I’m excited to have access to it at home. Highly recommend if you don’t mind putting some “elbow grease” into assembling it!