Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench – Unlimited Potential

Last updated on April 12th, 2025 at 02:33 pm

Prime Fitness has been a STAPLE in the best commercial gyms around the world for decades. In the last several years their focused has been split between commercial machines, and high end home gym gear. Their Prodigy Line of equipment is sought after for its functionality, aesthetics, and flat out awesomeness. Prime released their Shorty Bench and teased the dozen or so exercises it would be able to do, the attachments, and the eventual Smart Arm release, and everyone’s heads turned to watch patiently.

When I asked YOU what you wanted me to review in 2023, this bench took the top spot by a wide margin. So, it got added to the Review Pipeline. The new Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench has a lot going on with the addition of some attachments. But can Prime find that sweet spot between commercial and home gym? Can they create the perfect home gym bench? Or will this be overcooked?

I’m STOKED to get another piece of Prime awesomeness in the gym and let you all know what I think.

Transparency Note

I’ve worked with Prime Fitness for multiple years now on the Garage Gym Competition. They are one of the coolest companies to work with for a number reasons, and they seem to like working with me as well. They sent me their Super Squat Bar awhile back, and now have sent me the Shorty Adjustable Bench and all the fixings for free. I also now have an affiliate link and code with them that gives me a kick back.

As always, I hope I can be transparent and truthful in my review.

Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench Overview

The Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench weighs in at a BEEFY 100lbs. It has laser cut numbered ladder adjustments from 0 to 85. The front seat also declines and inclines multiple angles. It has wheels and a handle to help move it. The bench has a simple aesthetic with the two tone colors separating the base from the bench itself.

Prime Fitness Shorty Specs

• Brand: Prime Fitness USA
• Made In USA: Yes
• Dimensions: 51L x 27W x 18H in.
• Vertical Storage Dimensions: None Currently
• Weight: 100lbs
• Suitable Athlete Height: So far so good at my 6ft height
• Finish: powder-coated steel – charcoal gray bench frame and black base
• Weight Limit: 1000lbs in flat, and 600lbs in incline
• Additional Notes: Back pad adjust-ability from 0 to 85 degrees & five seat pad angle adjustment
• Assembly: Took me about 1 hour which included clean-up of materials
• Warranty: Click Here
• Return Policy: Check Here
• Military Discount: On request

From first view, this bench looks like the majority of adjustable benches on the market. Where it takes a turn and ups the ante is with the attachment options.

Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench Features

Prime Fitness has a STRONG focus on hypertrophy. Their machines, their bars, their cable attachments, everything is geared towards building big muscles. And their Shorty Bench is no different. This is NOT a powerlifter bench. You can tell by the thinner pad, the lack of grippy vinyl, and the overall construction and concepts. This bench was designed with attachments in mind.

We’ve got a few areas where we make these work, depending on what we are working with.

Back Pad Rails

You’ll see that you have holes that run from top to bottom. You snag the two pads and they pop in place. Set your bench, and you’ve got an incline DB curl that functions like using a Biceps Bomber. You can press your elbows or triceps into the pad, and really focus on the bicep concentration.

Top Pad

Next up is the ingenious pop pin that takes the top pad off the bench and opens it up to a number of possibilities.

Without the top pad on the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench you can now perform chest supported DB rows without having your face smashed into the bench. This works well for DB pullovers and other items where that full bench was in the way. It even makes the bench resemble your typical DB shoulder press bench you find in a commercial gym.

Support Post

Prime took advantage of the bench support post in the back, to sneak in an extra accessory. This is what is really cool about this bench. The bench could sit flat and look fairly basic. No drastic additions, tubing inserts, or glaring pop-pins everywhere that call out “This Bench Does Stuff”. Instead, Prime got creative and made the bench a bench, and then added attachments creatively.

You can toss on the DB rack with the addition of the preacher curl pads and you have a full preacher bench at your disposal. If you happen to like preacher curls better with an ez curl bar, no problem, they’ve got extra pieces to elevate the bar for ya.

Prime Shorty Attachment Exercises

Right out the gate we have multiple options for biceps, some good stuff for back, and the obvious DB bench, shoulder presses, you name it on the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench. I personally really like that this bench looks and performs like a solid adjustable bench, with a super creative attachment function added in. Here are the MAIN exercise set-ups with the attachments available.

I think with the way they have things lined up with multiple attachment spots, we could see this expand over the years with new items in a number of categories. And keep in mind what I just showed you is what they told us we could use it for. You can get creative, as always.

Preacher Curl

The Prime Shorty Bench comes with TWO accessories that give it a full Preacher Curl effect.

First, is the Preacher Curl Pad Bench Attachment, which drops into the top pad spot. This gives the bench that angle we want for preachers. We can adjust the angle by adjusting the bench itself, to give us some more or less stretch and range of motion.

Second, is the Dumbbell Cradle Bench Attachment. This piece goes on to the bench support post, and gives us the ability to hold our dumbbells OR a curl bar of our choosing. This can also be used for prone DB Rows and other exercises.

Decline Sit-Ups

The Decline Bench Attachment is pretty straight forward and functions like most benches. Drop the seat, angle the bench, and get after your decline sit-ups. Again, this pops into the top pad spot, and we also have a number of angle options as the bench has so many incline adjustments.

Incline DB Curls

The Elbow Pads Bench Attachment goes on the side rails, and gives us the ability to do traditional DB Incline Curls but with a support pad. You could also use this for some DB Floor Press style work, and get creative and maybe use for some triceps extensions.

Utility Seat

Take the top pad off, and you get a utility seat. This works well for your typical Seated DB Shoulder Press, DB Overhead Triceps Extensions, and anything where that top pad gets in the way.

The Smart Arm

The Prime Smart Arm released this year and it adds more functionality to the Prime Shorty Bench ecosystem. Leg Extensions, Leg Curls, and machines Preachers, Triceps Extensions, Ab and Back work. This thing resembles the BulletProof Isolator in a number of ways with its rack attachment style, unique adjustments, and creative function. But Prime focused on tackling a few exercises, instead of going with the “infinite possibilities” approach from BulletProof.

The Smart Arm should arrive in my gym soon, so I’ll add details and more when it arrives.

Storage

Prime released their Wall Mounted Storage option for the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench.

Vertical Storage

The Prime Shorty Bench, to date, does not support vertical storage. This is a bummer. The bench is heavy, fairly wide, and all around one of the LEAST mobile benches I’ve ever owned for a number of reasons. I’ll dig into this further with the review, but this might be a tough pill for some home gym owners depending on your bench needs.

Angles & Adjustments

Since the bench is so focused on a number of attachments, Prime went out of their way to include a LOT of adjustment options for the bench itself. We go from flat, to 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 60, 75, and 85. Most benches are going to make 15 degree jumps from 0 to 85, Prime added in a number of options in that middle range. The front Pad also has FIVE adjustment options.

Things I’m Looking For in the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench

Prime’s stuff is often considered premium, thus expensive. What I want to see with more expensive items, is do they check ALL of the boxes. The fit and finish, the function, creativity, you name it. If this is a copy cat of every other adjustable bench on the market but costs twice as much, no thanks.

But if we have unique features, an easy to use system of attachments, an aesthetically pleasing bench that functions well for me and my wife, now we are in business. So the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench is going to have to compete with some heavy hitters.

One thing I am specifically focused on as well, is how this bench functions IN A HOME GYM. Prime has a huge amount of experience crushing it in the commercial space, but their home gym focused releases have been minimal. Can Prime pivot from making the best of the best in the commercial gym, to making a bench that brings the heat in the home gym? We are going to be looking at storage, maneuverability, and function. Just because it has 1000 attachments, doesn’t mean they are all good. And doesn’t mean we can put them somewhere.

Space is the NUMBER ONE item to consider with a home gym. So this thing needs to respect that. Can I store these attachments well in a number of places, access them easily, set them up, do my work, and put it all back without creating a workout within a workout? And can it do all of that for me at 6ft 240lb+ and my wife, and my daughter? Are we trading creativity for function? Or is this the ULTIMATE Home Gym Bench?

That is what we will be exploring.

Other Options On The Market

For a simple adjustable bench, you have an ever increasing list of benches available. For benches that take attachments, our list drops down considerably. I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, I honestly don’t have any interest in benches that don’t take attachments for my gym. Leg Curls and Leg Extensions are STAPLES in my space. I’m not spending $800 on a new flashy Rogue bench that is a little nicer than their last $600 bench, but doesn’t do anything but be an adjustable bench. This is where the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench got my engines revving.

I’ll be comparing the Shorty Bench to a number of benches for a full Showdown video soon.

REP Nighthawk

This is REPs newest release to the bench lineup, and it is the first one they have launched alongside an actual real life siting of a Leg Developer attachment. Hence why it is the FIRST REP bench to enter my space. I’m excited to take this one for a ride. Initial impressions from the wife are good, as it is light enough to move around and low enough to let my daughter put her feet down.

Check out the Nighthawk.

Inspire SCS

The Inspire SCS Bench is no longer available as Inspire has stopped making the original FT2. We will still include this in the round up, as their leg developer is one we have used for years with the FT2 as it integrates into the cable stacks.

Check out the Inspire FT2 Review here.

Powertec Workbench

I freaking LOVED my Powertec Levergym, but their bench was always just OK. My understanding is that they are hard at work building a new one, and this has me very excited. I’m hoping it will be done and available in time for this comparison and showdown.

Bells of Steel Buzzsaw

The BuzzSaw was the first adjustable bench with attachments from one of the big retailers. Their bench has a leg developer, but overall appears to be a much less refined bench compared to the Nighthawk. My initial guess is that it won’t stand up, especially considering the prices are fairly close. But this belongs in the discussion.

Ironmaster Super Bench PRO V2

Ironmaster might be the original kings of adjustable benches. When I started my home gym over a decade ago, Ironmaster was kicking butt with the original Super Bench. Yeah, they’ve been killing it for that long. Their line up of attachments includes a lat tower, leg developer, preacher curl, and a lot more. They by far have the MOST attachments available. And the Ironmaster benches always were solid benches. This one is going to be a tough competitor.

Wide Body Bench

The Wide Body Bench is going to be a really unique one. Mostly because, no one else has done a detailed review on it. This is because they don’t send out equipment for free, and they don’t offer an affiliate program. Don’t worry, my Newsletter peeps voted for this bench during my Review Pipeline voting. Which means I’m going to pony up the cash to grab it and the attachments so I can share those good details with all of you. It has a Chest Press, Chest Fly, and Bicep Attachment. Which makes it pretty wild.

Unreleased Benches

My newsletter peeps got to vote a few weeks back on some color options for benches. These are benches from companies that are currently in development, looking to release this year. These are items you haven’t heard about yet, because I only know they exist through some of my NDAs. They will round out the showdown, assuming they release in time.

Sign Up For More

I’ll have a full review on the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench in the near future. Myself, my wife, and my daughter will play around with the Prime Fitness Shorty Adjustable Bench to see what we like, what we don’t, and share our thoughts. If you have something specific you’d like answered, let me know.

And once I wrap up the reviews on all of the benches in this lineup, I’ll be doing a side by side Showdown on my YouTube Channel.

✅ Want to snag the Prime Shorty? Use this link and Code: GGC to save 5%