I recently checked out and tested the Apex Bench along with its entire ecosystem of attachments. I have to say, I had a ton of fun during the process. It really felt like being a kid in a candy store, seeing all the innovation happening in the home gym space regarding bench designs. 

One thing to keep in mind is that you do not necessarily need every single attachment to get a great workout. The beauty of this system is that you can pick and choose which pieces to add based on your personal training style and the amount of space you have available.

The centerpiece of this entire setup is the bench itself, and I think they did a fantastic job with it. It is built from solid 11-gauge steel, weighs 105 lbs, and has a weight capacity of 1,000 lbs. During my testing, it felt very stable and sturdy. 

The padding is comfortable and covered in a grippy vinyl with a pad gap of only about an inch and a half. For storage, it can be stood up vertically, which is a must-have feature for anyone trying to save floor space in a garage.

What really sets this bench apart is its adjustability and the way it integrates with the attachments. This is an FID bench with 17 back positions ranging from -10 all the way to 85 degrees. You might wonder why you need that many angles, but it is because the various attachments often require a specific setting to perform the exercise correctly.

The seat pad also adjusts from -20 to 30 degrees using a simple pop pin. Another innovative feature is the inclusion of three different ports for anchoring attachments. You will find one port under the back pad, one on the hind leg, and a third right under the seat pad. I have not seen this level of versatility in other benches.

Retractable Band Pegs: A Seamless Solution for Integrated Resistance

One of the more unique features you can add to this setup is the retractable band pegs. If you are someone who likes to work with resistance bands, whether using them alone or combining them with weights to accommodate resistance, these are a great option. 

It is important to note that these do not come standard and involve an additional cost, but the design is very clever.

The pegs are built directly into the hind legs of the frame. What is really cool is that they stay tucked away so you do not even see them when they are not in use. In fact, I did not even know they were there at first. 

When you are ready to use them, you simply pull them out and attach your bands. When you are finished, you push them back in, and they are gone. They feature a magnetic head that keeps them secured to the frame. I even tested this by standing the bench up vertically, and the pegs did not fall out, which shows how well the magnetic design works.

Barrett Belt Squat Attachment: A Heavy Duty Lever System for the Home Gym

The Barrett Belt Squat was actually one of my favorite pieces in the whole ecosystem, and I was really intrigued by it right from the beginning. I have never seen anything quite like this, where you insert an attachment into a bench, and it converts the entire unit into a long lever belt squat.

The level of innovation here is impressive because it solves the common problem of belt squats taking up massive amounts of floor space. This attachment is relatively small, folds down easily, and stores vertically when you are finished with your workout.

The design utilizes a 66-inch lever arm, which is achieved by using the actual back pad of the bench as part of the mechanism. There are two major benefits to having a lever arm this long. First, you feel a significant amount of the weight you load. In this case, you feel about 67 percent of the weight, and the unit has a total capacity of 450 lbs. Second, the long arm creates a much more vertical up and down motion rather than a sharp arcing motion. This is a huge advantage for joint health because it results in far less shear force on your lower back and your knees.

During my testing, I was able to get incredible depth by going well past horizontal. This is possible because the Apex bench can be set to a negative 10 degree angle, allowing the lever to travel further down. 

I used the spring-loaded kickstand to start and end the sets, though I should note that the production model will feature a longer kickstand to allow for an even more vertical starting position. Everything is kept secure using Mac pins, which lock the weight horn and the handle into different positions based on the exercise you are doing.

I also found that this attachment is not just for squats. By changing the handle to a horizontal position, I was able to perform RDLs with a very natural movement path. One tip I have is that if you are planning to do very heavy RDLs, you should probably start the movement from the ground rather than relying on the kickstand. I even tested it for calf raises by using it in combination with the hybrid board, and it felt very stable. For someone looking to add heavy leg volume without a massive standalone machine, this is an excellent solution.

Stryker Pad: The Ultimate Utility Pad for Rows and Overhead Movements

The Stryker pad is a really cool addition to this setup because it is almost like a Bulldog pad, but it also serves as a half bench. I found it to be extremely versatile and easy to use, which is exactly what you want in a home gym. It features a sun dial design that allows you to change the angle of the pad just by pulling a pop pin. There is also a separate knob for vertical height adjustment, so you can dial it in to fit your specific height and arm length.

One of the best uses for this attachment is for bent over rows. Because you can adjust the height, I was able to get a full stretch at the bottom of the movement without the weight plates touching the floor. This allowed me to keep constant tension on my back muscles throughout the entire set. A great detail in the design is that the barbell does not hit the bottom of the pad, so I could pull my elbows all the way past my body for a full contraction. It works just as well with dumbbells if that is what you prefer.

Another clever feature is that the tubing is double-sided, which means you can face the other direction and use it as a half bench. This is a huge benefit for overhead tricep extensions or shoulder presses. 

In a regular bench, the high back pad can sometimes get in the way of your head or the weights, but with the half bench setup, I had a completely clear range of motion. I could tilt my head back during shoulder presses or drop the weights low for tricep work without hitting anything.

I did discover one important thing during my testing regarding safety. You definitely want to keep your feet on the floor when doing rows. I tried performing them the opposite way with my knees on the bench, and the unit actually started to tip over. As long as you keep your feet off the bench, it remains stable and works perfectly for everything from rows to single arm preacher curls and even chest supported cable rows. It is a very versatile piece that I would certainly use in my own gym.

Nordic Max Attachment: A Versatile 4-in-1 Solution for Hamstrings and Back

The Nordic Max is a multi-functional attachment that covers Nordic curls, split squats, lat pull downs, and seated cable rows. One of the first things I noticed about this unit is that it comes with a specialized seat pad that is split down the middle. This is a brilliant design choice because standard weight benches are often too narrow for Nordic curls, which usually forces your knees into an uncomfortable, tucked-in position. With this setup, I could pull a couple of pop pins and slide the two pad halves outward so they were wider than the actual bench frame. This allowed my knees to stay in a much more natural alignment during the movement, making the exercise feel significantly better.

The flexibility of the Apex bench itself adds even more value to this specific attachment. Depending on your strength level, you can perform incline Nordic curls to make them a bit easier, flat ones for a standard challenge, or even decline curls if you are a really advanced athlete. When I wanted to switch over to split squats, I simply moved the seat into a negative position. This brought the leg rollers closer to the floor, essentially turning the attachment into a dedicated split squat stand.

For lat pull downs, the rollers function as a lap bar to keep you locked in place while you sit on the bench. I did find one limitation during my testing that is worth keeping in mind. Since the bench is not anchored to the floor, you can generally only pull as much weight as your own body weight.

If I tried to go over my 180 lbs, the bench had a tendency to start tilting up because I was pulling more than I weighed. A simple fix I found was to throw some heavy weight plates on the back pad to keep the bench grounded, which allowed me to go much heavier.

Out of all the exercises possible with the Nordic Max, my absolute favorite has to be the seated cable rows. Before using this, I used to do my rows on the floor while bracing my feet against a sandbag by my rack uprights. 

This attachment solves that problem by providing a solid foot plate and allowing me to sit comfortably on the back pad of the bench instead of the floor. It makes the movement feel much more stable and professional. Even though it is just one attachment, it really expands what you can do within a very small footprint.

Matrix Machine: A 4-in-1 Versatility Powerhouse for Legs and Arms

The Matrix machine is another 4-in-1 attachment that offers an incredible amount of functionality in a small package. What makes this one unique is the 180 degree range of motion it provides, allowing for a variety of different planes of movement for both upper and lower body exercises. It is designed to work with both the top and bottom ports of the bench depending on the exercise you want to perform.

My absolute favorite exercise to perform with this attachment is the sissy squat. To set it up, I insert the unit into the bottom port and lock the pad in a vertical position. It has adjustable leg rollers that move back and forth to securely lock your feet in place. One trick I found very useful was setting the Apex bench to a negative 10 degree angle. This allowed me to get a full range of motion without my butt hitting the bench pad, which kept constant tension on my quads throughout the entire movement. I felt very secure during the exercise, and the pump in the quads was fantastic.

The attachment also features a very clever design for dynamic hip thrusts. By pulling and rotating a specific pop pin that has a peg on the center of the body, the pad becomes freely rotatable. This means the pad actually moves along with your body as you perform the hip thrust. This felt significantly better and more professional than doing them off the side of a standard bench. This was definitely my second favorite use for this piece.

For split squats, you can lock the pad back into a vertical position to provide a stable, stationary anchor for your leg. If you want to switch to upper body work, you simply remove the attachment from the bottom port and move it to the top port to perform preacher curls. It has built-in hooks to hold your bar during the set. I should mention that on the production version, these hooks will actually stick out further away from the pad to make racking the bar even easier. Overall, it is a very versatile piece that covers three leg exercises and one for the arms, making it a great space saver.

Leg Developer Attachment: A Must Have for Quad and Hamstring Isolation

If you are looking to isolate your quads and hamstrings, the leg developer is a must have for your home gym. One of the first things I appreciated about the build quality is that the unit stands up on its own, so I do not have to lean it against a wall when it is not attached to the bench. It also features dual weight horns, which allow for a higher weight capacity than designs using only a single horn.

I paid close attention to the thick leg rollers, particularly the bottom one, because it is designed to push your shins back. This creates a vital pre-stretch in the quads at the very beginning of a leg extension. During my testing, I found that performing extensions with the bench at an incline opened up my hips, resulting in a much better stretch and contraction. Because the shin goes backwards at the start of the movement rather than remaining vertical, I felt constant tension right from the beginning of the exercise.

For leg curls, the design includes hidden handles tucked under the seat pad. These fold down and lock in place, giving you something solid to hang onto for added stability during heavy sets. I also noticed that the built-in band pegs feature plastic rollers, which allow the resistance bands to move freely without friction. This is a great detail for those who want to use bands for a warm-up or to add accommodating resistance to their lifts.

One of the most versatile aspects of this attachment is the optional cable attachment. If you have a functional trainer or a cable machine, you can connect it to the leg developer to maintain constant tension throughout the entire range of motion for both extensions and curls. Between the weight plates, the integrated band pegs, and the cable options, you can really customize the resistance profile to suit your training needs.

Hybrid Board Accessory: An Overbuilt Solution for Lower Body Mobility

The hybrid board is a unique combination of a slant board and an anterior tibialis machine. I have to be honest and say this was not my absolute favorite combination of tools, but I understand why they designed it this way. It makes sense from a training perspective because you are working opposing muscle groups by having the slant board for your calves and quads right next to a station for your anterior tibialis. While it is technically more of an accessory than an attachment since it does not plug directly into the bench ports, it is a vital part of the ecosystem.

One thing that immediately struck me was the build quality. This thing is completely overbuilt, made from solid 11 gauge steel and it was actually much larger than I expected it to be. It features grip tape over the entire surface, so I felt very secure and did not worry about slipping. A detail I really liked was the rounded edge on the back of the board. Most slant boards have a sharp corner, but this rounded design felt much more natural under my feet and made me feel like I was not going to fall off the edge.

The board is particularly useful for heel elevated squats, which are great if you have joint restrictions in your ankles, knees, or hips. Elevating the heels allows you to get much deeper into the squat without hinging back as much, which shifts the focus heavily onto the quads. I also found some clever notches on the sides of the board that allow you to loop resistance bands under it. This is a great way to add extra tension to your squats or calf raises without needing a heavy barbell.

Ab Trainer Attachment: A Multi-Functional Solution for Core Training

The ab trainer is an interesting piece because it provides more versatility than a standard sit-up bench. It is an ab attachment with built-in handles that I can actually flip upside down to use for hanging leg raises. I have not seen anything quite like this before, and it is a great example of how to get more utility out of a single product in a home gym.

Adjusting the unit is very straightforward. There is a pop pin on the top that makes it easy to move the attachment back and forth to fit your needs. Getting onto the bench for decline sit-ups is also surprisingly simple despite the steep angle. 

There are handles on the support bar, so I just step on one, grab the handle on the ab trainer itself, and I am in position in just a couple of seconds. Once I was locked in, the setup felt very stable with very little movement during the exercise.

While performing decline sit-ups, I noticed I had plenty of headroom at the bottom of the movement. If you are particularly tall, you also have the option to decline the seat pad itself to ensure you have enough space. Overall, it feels like a very solid and effective way to hit your midsection.

The second way to use this is for hanging leg raises. You flip the attachment upside down and lock it into place so the handles are pointing forward. You hang onto the handles and rest your head against the leg rollers for stability. It is important to note that this setup is not going to be as tall as a dedicated pull-up bar..

Power Tower Attachment: A Multi-Functional Station for Upper Body and Core

The power tower is a great combination piece that gives you a pull-up bar and a dip bar in one unit. I started by testing the dip station, which I set to a 75 degree angle on the bench. It is positioned quite high, so I actually had to jump up to get on it, but it felt very usable once I was in position. Regarding stability, I noticed it moves a little bit, but it is certainly not enough to disrupt the exercise or make it feel unsafe. It can handle up to 400 lbs, so you can definitely add some weight to your dips if you need to.

I also used this station for hanging leg raises, and I have to say, I preferred this version much more than using the ab trainer attachment. Because of the way it is designed, I could rest my butt against the unit for support, which made the movement feel much more controlled. There was plenty of room at the bottom for my legs, and the whole exercise felt very natural and effective.

To turn the unit into a pull-up station, you add the extension piece which gives you the necessary height. This part is vertically adjustable so you can find the right height for your space. I did feel a little more movement here than I did with the dip setup, which is expected since you are extending the attachment further off the bench, but it was not terrible. I really appreciated having several grip options, including wide, narrow, and my personal favorite, the thick neutral grip. 

The handles have good knurling, so I felt very secure and did not worry about my hands slipping during a set. The pull-up extension has a weight capacity of 350 lbs, and I found it very useful that I could use the band pegs on the bench to add some resistance or assistance to the movement. Overall, it is a very solid piece that adds a lot of vertical training options to the ecosystem.

Landmine Attachment: A Versatile and Stable Addition for Full Body Work

The final attachment I tested in the ecosystem was the landmine. This unit is designed to be inserted into the bottom port of the bench, which provides the best possible stability for these types of movements. The setup process is very simple: you just pull the pop pin, insert the attachment, and lock it down. Once it is secured, you get a full 180 degrees of free motion in all different planes of motion, giving you a huge amount of variety for your workouts.

I wanted to really put this to the test by trying a mix of lower body, upper body, and explosive exercises. I started with some front squats, and it worked exactly like a regular standalone landmine attachment. I then moved into some upper body work and followed that up with an explosive exercise specifically to see if the bench would shift or wobble. I was impressed to find that the bench did not move at all, even during the more high-effort explosive reps.

It is a great example of how well-designed the centerpiece bench is. Because the foundation is so solid and heavy, it can handle the leverage of a landmine without needing to be bolted to the floor. This attachment adds a lot of functional versatility to the setup, allowing for everything from strength work to more athletic, explosive movements.

Final Thoughts: A Modular Hub for the Modern Home Gym

After testing the Apex Bench and its full lineup of attachments, it becomes clear that this system is designed around one central idea: maximizing training versatility without filling your garage with multiple standalone machines. From belt squats and Nordic curls to rows, pull-ups, and landmine movements, the bench serves as the anchor point for a surprisingly wide range of exercises.

What makes this setup particularly appealing for home gym owners is its modular design. You are not locked into a single configuration or forced to buy everything at once. Instead, you can start with the bench and gradually add the attachments that fit your training goals, available space, and budget.

If you want to see how all of these pieces come together into a single training platform, explore the TBG Apex Ecosystem and discover how the bench and its attachments are designed to create a compact but highly versatile home gym setup.