The Apex Adjustable Bench is a solid piece of equipment on its own, but what truly sets it apart is not just the bench itself: it is the modular ecosystem built around it. In the current home gym landscape, the “bench ecosystem” has become a major trend, allowing lifters to plug various attachments into a single footprint to maximize space and functionality.
As someone who focuses on helping people build garage gyms they absolutely love, I have seen many attempts at this, but the level of thought put into these ten specific attachments is a serious step up.
Unlike other brands that might release a bench and leave the accessory ports empty for years, they have launched a complete suite of tools designed to handle everything from heavy leg days to upper body accessory work.
The bench features three distinct accessory ports: front, back, and top, which allow each attachment to be positioned ideally for the specific exercise it is intended for.
The Apex Leg Developer: A Premium Solution for Leg Day
The leg developer is arguably the most anticipated attachment for any bench ecosystem, and getting this specific piece right is crucial. After testing it, I found that the build quality is a serious step up from many other brands; the solidity of the metal, the quality of the vinyl, and the firm pads make it feel like a piece of high-end equipment.
Installation is a bit of a workout itself. Because the unit weighs 50 pounds and requires you to lift it into the accessory port while the seat is at a 15-degree angle, it can be a challenge to set up compared to versions with wheels.
However, once it is locked in, the stability is excellent. I particularly appreciated the thoughtful touches, such as the dedicated storage spot for the locking pin and the band pegs that use rollers to keep tension consistent without the band slipping off.
The performance during leg extensions is where this unit really shines. The wide, flat pads provide far better support for the legs than standard rollers. Even as a taller lifter at 6’6”, I did not bottom out, allowing for a deeper stretch than I’ve felt on many standalone machines. A common complaint with plate-loaded developers is the lack of resistance at the bottom, but because these horns are angled further out, the strength curve felt impressively consistent throughout the entire movement.
The Leg Holder: Beyond Basic Rollers
Next is the leg holder, which is a staple for any adjustable bench ecosystem. This unit includes a beveled plastic cap on the insertion tube, which makes sliding it into the accessory port much smoother than the open metal designs seen on other benches. It is a thoughtful touch that prevents the “metal on metal” scraping often found in lower-quality equipment.
This attachment is designed primarily for decline ab work, but it also features a knurled handle in the middle. While the knurling is adequate and provides a decent grip, it is not quite as premium as what you might find on some higher-end competitors.
One of the best features of this unit is its adjustability; you can move it forward or back to find the perfect fit for your body, which even allows for near-vertical ab work depending on how high you set the bench angle.
A unique aspect of this design is that you can take the attachment out, flip it over, and use the built-in handles for leg raises. Because the bottom portion of the Apex seat can decline slightly, it stays out of the way of your head during decline ab work, and your feet during leg raises. While this is a relatively basic attachment, it is a solid piece of gear that does more than the standard leg rollers found on most other systems.
The Stryker Pad: Solving the Backpad Dilemma
The Stryker Pad is a clever solution that addresses a common debate in bench design: the solid backpad versus the folding backpad. While some modern benches fold in half to get the back out of the way for overhead presses, the Apex maintains a solid back for better support and uses the Stryker Pad to provide those same benefits.
When installed, this pad serves as a chest support for dumbbell rows or a stable platform for overhead tricep work without the bench back interfering with your range of motion. It can even be turned around to function as a single arm preacher curl pad, allowing you to sit comfortably on the bench rather than crouching next to it.
One standout feature is that because it extends off the back of the bench, it provides enough clearance for a barbell, making it a viable option for technically correct seal rows. While there is a slight amount of movement in the pop pin under load, the overall versatility makes it an excellent multi-use tool
The Matrix 4-in-1: A Unique Powerhouse
The Matrix 4-in-1 is easily one of the most unique and impressive attachments in this system. It is a large contraption that breaks down into parts to facilitate a variety of exercises that are rarely seen in a single bench add-on.
First, it functions as a wide, adjustable preacher curl pad that can be set to different angles to match your preference. Second, by moving it to the lower accessory port and rotating the pad, it transforms into an adjustable height hip thrust station.
This is perhaps the best hip thrust pad I have tested for a home gym because it can either lock in place or rotate with your movement. Finally, it includes a foot plate with grip tape and rollers that allow for sissy squats. This is a difficult and effective quad exercise that is rarely found as a bench attachment. For those with limited space who cannot fit a full leg developer, the Matrix offers a fantastic alternative for quad and glute training.
The Landmine: A Solution for Non-Rack Users
The Landmine attachment is a super versatile piece of equipment that slots into the low accessory port on the back of the unit. For many home gym owners who do not have a rack to anchor a landmine to, finding a stable place to perform these movements can be difficult.
This attachment solves that problem by using the 105-pound weight of the Apex bench as a secure anchor, which is especially important for dynamic and explosive work.
The design includes a beveled plastic piece that allows it to slot in easily, and the barrel features unique cutouts that resemble the heat shield on a machine gun. One of my favorite technical details is the protection for your barbell. Many landmines use a screw that can scratch the finish of your bar, but this unit features a plastic sleeve that protrudes beyond the screw.
This means that when you tighten it, you are only pressing against the plastic rather than metal-on-metal. While it currently lacks a rubber pillow at the bottom to protect the very end of the barbell, the movement is incredibly smooth. It is a great addition for anyone who wants to expand their training without needing a full power rack.
The Lever Belt Squat: The Standout Accessory
I have saved what I consider to be the absolute favorite accessory for this bench for last: the Lever Belt Squat. This implement is ingenious because it does not just use a small attachment arm; it uses the entire back of the bench as the lever.
This design provides the longest lever arm of any belt squat on the market by a significant margin. In my experience, shorter levers on other benches tend to pull the lifter forward in a tight arc, but the length of this system allows for a much more natural, straight-up-and-down movement.
The unit is also effortless to set up thanks to a special notch in the bench rail that prevents the hooks from getting caught during the movement. Another standout feature is the adjustable handle. Having a secure place to hold on during a belt squat makes a massive difference in stability, and because the handle can move, you can also use it for exercises like shrugs or RDLS.
While the vertical weight post can limit how much total weight you can load compared to horizontal posts, they have included weight pads to space out the plates and prevent you from pinching your fingers. The fact that such a powerful piece of equipment can be stored upright in a tiny corner of the gym makes it, in my opinion, the best lever belt squat solution available for a home setup.
The Squat Wedge and Calf Block: The Perfect Belt Squat Companion
The next piece in the ecosystem is a multi-use attachment that Tim considers one of his absolute favorites: the Squat Wedge and Calf Block combo. While this unit does not actually plug into the bench accessory ports, it is designed specifically to pair with the Lever Belt Squat to create a complete lower body station. It is a big, heavy, and incredibly stable piece of equipment that features high-quality grip tape across the top surface to ensure your feet stay locked in place during heavy sets.
The primary function of this unit is as an angled slant board or squat wedge. For lifters with ankle mobility issues, standing on this wedge allows you to squat much more deeply by shifting the ankles forward, reducing the mobility requirement, and placing more emphasis on the quads. A thoughtful design detail is a removable piece in the middle that allows the wedge to slide perfectly around the kickstand of the belt squat, letting you position it exactly where you need it for the best range of motion.
Beyond the squat, the back of the unit is rolled off to create a dedicated platform for calf raises. Unlike a standard flat box, the rounded edge provides a much more comfortable and natural feel as you roll your foot down for a deep stretch. Additionally, this attachment doubles as a tibialis trainer. It includes two adjustable arms with weight horns that allow you to perform single or double leg tib raises. Tim noted that strengthening the tibialis is one of the best ways to bulletproof the knees and address lower-body imbalances.
In his final assessment, Tim stated that if he were buying this bench, this is the one attachment he would definitely choose. He was so impressed with the combination of the Squat Wedge and the Belt Squat that he mentioned he would even replace his current standalone belt squat setup with this modular system because of how well they function together while saving space.
The Dip and Pull-Up Attachment: A High-End Calisthenics Station
While Tim admitted that this is his least favorite attachment in the ecosystem, he was quick to clarify that it is not because of poor quality. In fact, he noted that as far as this category of equipment goes, this is easily the best version he has seen on the market.
For many bench ecosystems, dip attachments feel like an afterthought: often resembling thin, uncomfortable bicycle handlebars. In contrast, this unit features a design similar to a “matador horn” where the handles angle out, allowing you to move forward or backward to find the perfect width for your frame.
The attention to detail here is impressive. The handles are wide for a better grip, and there is a built-in pad that serves as a physical touch point for your chest to ensure you are hitting full depth on every rep.
Even the inside of the pad cover is upholstered, a small touch that highlights the two years of development put into these products. Installation requires the bench to be set at a 75-degree angle, and because the Apex bench has a flat rear base without protruding wheel covers, you can stand directly behind it to mount the handles without any risk of tripping.
For those wanting to perform pull-ups, the system uses a height-adjustable riser that slots into the same top accessory port. It features a window with numbers so you can easily dial in your preferred height.
Tim, who stands at 6’6”, noted that while he still has to bend his knees, he can get a full hang and perform reps comfortably once the unit is at its highest setting. The pull-up bar offers several grip variations, including neutral grip on the dip handles, wide grip on the angled portions, and a knurled middle section for narrower work.
In terms of real-world feedback, Tim mentioned that the knurling is passable but feels slightly hindered by a thick powder coat. He also found the process of removing the riser to be a bit “precarious” and “wonky” compared to the other attachments.
However, once everything is screwed down and tightened, the station is rock solid. For someone heavily into calisthenics or bodyweight training who does not have a dedicated rack for these movements, this is a premium solution that offers significantly more versatility than a standard dip bar.
The Nordic Curl Attachment: Signature Knee Bulletproofing
This is the company that made its name with the Nordic back extension, so they have put a significant amount of thought into making this movement work on a standard bench. Tim notes that nordic curls are one of the best ways to bulletproof your knees by strengthening connective tissue and increasing blood flow. In terms of sheer hamstring strength, he even considers them superior to traditional lying leg curls.
The setup for this attachment is unique because it requires a one-time modification to the bench itself. You replace the original single-piece seat with a two-piece version that looks and feels identical during normal use. When you are ready for nordics, you pull a pin and slide the two seat halves apart to create a shoulder-width gap for your knees. This is a massive improvement over standard 12-inch wide benches that force you to squeeze your knees together in an uncomfortable starting position.
This is also the first attachment to utilize the front accessory port, demonstrating the advantage of having three different ports on the Apex bench. While the setup is “pop pin intensive” because it requires tightening six different points, the result is an incredibly solid and rattle-free experience.
Tim pointed out that while a dedicated Nordic bench typically has two sets of rollers to lock in both the heel and the foot, this single roller design still feels very secure once you are pushed against the foot plate.
For those who are not yet strong enough for full reps, the bench allows for regressions by adjusting the height or angle. You can even set it to a decline to make the movement more difficult for advanced lifters. Beyond nordics, this unit serves as a multi-tool for upper-body work.
By flipping the attachment, you can use the grip-taped foot plate to perform seated low rows from a functional trainer. Additionally, the rollers can be adjusted high enough to act as a leg anchor for lat pull-downs, which Tim found to be a more stable solution than using a barbell in a rack. While it does not fully replace a dedicated standalone Nordic bench, it is the best modular solution he has tested for anyone looking to save space without sacrificing performance.
Final Thoughts: The Versatility of the TBG Apex Ecosystem
One thing became very clear to me: the owners are 110% focused on this project. This ecosystem is their baby, and they have spent the last two years perfecting these ten attachments before bringing them to market.
It is a bold move to launch a complete suite of accessories alongside a new bench, especially when you consider that even major brands often leave their accessory ports empty for years while they develop the hardware. This proactive approach shows that the company is ready to “play with the big boys” in the home gym industry.
The overall build quality across the entire line is a significant step up from what you typically find on budget-friendly attachments from other well-known brands. While no system is perfect, and I have shared my specific critiques for each piece, the level of thoughtfulness in the details is impressive.
Whether it is the beveled plastic caps that prevent metal-on-metal scratching or the multi-functional designs of the Matrix 4-in-1 and the Nordic attachment, these are tools built by people who clearly understand the needs of a home lifter.
If you are looking for a modular bench that can truly replace several standalone machines, the Apex ecosystem is a fantastic starting point. My personal favorites, like the Lever Belt Squat and the Squat Wedge, have actually convinced me that I could replace my current standalone setups with this modular system to save space.
If you want to see how the bench and all of its attachments come together as a single modular system, you can explore the TBG Apex Ecosystem and discover how it is designed to replace multiple standalone machines while keeping a compact footprint in a home or garage gym.