Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench review: buy or skip?

Buy8.0/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you need an adjustable bench that stores upright. Why: folding adjustable bench for small spaces. The catch: not for very heavy loads.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench

Buy it if: you need an adjustable bench that stores upright.
Skip it if: you need the heaviest-duty bench.

Best for: Adjustable bench
Key feature: Folding adjustable bench for small spaces
Typical price: $249–$329

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Type	Adjustable bench
Weight range	Not applicable
Footprint	Folds upright
Max load	600 lb

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you need an adjustable bench that stores upright
value folds upright
can spend around $249–$329

Skip it if you

you need the heaviest-duty bench
mind this: not for very heavy loads
mind this: assembly

Pros and cons

Pros

Folds upright
Six positions
Sturdy enough
Compact

Cons

Not for very heavy loads
Assembly

The verdict in one breath

The Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench is home gym equipment we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: folding adjustable bench for small spaces. In our list it is the pick for: adjustable bench.

Reasons to buy

Folds upright
Six positions
Sturdy enough
Compact

Reasons to skip

Not for very heavy loads
Assembly

The specs that matter

Type: Adjustable bench
Weight range: Not applicable
Footprint: Folds upright
Max load: 600 lb

Worth knowing

Stands upright to save floor space.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you need an adjustable bench that stores upright. Skip it if you need the heaviest-duty bench; the Rogue Ohio Bar is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best home gym equipment.

Alternatives worth considering

Rogue · Home gym equipment

Rogue Ohio Bar

Buy it if you are building a barbell gym.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Barbell
Typical price: $295–$395

Pros

Durable
Good knurling

Cons

Plates sold separately

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Bowflex · Home gym equipment

Bowflex SelectTech 552

Buy it if you want a full dumbbell rack in a small space.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Adjustable dumbbells
Typical price: $349–$429

Pros

Quick weight changes
Space-saving

Cons

Bulky shape

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench?

Buy it, if you need an adjustable bench that stores upright. Why: folding adjustable bench for small spaces. The catch: not for very heavy loads.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you need the heaviest-duty bench. The Rogue Ohio Bar is the better buy then.

What does the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench cost?

Usually $249–$329 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you need an adjustable bench that stores upright. This review explains what this Bowflex model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which home gym equipment to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench does well

The headline: folding adjustable bench for small spaces. Key specs: Type: Adjustable bench; Weight range: Not applicable; Footprint: Folds upright; Max load: 600 lb. In our list it is the pick for: adjustable bench. It usually sells for $249–$329.

Stands upright to save floor space.

The trade-offs

Good: folds upright, six positions, sturdy enough, compact. Not so good: not for very heavy loads, assembly. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you need the heaviest-duty bench.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Rogue Ohio Bar ($295–$395): made-in-USA Olympic barbell for lifting at home. Better if you are building a barbell gym.

Instead, consider the Bowflex SelectTech 552 ($349–$429): dial-adjust dumbbells from 5 to 52.5 lb. Better if you want a full dumbbell rack in a small space.

Instead, consider the Titan Fitness T-3 Power Rack ($449–$599): solid rack at a lower price. Better if you want a rack on a budget.

Before you buy

Space: measure floor area and ceiling height; a power rack needs about 7.5 feet of height for pull-ups. Weight range: adjustable dumbbells that go to 50–90 lb per hand replace a full rack of fixed weights. Build: look for steel frames, weight capacity ratings and solid warranties on racks and benches.

US buyer tip

Home gym gear sells out in January; shop in summer or on Black Friday, and check freight shipping costs on heavy racks.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.