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Best Roman Chair
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Ease of Use
No one likes to spend time that they could be weight training wrestling with complicated instructions and components.
Due to the fact that virtually none of these devices comes fully assembled, we made sure to select designs that were going to be fairly easy to put together. The best way to determine how easy a product is going to be to assemble is to take a look at what past users had to say about each product. If we found that there was an overwhelming number of people complaining about complicated instructions, broken or missing pieces, or too many pieces, we typically moved onto the next product. Common sense dictates that if a product comes in too many pieces, it is going to run the risk of being unstable either from user error, or manufacturing error. Stability is going to be your number one concern with these products, because the act of hyperextending your body leaves you in a vulnerable position if you are working with poor craftsmanship. For most of the designs on our list, assembly took most users between 20-30 minutes to fully assemble, while some of the larger and more complicated units took users from 45 minutes to an hour.
Adjustability
Adjustability refers to how accommodating each unit is going to be of people of various heights, and just how easy it is going to be to make those adjustments.
If you are someone that works out alone, this might not be something that is going to concern you too much. However, if you are working out with friends or family, ease of adjusting is going to be a pretty big issue. For the most part, every option out there on the market offers users some degree of adjustment. Most move the foot rests up and down while the hip rests remain stationary, and others allow users to adjust the hip rest while the footrests remain stationary. All of the designs found on our list have a bar that has a series of holes in it. Users will pull a metal pin out of the base, and then raise or lower the cushion to their desired height. Once they find the right height for them, they simply need to place the pin back into a hole. This function makes adjusting the unit take under 10 seconds. Other brands offer more complicated methods to changing the levels, but we preferred this classic method that is found on virtually all commercial gym equipment.
Materials
What type of material is used to make each product is going to dictate how much weight it is going to be able to hold as well as how long it is going to last you before something breaks.
Hands down, steel is the way to go with these devices. 100 percent of the designs that we selected were made from some type of tubular steel. While tubed steel might not seem like it is more durable than solid steel- that’s because it isn’t. However, when you start to get into solid steel frames, the weight sometimes triples, and it becomes something that you will likely sell right along with your home because carrying it out is going to be too much of a hassle (not matter how strong it made your lower back!) In addition to the frame, we also took into consideration the quality of materials users for the padding where your hips go. The movement of hyperextensions is something that is already pretty uncomfortable, so you want to select a design that has a cushion that will lighten the pressure a bit. Men are often on the losing end of the comfort battle with these models (if you catch our drift!). For men, you might want to select a design that has dual thigh pads rather that the one singular pad.
Size
Depending on the space that you are working with, space is going to be an issue.
Not everyone is going to have the same amount of room to place specific equipment that is designed to only conquer one specific task. Gym real estate is generally reserved for equipment that can be used for more than one exercise, such as a weight bench or a power tower. That’s why many of the designs that we selected for our list are small enough that they can fit neatly in a corner. Some designs are even able to fold in on themselves so that they can be placed into storage or tucked behind a couch when they are not in use. Weigh was also something that we considered when selecting the right size. Sure, it might be small and compact, but is it capable of holding that much weight? Many of the smaller designs have a weight capacity of about 220 pounds, which isn’t going to be that much of a issue for most. However, it is important to keep that weigh max in mind if you intend on adding plate weighs to your routine over time. The larger commercial options that typically measure to be about 5 feet long typically have a weight mex of 300-650 pounds, so loading up plates on these designs isn’t really going to be that much of an issue.
Value
At the end of the day, we always want to save you a little bit of money when we can.
Due to the fact that these devices are used for one very specific exercise, keeping the price low was something that we certainly considered. While some commercial options are going to land you a pretty big price tag, they typically can be used for more than one thing. Some even come with the addition of a weight bench to add to the types of exercises that you can do. These options may seem expensive, but when you consider the workout you can get from them, we feel that they are an excellent value. Smaller options like that from GoPlus offer one of the most affordable price tags of any of the other out there on the market. However, when selecting a more affordable option, just remember that they typically cannot handle the same level of weight as some one of the higher end options can, and they can sometime be a little wobbly when in use- but they are still going to get the job done.
Top 10 Picks
1. Marcy
This option from Marcy is our favorite pick because it uses high quality materials, is incredibly easy to use as well as assemble, and it comes in at an affordable price point. While it is just a little bit bigger than most, we feel that it is worth making a little room in your home gym.
Read moreEase of use
Users have reported that this device comes with very easy to follow instructions that make assembly incredibly easy, and all of the nuts and bolts fit perfectly to prevent rocking and jiggling. There are two soft hand grips on either side of the pad that will make it a little bit easier to load up your body on this device.
Adjustability
Another thing that we noticed about this design is that it has ankle pads that are able to be raised a lowered depending upon the height of the user, making this device ideal for both men and women. Plus, it has a weight limit of up to 300 pounds, which is pretty impressive for such a smaller piece of gym equipment.
Materials
This option is made from high-quality materials that can stand for whatever beating you can throw at it. It uses powder coated heavy gauge steel in a tubing frame, which means that it is going to be able to be tough enough for your workout, but not so heavy that you will never be able to move it.
Size
When completely assembled, this unit measures to be about 42 inches long, 37 inches high, and weighs in at just 42 pounds.
Value
In addition to one of the most affordable price points out there on the market, this design from Marcy also comes with a 2-year warranty in case anything goes wrong with your product.
Overall
This unit gets out highest rating because it hits all of the marks of what you would want out of one of these products. It is easy to install and set up, it is adjustable, and it comes in at a really affordable price point considering the high-quality materials that were used.
2. Titan Fitness
Where the Titan Fitness design really shines is in how big it is. This unit has a pretty small footprint when set up, but the real selling feature of this design is its ability to be folded up for easy storage. If you are working with limited space in your home gym, this design from Titan Fitness is worth a look.
Read moreEase of use
Users found that putting this unit together was a bit of a chore, and too most about an hour from start to finish. One of the big complaints was that the instructions weren’t exactly clear.
Adjustability
Users like that they had the option to adjust the main seat up and down to achieve various angles to work targeted muscle groups. Some users that measured to be close to 6 feet claim that this unit it just a little bit on the small side, but they were still able to use it.
Materials
The first impression of this design is that it looks incredibly sharp with its black matte seats and fire engine red powder coated frame. It is made from steel tubing that makes it durable but lightweight.
Size
This unit measures to be about 44 inches long and 24 inches wide- which is quite smaller than many of the other options out there. It also weighs about 44 pounds, which is pretty part for the course, but it is only able to hold about 250 pounds.
Value
While just slightly more expensive than some of the more affordable options, we feel that this unit is set at a great value.
Overall
For those that are working with very limited space, this design from Titan Fitness is going to be worth the slightly higher price tag over some of the more affordable compact options. Users love that they can simply fold it up and shove it behind the couch when they are done.
3. Stamina
This design from Stamina has a similar style to the Titan Fitness design, but it is considerably smaller and lightweight for easy storage. Plus, if you decide to leave it up full time in your home gym, it doesn’t take up all of that much space and it is able to be adjusted to meet most sizes.
Read moreEase of use
According to some past users, putting this unit together is pretty easy and will not take you all that long based upon simple and easy to read instructions.
Adjustability
While users will be able to adjust the level of the footrests as well as the seat, adjustments are a little bit more limited than most. Users found that there are only about three different adjustment settings, which makes it a little limited if you are a little on the short side.
Materials
This design also has a bright red frame with matte black seats and footrests. It is made from a high quality and durable tubed steel with a powder coated finish.
Size
As we mentioned earlier, this design is significantly smaller than many others out there on the market. It also weighs just shy of 30 pounds, which makes it one of the lighter options as well.
Value
The cost of this unit is affordable, but it isn’t one of the most affordable options out there. However, given the ability to fold it up for easy storage, we feel it is a great value. Plus, it is made from high-quality materials that will be able to hold up to whatever you can throw at it.
4. Goplus
If you want something that is simple and doesn't come with additional features that you feel are not necessary, this is going to be an excellent option for you. It has a basic design that won’t take up that much room, and it comes in at being one of the most affordable options currently out there on the market.
Read moreEase of use
The beauty of a simple design means that you won’t want to pull out your hair when putting it together. While users found that putting this unit together was fairly easy and set explanatory, others found that the instructions were terribly unclear and confusing.
Adjustability
Users love the level of adjustability that is allowed with this unit. Instead of adjusting the footrest, users will pull off the vinyl seat along with a track and lock it into place once it hits the desired position. Users really appreciate that there are quite a few height settings on this model, making it ideal for tall and short users alike.
Materials
This unit is composed of heavy duty steel construction that makes it incredibly durable to whatever you can throw at it, and is capable of holding up to 220 pounds (which is slightly less than some of the other options out there). The vinyl, padded seat is a little thinner than most, which some people feel can get a little uncomfortable.
Size
Standing at 39 inches tall and 23 inches long, this unit is a little bit on the small side. The pad along the top is only 1.6 inches thick, which can get a little awkward with extended use.
Value
While it may have a couple of shortcomings, they may be worth it to you when you realize that it is the absolute most affordable design out there, and costs almost half of what many of the name brand compact options cost.
Overall
If you are looking for something simple and easy that isn’t going to break the bank, this option from Goplus is certainly worth a look. It might not have all of the same features as some of the others, and it doesn’t offer the same weight capacity, but it is hard to beat that value.
5. Bodycraft
The quality of this option from Bodycraft is similar to what you may find in a commercial gym, but it also comes at a much higher price point that may make you flinch. We really like that it is made from high quality materials and sports a design that will allow the user to engage in more workouts rather than the basic hyperextension.
Read moreEase of use
Many users report that assembling this unit is a tad time consuming, and takes about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish. The longer assembly process is due in part to the fact that this unit is much bigger than many of the more compact designs out there on the market.
Adjustability
What users really like about this design is that they can adjust the footrests up and down for various sizes of users, and they can also adjust it along higher and lower for various styles of routines and workouts.
Materials
One look at this unit and you know that it is made from high-quality materials. It is made from a 12 gauge steel construction that makes it incredibly heavy duty, and the pads are super thick and incredibly comfortable.
Size
The size of this unit differs from that of the more compact options out there. This unit is full size, and it going to take up white a bit of room in your home gym. It measures to be 51 inches high and 38 inches long, and weighs in at 64 pounds.
Value
The cost of this unit costs about three times as much as some of the smaller and more compact units out there on the market, but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee which makes it well worth the padded price tag.
Overall
If you have the room in your home gym for this serious piece of equipment, this unit is going to be a great addition if you are willing to pay the higher price point. Users love the high quality of this design that feels like something you would find in a commercial gym.
6. Cap Strength
This design from Cap Strength is another option that is able to do more exercises than the humble hyperextension. The innovative design allows users to perform dips, sit ups, and plated twists as well. Plus, it is made from high quality materials that mirror what you would find at a commercial gym without the painful price tag.
Read moreEase of use
The good news here is that while it is a little more complicated of a design compared to many of the compact options, users find that it is pretty simple to put together. Some even found that it took them around 20 minutes from start to finish, and the final product feels very sturdy and not wobbly and unstable.
Adjustability
This unit is a little limited in the adjustability department. Users will only be able to change the position of the ankle bar. They can pull the central pin and run it up along the slotted bar that runs vertically, and then lock it into place in one of the grooves.
Materials
Made from high-quality steel, this is something that is going to really be able to hold up to whatever you can throw at it. We found that the cushions were a little on the thin side, but there weren’t any complaints about it being uncomfortable.
Size
Measuring in at 56 inches tall and 43 inches deep, this is going to be something that is going to take up a good deal of space in your home gym. It also weighs just over 43 pounds, which makes it a little easier to move around when need be, and it is able to sustain an impressive 300 pounds of weight.
Value
While it looks as if it is something that looks like it came from a commercial gym, it does not support a commercial gym price tag. It actually mirrors the affordable price of many of the compact designs that we have seen.
Overall
If you are looking for something that is going to live full time in your home gym and you have the additional room, this option from Cap Strength is going to be an excellent choice that will give you commercial design without the commercial price.
7. XMark
The XMark lives somewhere in between a large commercial model and one of the more compact designs. We liked it because it is made from high quality materials, and sports a design that allows users to engage in more than just hyperextensions. While it may cost a little bit more than the average priced options, we find that it is well worth the slightly padded price tag.
Read moreEase of use
One of the very first thing that we noticed that users had to say about this option was that it was incredibly easy to put together. Most users found that it took them between 20-30 minutes to go from the box to completely assembled, and the instructions were simple and easy to follow.
Adjustability
What we really liked about this model is that it offers users up to 10 levels of adjustment at the footrest, which makes it ideal for various sizes of users.
Materials
Constructed from 14 gauge steel makes this unit incredibly durable, and the powder coated finish will prevent scratches. Much care went into the vinyl pads, that measure to be 2.5 inches and have double stitches to prevent tearing.
Size
This unit measures to be about 46 inches long and 25 inches high, making it live somewhere in between a compact and full sized design. It also weighs 66 pounds and is capable of holding an impressive 300 pounds of weight on the frame.
Value
The size of this unit lies somewhere between full size and compact, and the price of this unit lives somewhere between the cost of a full size and compact model as well. Considering the high-quality materials used for this unit, we feel this is an excellent value.
Overall
For those that what the function of a full-size model without the higher price point and larger size, this option from XMark is an excellent choice that won’t break the bank.
8. Powerline
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to this option from Powerline. It has a simple yet smart construction that makes it easy to put together, and the innovative frame means that performing a hyperextension to the best of your ability is going to be a cinch.
Read moreEase of use
From what we could gather, users found this unit incredibly easy to put together, and found that all of the holes and components fit together like a glove- which can be a real problem with some of the less expensive models.
Adjustability
Users will have the options to move the footrest up and down on a vertical path that offers you 8 level of adjustment. This means that it is going to be a perfect match for men and women alike, and adjust the base is as simple as pulling a pin, lifting or lowering the footrest, and the placing the pin back into the hole.
Materials
This unit is constructed with 2x2 inch heavy grade steel that has a powder finish that has been applied electrostatically to prevent scratches. The seat and footrests are a little on the thin side, but there were few users that felt that this was an issue when it came to their workouts.
Size
Measuring in at 46 inches tall and 36 inches wide, the size of this unit is pretty average. It also weighs about 42 pounds, which makes it sturdy enough to stay put while in use, but light enough that it will be pretty easy to move.
Value
The cost of this design is quite a bit more expensive than many of the average size models, but we found that manufacturer's warranty, as well as the quality of materials used, make it well worth the slightly higher price point that is nowhere near the most expensive option out there.
Overall
This is a great choice for those that have no issue with running out of space, and are in the market for something that is made from high-quality materials that will hold up for years of continued use while you strengthen your back and core.
9. Sunny Health & Fitness
This option from Sunny Health & Fitness might not have the bells and whistles as some of the others, but it gets the job done, and it comes in at one of the more affordable price points out there on the market making it worth a look.
Read moreEase of use
From what we have read of users reviews, putting this unit together is simple and easy. There were quite a few that stated that they went from box to working out in about 20 minutes. However, some found that even with all of the bolts tightened, this unit was just a little bit wobbly when they went to use it.
Adjustability
The bad news here is that while it is able to be adjusted, the degree in which it can be adjusted is a little narrow. There are only three holes on the footrests that can be moved a total of about 6 inches vertically, with no ability to adjust it horizontally.
Materials
This unit boasts a heavy duty steel frame that is able to hold about a maximum of about 220 pounds. The hip cushions look to be a little on the thin side, but we didn’t see a lot of using complaining about uncomfortable cushions.
Size
Measuring in at about 53 inches long and 33 inches tall, this unit is quite a bit bigger than some of the more compact options out there on the market. It does, however, only weigh just over 30 pounds, making it something that is going to be easy to move about your home gym.
Value
The cost of this unit makes it one of the more affordable options out there on the market. Considering the ease of use as well as the smart design, we feel that this is an excellent deal.
Overall
If you were looking for something that is simple and easy that won’t break the bank, this option from Sunny Health & Fitness is going to be a great addition if you have the extra room in you home gym.
10. Fitness Reality
Versatility is one of the best features about this design from Fitness Reality. While it offers users the tools that they will need for hyperextensions, it also has a built-in bench to help with training with dumbbells as well as doing sit ups and declines.
Read moreEase of use
There is no need to be intimidated with how to put this unit together. It comes in 6 pieces that require assembly, and most users were able to put it together from box to ready in about 30-45 minutes.
Adjustability
With so many ways to adjust this bench, you will be able to hit most major muscle groups with just one unit. The footrests actually come up to your lower thigh to allow you to really hyperextend your back with a good base for stabilizing yourself. The bench is also able to be adjusted to engage in basic weight training or lowering it to engage in decline sit-ups.
Materials
This unit is composed of a tubular 2x2 frame design that makes it heavy duty, and it is powder coated to be resilient against scratches. The pads are considered to sweat resistant, and the double stitching also makes it tear resistant.
Size
We aren’t going to beat around the bush here- this unit is quite large. It is about 5 feet in length, and stands to be almost 30 inches high. It also weighs a whopping 67 pounds, but it can hold an impressive 650 pounds in weight.
Value
While this may seem like this light commercial model might come in at a really high price point, the cost is actually quite reasonable, and is just slightly higher than some of the more compact home designs.
Overall
If you are in the market for something that is going to take up a good deal of space in your home but is going to be able to complete a myriad of exercises with just one frame, this is going to be one of your better options.
