Gmwd V8 4-in-1 Chest Press Tested: Heavyweight Durability and Form Breakdown
The central question for any combination machine is whether its "flat" setting actually mimics a horizontal press. Many convertible benches fail because the pivot arm sits too high, forcing the movement into an accidental low-incline press that loads the clavicular head and front delts. In our testing of the GMWD V8, setting the bench flat and lowering the carriage pins produced a direct, mid-sternum bar path across our 5-foot-9 and 6-foot-2 test lifters.
Loading the machine with 45-pound Olympic plates revealed how the lever arms handle genuine mass. At 225 pounds, movement along the pivot axis remained fluid. The machine utilizes sealed bearings at the primary pivot joint, avoiding the sticking points common in cheap nylon-bushing setups. When we pushed the resistance to 405 pounds, the frame showed zero lateral tipping, helped by its wide front stabilizer feet. We observed slight lateral flex at the top three inches of the rep, where the independent handles converge. While this slight deflection does not compromise safety, it creates a subtle shift in hand path that lifters accustomed to rigid commercial steel will notice immediately.