Odyssey Bench Mat vs UPR Bench Bro: Lay-Flat Mat or Strapped Mat?

If you have searched for a bench press mat you have probably seen both of these. UPR Tech makes the Bench Bro. We make the Odyssey Bench Mat. Both exist to stop your upper back sliding on the bench so your leg drive goes into the bar. They go about it differently, and the difference decides which one suits your gym.

Everything below about the Bench Bro comes from UPR Tech's own product pages as of October 2026. Check their site for current details, because products change.

How the UPR Bench Bro works

The Bench Bro is a non-slip mat with built-in Velcro straps that secure it directly to the bench pad. UPR describes it as rolling up and strapping together for transport. It is sold in several sizes: the Bench Bro for standard benches, a compact Bench Baby, a wider Bench Daddy for 13 to 14 inch pads, and a heavier-duty Competition Series. UPR advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How the Odyssey Bench Mat works

The Odyssey Bench Mat has no straps. It lies flat on the pad where your upper back goes and stays there because the Advanced Grip Polymer surface grips the vinyl underneath and your bodyweight pins it. One mat fits any flat or incline bench regardless of pad width. It packs flat in a gym bag rather than rolling. It has been tested by 700 lb+ benchers, is rated 4.98 out of 5 across 208 verified reviews, and carries a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Where the difference shows up

Setup time

A strapped mat takes a moment to fit and a moment to remove. A lay-flat mat goes on and comes off in seconds. If you train in a busy commercial gym and move between benches, or share a bench, this is the difference you will notice every session. If the mat lives on one bench at home, it barely matters.

Fit

Straps have to match the pad. That is why UPR sells several widths. A lay-flat mat does not care how wide the bench is, which is useful if your gym has a mix of benches or you travel.

Travel

A mat that rolls picks up a curl. A mat that packs flat does not. Small thing, but you feel it when you lay the mat down and it wants to lift at the edges.

Guarantee

UPR advertises 30 days. Odyssey gives you 90. Both let you return the mat if it does not do the job.

Proof

Look at who has actually lifted on each mat and what verified buyers say. For the Odyssey Bench Mat that is 700 lb+ benchers in testing and 208 reviews averaging 4.98 out of 5, which you can read on the product page.

Which one should you buy?

Buy a strapped mat if you bench on one bench you control and you like the idea of the mat being fixed in place. Buy a lay-flat mat if you bench in a commercial gym, move between benches, travel, or just want the fastest possible setup with the same grip on every bench.

We obviously sell one of these, so read both product pages and decide for yourself. What we would say is that the Odyssey Bench Mat was designed for the second kind of lifter, because that is who we are. See the Odyssey bench mats, or read how to choose a bench mat for the full checklist.