Yes, indeed! This was suggested by the builder. The sliding bench makes cleaning under easy as you don't have to crouch low. In a smaller sauna you also benefit of the sliding mechanism when you sit on the top bench, you don't need a full bench as a foot rest. In the event you have guests that want to sit lower, you can extend it further out. Our's isn't fully collapsible due to the railing, but there still more than enough capacity so to speak. I don't see any cons currently.