| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight capacity | Weight ratios | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valor BD-61 Check Discounted Price | L:52" W:56" H:81" | 40+ | 200 lbs | Lat: 1.4 : 1 Cross: 0.75 : 1 Low: 1.55 : 1 | Lat bar, Row bar, D-handles |
The Valor Fitness BD-61 is one of the home gym systems released in 2016. It does not come with weight stacks like the Body-Solid S2FT, for example. It is equipped with a lat machine which you can load with your own weight plates. It comes with several accessories and has a fairly decent load capacity.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 52D x 56W x 81H (132L x 142W x 206H cm)
- Assembled weight: ~170 lbs (77 kg)
- Weight capacity: 200 lbs (90.7 kg)
- Possible exercises: 40+
- Accessories: Lat pull-down bar, row bar, adjustable d-handles, Olympic sleeve adapters,
- Warranty: Frame 3 year, 1 year cables
Frame construction
The Valor Fitness BD-61 cable crossover machine features a pretty sturdy frame made of steel tubing. Its base 
part, top part, and median pillar are coated with a rust-resistant and chip-resistant paint finish black in color. The front upright tubes and the rods of the weight carriage are chrome plated.
The machine is not extremely large. With all the parts assembled, it is approx. 56″ (142 cm) wide, and 52″ (132 cm) deep. It is recommended, though, to allow at least two feet of clearance on each side of the unit, at least one foot of clearance at its rears, and a few feet at the front, to be able to execute all the exercises correctly.
The unit’s highest point is approx. 81″ (206 cm) above the floor level. This being said, it should fit in a room with a 7-foot ceiling. However, it is recommended to allow at least one foot of clearance above it, to be able to perform pull-up exercises correctly.
The machine is fairly heavy. It comes in three boxes that weigh 62 lbs (28 kg), 72 lbs (32.6 kg), and 40 lbs (18 kg). This being said, its net and assembled weight should be around 170 lbs (77 kg), without any weight plates loaded on it. Being this heavy, the unit provides plenty of stability on its own, so you don’t need to anchor it to the floor.
The two front pillars of the machine feature 17 adjustment holes for the mobile pulley units. The lowest attachment point is approx. 12″ (30 cm) above the floor, while the highest is at approx. 70″ (178 cm) above floor level.
Other parts and accessories
The Valor Fitness BD-61 is a cable crossover quipped with a lat pull-down machine. This being said, it integrates 
multiple pulleys. They’re made from a durable nylon material and integrate sealed 6202ZZ standard bearings. They are 90 mm in diameter with 11 mm holes.
The exact strength test of the cables included with this machine is not specified. However, they should be able to withstand at least two times the maximum specified load capacity of the unit. They’re steel ropes with PVC sleeves in order to prevent the scratching of the pulleys.
The base section of the frame does not have pre-drilled holes for anchoring it to the floor. The ends of the base tubes feature rubberized caps for improved stability. The base frame also has two weight plate storage pegs (1″ in diameter). So, by placing weight plates on them, you can considerably improve the overall stability of the unit. The median upright bar features three hooks to which you can attach some of the included accessories, or any other accessory you may opt for.
Speaking of accessories, the Valor BD-61 comes with a low row bar with an extension chain, two standard D-handles with length-adjustable straps, and a standard lat pull-down bar with curved grips. A tricep rope, a triangle chest pull grip, and a v-shaped handle are also available from Valor Fitness but not included with the machine. Also, the accessory set does not include an ab harness or an ankle cuff.
Last but not least, the weight storage pegs and the pegs of the weight carriage are 1″ in diameter. However, a set of four 2″ (Olympic) adapters are included with the machine. These are made from a durable thermoplastic polymer.
Workout stations
The Valor Fitness BD-61 crossover machine features four distinct workout stations. These are:
Pull-up station. This workout station consists of two large handles welded directly to the top frame section. They have thick PVC foam sleeves for an improved grip. They offer the possibility to adopt three grips including a wide grip, a standard grip, and a parallel grip.
Lat pull-down station. This consists of a median pulley placed between the pull-up grips. As we’ve mentioned above, the machine comes with a standard pull-down bar which you can attach to this pulley for various lat-pull down exercises, tricep presses, and more.
Crossover station. This workout station consists of the two mobile pulley units attached to the front upright pillars of the unit. The pulley attachments swivel side-to-side (at 180°) so they can easily adapt to the exercise that you want to perform. There are 17 holes for attaching each mobile pulley to the desired position.
Low pulley station. This workout station offers the possibility to execute low rows, cable curls, as well as leg abductions or adductions if paired with an ankle cuff (not included). As we’ve mentioned above, a short row bar with an extension chain is included with this machine for this particular pulley.
Load Capacity and Weight Ratios
The maximum recommended load capacity for the Valor Fitness BD-61 cable crossover machine is 200 lbs (90.7 k). However, users have reported that the weight carriage can hold up to 250 lbs (113 kg). Weight plates are not included with this machine. The pegs of the weight carriage are 1″ in diameter and a set of 2″ adapters is included. Thus, it is compatible with both Standard and Olympic plates.
The machine offers different weight ratios for each pulley system. The top pulley offers a weight ratio of 1.4 to 1. This being said, if you load the carriage with 20 lbs (9 kg), it should provide a weight resistance of 28 lbs (12.7 kg).
The crossover pull offers a weight ratio of 0.75 to 1. In other words, if you load it with 20 lbs (9 kg), it provides a weight resistance of approx. 15 lbs (6.8 kg). And finally, the low pulley has a ratio of 1.55 to 1. Thus, if you load it with 20 lbs (9 kg) it should provide a weight resistance of 31 lbs (14 kg).
Possible Exercises
Arm exercises
- Bicep curls
- Lateral single-arm biceps curls
- Lying biceps curls
- Close-grip pulldowns
- Triceps extensions
- Triceps press-downs
- Kneeling triceps extensions
- Lateral single-arm triceps extensions
- Prone triceps extensions
- Pull-ups / Chin-ups
- Weighted Pull-ups / Chin-ups
Abdominal Exercises
- Cable crunches
- Cable twist crunches
- Seated trunk rotations
- Standing trunk rotations
- Golf swings
- Tennis swings
Back Exercises
- Back flies
- Back presses
- Prone back flies
- Prone reverse flies
- Lat pulldowns
- Aerobic rowing
- Crossover rowing
- Kneeling rowing
Chest Exercises
- Chest presses
- Single-arm chest presses
- Wide grip chest presses
- Close grip chest presses
- Chest flies
- Incline chest flies
- Lateral chest flies
- Single-arm chest flies
- Pullovers
- Pullovers with crunches
- Pullovers with twisting crunches
- Assembly and Maintenance
Leg Exercises
- Standing one-leg curls
- Calf raises
- Squats
- Single-leg squats
- Kneeling single-leg squats
- Wide squats
- Twisting squats
- Front lunges
- Hip extensions
- Hip adductions
- Hip abductions
Shoulder Exercises
- Shoulder presses
- Upright rows
- Lateral deltoid raises
- Front deltoid raises
- Lying front deltoid raises
- Front deltoid raises with leg curls
- Shoulder extensions
- Lateral arm pulls
- …and more.
Needless to say, some of these exercises require accessories which are not included with the machine. For example, chest presses call for an adjustable bench, while leg exercises require an ankle cuff.
Assembly and Maintenance
Like any other cable home gym, the Valor BD-61 requires quite a bit of assembly. However, the task is pretty straightforward and the manual provides clear step-by-step instructions. You will basically have to assemble the base first, add the upright pillars, add the carriage on its rods, close the frame with the top section, then add the pulleys, cables, and all the other parts. This will definitely take at least a few hours of your time. Tools for the task are not included; you will need adjustable wrenches or a set of fixed wrenches and a rubber mallet.
For maintenance, it is recommended to periodically grease the rods of the weight carriage. The pulleys may need a bit of lubrication from time to time as well. Other than this, it is also recommended to periodically inspect the machine, to make sure that all the bolts still hold tight in their places, and all the moving parts still function properly.
The Pros
- Sturdy and stable frame – 200 lbs recommended capacity;
- Durable pulleys with ball bearings;
- 17 adjustment positions for its mobile pulleys;
- Adjustable pulleys with a pivoting (180°) design;
- Two weight plate storage pegs on the base frame;
- Rubberized caps on the base frame bars;
- Pull-up station with long padded grips;
- Lat pull-down station;
- Low pulley station;
- Olympic adapters for weight plates are included;
- Over 40 exercises available;
- Accessory hooks included;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- Ankle cuff for leg exercises not included;
- Tools for assembly are not included.
Summary
The Valor Fitness BD-61 is a cable crossover machine made for home use. It features 17 adjustment positions for its mobile pulleys, a weight capacity of 200 lbs, and four workout stations, including high pulley, pull-up grips, crossover, and low-pulley. It comes with Olympic plate adapters, lat bar, short bar, and D-handles. It offers the possibility to perform more than 40 exercises. In all, it’s a fairly decent machine for beginners and intermediate-level users, offering excellent value for the price.