This Valor BD-61 review covers a plate-loaded cable crossover: two dual-pulley columns with 17 positions each, a lat pulldown bar, a curl and row bar, a pull-up station and plate storage.
The Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover ranks #1 in our best budget home gym guide and makes the top 5 of 2 more.
Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover Review: The Short Answer
Our verdict
FitScore 64.6/100
Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover
Buy it if you own plates and want crossovers, pulldowns, rows and pull-ups for little money. Skip it if you want quick pin changes or a machine that never moves.
- Plate-loaded (plates not included), dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, pull-up bar
- 56 x 50 in footprint, 81 in tall
- 10 years frame warranty, bench not included
Best Usage
- Cable flys, crossovers and face pulls
- Lat pulldowns and seated rows
- Pull-ups and hanging core work
Best For
- Lifters who already own plates
- Users who like cable training
- Beginners building strength at home
Not For
- Buyers without a plate budget
- Lifters who want heavy barbell squats
- Renters who move often
Key Specs
- Type: Functional trainer
- Resistance: Plate-loaded (plates not included)
- Footprint: 56 x 50 in
- Height: 81 in
- Warranty: 10 years frame
Pros
- 10-year frame warranty
- Stations: dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, pull-up bar
- Plate-loaded, so the load is open-ended
Cons
- Loading plates slows changes
- Few attachments included
- Plates not included
Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Functional trainer | A cable crossover frame with two columns, sold as a functional trainer. |
| Resistance | Plate-loaded (plates not included) | Plate-loaded, up to 200 lb per side on the loading posts; plates sold separately. |
| Stations | Dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, pull-up bar | Cable crossover, lat pulldown, low row and a pull-up station. |
| Pulley positions | 17 | 17 positions on each column, for work from the floor to above the head. |
| Footprint (width × depth) | 56 × 50 in | 56 by 50 inches, about the floor of a compact functional trainer. |
| Height | 81 in | 81 inches; it fits under an 8 ft ceiling, with little headroom for pull-ups. |
| Assembled weight | Not stated | A light frame for its size: weigh it down with plates for heavy work. |
| Bench | Not included | No bench in the box; a flat or adjustable bench adds presses and seated work. |
| Safety | Not stated | No stack shroud or catches: plates hang on open posts. |
| Attachments | 4 | 4: a lat bar, a curl and row bar and two strap handles. |
| Extras | Storage | Plate storage pegs on the frame. |
| Warranty | 10 years frame | 10 years on the frame and 3 years on cables and pulleys, from the maker. |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Check the warranty terms before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty.
The CDC recommends muscle-strengthening activity that works all major muscle groups at least twice a week for adults. Harvard Health Publishing explains how strength training helps adults keep muscle mass as they age.
Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover FitScore
FitScore rates each home gym on its published specs, weighted for one buying intent (how we score). This review uses the weights of our best cable machine guide, where the Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover ranks #1 with the same score. Performance (35%) counts most, then durability (20%), practicality (15%) and comfort, features and affordability (10% each). A cable machine buyer wants training range first, then durability and space, with ease of use, extras and price behind.
FitScore for Cable Machines
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines 6 category scores using the weights of the buying intent above.
- Durability (85.52): 10 years frame warranty, a plate-loaded system with few moving parts and the brand reliability score.
- Performance (72): plate-loaded (plates not included), dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, pull-up bar and 17 pulley positions.
- Practicality (64): 56 x 50 in footprint, 81 in tall and plates bought separately.
- Features (29): 4 attachments and storage.
- Comfort (10): no bench in the box and plates loaded by hand.
- Affordability (88): one of the highest affordability scores in the guide.
Stations and Resistance
Two columns with 17 positions each cover crossovers, face pulls, presses and kickbacks, and the lat bar and row bar add pulldowns and seated rows; the pull-up station finishes the list.
Owners call it a lot of exercises in one frame and a good station for the cost.
Bottom line: a full cable program on one frame.
Ease of Use
Every change means moving plates, so supersets are slower than on a weight stack.
Owners say it feels clunky at light loads, that the guide rods need grease, and that the plastic pulleys are not the smoothest.
Bottom line: slower changes, basic pulleys.
Footprint and Height
At 56 by 50 inches and 81 inches tall it fits a one-car garage corner.
Owners add that it can move under heavy loads unless weighed down, and that the pull-up bar is narrow and short for users over 6 ft.
Bottom line: compact; anchor it for heavy work.
Build and Warranty
The frame carries a 10-year warranty and the cables and pulleys 3 years, long coverage at this price.
One owner has trained on it almost daily since 2018 and only replaced the cables, which twist over time.
Bottom line: long coverage for the money.
Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover vs Rivals
Here is how the Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover compares with three other home gyms from our best cable machine guide, using the same FitScore weights.
| Comparehead to head | THIS REVIEW | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance | Plate-loaded (plates not included) | Plate-loaded (plates not included) | 400 lb weight stack | 400 lb weight stack |
| Stations | Dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, pull-up bar | Single cable column | Dual pulleys, pull-up bar | Dual pulleys, pull-up bar |
| Footprint (width × depth) | 56 × 50 in | 24.5 × 25 in | 64 × 44 in | 60 × 46 in |
| Height | 81 in | 80 in | 82 in | 84 in |
| Attachments | 4 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Warranty | 10 years frame | 10 years frame | 1 year frame | Not stated |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Alternatives to the Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover
Smaller footprint: Choose the Valor Fitness BD-62 Wall Cable Station if you want a 24.5 x 25 in footprint. It ranks #2 in our best cable machine guide.
No plates to load: Choose the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer if you want a 400 lb weight stack that changes with a pin or a button and 20 pulley positions. It ranks #3 in our best cable machine guide.
More pulley positions: Choose the XMark XM-7626 Functional Trainer if you want 19 pulley positions and 7 attachments. It ranks #4 in our best cable machine guide.
Final Verdict
The Valor BD-61 is a plate-loaded cable crossover with 17 positions per column, a lat pulldown, a row bar and a pull-up station. Its range and its 10-year frame warranty are the draw; the trade-offs are plate changes, basic pulleys and a frame to weigh down. If you would rather have a 24.5 x 25 in footprint, the Valor Fitness BD-62 Wall Cable Station is the closer fit.
Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover FAQ
It ranks in 3 of our home gym guides: #1 in best budget home gym, #1 in best cable machine, #3 in best compact home gym. With the weights of our best cable machine guide it scores 64.6 out of 100, with performance 72, durability 85.52, comfort 10, practicality 64, features 29.
It stands on a 56 x 50 in footprint and is 81 in tall; leave about 2 ft around the working sides.
It is plate-loaded: the load is the plates you add, which are sold separately.
The frame warranty is 10 years.
It is not required, but owners say it moves under heavy loads unless weighed down with plates or anchored.
The frame warranty runs 10 years, and one owner has used it almost daily since 2018 with only new cables.
If you already own plates and want crossovers, pulldowns, rows and pull-ups for little money, yes; if you want pin-selected stacks, look at a dual-stack trainer.
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