Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack | Achieve a “Ripped” Physique

The Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack with Lat Pulldown offers a vast range of strength training exercises to help you achieve a sculpted “ripped” physique. Moreover, the Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack offers intense strength exercises, including lat pulldowns, squats, military presses, pull-ups, and more!

The Valor Fitness BD-7 is constructed with a sturdy 2×2″ steel mainframe and features four steel chrome adjustable weight bar supports, two solid steel squat safety bars, and 17 variable positions for bar supports ranging in height from 17.5″ up to 68″. In addition, this power rack is compatible with a 7ft Olympic-sized barbell (sold separately).

If you buy this rack to set up in your home gym, you will usually be working out without a spotter. Therefore, this is why Valor Athletics has included a set of high-quality safety rails and two sets of adjustable bar supports.

These allow you to perform mass-building exercises, including squats and bench presses, without the fear of getting ‘pinned’ under the bar. The bar supports come in a couple of different lengths. The shorter set holds the bar before starting the exercise, while the more extended set helps catch the bar if you can’t entirely complete the rep.

Learn more in my complete review below!

Product: Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack with Lat Pulldown

Price: For a great deal on this gym, merely go here on Amazon

Warranty: Frame 3 years / Cables 2 years / Pulleys 1 year / Other parts one year

My rating: 8.75/10

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure

Please note that some images display weight plates and bars that do not come with the Power Rack.

Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 59L x 63W x 86H inches (150L x 160W x 218.5H cm)
• Assembled weight: 135 lbs (61.2 kg)
• Maximum weight capacity:
  • 500 lbs (226.8 kg) for the bar catchers outside of the cage;
  • 650 lbs (294.8 kg) for the bar catchers inside the cage;
  • 800 lbs (362.8 kg) for the safety bars;
  • 350 lbs (158.7 kg) for the pull-up bar.
• Possible exercises: 40+
• Warranty: Frame 3 years / Cables 2 years / Pulleys 1 year / Other parts one year

BD-7 Frame

This home gym system’s frame is 12 gauge square steel tubing with a metallic pewter finish. The assembled machine is heavy enough (approx 135 lbs) to provide the required stability for exercises; thus, you won’t need to bolt it to the floor. Unfortunately, its bases don’t have holes for bolting it down.

However, if you wish to secure it to the floor or pavement, you can always drill a few holes. The bases also come with rubber base caps; thus, the frame features an excellent “grip” on the floor; it shouldn’t slide or tilt if you perform exercises such as around-the-world pull-ups.

The frame is relatively large. Its footprint is approx—47″ (120 cm) wide and 59″ (150 cm) long. However, the machine’s width is approximately 63″ (160 cm) due to the lateral weight plate support pegs. Furthermore, it requires 2′ (61 cm) of clearance on each side, 2′-3′ at the front, and at least 1′ of clearance at the rear, for user safety.

The cage’s inner space is relatively spacious, with the distance between the vertical bars being approx — 44″ (112 cm). However, the assembled frame reaches 86″ (218.5 cm) when it comes to its height. In other words, it’s taller than 7′, so you will have to place it in a room with at least an 8′ ceiling.

The pulleys equipped on the machine are made of heavy-duty nylon material, not steel. However, they shouldn’t wear out for at least 2-3 years, even if you work out daily. They also integrate sealed ball bearings for prolonged use. The cables are steel-made and coated with a sheet of PVC.

The Valor Fitness BD-7 power rack does not include a weight bar or plates. You’ll have to purchase these accessories or use the ones you already have. It’s for use with Olympic 7′ bars. The machine has a lat pulldown bar and a short bar for low pulley exercises. Also, the top of the frame integrates a bar for pull-ups.

BD-7 Catch Bars and Safety Bars

The vertical bars of the frame has 17 adjustment positions for the catch bars and safety bars. The first adjustment hole is placed at 17.5″ (44.5 cm) above ground, while the top one is at 68″ (173 cm). Therefore, the distance of the adjustment holes is approximately—1″ (2.5 cm).

This power rack has four catch bars, which you can install inside and outside. Also, a set of two safety bars is provided with the machine. The weight plate storage pegs are 4, 2 for each side of the frame. They’re 1″ pegs for Standard weight plates, each one being 8″ (20.3 cm) long.

You can also store Olympic plates on them, even if you won’t use a 2″ peg adapter. The Olympic plates will be loose on the supplied standard pegs, but they shouldn’t fall off or rattle if you secure them with springs. The weight bar attached to the machine’s cable also features 1″ sleeves.

A bar with a 4″ thick foam roller comes with the rack. This bar is to be attached to the safety bars of the machine. It’s a helper bar for lat pulldowns. Knees go under it; therefore, if you’re going to perform lat pulldowns with a heavy load, it will prevent you from lifting yourself from the bench.

If you’re not too heavy and perform lat pulldowns with a less heavy load, you can sit on the foam support if you won’t use a bench.

Workout stations

This Valor Fitness power rack includes three main workout stations. These are:

High pulley station with lat pulldown bar – offering the possibility to perform various exercises for the back, arm, and shoulder muscles;

Low pulley station with straight T bar – for stand-up curls, triceps kickbacks, stand-up rows, squats, etc.

Pull-up station – consisting of a simple, solid steel bar with a chrome finish and knurled grips. This bar does not feature curved outer handles.

Of course, the cage is a workout station, as it offers the possibility to perform a wide array of weight bar exercises or bench exercises. A bench accessory is not included with this power rack, though. Instead, look at the Valor Fitness DD-11 Flat / Incline Utility Bench if you purchase a bench.

Dip handles (Valor Fitness MB-A) can be attached to the frame’s vertical bars. However, these accessories are also not included.

BD-7 Possible Exercises

• Pull-ups
• Wide grip pull-ups
• Muscle pull-ups
• Behind head pull-ups
• Around the world, pull-ups
• One-arm pull-ups
• Cliffhangers
• Weighted pull-ups
• Chin-ups
• Close grip chin-ups
• Wide grip chin-ups
• One hand chin-ups
• Weighted chin-ups
• Hanging knee raises

  

• Hanging leg raises
• Lat pulldowns
• Close-grip pulldowns
• Behind head pulldowns
• Aerobic rowing
• Kneeling rowing
• Biceps curls
• Triceps press downs
• Chest presses
• Single-arm chest presses
• Wide grip chest presses
• Close grip chest presses
• Cable crunches
• Cable twist crunches
• Seated trunk rotations
• Standing trunk rotations
• Stand-up leg curls
• Calf raises
• Squats
• Single-leg squats
• Kneeling single-leg squats
• Wide squats
• Twisting squats
• Jumping squats
• Hip extensions
• Hip adductions and hip abductions

  

• and more

BD-7 Assembly and Maintenance

The whole frame of the Valor Fitness BD-7 requires assembly; however, the process is pretty straightforward. An assembly manual offering step-by-step instructions come with the cage. However, tools for construction do not come included, so you’ll need two adjustable wrenches. Nevertheless, the whole assembly shouldn’t take more than two hours.

When it comes to maintenance, there’s nothing much required. For example, a little lubrication should solve the problem if the pulleys begin to squeak. Also, a periodic check of the machine’s bolts, nuts, and joints is required.

Pros

• Sturdy, all-steel frame;
• Three workout stations, including a lat pulldown station, pull-up bar, and low pulley station;
• Smooth pulley and cable movement;
• 17 attachment positions for the catch bars and safety bars;
• Four catch bars n two safety bars included;
• Excellent weight capacity, catch bars being able to support more than 500 lbs (226.8 kg);
• Knee stopper bar with foam roller included;
• Lat pulldown bar included;
• Short T bar for low pulley exercises included;
• Pull-up bar included;
• Over 40 possible exercises;
• Quiet operation;
• Little maintenance is required;
• Reasonably easy to assemble.

Cons

• No curved handles for the pull-up bar, which might be an inconvenience for some users;
• Not meant for use with  6′ weight bars;
• The ankle strap for leg exercises does not come included.

Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack Summary

The Valor Fitness BD-7 power rack is a home gym system that can perform more than 40 exercises. It features a sturdy frame with decent weight capacity, integrating three distinctive workout stations. Additionally, it comes with two sets of catch bars and one set of safety bars, and the frame offers 17 positions for them.

Although it may not be the best choice for a powerlifter, this power rack can offer an excellent training setting for beginners and intermediate-level users. Moreover, it’s safe to say that this particular fitness equipment provides excellent value for the price.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.

Please remember that you should consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.