The best power rack with cable crossover attachment is made of 11 or 12 gauge steel as that’s both high quality and durable. Along with which, either a double or a single cable pulley system is used, where the double is slightly more versatile than a single. Lastly, space is a factor that heavily depends on whether the cable crossover attachment is built into the power rack or comes attached outside of it.
Top 5 Best Power Rack With Cable Crossover Reviewed
1. Top Pick: Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack
The BD-7 Power Rack is one of the most versatile cable crossover power rack that you can get. Not only do you get a dual cable crossover attachment, but it also comes with a pull-up bar and a lat pulldown attachment. Along with which, the equipment itself is extremely sturdy as it is made of high quality steel.
- Type/Style: Power rack
- Weight: 500 lbs for bar catchers, 750lb max load, and 200lb for lat pulldown
- Height: 85"
- Width: 138" with plates
- Number of positions: 27
- Material: 2” x 2” 12-gauge steel
Quality
Typically, as you go higher with gauge steel, you have less steel in the equipment itself. So a 13 or 14-gauge steel product has diminished steel compared to something like a 2” x 2” 12-gauge steel. So, they didn’t cheap out on their quality at all.
Durability
There are several durable features of this product, starting with the steel quality itself. But, it also looks to protect your floors as it comes with rubber base caps. You also get a 3 year frame warranty,1 year hardware warranty, and a 2 year cable warranty.
Versatility
Versatility is no issue with the BD-7 Power Rack. Not only do you have all the benefits of a power rack, but the dual cable crossover attachments increase the number of exercise possibilities as they can be adjusted to 27 different variations. These are further increased by the pull-up bar and the high and low pulley system.
Reliability
The product is extremely stable. In fact, they guarantee that the power rack won’t even shake when you’re performing pull ups. A part of the reason is the width of the product, as it gives you a wider base for stability. However, this can also be a drawback.
Value for Money
There is an incredible value for money as you’re getting an extremely versatile product, made of high quality, and is both stable and safe.
Positives:
27 different cable variations
12-gauge steel
750 lb weight limit
Several warranty offers
Could be better:
Not space friendly
2. Runner Up: Rogue The Monster Cave
Not only is the Monster Cave is a power cage with cable crossover, that provides several customizable options. You can pick from two variations of height and width, along with a few different cable options, in order to build a power rack that is uniquely yours. Even the cable crossover attachment for power rack is customizable.
- Type/Style: Power Rack
- Height: 90 or 100"
- Width: 30 or 43"
- Number of racks: 16
- Material: 3x3" 11 gauge steel
Quality
There shouldn’t really be any quality concerns with this product. Not only is it heavy duty and sturdy, it’s made of the highest quality 3x3" 11 gauge steel.
Durability
A big part of product durability depends on the steel quality, which as mentioned before, is the highest quality available. Also, the width of the power rack adds an extra layer of stability when you’re performing exercises such as pull ups or putting the weight back down.
Versatility
Versatility isn’t an issue as you have an option of attaching a dual cable system, a CT-1 Cable Tower, and a high and low pulley system. Along with your basic power rack exercises, you can also use the bars overhead for pull-ups.
Reliability
As mentioned earlier, the product is often sought out by pro athletes, so it has earned a reputation for being reliable. It comes with a bunch of safety features and also a MG black finish, to make sure it’s long lasting and safe.
Value for Money
A potential drawback is the high price and the fact that several of the features aren’t included in the base product. So, you would spend a lot on this product, but once you do, you won’t be disappointed as it should last you potentially a lifetime and provide you with lots of workout variation.
Positives:
3x3" 11 gauge steel with MG black finish
- Pick and choose from different cable systems
Customizable height and width options
Could be better:
Expensive
Requires additional attachments
3. Premium Pick: HULKFIT Pro Series Power Cage w Attachments and Accessories
The HulkFit Power Cage has a weight capacity of up to 800 pounds, so it definitely made for someone who wants to take their strength gains to the next level. Another unique feature is that the cable crossover attachment uses weight plates rather than a weighted stack. So, the workout cage with cables definitely has some unique features.
- Type/Style: Power Rack
- Weight: 800 lbs
- Height: 85"
- Width: 120"
- Material: 13 gauge steel and rubber
Quality
The quality of the power rack is slightly less compared to its competitors. However, they provide security bars, rubber feet, and a 2.5in x 2.5in vertical post in the back for stability and sturdiness.
Durability
The power rack can handle upwards of 800 pounds, so there shouldn’t be a lot of durability concerns. It also comes with a 2 year warranty to offset any concerns that rise up.
Versatility
Majority of the versatility of the product depends on how many attachment options you decide to add to the base power rack. The dual cable crossover is one such option, however it’s plate loaded rather than using a weight stack. You can also add a dip bar and a lat pulldown system.
Reliability
As mentioned earlier, the product does come with a lot of extra safety and stability features to protect you and your floor. While the cage is sturdy enough to handle a lot of poundage before showing any signs of breaking down.
Value for Money
There is a lot of value for your money, but it also depends on the attachment options you pick. Each option is also an added cost to the overall total of the power rack, itself.
Positives:
Can handle upwards of 800 pounds
Extra stability features
Attachment options such as dual cable crossover, dip bar, and lat pulldown
Could be better:
13 gauge steel
The cable crossover weight is limited to the size of the plates you use
The Machine Cage System can be switched between a squat rack, power tower, and a utility bench station. So, you don’t have to question the versatility of the product. You also get a multi-grip pull-up bar up above and two different color options.
- Type/Style: Power Cage
- Weight: 300 lbs
- Height: 86"
- Width: 84"
- Material: Steel
Quality
The cage has both heavy duty steel and a powder coating. So, the cage should be able to deal with heavy usage, while the powder coating will protect it from corrosion and rust.
Durability
The powder coating adds to the durability of the product. Along with the steel quality, which isn’t as high as other cages, but gets the job done.
Versatility
The Marcy Smith Machine Cage System allows you to hit each muscle group thoroughly, so there shouldn’t be any versatility concerns. It even comes with a landmine press attachment, but the barbell system is a smith machine. So, if you’re into using free weights, that is something to consider.
Reliability
There could be some reliability concerns when the weight limit of the product is only 300 pounds. You could find that to be too low to reliably use the product.
Value for Money
There is value for your money because the product is versatile. So, if your focus is exercise variation, then the Marcy Smith product works well. But, again, weight limit and smith machine portion are things to consider.
Positives:
Unique versatility such as the landmine press attachment
Multi-grip pull up bar
Powder coating finish
Could be better:
300 pound limit
No free weight barbell
The Fitness Reality Squat Rack comes with a leg hold down component to help you stabilize during your lat pulldowns. The Lat pulldown attachment can also double for a single cable pulley to allow you to do unilateral work. This squat rack with cable machine can also handle upwards of 800 pounds.
- Type/Style: Squat Rack
- Weight: 800 lbs
- Height: 83"
- Width: 46"
- Number of racks: 19
- Material: 2" x 2" steel
Quality
The squat rack power cage has a few different quality features, such as the 2" x 2" square steel frame, two safety bars made of 3 1/4" long chrome steel, and two mounted safety bars made of 23" long chrome steel.
Durability
These safety features and extra steel bracing makes the product pretty durable and stable for you to workout with.
Versatility
Compared to its competitors, the Fitness Reality Squat Rack Power Cage isn’t as versatile because it only comes with a single pulley system, rather than a dual.
Reliability
To get a great workout, the product is reliable because it has a weight capacity of upwards of 800 pounds. So, you can maximize your strength gains, but could find it lacking a little for smaller muscle groups.
Value for Money
For strength training, there is a lot of value for your money here, but in terms of a high quality, versatile product to maximize your budget, it could use a few upgrades.
Positives:
Can handle upwards of 800 pounds
Leg hold down feature
Several steel safety features
Could be better:
Fewer cable exercises available
Single pulley system
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Why Buy A Cable Crossover Power Rack
Full Body Workout
A power rack is an excellent choice for compound exercises like squats, bench press, and overhead press, and for strength and muscle building. However, where a power rack does lack is in targeting smaller muscle groups or specific muscles, such as the back, shoulders, arms, or glutes, to name a few. That’s where a power rack with a cable crossover can be very helpful, as the cables can be adjusted to different heights and lengths and come with other handle attachments to allow you to target more specific muscle groups. So, with a cable crossover, you’re getting an all-in-one type of product.
Versatility
One way to keep making progress in the gym is to target your muscles from different angles and different resistance methods. That’s why a squat rack with cable crossover is so handy because it adds an array of exercise options to your workout where you can pick what will benefit your muscles the most at the moment.
Unilateral Work
Muscular imbalances are a common fault for many lifters. Bilateral work, where you use both limbs can exacerbate muscular imbalances because one side of the muscle group can overtake the weakened side. That’s why unilateral work is important to do, which is difficult with just a barbell. But with a cable crossover system, you can work your muscle group with one arm or one leg, and address any issues.
How To Pick A Power Rack Cable Crossover Attachment
Single Cable Pulley
A cable crossover comes with a few different pulley options. One of them being a single pulley, where the weight stack is attached to just one cable. You can still increase your exercise variety and add versatility through a single cable pulley, but you won’t be able to do unilateral work as effectively.
Double Cable Pulley
A double cable pulley is where there are two cables, each on one side of the power rack, and both are connected to two different weight stacks. This allows you to work the muscle group unilaterally, while performing the exercise with both arms. This also increases the variety of exercises that you can do, as with a double cable pulley system, you can perform exercises like the cable crossovers for the chest or shoulders.
Length Of The Cables
This might not be a universal issue, but can be for taller athletes. Depending on the length of the weight stacks have to travel upwards, you might find yourself unable to fully lock out or complete an exercise. This may be because the stack reaches the top of the cable system before you can lock out.
FAQs
What Is The Difference Between A Cage And A Power Rack?
The two are pretty comparable, but one of the main differences is that a power rack is more stable and sturdy. This is likely because a power rack comes with a bolt down option and because it has 4 metal pillars for stability. A power rack also has more attachment options, which means it can give you more value for your money, depending on your exercise selection and workout program.
Is Power Rack With Cable Crossover Worth It?
Having a variety of exercise selection usually favours long-term progression in the gym. With a cable crossover attachment to the power rack, you increase the number of exercises you can perform, target your muscles bilaterally and unilaterally, while also addressing imbalances. So, the overall benefit of a power rack with cable crossover is immense.
Conclusion
A power rack with cable system has several benefits, the main one being versatility, as you can better target smaller muscles and muscular imbalances. To pick the right one, take into consideration the steel quality, the pulley system, and if the power rack can be upgraded with other attachments, as well. The Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack is one that fits this description the best.
Also read:
References:
- Cable Crossover // Body Building:
https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/cable-crossover - Cable Crossover // Trained: https://www.trainedphysioperth.com.au/unilateral-training-benefits/
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.