Fixing Problems in the Gym w/ GymPin

If you haven’t seen GymPin before, they started with a fairly simple concept. You had machines in the commercial gym setting that couldn’t be loaded heavy enough to handle heavy training by powerlifters and bodybuilders. So they built the Original GymPin, a pin that could go in a stack machine to add additional plates. New PRs were showing up left and right and lifters were happy again. Then some BEASTS decided they couldn’t fit enough plates on the leg press, hammer rows, and other set ups. So they made extenders for those machines. BOOM! More PRs and more gains.

GymPin took a problem, created a solution, and turned it into a business model. They released the GymPin and the rest, as they say, is history.

Simple & Effective

The GymPin is one of those items you might not need right now, but when you do, YOU NEED IT! And you often see guys and gals frustrated in the gym by their limited equipment, snag one and yell where has this been my whole life?

I have a functional trainer in my garage that gets a LOT of use. One issue, being a 250lb dude in a garage gym, is that the stacks can be a little light for rows, pulldowns, leg work, and even triceps extensions. One of the first things I grabbed was The Original 2″ GymPin Black Edition. I personally like the look of the black as it matches my gym aesthetic better. I’ve been using both pins a few times a week for the past several months and they look essentially brand new. I’m currently pushing an extra ~35lbs on triceps extensions and an extra ~50 on rows and leg extensions. For testing purposes I’ve loaded up 3x45s and the cable has been fine. That is an extra 135lbs PER SIDE on my cable stack, giving me a LOT of room for progression.

To use them effectively, you put your traditional stack pin in the bottom plate, and then add the GymPin somewhere in the middle of the stack. This ensures you use your full stack AND leave room on the GymPin for whatever weights you are slapping on. It is that simple.

If I compare these to a potential stack upgrade for my functional trainer, I can add 50lbs per side for an additional ~$250. A pair of GymPins which gets me significantly more weight, is under $150. Clear winner.

What About Weight Limits?

I asked GymPin directly about the idea of “overloading” a machine.

Every gym equipment brand manufactures in a safety factor into their products – meaning that they are massively over engineered for just the stack.

An Inch of weld can hold a ton (1000kg/2200lbs) and the tensile strength of steel cable is easily into the hundreds of pounds. So a well maintained machine will have no problem with an additional few plates added.

On the plate loaded machines, they’re so massively over engineered we’ve never had a single problem at all. Your average “home gym” unit often comes with some pretty limited stacks, some even being well under 100lbs. The cables are often rated for MUCH more than that, but those additional stack plates add to the price, so manufacturers cut them.

Obviously it is for the owner to look into and get comfortable with before overloading their own equipment.

Ben from GymPin

What Else Can We Solve?

The GymPin and Machine Extenders led them to think…. What other problems need solving in the gym? What other traditional equipment can be redesigned and improved?

They took a look around and started attacking some other items. They dropped the D-Handle Bar first. Cables often don’t fit every body type. Now whether you want a wide or close grip, you want supinated, pronated, or the ability to rotate, you’ve got it all in one handle.

You can use them for curls, rows, pulldowns, triceps work, and a ton more.

Keeping With The Theme

Another common culprit is the short triceps rope. Even smaller athletes have issues with the attachment running into their bodies before they hit a full extension of the triceps. And thus, the TRI-GRIP brand was born.

The TRI GRIP handles have ergonomic grips which are much more comfortable to grip; the outer edge molded perfectly to your hand meaning you can push hard through the outer part of your hand and contract the triceps HARD. The entire range of TRI Grip products are double length in fact, meaning you can extend the triceps and train them in the fully shortened range (with the hand behind the hip). If this doesn’t jive with you, the basics are that this means more muscle. Bigger triceps mean a bigger bench. So that is a good thing. These are so good they have been added to my personal Top 5 Cable Attachments list.

The TRI GRIP straps are lined with neoprene and are super comfy for movements like lat pullovers. But did you know you can loop them over your feet and use them on your cable machine instead of a lying hamstring curl if your home gym doesn’t have one. I’ve even used straps like this to set up a seated leg curl as well. Get ready to build those HAMMIES!

The D-Handle Bar can be flipped around so you can take a dual cable machine (like a functional trainer), connect both cables together, connect to a single cable attachment, and leverage both stacks.

I recently snagged their Seat Belt, and I’ve been using it for a LOT of stuff. Things I didn’t even intend to use it for.

My Gym Pin weighs 2lbs. Most plate stacks jump by 5lb or 10lb increments. You can use the unloaded Gym Pin to make small jumps. Or add on a set of Micro Gainz Plates to bust through plateus.

They have even partnered with my dude Kyle at KaizenDIY to produce some Jammer Arm upgrades for a number of home options.

What Is Next For GymPin?

GymPin is back to sponsor the 2024 Garage Gym Competition. Tossing up two prize packs.

First, is their Cable Attachment Prize Pack

• Triceps Rope x 1
• GymPin of The Winners Choice x 1
• D-Handle Bar Of The Winners Choice x 1

Second, is their Belt Squat Prize Pack

• Kick Stand x 1
• Belt Squat Collar x1

They ship worldwide, and you can upgrade your cable game and save 10% w/ Code: GRAYMATTERLIFTING

GymPin continues to look at the gym, see what is missing or not working, and come out with solutions. If you are struggling with something in the gym, reach out to them! That might just be the next big thing! They are always working on something new.