Introduction
Selectorized weight stacks (built-in weights for machines, not plate-loaded) are already a luxury for home gyms. So, why invest in a premium selector pin?
The truth is, most people don’t need one, and many won’t want to spend their money on it. But I did—and I’m happy with the decision.
Bare Steel Equipment specializes in high-quality steel products, including barbells, cable attachments, rack pins, and, yes, selector pins. Their catalog also features other unique items like York weight plates and the Marrs Bar. The brand exudes craftsmanship, and their selector pin is no exception—it’s built to last and fits right in with their reputation for quality.
Why I Wanted One
One of the first accessory movements many home gym owners add is a lat pulldown. After making do with a rack-attached version, I stumbled upon a commercial lat tower with a belt instead of a cable—for just $500. I brought it home and loved it. It became my first piece of selectorized equipment.
This lat tower quickly became my favorite gym item, but one thing drove me crazy: the cheap plastic ball pin selector. My kids kept stealing and misplacing it, which didn’t fit securely. The lanyard was stretched out and often got pinched in the weight stacks. I knew I needed a better solution.
Bare Steel Selector Pin
The Bare Steel selector pin is crafted from American-made metal and features a smooth, precision-machined finish. Its standout feature is the built-in magnets, which ensure a secure and snug connection to the weight stack. When I first held this product, the words that came to mind were premium, sleek, and smooth.
Bare Steel offers two standard decals as well as a laser engraved logo. There is also an upcharge option for custom logos. I personally love their logo, and the American background is what I went with.
Mistakes
If you have the option to add some utility to a product and it doesn’t change how you use it, you should. I can’t think of any other example except this one, but if I were to buy this item again, I would opt for a Stacked Weight Pin.
A Stacked Weight Pin functions as a selector pin but also lets you add plates to increase the stack’s weight. In my case, it would allow me to use 2.5 or 5 lb plates for smaller, incremental weight jumps. My current stack increases by 10 lb increments, so having the flexibility for fractional jumps is something I’d find very useful.
Conclusion
The Bare Steel selector pins are exceptionally well-made, with a look and feel that stands out. Do you need one? Probably not. These are the kind of products that fall perfectly into the “Great Gift Ideas” category—things you don’t necessarily need but make for cool, thoughtful additions to any home gym.