*This episode can be listened to on Spotify, Apple, Anchor, and likely wherever you get podcasts! Our guest analyst this week was Joe Gray, the Founder of the Garage Gym Competition. Part 2, where we interview him, will be released soon.
30 Second Summary of Survey Results
- The functional trainer reigns supreme as the top specialty machine most are interested in.
- Most do not own a full set of dummbells or kettlebells.
- Most have not heard of the Garage Gym Competition or are participating in r/Home Gym/Home Gym Discord.
(1:44) With cost in mind, who are you choosing to fill an entire home gym with?
- With 4 possible options, Rogue and REP made up over 91% of the votes with Rogue eeking out a victory over REP.
This survey question was also asked about six months ago. REP was the biggest mover, up 40% from May votes. They definitely took away some Rogue votes, which fell 16%.
| Company | May 2021 | January 2022 | % Change |
| Force USA | 2.44% | 2.37% | -3% |
| Sorinex | 9.42% | 6.32% | -33% |
| REP | 30.55% | 42.88% | 40% |
| Rogue | 57.59% | 48.44% | -16% |
(11:12) Have you heard of or participated in the Garage Gym Competition?
- A little over a fourth have heard of this online powerlifting competition with about 22% of them actually participating.
(14:32) If you own any dumbbells, is it a full set? If you own any kettlebells, is it a full set?
- A full set of dumbbells or kettlebells is a luxury that most do not have.
(19:33) Which specialty piece of equipment are you choosing first?
- With nearly 45% votes, the Functional Trainer beat out the GHD (24%), Belt Squat (18%), and Reverse Hyper (13%).
- How did this change from last time? The chart below shows the differences between this time around and 11 months ago. All stayed within a few % points with the functional trainer lead gaining over the GHD.
(27:04) Are you a parent?
- Nearly 55% say yes, which is up 20% from the last time this was asked in April of 2021.
(27:26) How often do you rearrange your home gym each year?
- Most aren’t arranging it too much. This question was also asked about 8 months ago and we did not see much change.
(30:04) Do you typically look to see what Country your equipment was made in before purchasing?
- About 40% are looking to see what Country your equipment was made before purchasing? This didn’t change much from when this was asked about last May (38%).
(31:49) Are you a member of Reddit r/HomeGym and/or Home Gym Discord?
- Reddit dominated this one with about 6x more votes, but only about 1 in 5 answering these survey questions are members.
(35:36) Do you have a computer in your home gym?
- Nearly 12% have a computer in their home gym. This was about a third of the amount that have TVs.
Why is Force titled niche?
“Niche” may not be the best way to describe them, but at least for most of this audience, all-in-one trainers still seem to be a rare item for them. However, with more exposure, it may not be like that for too much longer.