Introduction
Below is a look at all survey data around barbels (including specialty) in 2023.
We’ve got “primary barbell data” & “specialty barbell data.”
Let me know if you’d like to see any other questions asked before the year’s end!
Primary Barbell Choice Data
- Nearly half want their “primary barbell” to be a power bar. That is up 38% from 2021.
- Those wanting their “primary barbell” to be a multi-purpose bar are down 20%.
- Many more want an aggressive barbell in 2023 vs. 2021
- With 58% of total votes, most want their barbell to include an “aggressive knurl.” That is up 65% from 2022 & one of the larger changes in data that we’ve seen year over year.
- “As aggressive as possible” votes were up 177% as well. That went from 5% to 13% this year.
- 67% prefer their primary barbell to have a center knurl on it. That is up 12% from last year.
- About 26% say that the color of their barbell matters.
- 43% think the stainless steel upgrade on their barbell is worth it. That was 37% higher than the amount of “no” votes.
- 26% still are unsure.
- The amount of those owning multiple barbells is on the rise. Last year, 67% said they owned multiple barbells, but this year, that number rose to 81% (reasons to own multiple barbells).
Specialty Barbell Data
- The safety squat bar is the specialty bar with the most overall interest from the community and the Open Trap Bar isn’t too far behind.
- The curl bar, multi-grip bar, and deadlift bar round out the top 5.
- According to the data, the REP Open Trap Bar is the most popular Specialty Barbell out there, with the REP SSB closely behind it.
- A couple of Kabuki Bars were just behind them for third (Transformer) and fourth place (Kadillac). In total 4 of their bars were in the top 8.
- Rogue also had a few in the top 8 with both of their curl bars (rackable and unrackable).
