Here is a look at the most recent survey results. A breakdown of this article includes:
- Audio: For the first time, the results are discussed in audio format! We’d love to hear some feedback.
- Quick Hitters: Will popularity of home gyms continue to rise? How many use fitness trackers? + More
- Primary Workout Shoes: “Other” was the top choice.
- Kabuki Specialty Bars: Which one are most interested in?
- Preferred Bench Width: We’ll need to do this one for a third straight week.
- Selectorized Machines: Which one are most home gym owners interested in?
- Some Basic Gym Equipment Preferences: Where are you getting your barbells, dumbbells, and benches from?
- Home Gym Regrets: What are some common responses?
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We tried something new. This is a test of a potential podcast we will do weekly, and there are some tweaks needed, but take a listen to a discussion of these results. We would love to hear some feedback. Feel free to add that at the bottom of the post or send us a message. THANK YOU!
*You may need to click into the browser to listen.
Some Quick Hitters:
- 85% think the popularity of home gyms will continue to rise (so do we…..)
- 48% use a fitness tracker. That’s up 25% from an October 2019 survey.
- 33% are currently going to another gym besides home gym, which is consistent with other times this has been asked in 2021.
- 78% say they’d buy jammer arms compared to DIYing them
- 61% say “Yay” to Hundo Plates.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot_20211007-121227.png?resize=640%2C640&ssl=1)
Where are your primary workout shoes from?
Nike was not as dominant as expected but did gain more votes than Reebok and Adidas combined. About 38% voted “other” as the most popular answer.
In a follow-up question, it was asked what those “other” shoes were. NoBull and Under Armour are the most popular response by far.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-11.png?resize=640%2C487&ssl=1)
Which “Specialty” Kabuki Bar are you going with first?
The Transformer Bar received the most votes with nearly 38% of the total.
![](https://i1.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PXL_20210617_093608448-01.jpeg?w=640&ssl=1)
However, the Open Trap Bar was not too far behind with almost 32%. Both received more than the Duffalo and Kadillac bar combined.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-12.png?resize=640%2C396&ssl=1)
What is your preferred bench width?
This is the second week in a row this question has been asked, but unfortunately, the possible responses were not phrased as well as they should have been. It will need to be asked for a third week in a row next week. We need to figure out if most would like to have something at least 12 inches.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot_20211006-114240.png?resize=640%2C805&ssl=1)
With that being said, we still know that most do not know their preferred width, and of those that do, it’s more than 11 inches.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-13.png?resize=640%2C396&ssl=1)
What selectorized strength machine are you most interested in?
The functional trainer beats out the lat pulldown, belt squat, and leg curl/extension when it comes to stack weight. It was not absolutely dominant, though, with 34% of the votes. The simple lat pulldown received 30% of the votes, so it wasn’t too far behind.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-16.png?resize=640%2C442&ssl=1)
The week before, the same question was asked about “Plate Loaded” Strength Machines, where the lat pulldown was the #1 choice. As previously mentioned, the functional trainer is the new #1 with the selectorized voting, and all other %’s went down compared to when as for the plate loaded option. For example, the leg curl/extension dropped from 16.4% to 15.0%.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-15.png?resize=640%2C465&ssl=1)
Where are you most likely to get a Barbell, Dumbbells, and a Bench from? Rogue, Titan, REP, and Other were the possible answers.
- Rogue DOMINATED the barbells with nearly 3/4 votes. “Other” received 14% of the votes and Kabuki Strength and Texas Power Bars definitely had the most responses of those.
- The bench matchup was a bit closer, but Rogue was the winner again. REP was about 6% points behind them.
- “Other” led the way for buying dumbbells. In a follow up question many responses included: WalMart, local distributors, Academy Sports, Fray, Amazon, or an adjustable dumbbell brand. Only a few mentioned premium brands like Intek or Watson.
- In general, Titan did not do very well in these surveys with 10.9% of responses being the highest.
![](https://i0.wp.com/garagegymexperiment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-14.png?resize=640%2C538&ssl=1)
What’s your biggest home gym regret?
This was asked as a #sundaysurveydiscussion, and there were over 300 responses.
- The most popular response was easily “not starting sooner.” Many expressed waiting until COVID started.
- Buying low quality items at the very beginning. Many end up replacing the items which actually cost more in the long run. Adjustable benches were mentioned numerous times.
- Choosing a spot with a low ceiling height or simply choosing a house that is not “home gym friendly.” A lot of people wished they had a bigger garage. They did not foresee the need when originally moving in.
- Getting cheap flooring.
- Buying large pieces of equipment that don’t get used often (GHD, Echo Bike, Reverse hyper, standing calf raise, stand alone preacher curl)
- Getting a foldaway rack and it never gets folded. Others wished they got a folding rack.
- Not insulating the garage.
- Going with a Monster Lite rack vs. a Monster style.
That’s it!
Thanks again to all who helped answer these questions and then for also checking out the responses.