Agility hurdles are paramount for athletes who want to work on their reaction time, direction of movement, improve their agility, and perform better in their chosen sport. Although they’re a simple tool, agility hurdles are available in a variety of unique styles, and each style can cater to a specific sport or need of the individual.
All of the agility hurdles on the market today are known for their versatility and they can be utilized in professional training sessions or during regular fitness routines. Keep reading to learn more about the most popular agility hurdles on the market this year.
Table of Contents
Global market value of agility training equipment
3 unique styles of agility hurdles
Conclusion
Global market value of agility training equipment
Agility training is an important component in all types of sports, especially among participants who want to improve their overall performance. Gear such as agility cones, plastic hurdles, hurdle poles, and ladders are all very popular with consumers due to their versatility and ease of use.
In recent years, the demand for agility training equipment has increased due to the rising investments in sports in many countries around the world. Consumers are also taking a more active interest in their own personal health so demand is coming from individuals as well as health and fitness centers.
By 2023, the global market value of agility training equipment reached approximately USD 8 billion. Between 2024 and 2032, the market is projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 2.7%. This will bring the total market value up to around USD 10.2 billion by 2032.
3 unique styles of agility hurdles
Agility training is popular for individuals as well as specific sport training sessions. This means that there are a lot of options when it comes to choosing the best agility hurdles. Although they’re all designed with the same purpose in mind, there are several unique styles of agility hurdles that consumers now have the option of choosing between.
According to Google Ads, “agility hurdles” has an average monthly search volume of 2400. Searches remain fairly consistent throughout the year, with a small increase occurring between April and August when searches reach approximately 2900 per month. This information shows that agility hurdles are a popular training tool to use throughout the year.
Google Ads also reveals that the most searched for styles of agility hurdles are “adjustable hurdles” with 1100 monthly searches followed by “speed hurdles” with 1000 searches and “collapsible hurdles” with 140 monthly searches. Keep reading to learn more about the key features of each of these styles of agility hurdles.
Adjustable hurdles
One of the most popular styles of agility hurdles are the adjustable height hurdles. These hurdles are designed to be modified based on specific training goals, making them incredibly versatile in any environment. They feature mechanisms that are easy to adjust which allows the bar to be moved to different heights. These flexible training tools are perfect for progressive training and working on overall coordination and power.
Adjustable agility hurdles are heavily used in a variety of sports where explosive movements and quick feet are required. This includes sports such as tennis, basketball, football, soccer, and track and field. Many coaches find them particularly useful for preseason training drills when athletes are working to improve their jumps and agility. Since adjustable hurdles may be used in all seasons, they should be made of durable materials such as weatherproof PVC or metal.
Due to the adjustable features of these styles of agility hurdles, they can often cost more than standard agility hurdles. The cost will vary depending on the quality of the materials used, the brand, and the height range. However, their durability and versatility make them the perfect cost-effective training tools for many sports and abilities, especially when measuring athletic speed and agility skills.
Adjustable hurdle sets are also available to consumers which can include additional training hurdles for players of all ages.
Speed hurdles
Another example of styles of agility hurdles that are rising in popularity are speed hurdles. Unlike heightened hurdles, speed hurdles are designed to sit low to the ground and test an athlete’s foot speed and their coordination. They can stand as low as 6 inches off of the ground, making them fantastic agility training tools for repetitive movements such as lateral shuffles and high-knee running exercises.
These mini hurdles encourage athletes to maintain a quick tempo without needing to worry about clearing a certain height. This allows them to quickly develop their fast-twitch muscle fibers which are very important for agility and speed in sports. Coaches are known to use speed hurdles for improving players’ overall agility as well as their reaction time with various running drills.
Sports where quick and precise footwork are essential is where speed hurdles are most likely to be used. This includes rugby, badminton, basketball, and other high-speed team sports. Individual athletes can also benefit from using speed hurdles on different types of surface and in various weather conditions.
Speed hurdles are usually made from lightweight materials such as PVC or shatterproof plastic which helps to keep the cost low without hindering their durability. Since visibility is key, they’re usually bright colors such as yellow or red. More advanced models may be made of a more flexible plastic to prevent breakage if an impact occurs. Speed hurdles rank among the most affordable styles of agility hurdles and they’re incredibly accessible to all levels of athletes.
Collapsible hurdles
Third on the list of the most unique styles of agility hurdles are collapsible hurdles, also known as foldable or pop-up hurdles. The shatterproof design will collapse upon impact which is an important feature for high-intensity drills where athletes are more likely to run into the hurdles. This can help reduce the risk of injury and it makes them easier to transport and store compared to other types of agility hurdles. When looking at these hurdles it’s usually easy to see where the collapsible mechanism is located as it’s often a different color.
These hurdles are less popular for sports such as football and basketball, but there are still a lot of times when they’re used for training. Beginner agility courses, rehabilitation exercises, and training for younger ages are where collapsible hurdles are more likely to appear since priority is key in these activities. Individual training sessions that require a lot of speed and lateral movement can also benefit from using collapsible hurdles so that safety doesn’t become a major concern.
Just like the two styles of agility hurdles mentioned above, collapsible hurdles are made from lightweight materials such as PVC or plastic. This helps to improve their durability and longevity, as well as ensuring that the hurdles can easily fold without breaking. Many models also have rubber bases for additional safety. Due to the collapsible anti-break design of these hurdles, consumers can expect to pay more than standard rigid hurdles but they are still affordable and a cost-effective tool for training sessions.
Conclusion
All types of agility hurdles are designed to increase speed, coordination, and improve the performance levels of athletes in different sports. Adjustable hurdles, speed hurdles, and collapsible hurdles rank highly among the most popular styles of agility hurdles for training. Each of these hurdles come with their own features that appeal to specific sports, but they’re all made with durability and functionality in mind.
In the coming years, demand is only set to increase for new products that help with agility training and that can positively impact game day. Customers are always on the hunt for the most effective training tool for athletes of all ages.
