Agility cones are basic fitness tools that can work wonders with athletes as well as people looking to improve their overall fitness level. Although they are highly marketed towards sports such as soccer, tennis, and running, agility cones are very versatile tools that not only help with agility but can also improve footwork and reaction time.
As demand for agility cones increases it should come as no surprise that the fitness market has put a wider selection of agility cones onto the shelves for consumers to choose from. Read on to learn more about what types of agility cones are most popular as well as their key features.
Table of Contents
Global market value of agility training equipment
Top types of agility cones
Conclusion
Global market value of agility training equipment
When it comes to agility training equipment no tools are more versatile than agility cones. Agility training equipment is heavily used by fitness enthusiasts as well as professional athletes in drills that are designed to increase agility and footwork. In recent years there has been an increase in investment for sports and physical activities which has helped to drive the overall market growth of agility training equipment.
By 2022 the global market value of agility training equipment reached USD 7.7 billion. That number is projected to reach at least USD 9.4 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% between 2023 and 2028. As well as the points mentioned above, consumers are starting to become more conscious of their overall health and are purchasing equipment such as agility cones to aid them in their fitness journey.
Top types of agility cones
Agility cones have undergone an overhaul in recent years, and although the more basic types of agility cones are still very much in demand, especially when it comes to team training, more advanced and specific types of agility cones are starting to grow in popularity among consumers. These agility training tools all help to enhance overall performance but they are designed with different goals in mind and there are several key factors that consumers will be looking at before they purchase agility cones.
According to Google Ads, “agility cones” have an average monthly search volume of 1000 searches. The most searches come in February, April, and December at 1300 searches on average. Between April and October searches remain steady at 1300 searches each month.
By looking in more detail at the different types of agility cones that consumers are most searching for, Google Ads shows that “cones for soccer training” comes out on top with 2900 monthly searches. This is followed by “pylon cones” at 1300 searches, “collapsible cones” at 880 searches, “weighted cones” at 590 searches, and “cone hurdles” at 260 searches. While not a traditional agility cone, it’s worth noting that “agility ladder” has an average monthly search volume of 18100. Keep reading to learn more about each type of agility cone.
Cones for soccer training
Cones for soccer training, also referred to as dome cones, are ideal for soccer as well as other outdoor sports due to their durability and height. Unlike traditional agility cones, dome cones have a flat top design in the shape of a dome which significantly reduces the risk of players falling over the cone or the ball becoming stuck during a drill.
These cones for soccer training are known for their durability, being made of materials such as PVC which is also weather resistant, are easy to stack when not in use, and are stable enough to withstand various training drills. The dome cones will often come in bright colors so they are easy to see and are sold in larger quantities.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was a 19% increase in searches for “cones for soccer training”, with 2900 and 3600 searches respectively.
Pylon cones
Pylon cones are one of the best agility cones available and their popularity among consumers has never faltered. They are typically triangular in shape and made of a weatherproof and durable material such as PVC so that they can be used indoors and outdoors when necessary. They sit at between 9 to 12 inches making them more easily noticeable when being used in agility training exercises and some pylon cones will have a weighted bottom on them to ensure they stay in play in high winds.
Pylon cones have retained their common shape over the years but it’s not uncommon to find cones with holes in them for hurdle sticks as well as pylon cones that take on a trumpet shape.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023 searches for “pylon cones” remain steady at 1300 searches each month.
Collapsible cones
Collapsible cones take on a similar shape to pylon cones but with the added bonus of collapsing when necessary. What many consumers like about these cones is that they are able to completely flatten them for ease of storage and the height can easily be adjusted when needed. These cones don’t normally have any weight added to them so they may not be ideal for training in bad weather conditions but they’re perfect for indoor training or for sport centers who don’t have a lot of extra room to spare in terms of storage.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was a 20% decrease in searches for “collapsible cones”, with 1000 and 800 searches respectively. They are most searched for in April, June, and August with 1000 monthly searches.
Weighted cones
For consumers who will be using agility cones outdoors, weighted cones are a must-have. There’s no set shape to weighted cones but they are more commonly triangular or dome shaped. These cones feature a weighted base to help keep the cone more stable in adverse weather conditions as well as from athletes running into them.
Due to their weight they are very versatile and can be used not only for agility training drills but also as boundary markers or as part of an obstacle course setup for younger children. As with other types of agility cones, weighted cones should be colorful enough to clearly see, be portable, weather resistant, and come in larger quantities for team training purposes.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was an 18% decrease in searches for “weighted cones”, with 170 and 140 searches respectively. They are most searched for in November and December with 2400 monthly searches.
Cone hurdles
A popular alternative to regular agility cones are cone hurdles. The cones come with various holes in them on different levels where a stick can be inserted to create the hurdle. This enables athletes to adjust the height of the hurdle depending on the training drill and the skill level. Cone hurdles are very versatile and can also be used as regular agility cones when the hurdles aren’t a part of the training drill.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was a 19% decrease in searches for “cone hurdles”, with 320 and 260 searches respectively. They are most searched for in months such as April, August, and December with 320 monthly searches.
Agility ladder
The agility ladder isn’t exactly an agility cone but it’s a very popular agility tool that needs to be mentioned. These ladders come in a variety of lengths, normally up to 30 feet, so it’s up to the consumer as to which one is best for their training session. The width of the ladder needs to be wide enough for both feet to fit inside for footwork drills and adjustable rungs are a must so that different sized spaces can be made depending on the activity.
Just like agility cones, agility ladders need to be visible wherever they’re placed so a bright color is always a popular option, they should be weatherproof, and made of a heavy duty and durable material for extended use. Some consumers will be looking to purchase the agility ladder as part of a wider set which includes other agility tools such as cones and hurdles.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, searches for “agility ladder” remain steady at 18100 searches each month. They are most searched for between July and August at 22200 searches.
Conclusion
The best agility cones available vary based on the needs of the consumer but they are all built to aid in enhancing the overall agility, precision, and footwork of the athletes using them. Traditional triangular and dome cones are very popular among consumers although other more versatile options such as cone hurdles and weighted cones are equally as sought after. With fitness becoming more prevalent in the day to day lives of consumers, agility cones are set to rise in demand and the market is expecting modern adaptations of this timeless agility tool to emerge.
