SKLZ Speed Gates Review

Introduction

The SKLZ Speed Gates are a training accessory from SKLZ, a well-known brand in the sports
performance space. This product falls into the category of agility and speed training equipment and is intended
for athletes, coaches, and fitness enthusiasts who want structured drills for acceleration, agility, reaction time, and change of direction.
Priced at $149.99, the Speed Gates aim to bring a more organized, “station-to-station” format to speed work, whether
in a gym, on a turf field, or in a driveway training setup.

Appearance, Materials, and Design

The SKLZ Speed Gates are designed with training visibility in mind—typically using bold, high-contrast colors common to SKLZ products
so athletes can quickly identify boundaries and targets during fast-paced drills. The overall aesthetic is utilitarian and sporty:
these are meant to be used, stepped around, and moved frequently rather than displayed.

In terms of build, Speed Gates are generally designed to be lightweight and portable, using durable plastics and/or
flexible components that can tolerate repeated setup and breakdown. A notable design advantage of gate-style markers (compared with
flat cones) is the clear “through-the-gate” target, which can help athletes maintain cleaner lines and better
spacing during lateral shuffles, cuts, or sprint transitions.

Key Features / Specifications

Brand/Manufacturer: SKLZ
Product Type: Agility and speed training gates
Intended Use: Speed, agility, footwork, reaction drills, and change-of-direction training
Portability: Designed for quick setup, breakdown, and transport
Training Utility: Provides visual lanes/targets to structure drill paths and athlete spacing
Price: $149.99

Note: Exact counts, dimensions, and included accessories can vary by retail package/version; it’s worth confirming the box
contents and layout options on the specific listing you’re purchasing.

Performance and Real-World Use

1) Speed and Acceleration Work

For straight-line speed sessions, the gates are most useful as visual checkpoints—for example, sprint to the first gate,
decelerate under control at the second, then re-accelerate through the third. This structure is helpful for athletes who struggle with
pacing or who benefit from external targets to stay honest with mechanics. While Speed Gates don’t inherently measure time (unless paired
with a separate timing system), they do make it easier to build repeatable workouts and compare effort across sets.

2) Agility and Change-of-Direction Drills

Where the product tends to shine is in COD (change-of-direction) work. Arranging gates into zig-zags, “L” patterns, or
mirrored lanes can create clear movement rules: cut through the gate, plant, and drive to the next. Because gates create a defined “window,”
athletes often self-correct drifting lines, which can translate into sharper cuts and cleaner transitions.

3) Footwork, Reactive Training, and Team Sessions

For footwork sessions (quick steps, in-and-out patterns, lateral movement), Speed Gates provide a more engaging alternative to cones,
especially in small-group training. Coaches can call out gate numbers/colors/directions to introduce decision-making under fatigue.
In team environments, the main advantage is organization: athletes rotate efficiently when lanes are obvious and spacing is consistent.

4) Indoor vs. Outdoor Use

Outdoors on turf or grass, the gates are generally easy to reposition and keep visible. On hard surfaces (gym floors, concrete), they can still
work well, but stability can depend on the base design and the intensity of the drill. If athletes are cutting aggressively and clipping a gate,
lightweight pieces may slide—something to watch for in high-speed COD sessions. Indoors, they’re best used where there’s adequate traction and
space to keep lines safe and controlled.

5) Durability and Practicality

For most users, the durability will feel appropriate for repeated training, with the main wear-and-tear risk being frequent stepping, kicking,
or landing directly on the gates. Their portability is a major plus if you train in multiple locations. The trade-off is that portable equipment
can be easier to shift around in windy conditions or during very high-contact drills, so setup and placement matter.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Creates clear drill structure: Gate targets help athletes maintain lines, spacing, and consistent patterns.
Versatile training tool: Useful for speed, agility, COD, footwork, and reactive coaching cues.
Coach- and group-friendly: Improves organization and flow during multi-athlete sessions.
Portable and quick to deploy: Suitable for trainers moving between gym, field, and home setups.
More engaging than basic cones: The “run/cut through the gate” concept is intuitive and motivating.

Cons

Premium price point: At $149.99, it’s a bigger investment than simple cones or markers.
May shift if clipped: Lightweight training gates can slide on hard surfaces or during aggressive cuts.
No built-in timing/metrics: Great for structure, but performance tracking requires separate tools (stopwatch, timing gates, app, etc.).
Space dependent: To get full value, you’ll want enough room to build multiple lanes and patterns.
Package details matter: Value depends on how many gates and what accessories are included in the specific kit you buy.

Conclusion

The SKLZ Speed Gates are a strong option for athletes and coaches who want a portable, highly visible way to structure
speed and agility training beyond basic cones. Their biggest contribution is clarity—clear lanes, clear targets, and repeatable patterns that make sessions
more organized and drills easier to coach. The main drawbacks are cost and the fact that they don’t inherently provide performance metrics; they’re best seen
as a training framework tool, not a measurement device.

If you regularly run agility sessions (especially with groups) and value fast setup and clear drill boundaries, the Speed Gates are likely to feel worth it.
If your needs are simple—basic sprint markers or casual home workouts—less expensive cone setups may accomplish most of the same goals at a lower price.