SnapClips are barbell clips that are fast, secure, and easy to use. They’re heavy-duty. Putting on one of these weight collars is a breeze.
At the time, Martin Dimitrov was indeed a high school senior when he had the concept. He was searching for a sturdy, user-friendly, and compact weight collar, the device used to secure free weights to a barbell during a workout. The earliest versions were constructed using slap wristbands.
He started a Kickstarter campaign in the summer of his senior year, which ultimately brought in $23,040. About 600 purchases were made as a result of this. His 2016 graduation marked the beginning of his studies for a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on entrepreneurship at Chicago. He still persisted in improving the product despite this setback. He constantly consulted with crossfitters, powerlifters, and others to hone his product.
Similarly to how a slap bracelet fastens around a wrist, a Snap Clip fastens all around the top of a barbell. The velcro strip can be used to secure the clip once it has been wrapped around the bar. Each clip is constructed with Kevlar that meets military specifications and is reinforced with a high-strength rubber and fabric composite.
In 2017, after securing patents for his invention, the entrepreneur began distributing his wares to customers throughout the world. It costs $36 for a set of two and is available in two colors. Although gym-goers are welcome to bring their own, Martin is hoping to grow his business to include sales to fitness centers.
Are They Still an Active Company?
Yes, the company is active and still in business.
How Did the Shark Tank Pitch Go?
He came to Shark Tank seeking an investment of $150,000 for a 15% stake in the company. He started the pitch by sharing the story behind how the product was made and demonstrating how it worked. He added that the whole plan was to look for alternative uses too. The Sharks were interested in him and wanted to know more.
Martin was in college at the time of the pitch. He was planning on quitting if the business would be successful. Then he shared the sales numbers. Each SnapClips cost $8.50 to make and was sold for $29.99. He raised money initially through a KickStarter campaign, but even apart from that he managed to sell almost $6500 in the first month of selling.
Then it was time for the Sharks to respond. Lori was the first to go; she said that there were a lot of industrial uses for the product. Especially for storing hose and wire. However, she wasn’t sure about how the clips could be used for weights.
Robert was the first to step out because he thought it was more important for Martin to be in the industrial sector first. Lori made the first offer of $150,000 for a 50% stake in the company. Alex entered the investment offer then, asking to split it with Lori, but Mark warned the entrepreneur that these offers weren’t that good.
The final offer was at 30%- split three ways between Alex, Mark, and Lori. Overall, the SnapClips Shark Tank review was positive and they left with a good deal.
After appearing on Shark Tank, the company managed to grow and has accumulated $5 million in profit throughout the time they’ve been in business.
Our Review of SnapClips
We decided to try out SnapClips for ourselves to see how they would fare in practice.
The good news is that they’re easy to use and can simply be snapped on. You no longer have to struggle with securing or swapping weights. Plus they’re strong enough to keep the weights in place without them sliding off or moving.
The torque lock system that they use makes them super reliable. They’re strong enough to handle being dropped many times. No matter how many times you drop them, these strong Kevlar fabric clips won’t break. Plus they’re so small that you can easily carry them from place to place, which makes them portable and lightweight
The bad news is that there isn’t much innovation in design since there are many alternatives on the market with the same function. Plus if you’re not used to barbell clips, you might struggle with understanding how to use it. It’s only useful for people who work out, otherwise it’s not really necessary.
Pros and Cons of SnapClips
Pros of SnapClips
- Secure
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Lots of purposes
- Variety of colors to choose from
Cons of SnapClips
- Lack of innovation
- Hard to use
- Not useful if you don’t work out
Who Is SnapClips for?
This product is mainly aimed at people who work out and struggle with keeping weights in place on a barbell and moving and shifting them around.
Are There Any Alternatives?
There are many cheaper alternatives to Snap Clips.
The Rawr Gym Barbell Collar is a high-quality collar that serves the same purpose as Snap Clips. It’s used to keep weights in place to feel secure while working out. The clips are easy to install and take off, unlike Snap Clips, which are harder to use and take off. It’s secure enough to keep the weights in place. Plus, you won’t get injured while working out because of how it’s designed.
Our Final Thoughts
Snap Clips are a good option if you’re enthusiastic about going to the gym but don’t want to worry about the weights slipping off while lifting them. The clips are durable enough to withstand a lot of impact and damage that’s inevitable while you’re working out.
They’re also small and portable which means you can easily put them in your bag and carry them everywhere you go. They come in a variety of colors and there are many different designs to choose from.
However, the design isn’t that innovative, and there are many other cheaper alternatives on the market.
