Different Ways of Measuring Barbell Velocity and Why It Matters

Coaches of all levels, from high school to college to pro, recognize that athletes in this generation and upcoming generations gravitate towards technology. That technology should be used to enhance performance, not detract from it. Coaches are investing in devices with high innovation potential that will last for a long time and keep athletes motivated, healthy, and safe in the weight room.

Non-invasive measurement tools have revolutionized the way coaches approach training. They offer a way to monitor and analyze performance metrics without cumbersome equipment or intrusive procedures (like muscle biopsies, etc). In the weight room, this means athletes can focus entirely on their lifts and overall training while still benefiting from precise data collection. The result? More efficient training sessions, where every rep counts and every movement is optimized.

Technology needs to blend into the background and be an additive to training, not a deterrent: devices like 3D camera systems, wearables, and more are designed to be unobtrusive. They collect data quietly, allowing athletes to maintain their concentration and coaches to coach without interference. This seamless integration ensures that the primary goals of the training session (i.e., building strength, improving technique, and enhancing performance) are not compromised by the tools intended to support them.

Devices like 3D camera systems, wearables, and more are designed to be unobtrusive… collect data quietly, allowing athletes to maintain their concentration and coaches to coach without interference, says @NikaOuellette. Share on X

In this article, we will cover the different types of measurement for velocity-based training (VBT), the importance of noninvasive forms of measurement while training, the Perch Toolkit for VBT (and more), and how to use the system in a crowded weight room setting.

Different Types of Measurement for Velocity-Based Training

The technology used in VBT includes linear position transducers, accelerometer-based devices, and various software applications. These devices are used to measure the velocity of movement, which provides immediate feedback to the athlete and coach, enabling them to adjust the training load on the spot. From those two pieces of information, many more metrics can be calculated to inform overall weight room performance and paint a clear picture of progress.

• 3D cameras: These produce images with pixels. However, instead of each pixel having an associated color, each pixel has an associated depth. The depth is simply how far away that object is from the camera. This is the only non-contact form of measurement, which reduces wear and tear and potential damage to equipment, along with potential distraction to a training session.
• Linear position transducers (LPTs): These are the original velocity-based training devices. They have been around for decades due to their simplicity, intuitive user experience, and the minimal processing power needed to sample the data. A string is attached to the object of interest, usually a barbell. The string is wrapped around a pulley, which is connected to an encoder. When the string is pulled, the pulley spins, and the encoder measures the rotational displacement over time. From this information, linear velocity can be determined.
• Accelerometers: These are wearables you attach to yourself or a barbell. This type of technology (IMU or Inertial Measurement Unit) can be found in many consumer electronic devices. This is one of the many electronic components a FitBit uses to count steps, and it is how a phone determines its orientation. These same chips can be put on a barbell or on an athlete to measure velocity. An accelerometer is basically a series of tiny springs put on a chip. When the accelerometer accelerates, these springs feel a force proportional to the acceleration. This force is measured and the acceleration can be calculated.

These are all methods of implementing velocity-based training. Given your facility, number of athletes, number of coaches, and need, any one of these might be appropriate for your use case. It’s up to you to determine what suits you best, and there are many options out there!

The Perch Tool Kit

Perch is more than just velocity-based training—it is a complete weight room performance tool.

1. Perch PLAN enables programming to pre-assign exercises, sets, reps, and goals.

2. Perch EVALUATE is a jump testing tool designed to assess readiness and monitor fatigue with status reports and scores.

3. Perch TRAIN is a load management tool built on the foundation of velocity-based training with 11 metrics and bar and movement path, able to track barbell and non-barbell movements.

Together, these three products enable complete weight room performance monitoring. The Perch Dashboard is cloud-based and all data is stored longitudinally for the athletes to understand performance improvements over time. Perch even has automatic load velocity profiles along with estimated 1 rep maxes, visualized power curves, and more data insights.

Perch is designed to maximize ease of use both through the hardware and software. The camera-based system straps to the top of a weight rack with rugged velcro straps. It connects via Bluetooth or USB to a tablet (Android or iOS) and can be powered using wall or magnetic battery power (12 hours of life and fully rechargeable in 3-4 hours).

Perch is designed to maximize ease of use both through the hardware and software. The camera-based system straps to the top of a weight rack with rugged velcro straps, says @NikaOuellette. Share on X

The tablet is where athletes will log in, see their program and be moved through it as they complete set after set. If they are using Perch EVALUATE, a screen with a blue value in the middle of it will be visible (see images below for details). If they are using Perch TRAIN, a screen with an empty bar graph with individual bars representing individual reps will be displayed. If reps are in the programmed zone, they will appear blue and you will hear an audible ding indicating you are in the zone. If it is above the zone, you’ll see a gold rep. Below the zone, you’ll see a red rep and hear an error noise.

How Does Perch Actually Work?

The system serves as a one-stop shop so coaches can save time and improve athlete performance with no interruption to weight room workflow. Perch mounts to a weight rack up and out of the way of athletes. They benefit from no broken strings, no wearables, and no hassle. The camera connects to a tablet. The tablet is where athletes will log in, lift, and see immediate feedback.

All data is stored in the Perch dashboard:

• Write programs
• Assess readiness
• Manage load

The dashboard provides immediate, objective feedback. Perch tracks over a dozen metrics, provides insights, stores data, and visualizes performance over time. It also outputs technique and bar path visuals to validate the coach’s eye. The results? Motivated athletes. Bought-in coaching staffs. And safe training.

All integrated seamlessly, housed under one system, and with zero interruption to weight room workflow.

Perhaps most importantly, Perch is both valid and reliable as compared to a 3D Motion Capture Vicon—the gold standard of motion capture analysis.

How to Use Perch With Large Groups of Athletes

Perch is designed for the weight room. Noninvasive data collection is the name of the game. There are no strings or wearables that need to be attached to a bar or an athlete. The athlete simply walks up, starts lifting, and gets immediate and objective data related to their performance. Perch is used across athletes and sports, from professional teams, to college teams, to high school teams, and even sports performance facilities and in the military. Perch is used across the spectrum because it is a versatile, easy tool.

Perch is designed for the weight room. Noninvasive data collection is the name of the game. There are no strings or wearables that need to be attached to a bar or an athlete, says @NikaOuellette. Share on X

Coach Spencer Arnold of Hebron Christian Academy said it best: “I can set a camera up above and out of their reach, away from them breaking it, I don’t have any strings attached to my bar, there’s no devices on my bar. It is relatively seamless for the athlete. But at the same time, we get really accurate objective data on more than just the velocity of the bar.”

Coach Arnold has hundreds of athletes each day in his weight room. But so do a lot of schools. And in the high school space, being able to manage a lot of athletes with few coaches is an art and a science—at McHenry High School Coach, John Beerbower has 700 athletes come through his room on a daily basis. With that immense volume, he needs his room to function incredibly efficiently. In his words: “As soon as I saw Perch, I fell in love with it. Our kids loved it—seeing how they interact with it, I knew it was something,” Coach Beerbower then went on to add “at a school, at an educational institution, we should be looking for ways to innovate.”

Ultimately, technology shouldn’t hinder moving athletes through a weight room. So what makes Perch so efficient? The best weight room workflow in the game! Pre-program workouts and assign them to athletes. As many athletes as you want can be logged into a single tablet. The athlete highlighted in blue is the person who is “up” and whose profile the data will save to. If you’re using Perch PLAN, it will automatically move athletes through the training with Auto Mode on and eliminate the need for tablet touches. Athletes will see the data and be motivated but not distracted. It’s the sweet spot, and Perch has managed to create it.

Perch works with professional programs in the NFL, MLS, MLB, NBA, and NHL, and we also have a growing number of international rugby and soccer teams as customers. Perch works with every level of college program from Power 5 to mid major DI schools to DII and DIII programs across the country.

Video 1. Tim Crowley of Monteverde Academy demonstrates how he applies Perch in training.

High school teams make up a significant portion of our customer base, both public and private schools across the country and world. Everyone who has a weight room and lots of athletes flowing through it can benefit from this type of unobtrusive technology.

How to Use Perch with Athletes of Varying Training Ages and Abilities

Let’s start with high school athletes. Because of the young training age, a lot of initial adaptations for high school athletes are neuromuscular (meaning they may not initially be getting “stronger.” They may just be increasing the efficiency of their neuromuscular movement patterns.) This process is enhanced by greater volume (and practicing those patterns), not by greater load. Instead of arbitrarily assigning volume, using Perch with a velocity threshold can be applied to ensure appropriate adaptations.

Without using velocity to inform the intent of the athlete’s pattern, we’re guessing if the volume is enough to initiate the desired adaptations. Velocity-based training is autoregulatory, the volume is therefore autoregulatory, and assuming maximal intent, an athlete will stop when the volume truly is enough—which will be dictated by movement speed and thresholds. If a younger athlete can use VBT to regulate total volume and load, and increase efficiency of their movement patterns, and do so with sound data at a faster rate than previously possible, greater improvements can be made much quicker. 

For college athletes? Never mind the stress of school, practice, film, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, game travel, and social pressure. Those are huge in and of themselves. Now consider the needs analysis of the individual athlete and the role they play on their team. In most cases, this will involve some combination of skill, strength, speed, and power. Athletes may need to be stronger, or faster, or both! And without understanding the athlete load velocity profile, we don’t know at what speeds or loads we should be training them.

VBT in a collegiate setting can help regulate load and volume, and also account for stress that happens outside of the weight room. This ensures appropriate load management to keep the athlete healthy and performing optimally in the weight room and on the field of play.

Finally, professional athletes. Professional athletes are a different breed. They have to deal with contracts and job security, travel, family, financial planning, and the stress of training and maintaining their ability over the duration of a long season. While their job may be to play and compete and win, a lot of external factors play a role—and accounting for that stress with an objective data point from Perch is immensely important. With the chaotic game and practice schedules, athletes have limited time to train in the weight room. And this means they need to take advantage of every second in the weight room to optimize performance. Efficiency is paramount, and a tool that works and that athletes buy into is important. Moreover, Perch packs down into a carrying case to take on the road.

The Importance of Noninvasive Technology

One of the most significant advantages and additives of non-invasive measurement tools is their ability to provide real-time, actionable insights. Traditional methods of performance analysis often require setup times, calibration, and post-session data processing. In contrast, today’s options for weight room technology offer instantaneous feedback, enabling coaches and athletes to make informed decisions on the fly. This immediacy transforms the training environment, making it more dynamic and responsive to the needs of the moment.

Time is a precious commodity in any training environment. Non-invasive measurement tools are designed to be time-saving additives to the training process. They eliminate the need for lengthy setups and minimize downtime, allowing athletes to maintain a steady training rhythm. This efficiency not only maximizes the use of available training time but also helps in reducing fatigue and preventing overtraining by ensuring that every session is both productive and sustainable.

Non-invasive measurement tools are designed to be time-saving additives to the training process. They eliminate the need for lengthy setups and minimize downtime, allowing athletes to maintain a steady training rhythm. Share on X

As technology continues to evolve, the future of performance training lies in the seamless integration of non-invasive measurement tools. These innovations are set to become indispensable parts of the athletic training landscape. They offer new ways to enhance performance without compromising the training session’s integrity. The key is to embrace technology that respects the workout’s flow, providing insights that elevate performance while keeping the focus firmly on athlete goals.

Weight room technology isn’t just the future of training, it is the now as well. It’s paramount to ensure that technology is noninvasive and unobtrusive. Perch exists to eliminate pain points in the weight room, improve performance, motivate athletes, and monitor progress, all with a single tool. From high school to college to professional athletes and coaches, a simple seamless tool can ensure consistency and reliability in the weight room to enhance performance on the field of play.

Learn more about Perch here.

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