01
Linear position transducers (encoders)
A tether clips to the bar and measures distance directly, rep by rep. The most accurate option and the research standard. Needs a unit on (or beside) the bar.
Gear
VBT devices compared
Every way to measure bar speed — how the tech works, what it costs, and what fits your situation. Hand-verified October 2026. No sponsorships — nobody paid for placement.
How it works
Four ways to measure a rep
02
Camera systems
Cameras track the bar or plates through space — no tether. But they need a clear line of sight and good lighting, and crowded gyms are their enemy.
03
IMUs / wearables
Small sensors that estimate velocity from acceleration. Convenient and cheap, but acceleration-derived speed is the noisiest of the bunch.
04
Phone apps
Your phone's camera plus algorithms. The cheapest entry point — and decent for mean velocity in published comparisons.
The lineup
Device comparison
Swipe sideways on mobile. Prices marked * are as of Oct 2026 — verify on the maker's site before buying.
| Device | Tech | Price (USD) | Subscription | Key metrics | Data export | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitruve Jake's daily driver | Encoder (LPT), 100 Hz | See vitruve.fit* | See maker site | MV, peak velocity, power; measures 0.04–6 m/s | CSV export | Daily training (disclosed: this is the device Jake uses) |
| GymAware RS | Encoder (LPT) | ~$1,995* | ~$325/yr* | Research-grade velocity + power | CSV export | Teams & research — widely used in research settings |
| GymAware FLEX | Encoder (LPT) | ~$495* one-time | None | Pro-grade velocity, compact unit | CSV export | Individuals wanting pro-grade accuracy on a budget |
| RepOne | LPT (inductive 3D sensor), 100 Hz | ~$250–350* reported | See maker site | MV, peak velocity; 0.02–10+ m/s | CSV export | Garage lifters who want encoder accuracy cheap |
| Perch | Camera-based | ~$1,995* unit | From ~$3,000/yr* | Bar path + velocity via camera | See maker site | Well-funded teams with dedicated rack space |
| Metric VBT | Phone-camera app | See app store* | See app store | MV, peak velocity via phone camera | See maker site | Zero-hardware start |
* Prices as of Oct 2026 — verify on the maker's site before buying.
No longer sold: the PUSH band (IMU wearable) was discontinued — current buyers' guides name the alternatives above.
Why this page isn't live-priced
No manufacturer offers a public pricing API, so a live price feed isn't possible. Every figure above was hand-checked in October 2026 — always confirm on the maker's site before you buy. And to be explicit: no sponsorships — nobody paid for placement, and the order above isn't a ranking.
The analysis
Whatever you measure with, the analysis works the same.
If your device exports a CSV — Vitruve, GymAware, RepOne all do — send the file and get a free velocity report: load-velocity profile, personal zones, fatigue analysis, and readiness tracking.
For the free report, your device needs to export per-rep data — one row per rep with load and velocity. Confirmed CSV exporters: Vitruve, GymAware (RS and FLEX), RepOne. Perch and Metric VBT exports are unconfirmed — check with the maker before counting on it.