Camera-based VBT - No expensive hardware needed
Velocity-Based Training (VBT) uses bar speed to objectively measure effort and autoregulate training. Instead of guessing RPE or using fixed percentages, you let the bar tell you how hard you're actually working.
The problem: Traditional VBT devices like PUSH bands, GymAware, or Tendo units cost $200-$2,000+. That puts VBT out of reach for most lifters.
Our solution: MyLiftingCoach uses your iPhone's camera and Apple's Vision AI framework to detect weight plates and track bar movement in real-time. No special equipment. No sensors. No markers. Just point your phone at the bar and lift.
Place your phone on a tripod or stable surface with a clear side view of the barbell. The app automatically detects when your phone is stable and ready to track.
Using Apple's Vision framework, the app identifies weight plates in the camera feed. Works with any standard plates - bumpers, iron, competition. No special markers or sensors needed.
At 60fps, the app tracks the plate's position frame-by-frame, calculating velocity in meters per second. Sustained detection (5 consecutive frames) ensures accuracy and filters out noise.
See your velocity in real-time with color-coded zones. After the set, review your bar path visualization showing the trajectory for each rep.
Bar velocity correlates with training intensity and the adaptations you're targeting:
Explosive power, dynamic effort work. ~50-60% 1RM
Speed-strength, power development. ~60-75% 1RM
Strength-speed, typical working sets. ~75-85% 1RM
Heavy strength work. ~85-92% 1RM
Near-maximal attempts. ~92-100% 1RM
After each set, see the exact path your bar traveled. Each rep is color-coded so you can compare technique rep-to-rep:
Conjugate/Westside lifters: Ensure your DE work is actually fast. If bar speed drops below 0.8 m/s on speed squats, you know you've gone too heavy. Perfect for maintaining the intent of compensatory acceleration.
When velocity drops 20%+ from your first rep, fatigue is accumulating. Use velocity cutoffs to know when to end a set or session, preventing junk volume and overtraining.
Warm-up velocity at a fixed weight tells you about daily readiness. If your 60% squat is moving 15% slower than usual, it might be a deload day. No guessing required.
Bar path visualization shows you exactly where the bar travels. Great for identifying forward lean in squats, bar drift in bench, or inconsistent lockout patterns.
No extra hardware needed