How to choose a VBT device: 2026 buyer's guide

Velocity-based training is rapidly being integrated into professional clubs, PT studios, universities and home setups. But the device you choose shapes everything that follows. This guide breaks down the main types of VBT device, the pros and cons of each, the factors that actually decide whether a device gets used, and an at-a-glance comparison to pull it together.

The main types of VBT device

Accelerometers

A small sensor attaches to the bar or the body and measures acceleration hundreds of times a second. Velocity is calculated using a reversed accerleration equation. REMAKER MOVE is an accelerometer-based device.

• Pros: the smallest and lightest option, the cheapest hardware, and the fastest to set up - you clip it on and lift. Because nothing is tethered, one unit is also the most versatile: the same sensor reads barbell and dumbbell work, jumps (CMJs, drop jumps, pogos) and range-of-motion drills.
• Cons: historically, the knock on accelerometers is accuracy. Because they calculate velocity from acceleration, units can drift, particularly at high velocities. People looking at accelerometers are usually happy to sacrifice a small bit of accuracy to benefit from the portability, versatility, and ease of use - although the REMAKER MOVE validation stacked up against VICON 3D motion capture cameras. The right move is to check each device's validation data before buying.

Linear position transducers (LPTs)

A retractable cable clips to the bar. As the bar moves, the cable unspools and an internal encoder measures the displacement directly - velocity is then simply distance ÷ time. Examples: GymAware and Vitruve.

• Pros: the most consistently validated technology. LPTs (GymAware in particular) are routinely used as the reference standard that other devices are tested against. High sampling rates suit explosive lifts.
• Cons: a tether introduces some faff to the flow in a busy room. Premium units are the priciest barbell option, and cheaper LPTs are sensitive to placement (the unit may need to sit directly beneath the bar to read cleanly).

Camera / computer-vision systems

A rack-mounted depth camera watches the bar and body, using 3D vision and AI to compute velocity, reps and bar path with nothing attached to the bar. Example: Perch.

• Pros: nothing on the bar, and hands-free once it's set up. For a fixed rack with lots of athletes cycling through, the in-session flow is excellent.
• Cons: the most expensive tier, and effectively a semi-permanent install. It lives on a rack, so it isn't something you carry to a pitch, a clinic or an away fixture. Performance can vary with lighting and athlete position.

A quick honourable mention: laser-based bar trackers exist too, but these three categories cover the vast majority of buying decisions.

What to weigh when you choose

Budget

Think software cost, hardware cost, and how the bill scales with size - that can matter more than the unit price once you're kitting out a room.

Accuracy

Always check your shortlisted devices' validation papers. Confidence in performance is built on trust, and trust is built on accurate data.

Set-up and gym-floor flow

A device that adds twenty seconds of faff per set won't survive a busy session. Is hassle-free squad testing a priority?

Exercise versatility

Are you only planning to track the main lifts like back squat or bench? Do you want to track any free-weight movement? Do you also want jump data? Range-of-motion data? Velocity in a horizontal plane?

Portability

Will it ever leave the weight room? If yes, how well will it fit in your luggage?

Extras — the ecosystem

The hardware is only half the product. Look hard at the app and platform: live feedback athletes can read mid-set, athlete management, programming, reporting and integrations. This is usually what decides whether a device becomes part of how you coach, or just another gadget.

VBT devices compared

One table to pull it together:

So which should you choose?

• Running a lab, or need a single criterion device for research-grade barbell testing? A premium LPT like GymAware is the benchmark.
• Have a fixed, high-throughput weight room and the budget for an install? A camera system like Perch gives brilliant hands-free flow.
• Want one portable tool that reads lifts, jumps and ROM, keeps a whole squad moving, and gives athletes feedback they actually understand, without giving up lab-grade accuracy? That's exactly what we built REMAKER MOVE to do.

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Explore the full REMAKER validation data, or take a closer look at REMAKER MOVE.