If you’ve come remotely close to fitness or strength training recently, chances are you’ve come across the term “velocity-based training” or VBT (Velocity Based Training). VBT is one of the most talked about topics among athletes, coaches and gym users, but what does it really mean? VBT is an emerging method that is revolutionizing conventional strength training through a different parameter to measure and progress.
Whether you’re a beginner just getting started with weight training or you’ve been training for decades, learning how VBT works could entirely change the way you approach your workouts. Intrigued? This article will explain everything you need to know about Velocity Based Training Devices-how they’re used and why you should care.
Understanding Velocity Based Training
Velocity based training (VBT) is a training method that shifts the focus away from lifting heavy weights for a set number of repetitions to focus on the speed at which the weights move. Simply put, it uses real-time velocity data as a feedback mechanism to access performance.
Whereas traditional strength training typically uses a rigid plan, VBT changes based on how the body is feeling at any given moment. But where VBT really excels is in the way it connects speed to effort. Lifting faster focuses on power; once speed decreases, that’s when you’re approaching muscle failure or maximal effort.
And this real-time information allows you to adjust your training based on performance, which means you always get the right intensity. It’s like a coach sitting in your ear, reminding you when to increase intensity and when to back off.
Vitruve’s VBT guide, considered the most comprehensive online guide, covers all the details of this method. Precise tracking of your reps literally takes you to your goals, whether they are strength, power, or endurance. VBT is not only smart, but also extremely versatile for everyone from beginners to high-level athletes.
The Role of ONE REP MAX (1RM) in Strength Training
If you’ve been training for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of the term one repetition maximum (1RM). It’s the maximum weight you can lift for one repetition of a specific exercise. It’s an important indicator in strength training, letting you know how much weight you should lift for normal repetition ranges and intensity thresholds.
Testing 1RM in the gym is dangerous for beginners, and online calculators are not very reliable. But there is one big caution about those calculators that you should be aware of, and that is, they only give estimates, not exact results. They are so variable because factors like fatigue, form and individual differences come into play. Speed is the only real measure of your instantaneous 1RM.
This is where the Vitruve VBT device comes in
The device provides accurate 1RM calculated from your speed as you perform a lift, with no guessing or dangerous max lifts. The feedback is also helpful in guiding you on how much to adjust your training loads based on where you are in your training, not where you feel you are. It’s a smarter way to boost your game.
Why Online 1RM Calculators Fall Short
There are plenty of fitness tools you can use online, but convenience can be on the wrong track. One such common misinterpretation is that of one-rep max calculators, which, despite their prevalence, are often misinterpreted as being reliable.
The truth? Approximate at best, these calculators are based on generalized formulas and do not consider individual capacity, fatigue, day-to-day differences in strength or technique during lifting.
For serious athletes and coaches, vague approximations are not enough. And without precision, they can overload themselves (and increase the chances of injury) or challenge themselves in their workouts.
The good news is that speed-based training eliminates this guesswork. Devices like Vitruve give you real-time data for each repetition, so you can calculate your 1RM right then and there with an accuracy only surpassed by knowing exactly how much weight you’re using in your lifts.
The accuracy of the Vitruve device is backed by scientific validation
Considered one of the best encoders in the world, the accuracy of its sensor has been tested and verified by Strength and Conditioning magazine. It’s proof positive that it delivers results you can trust. Backed by accurate measurements, you’ll be confident in its ability to safely and effectively test your limits.
Speed-based training didn’t come out of nowhere, it’s a revolution in the fitness world. Combined with equipment like the Vitruve device, it takes the speculation out of strength training and replaces it with defined and effective progress. Are you ready to take your training to the next level? Try VBT and experience the difference.