Redefining Velocity Based Training (Episode 78)

A conversation about why “VBT” is a term that doesn’t quite capture everything the methodology covers, how my interest in VBT began and evolved, the build story of Metric, and a tour of the quality VBT software currently on the market. We also dig into VBT training zones, the practical barriers to using VBT in a gym, and how to actually implement it on the floor.

The “redefining” framing comes from a simple problem: “velocity-based training” sounds like a training system, when it’s really a measurement layer you put under whatever system you already run. Percentage-based, RPE-based, block periodisation — bar speed makes all of them more honest. Treating VBT as its own methodology is how coaches end up rebuilding programs around a metric instead of using the metric to run their program better.

The implementation section is the most practical part: what actually stops coaches from using velocity on a busy floor (setup time, athlete buy-in, data overload) and what a workable session looks like when tracking takes seconds instead of minutes.

Related reading: the velocity zones guide and the VBT devices buyer’s guide.