Essential Performance Training Equipment for Coaches and Teams

If you work in elite sports, you already know that success isn’t just about training harder—it’s about training smarter. And to do that, the equipment you use—and how you use it—plays a critical role.

As coaches, our job isn’t just to ask for more reps. It’s to guide, measure, and adjust every variable at the right moment. That’s why performance training equipment can be the key differentiator between teams that merely train and those that consistently progress with speed and efficiency.

To make that leap, you need clear metrics, centralized performance platforms, and tools that integrate seamlessly into daily sessions.

The linear encoder: real-time feedback, real impact

One of the most revolutionary tools in modern performance training is the linear encoder—a device that attaches to the barbell during strength exercises and measures rep velocity in real time. This data provides immediate insights into an athlete’s power output, fatigue levels, and responsiveness to training stimuli.

With this information, coaches can adjust loads instantly to improve adaptation and avoid overtraining.

At Vitruve, we’ve refined this technology into a lightweight, precise, and user-friendly encoder, with two dedicated app experiences: one for athletes and another for teams.

The all-in-one S&C software for coaches

Vitruve offers a complete software solution for strength and conditioning named Builder that integrates seamlessly with encoder data. It allows coaches to plan, execute, monitor, and adjust training programs dynamically.

Key Features

• VBT-Based Program Design: The system automatically adjusts loads based on bar speed, measured via the encoder.
• Dynamic Dashboards: Visualize KPIs like strength, power, velocity, or fatigue—track both individual and team progress at a glance.
• Full Team Management: Access session data in real time, identify who’s performing at their peak, and who may need adjustments.
• Automatic Sync: Every rep is recorded instantly—no time wasted on manual data entry.

Additional equipment that boosts performance

Beyond data and software, several key tools should be part of any high-performance training space:

Resistance bands and chains

These tools modify the strength curve during lifts—ideal for sports where the concentric phase is dominant. For instance, resistance increases at the top of the movement, encouraging athletes to apply more force and accelerate throughout.

Push and pull sleds

Sleds are excellent for developing horizontal force production and acceleration, especially in field sports. Their simplicity also makes them easy to incorporate into circuits or sprint-resistance sessions.

Jump platforms and contact sensors

Quantifying explosiveness matters. Devices that measure jump height, reaction time, and movement symmetry give coaches precise data that used to be based on estimation. Tools like contact mats and vertical jump systems are now essential in monitoring lower-body power.

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Data integration: the key to smarter coaching

One of the most common issues in team environments is a lack of integration between tools. Vitruve solves this by offering a centralized ecosystem.

When you combine bar speed data, vertical jump performance, and athlete feedback in one platform, you can start identifying real correlations—not assumptions. That leads to smarter, evidence-based training decisions.

If you’re interested in implementing these tools with your team, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Vitruve team. We’re here to help you turn your training sessions into high-performance experiences—where every rep, jump, and sprint is measured, tracked, and optimized.