LINEAR ENCODER
What is a linear Encoder?
A linear encoder is composed of an optic encoder capable of measuring angular movements and a coil that allows linearizing them, in this way, any linear movement can be measured.
It is a very useful tool when it comes to evaluating the work an athlete does in the gym. Thanks to different variables measured by the device (displacement, velocity, acceleration, power …) it’s possible to know with high precision the fitness condition on an athlete daily and without the added fatigue.
In this way, among many other things, you can know how much weight your athlete must train every day to get the maximum match to the lifting session. You can also find and control the fatigue that the athlete accumulates, avoiding possible injuries in their specific sport.
Why use a linear encoder?
The encoder allows knowing the athlete´s 1RM, or their fitness condition in that same session. It is a very precise way of knowing objectively how the athlete is needless to test with very high loads that can excessively cause fatigue or even injuries. It allows you to have great control of what is happening within the weight session, to be able to take the maximum advantage and meet the planned objectives.
Which athletes benefit from its use?
Practically any athlete will benefit and will improve in their specific sport by working with weights.
That’s why it does not matter what sport you’re into, if you train in the gym it’s going to be very useful.
Among our clients are:
Swimmers, tennis players, paddle players, wrestlers, boxers, professional BMX competitors, professional soccer players.
Linear encoder or Accelerometer?
Many ask us what device to buy. At a time when accelerometers were becoming popular, we decided to develop the Vitruve linear encoder because without a doubt it is the most PRECISE technology to monitor the training, and it’s not only our opinion, several validation studies show how the accelerometers today lack the minimum precision to estimate 1 RM or quantify fatigue correctly.What advantages has Vitruve compared to other linear encoders on the market?
Vitruve was developed taking several coaches’ needs and our own. We knew that the ideal way was to have a linear encoder, but what was on the market was extremely expensive for us (several thousand euros) and were also not portable (required a laptop).
For that reason, we decided to develop Vitruve a completely portable encoder (includes a screen that shows the data in real-time, and connects to our Android* and iOS applications in real-time showing a large amount of data), scientifically validated and very economical compared to other devices.
* We have temporarily paused updates on Android. We apologize for the inconvenience.
How much does Vitruve weight?
IT weights 12 oz (365gr)
How is it fixed to the ground?
In has 6 magnets on the base to hold it over an iron disk and make it stick to the ground.
What is the length of the string?
The length of the rope is about 9 ft. But in case you need extra height, you can place it on some object or hook a rope to the carabiner to make it longer.
What is the minimum path that it detects?
One of the advantages of Vitruve is that it adapts to your needs. Thanks to the filter that we have incorporated, you can decide from how many inches you want the encoder to detect during a repetition, in order to register the surveys and discard small movements, such as removing the bar from the rack. The filter comes by default at 7 in, any lower movements will be discarded, but you can change it at any time.
What is the sampling frequency?
100Hz Thanks to subsequent filtering of the serial and interpolation rods, we achieve a very high precision even for very fast lifting.
What minimum velocity can it register?
In exercises such as bench press, we have reached velocities of 0.04 m/s and in deadlift, we have managed to record repetitions of 0.1m/s.
What maximum velocity can it register?
6 m/s. You probably won’t ever reach this velocity in any movement while lifting. An average punch could reach about 4 m/s, so you will hardly find any faster movements at the gym.
What variables are measured?
For the moment, the app shows the distance (ft/in) average propulsive velocity (m/s), maximum velocity (m/s) and power (W). But in future updates, we will incorporate new variables.
Is it completely portable?
Yes, if you do not want to, you do not have to use your mobile phone, with the built-in screen you can see the route, the average propulsive velocity, the maximum velocity, the repetition in which you are and the remaining battery.Does it require a mobile application?
No, but it is very useful to get the maximum match. You can save your records, estimate to 1RM, know with what weight to train, know the fatigue that you accumulate…
How do I connect the encoder to the app?
You can either connect it via Bluetooth or via Wifi. It is set on Bluetooth by default.
Bluetooth- Make sure you have the Bluetooth activated on your device.
- Turn on the encoder and open up the app.
- The available encoders will automatically show up.
- Click on yours (“Vitruve_XXX”) and it will pair.
- To automatically pair your encoder every time you log in, select “Connect automatically” and then select your encoder
WiFi
- Make sure you have the WiFi activated on your device
- Turn on the encoder and hold the left button for 5 seconds*
- Go to Settings on your device and look for the network “Vitruve_XXX”
- Type the password 123456789
*To change back to Bluetooth, press the left button for 5 seconds.
What is the password to connect to the encoder via WiFi?
The WiFi password for the Vitruve encoder is 123456789How long does the battery last?
The battery lasts about 20h.How do I know how much battery is left?
On the encoder´s led screen, at the top left, you can see% of the battery.How do I charge the device?
The encoder has a micro USB type b connector, and next to it, it includes a cable that can be connected to both a computer and a 5V transformer.
Next to the micro USB connector, there is a red LED that flashes while charging. The charging time is about 2 hours.
Can I turn off the encoder while I rest?
Of course! You will save battery. But the data that is on the OLED screen of the encoder will be lost. On the contrary, you will not lose the data that is in the mobile application.What data shows the OLED screen?
With the built-in screen, you can see the route, the average propulsive velocity, the maximum velocity, the repetition in which you are and the remaining battery.
How do I use the buttons on the screen?
Speed4Lifts encoder
- With the buttons below the screen, you can navigate between different exercises and between repetitions of the same series.
Vitruve encoder
- Press the left button for 5 seconds to change from Bluetooth to WiFi / WiFi to Bluetooth.
- Press the right button for 5 seconds to change the UP/DOWN velocity data collection.
- Press both buttons at the same time to show up the menu.
