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How to choose a Base Exercise when creating a Custom Exercise

The correct base exercise ensures you're using the appropriate processor and getting meaningful insights from your movement.

Leon Foley avatar
Written by Leon Foley
Updated over a month ago

Barbell Velocity (VBT Processors)

Use this when your exercise involves loaded vertical or semi-vertical lifting patterns with barbells, dumbbells, trap bars, or landmines.

Choose if your movement includes:

  • Straight bar path or controlled vertical movement

  • Barbell, trap bar, dumbbell, or landmine use

  • Explosive or strength-based lifts

Sub-Processor

Use For...

Standard

Traditional barbell lifts: Squats, Bench, Overhead Press, Lunges

Deadlift

Barbell & Trap Bar Deadlifts, Pendlay Rows

Olympic

Movements with triple extension & bar rotation: Cleans, Snatches, Hang Variations

Jump

Jumps with load: Split Jump, Squat Jump, Trap Bar Jump

Tip: If you're unsure, choose Standard for most strength exercises.


Strength Pathway (AVBT Processor)

Use when tracking range of motion and velocity over a rep, especially in machines or bodyweight movements.

Choose if your movement:

  • Involves controlled concentric/eccentric phases

  • Is performed on machines, free weights, or bodyweight

Setting

Description

Concentric First

Contraction begins by shortening (e.g., Push-up, Pull-up, Knee Extension)

Eccentric First

Contraction begins by lengthening (e.g., Bodyweight Squat, Leg Press)

Tip: Good for Knee Extension, Hamstring Curls, Calf Raises, Chin-Ups


Jumps & RSI (Vertical or Reactive)

Use these processors to track jump height, RSI, and contact/flight time.

Processor

Use For...

Vertical Jump

CMJ, Squat Jump, Arms-Free Jumps

Repeated Vertical Jump

Repeated CMJs, Loaded Jumps, Dumbbell/Trap Bar Jumps

RSI

10-5 Test, Repeated Jumps, Pogos

Drop Jump

Drop Jumps (Single or Double Leg)

Tip: Use Arms Free versions if using arm swing; use Single Leg options for unilateral testing.


Contacts (Ground Contact-Based)

Use for ground-based contact drills like hopping, sprinting, bounding, and jumping rope.

Choose if your drill:

Involves repeated foot contacts

Measures air time, contact time, drive index

Examples include Sprint Drills, Pogos, Bounding, Jump Rope


Slams, Swings & Throws (SST)

Use when measuring high-speed rotational, slamming, swinging, or throwing actions with med balls, kettlebells, or landmines.

Sub-Processor

Use For...

SST

Med ball throws (upward, downward, horizontal), Landmine Punches

SST Swing

Kettlebell Swings, Snatches, and Cleans

Direction

Examples

Upward

Slam to ceiling, Landmine Press

Downward

Med Ball Slams

Horizontal

Rotational Throws, Chest Passes

Free

For dynamic or less constrained drills like Slosh Bag Punches


Mobility

Use for range of motion testing across multiple planes of movement.

Plane

Axis

Movements

Sagittal

X Axis

Flexion/Extension (Hip, Ankle, Knee)

Frontal

Z Axis

Lateral Flexion/Abduction

Transverse

Y Axis

Rotation (Torso, Hips, Shoulders)

Examples: Hip Internal Rotation, Shoulder Flexion, Knee to Wall, Toe Tap Test


Balance & Stability

Use the BALANCE processor for:

  • Postural tasks (Single Leg, Tandem, Eyes Closed)

  • Stability holds (Planks, Glute Bridges, Handstands)

Tip: Use for rehab, proprioception, and core stability assessment.


Strength Endurance

Use for high-rep or bodyweight/machine exercises that emphasize time under tension.

Examples: Calf Raises, Bodyweight Squats, Push-Ups, Chin-Ups


Base Exercise Editing Rules

When editing a base exercise, here’s what you need to know about what can and can’t be changed:

Processor / Category

Can Switch Between...

Barbell Velocity (VBT)

Freely between Standard, Deadlift, and Jumps

Cannot switch to/from Olympics (Olympics are standalone)

SST + SST Swing

Fully interchangeable within SST and SST Swing

Strength Pathway (AVBT)

Freely between Strength Pathway and Strength Endurance

Balance & Stability

Only within each category (Balance → Balance, Stability → Stability)

Cannot switch between Balance ↔ Stability


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