Barbell Analysis Modules (BAM)
Course Instructor
Don Lee
Abstract
The Barbell Analysis Modules (BAM) are a barbell-mounted motion tracking system designed to analyze lifting form during a barbell squat exercise. Bar path is a crucial indicator of lifting efficiency, yet many tracking systems are expensive or impractical in everyday weight-training environments. In addition, weight-lifting-related injuries cause about 270,000 U.S. emergency department visits annually among ages 11-21 from data taken from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (Khatib et al., 2024). BAM was created to provide a small-form-factor and cost-effective solution that can be mounted directly on a standard Olympic barbell to obtain motion-related data during the exercise. The modules are intended to measure bar path straightness, tilt, orientation, and repetition velocity, which will allow barbell users and athletes to gain feedback on their performance and technique.
Our design uses sensing hardware mounted near the barbell’s sleeve region of a standard men’s Olympic barbell. The enclosure that the electronics are housed in is a 3D printable enclosure that runs lengthwise along the barbell. The orientation was chosen to minimize human interference during lifters’ movements and work along the barbells' geometry. The enclosure was designed with a curved saddle that fits the barbell sleeve's curvature, and an internal flat floor for mounting electronic components on the perfboard. Since the barbell is magnetic, magnets are placed on the enclosures’ saddle to be able to snap on and off the barbell, which highlights its portability. The design also includes access for a push-button as a reset and a Micro-B USB charging connection so that the battery charging system can be used without removing any internal components.
The internal layout was centered around the hardware required for the system, and special attention was given to ensure that the electronics could fit within the housing with room for wiring, mounting, and ease of assembly. The design process also took into account 3D printing constraints such as wall thickness, floor thickness, and the spacing between the curved barbell seat and the electronics floor.
Our design also consists of a software component, which utilizes multiple algorithms to collect and process the raw data that is obtained from the Inertial Measurement Units (IMU). To monitor a person’s rep and form during a set, the module that is connected to the barbell collects acceleration, velocity, and position from the start of a repetition. Then, it is sent to an external main hub for data processing in order to detect reps and the user’s form.
Currently, BAM is especially focused on the squat analysis, where bar path and bar control are key indicators of form and consistency. From monitoring the barbell’s movement directly from the barbell, the system is intended to provide useful performance feedback in a way different from other alternatives on the market. In the future, the design can be expanded to include other Olympic lift movements, including the bench press and the clean. These additions will increase its usefulness across a wider array of complex lift movements. Overall, BAM is a practical engineering solution for barbell motion tracking and demonstrates the usability of using a system to improve athletic training and technique evaluation, but more importantly, protects users from serious injury.
Barbell Analysis Modules (BAM)
The Barbell Analysis Modules (BAM) are a barbell-mounted motion tracking system designed to analyze lifting form during a barbell squat exercise. Bar path is a crucial indicator of lifting efficiency, yet many tracking systems are expensive or impractical in everyday weight-training environments. In addition, weight-lifting-related injuries cause about 270,000 U.S. emergency department visits annually among ages 11-21 from data taken from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (Khatib et al., 2024). BAM was created to provide a small-form-factor and cost-effective solution that can be mounted directly on a standard Olympic barbell to obtain motion-related data during the exercise. The modules are intended to measure bar path straightness, tilt, orientation, and repetition velocity, which will allow barbell users and athletes to gain feedback on their performance and technique.
Our design uses sensing hardware mounted near the barbell’s sleeve region of a standard men’s Olympic barbell. The enclosure that the electronics are housed in is a 3D printable enclosure that runs lengthwise along the barbell. The orientation was chosen to minimize human interference during lifters’ movements and work along the barbells' geometry. The enclosure was designed with a curved saddle that fits the barbell sleeve's curvature, and an internal flat floor for mounting electronic components on the perfboard. Since the barbell is magnetic, magnets are placed on the enclosures’ saddle to be able to snap on and off the barbell, which highlights its portability. The design also includes access for a push-button as a reset and a Micro-B USB charging connection so that the battery charging system can be used without removing any internal components.
The internal layout was centered around the hardware required for the system, and special attention was given to ensure that the electronics could fit within the housing with room for wiring, mounting, and ease of assembly. The design process also took into account 3D printing constraints such as wall thickness, floor thickness, and the spacing between the curved barbell seat and the electronics floor.
Our design also consists of a software component, which utilizes multiple algorithms to collect and process the raw data that is obtained from the Inertial Measurement Units (IMU). To monitor a person’s rep and form during a set, the module that is connected to the barbell collects acceleration, velocity, and position from the start of a repetition. Then, it is sent to an external main hub for data processing in order to detect reps and the user’s form.
Currently, BAM is especially focused on the squat analysis, where bar path and bar control are key indicators of form and consistency. From monitoring the barbell’s movement directly from the barbell, the system is intended to provide useful performance feedback in a way different from other alternatives on the market. In the future, the design can be expanded to include other Olympic lift movements, including the bench press and the clean. These additions will increase its usefulness across a wider array of complex lift movements. Overall, BAM is a practical engineering solution for barbell motion tracking and demonstrates the usability of using a system to improve athletic training and technique evaluation, but more importantly, protects users from serious injury.
