How to Film Obstacle Videos for Accurate Performance Analysis
A bad video makes good analysis impossible. AI tools, human coaches, and your own review are all limited by how the footage was captured. This guide is the practical setup that ensures your video is actually useful.
The five filming rules
### 1. Side-view, perpendicular to motion Most obstacle movement is horizontal or vertical. Side-view captures both. Front-view hides hip and leg position.
Exception: cliffhanger lateral traverse and ring traverses film better from the front.
### 2. Frame the full body Crop nothing. Toes to crown in every frame. If the athlete leaves the frame mid-move, the analysis is incomplete.
### 3. Stable camera Tripod or stable rest. Handheld footage shakes during the most diagnostic moments.
### 4. Frame rate matters 30fps is the minimum. 60fps is better for fast movements (lache, dyno, salmon ladder). Most phones default to 30 — switch to 60 in settings.
### 5. Good lighting Backlit footage (athlete in front of a window) loses detail in the body. Position so light is on the athlete, not behind them.
Camera placement table | Obstacle | Best angle | Distance | |----------|------------|----------| | Warped wall | Side, 90° | 15ft | | Salmon ladder | Side or 3/4 | 12ft | | Lache | Side | 15ft | | Cliffhanger | Front | 10ft | | Rope climb | Side | 12ft | | Pegboard | Front | 10ft |
Common filming mistakes - Filming portrait when motion is wide - Standing too close - Filming from above (kills body line) - Auto-focus hunting (lock focus before recording)
Quick setup 1. Phone in horizontal landscape mode. 2. Tripod or lean against a stable surface. 3. Test recording — frame the whole obstacle. 4. Record at 60fps. 5. Athlete stays in frame for the full attempt.
Want personalized feedback? Upload your (well-filmed!) video to Obstacle IQ and receive AI-powered technique analysis.
Related obstacles See [the full obstacle library](/supported-obstacles).
Upload your obstacle footage to Obstacle IQ and receive AI-powered feedback on technique, efficiency, movement quality, and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I film with my phone?
Yes — modern phones at 60fps are sufficient for most analysis.
Do I need multiple angles?
One good side-view angle covers 80% of analysis. Add a second angle for hard obstacles.
How long should the clip be?
Capture the full attempt plus 2 seconds before and after. Don't trim too tight.
Obstacle IQ grades your technique frame-by-frame.