FAQs
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VO2 MAX FAQs
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DO YOU NEED TO BE FIT TO TAKE THE TEST?
CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR VO2 MAX SCORE?
MY SMART WATCH CAN TELL ME MY VO2 MAX?
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DO YOU NEED TO BE FIT TO TAKE THE TEST? No, a test is the first step towards improving your fitness. Whether you're a professional athlete or someone simply looking to improve your general health and fitness a VO2 Test can provide valuable insights into your current level of fitness, whilst indicating what style and level of exercise intensity will provide you with the best results.
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We recommend testing at the beginning of your exercise plan with re-tests scheduled every 12-16 weeks to track your progress and make any necessary updates to your training zones.
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HOW DOES THE TEST WORK? The test will be performed on an ergometer bike or treadmill. Once your heart rate monitor and mask have been fitted you will begin a steady warm up in preparation of the graded exercise test. During the test the intensity will be increased at 2 minute intervals until your maximum effort is achieved. On completion of the test you will perform a 2 minute cool down whilst still attached to the equipment.
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WHY IS VO2 MAX IMPORTANT? A large number of individuals are training inefficiently without accurate knowledge of which specific heart rate, intensity or duration is required to achieve their goals. The VO2 Max test will provide specific heart rate training zones enabling more informed and efficient programming.
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CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR VO2 MAX SCORE? Yes, by using the correct heart rate training intensities you can improve your VO2 Max score, along with your anaerobic threshold. Not only does a high VO2 Max score increase your performance, it's a good indicator of your cardiovascular health.
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WHAT IS ANAEROBIC THRESHOLD? Anaerobic threshold is the point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in your body faster than it is able to remove it. Using the correct training zones you are able to increase the level intensity at which this happens and maintain a higher level of intensity for a longer duration of time. A highly desirable outcome for those who participate in endurance sports and activities.
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MY SMART WATCH CAN TELL ME MY VO2 MAX? Yes, some smart watches can "estimate" your VO2 Max using wrist sensors, however the accuracy of this data varies considerably.
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RMR FAQs
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I CAN CALCULATE MY RMR ONLINE?
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WHAT IS RMR? Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a measure of how much energy (calories) your body requires to perform basic bodily functions during a rested state. The RMR tests identifies how many calories you need to survive if your were to sit in a chair all day.
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HOW DOES THE TEST WORK? The test will be performed in a seated position. You will be fitted with a mouthpiece and nose clip prior to the test. During the test you will simply breath into the mouthpiece for 10-15 minutes in a calm and relaxed manner.
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WHY IS RMR IMPORTANT? This test enables us to predict daily energy (calorie) requirements with incredible accuracy. Establishing how efficient your body is at converting food into energy provides an accurate guideline for weight management plans and performance fuelling strategies.
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I CAN CALCULATE MY METABOLIC RATE ONLINE? Yes, there are several formulas available to "estimate" your metabolic rate, however the accuracy of these formulas vary greatly. While these formulas may work for some, a high percentage of people will require something significantly different to produce successful results.
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CAN I SPEED UP MY METABOLISM? There are many products which claim to increase your metabolism, however there's little evidence to support these claims. The most effective way to boost your metabolism is to become more active, aerobic and strength training are both effective ways to achieve this.
