It reflects your aerobic fitness and cardiovascular capacity — in other words, how efficiently your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during physical activity.
At Online Bike Coach, we use the Vo2Master gas-exchange analyzer, which is a PORTABLE, ACCURATE, and PRACTICAL wireless device that operates off a phone or tablet for easy access and application.
It is most effective to perform the test on your focused activity (running, cycling, or swimming).
If you’re a cyclist, the test can be performed on a bike at the OBC Studio or we can come to you - treadmill, trainer, outdoors, home gym, etc.
VO2 Max Testing is focused on cycling, running, triathlon and general superior fitness and health.
A VO₂ max test measures how much oxygen you can use and how efficiently your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during physical activity.
VO2 Max testing helps identify your aerobic capacity, allowing you to tailor workouts for maximum endurance and efficiency.
By understanding your oxygen consumption, you can fine-tune pacing strategies and recovery methods to boost athletic performance.
A higher VO2 Max is linked to better heart and lung function, lower risk of early mortality and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
VO2 Max testing helps prevent over-training by ensuring you don’t push beyond your aerobic limits, reducing the risk of injury and burnout.
Cyclists participating in a Vo2max test usually work with Coach Wharton on their own bike and trainer, at their home. Cyclists undergo a Graded Exercise Test, where a load of resistance, based on watts, increases by a known amount every 3-5 minutes. The test ends when the cyclist can no longer keep up with the work demand. The entire test usually takes less than 30 minutes.
For runners, a treadmill is optimal, though testing at tracks with known lengths can also be used. The Vo2Master is somewhat sensitive to wind, temperature and humidity, so planning is required for outdoor use. Mornings are preferable.
Triathletes must juggle the physical demands of three different endurance sports. Coach Wharton can measure swim intensity in pools with frequent measurements at the end of timed laps, using pacing for gradual increases in intensity.
EVERYONE now has access to the data provided by a Vo2Max test! We can measure your aerobic and anaerobic fitness via resistance training, hockey, rowing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country ski training via Nordictrack, GroupX classes, and more!
Preparation:
You wear a face mask connected to a VO2 Master device that analyzes your breathing (it measures oxygen intake and output).
You're usually also hooked up to an advanced heart rate monitor and a muscle oxygen sensor(which we will provide)
Exercise Test:
You exercise on your bike, a stationary bike, treadmill, Stairclimber, or NordicTrack.
The intensity gradually increases every few minutes — steeper incline, more resistance or faster pace.
You go until voluntary exhaustion or until you meet test-ending criteria (like hitting your predicted heart rate max or showing signs of overexertion).
Measurement:
The machine continuously measures the volume and gas concentrations in your breath.
VO₂ max is calculated in milliliters of oxygen used per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min)
The point where your oxygen consumption plateaus despite increased effort is considered your VO₂ max.
What It Tells You:
High VO₂ max = good endurance and heart/lung efficiency (typical in well-trained athletes).
It can help tailor training programs, monitor fitness progress, or detect cardiovascular issues.
The Vo2Master detects ‘Breakpoints’, where a human begins to use different energy systems at different intensities, and where the body becomes more stressed as it becomes
Knowing these numbers and related data helps anyone train smarter, with a more personalized level of knowledge.
In addition to seeing real-time data during your test, you will also received a report afterwords. This report will come in the form of a PDF and will include information on your VO2 max, in addition to heart rate, power, and your oxygen saturation and hemoglobin levels during exercise.
if you are not familiar with what some of these things are, or how to use the information, that is ok!
There is a post session consultation included where Coach Wharton will go over the report with you and explain each area. You have have time to ask any questions you have. We will also discuss how to use the information to benefit help you train more effectively and efficiently going forward!
The post report session will go over all the information we obtained during the test and cover things such as
Summary
Contact Coach Wharton at Online Bike Coach to sign up for a VO2 Max test today!