Know your numbers.
Train smarter.
Lab‑grade VO₂ max and Resting Metabolic Rate testing in Santa Cruz.
What's Included
VO₂ Max Testing
- • Gold‑standard aerobic fitness assessment
- • Personalized heart‑rate training zones
- • Ventilatory thresholds (VT1 & VT2)
- • Lactate threshold determination
- • Race pacing recommendations
- • ~45–60 min visit (12–18 min graded test)
Resting Metabolic Rate
- • Your daily calorie burn at rest
- • Personalized calorie intake bands
- • Macro recommendations
- • Weight management guidance
- • Training fueling recommendations
- • ~20–30 min test
Why It Matters
Train at the Right Intensity
Stop guessing your training zones. Get personalized heart rate zones based on YOUR physiology, not generic formulas. Train smarter, not harder.
Optimize Your Nutrition
Know exactly how many calories your body burns. Set precise targets for weight loss, maintenance, or performance fueling.
Track Progress Objectively
Measure improvements with lab-grade accuracy. Retest every 8-12 weeks to see your fitness gains and adjust your training zones.
Race with Confidence
Know your exact race pace for any distance. Avoid going out too fast and hitting the wall. Execute your race plan perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
VO₂ max testing measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. It's the gold standard for measuring aerobic fitness and cardiovascular endurance. The test involves exercising on a treadmill or bike while wearing a mask that measures your oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.
A complete VO₂ max test typically takes 45-60 minutes, including setup, warm-up, the actual test (10-15 minutes), and cool-down. The test progressively increases in intensity until you reach exhaustion.
RMR testing measures how many calories your body burns at rest. This test helps create personalized nutrition plans by determining your baseline calorie needs. You'll breathe into a mask for 10-15 minutes while sitting in a chair in a relaxed state.
For VO₂ max testing: Fast for 3-4 hours, avoid caffeine 4 hours prior, and avoid intense exercise 24 hours before. For RMR testing: Fast for 4-5 hours, avoid caffeine and exercise, and arrive rested. Wear comfortable athletic clothing and shoes for both tests.
VO₂ max testing is beneficial for athletes training for events, fitness enthusiasts wanting to optimize their training, people starting a new fitness program, and anyone wanting to track their cardiovascular fitness objectively.
Our professional-grade equipment provides laboratory-quality results with high accuracy (±2-3% margin of error). We use industry-standard protocols and certified equipment to ensure reliable, reproducible results.
You'll receive a comprehensive report including your test results, personalized training zones, comparison to age/gender norms, and specific recommendations for improving your fitness or achieving your goals.
Yes! We can schedule both tests in a single session. The RMR test should be done first while you're rested, followed by the VO₂ max test. Plan for approximately 90 minutes total.
We recommend retesting every 8-12 weeks to track progress and adjust your training zones. This timeline allows enough time for measurable improvements while keeping you updated on your fitness trajectory.
We do not directly bill insurance, but we can provide a detailed receipt that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement if your plan covers fitness assessments or metabolic testing.