Executive Wellness Testing

Chronic Stress & Cardiovascular Risk

High-pressure decision-making elevates cortisol, increases blood pressure, and accelerates cardiovascular aging. VO₂ max testing reveals your cardiovascular fitness-a strong predictor of stress resilience and longevity.

• • Higher VO₂ max correlates with lower cardiovascular disease risk
• • Aerobic fitness improves HRV (heart rate variability), a marker of stress resilience
• • Regular exercise reduces cortisol and improves stress response
• • Testing provides baseline to track improvements

Sedentary Work & Metabolic Syndrome

Desk work, meetings, and travel mean executives sit 10-12 hours daily. This increases risk of metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, abnormal cholesterol.

• • RMR testing reveals metabolic rate-foundation for weight management
• • VO₂ max testing identifies cardiovascular fitness level
• • Combined data guides exercise prescription for metabolic health
• • Track improvements with periodic retesting

Time Constraints & Exercise Efficiency

Executives need maximum health benefit in minimum time. Generic exercise programs waste time. Testing provides personalized zones for efficient, effective training.

• • Know your exact training zones-no guessing
• • Optimize 30-45 minute workouts for maximum benefit
• • Prevent overtraining from excessive intensity
• • Ensure recovery days are truly restorative

Cognitive Performance & Brain Health

Cardiovascular fitness directly impacts cognitive function. Higher VO₂ max improves memory, executive function, and decision-making-critical for leadership.

• • Aerobic exercise increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)
• • Improved blood flow to brain enhances cognitive performance
• • Better cardiovascular fitness = better stress management
• • Exercise reduces risk of cognitive decline and dementia

VO₂ Max Testing ($250)

Measures maximum oxygen consumption-the gold standard for cardiovascular fitness.

• • Cardiovascular fitness level: Compare to age/gender norms
• • 5 personalized heart rate zones: For efficient exercise
• • Ventilatory thresholds (VT1, VT2): Identify training intensities
• • Maximum heart rate: Measured, not estimated
• • Aerobic efficiency: How well your body uses oxygen
• • Exercise prescription: Specific guidance for your fitness level

Test duration: 45-60 minutes. Equipment options: treadmill, bike, rower, stair mill.

RMR Testing ($150)

Measures resting metabolic rate-calories burned at complete rest.

• • Exact calorie needs: No generic calculators
• • Weight management foundation: Know your baseline
• • Metabolic health indicator: Detect metabolic slowdown
• • Nutrition optimization: Precise calorie targets
• • Body composition guidance: Calorie deficit/surplus calculations

Test duration: 15-20 minutes. Requires 4-hour fast, no caffeine.

Performance Pack ($300 - Save $100)

Both tests for comprehensive metabolic assessment. Most executives choose this option for complete health optimization data.

The 30-Minute Executive Workout

Maximum cardiovascular benefit in minimal time using your personalized zones:

• • 5-minute warm-up: Zone 1-2, gradual intensity increase
• • 20-minute main set: Zone 4 intervals or Zone 3 steady-state
• • 5-minute cool-down: Zone 1, active recovery
• • Frequency: 3-4x per week for cardiovascular health

High-Intensity Option (45 minutes)

For executives with higher fitness seeking performance gains:

• • 10-minute warm-up: Zone 1-2 progressive
• • 25-minute intervals: 4-5x4 minutes Zone 5, 3-minute Zone 1 recovery
• • 10-minute cool-down: Zone 1 easy
• • Frequency: 2x per week, plus 2-3 Zone 2 sessions

Travel-Friendly Maintenance

Maintain fitness during business travel:

• • Hotel gym: 30 minutes Zone 3 treadmill or bike
• • Morning run: 20-30 minutes Zone 2 before meetings
• • Bodyweight circuits: Maintain heart rate in Zone 3-4
• • Minimum: 3x per week to prevent fitness loss

Executive Team Assessment

Test your entire C-suite or leadership team. Group rates available for 5+ executives. Schedule multiple appointments in a single day. Confidential individual results with optional aggregate team report.

Annual Executive Wellness Program

Quarterly testing throughout the year to track improvements and maintain accountability. Ideal for executive wellness initiatives. Includes baseline, mid-year check, and year-end assessment.

Mobile Testing (Bay Area)

We bring testing to your office for groups of 10+ executives. Convenient on-site service in San Jose, San Francisco, Peninsula, and Monterey Bay area. Contact for mobile testing rates.

Confidential & Professional

Private testing environment. Results shared only with you. No corporate reporting unless you authorize it.

Time-Efficient

45-60 minute VO₂ max test, 15-20 minute RMR test. Schedule early morning, lunch, or after work. Flexible scheduling for busy executives.

Actionable Data

Not just numbers-specific exercise prescription, training zones, and health optimization guidance. Walk away with a clear action plan.

Convenient Santa Cruz Location

Downtown Santa Cruz, 30 minutes from San Jose, 75 minutes from San Francisco. Easy Highway 17/1 access. Combine testing with Santa Cruz business or recreation.

VO₂ Max & Cognitive Function

Research shows strong correlation between cardiovascular fitness and cognitive performance:

• • Higher VO₂ max = better executive function (planning, decision-making, problem-solving)
• • Aerobic exercise increases hippocampal volume (memory center)
• • Improved cerebral blood flow enhances focus and mental clarity
• • BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) increases with cardio exercise
• • Fitter executives perform better on cognitive tests under stress

Stress Resilience & HRV

Cardiovascular fitness directly impacts stress response:

• • Higher VO₂ max correlates with better heart rate variability (HRV)
• • HRV measures autonomic nervous system balance (stress vs. recovery)
• • Better HRV = faster recovery from stressful events
• • Aerobic training improves parasympathetic tone (relaxation response)
• • Fitter executives report lower perceived stress and better mood

Longevity & Disease Prevention

VO₂ max is one of the strongest predictors of longevity:

• • Every 1 MET increase in VO₂ max = 13-15% reduction in all-cause mortality
• • Low cardiorespiratory fitness = higher risk than smoking, diabetes, hypertension
• • High fitness protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia
• • Maintaining VO₂ max above 35 ml/kg/min (men) or 30 ml/kg/min (women) = "protective zone"
• • Fitness is modifiable-unlike genetics or age

Energy & Productivity

Better fitness = better energy throughout the workday:

• • Improved mitochondrial function (cellular energy production)
• • Better oxygen delivery to tissues (less fatigue)
• • Enhanced insulin sensitivity (stable blood sugar = stable energy)
• • Improved sleep quality (better recovery)
• • Reduced afternoon energy crashes

Tech CEO, Age 52

Challenge: Burnout, poor sleep, weight gain, high stress

Baseline: VO₂ max 32 ml/kg/min ("poor" for age), RMR 1,680 cal/day

Protocol: 4x/week Zone 2 training (30-45 min), nutrition based on RMR, quarterly retesting

Results after 12 months: VO₂ max 41 ml/kg/min (+28%), lost 22 lbs, sleep improved from 5.5 to 7 hours, reports "best mental clarity in years." Continues quarterly testing for accountability.

CFO, Age 45

Challenge: Time constraints, inconsistent exercise, wanted data-driven approach

Baseline: VO₂ max 38 ml/kg/min ("fair"), already exercising but no structure

Protocol: Switched from random gym sessions to zone-based training. 3x Zone 2, 1x Zone 4 intervals per week.

Results after 6 months: VO₂ max 44 ml/kg/min (+16%). "Finally training with purpose instead of just showing up. Same time investment, way better results. Testing made all the difference."

Managing Partner (Law Firm), Age 58

Challenge: Family history of heart disease, wanted preventive approach

Baseline: VO₂ max 29 ml/kg/min ("very poor"), sedentary lifestyle

Protocol: Started with walking in Zone 1-2, gradually built to 5x/week Zone 2 training. RMR-guided nutrition.

Results after 18 months: VO₂ max 37 ml/kg/min (+28%), lost 35 lbs, blood pressure normalized (off medication), cholesterol improved. "Testing gave me objective goals. Watching my VO₂ max improve was incredibly motivating."

Executive Physical Screens for Disease

Standard executive physicals include:

• • Comprehensive bloodwork (cholesterol, glucose, liver/kidney function)
• • Cardiac stress test (ECG-based, looks for heart disease)
• • Imaging (CT calcium score, carotid ultrasound)
• • Cancer screening (colonoscopy, PSA, etc.)
• • Goal: Detect disease early

Metabolic Testing Measures Function

VO₂ max and RMR testing reveal:

• • Cardiovascular fitness level (functional capacity)
• • Metabolic efficiency (how well you burn calories)
• • Training zones for exercise optimization
• • Baseline for tracking improvements
• • Goal: Optimize health and performance

Combined Approach is Ideal

Best executive health strategy combines both:

• • Annual executive physical: Screen for disease, catch problems early
• • Quarterly metabolic testing: Track fitness, optimize training, maintain accountability
• • Share results with physician: Many doctors appreciate VO₂ max data
• • Proactive vs. reactive: Don't wait for disease-optimize health now

How is this different from an executive physical?

Executive physicals screen for disease (bloodwork, imaging, etc.). Metabolic testing measures functional capacity-how well your cardiovascular system performs. Both are valuable; they serve different purposes.

Do I need to be fit to get tested?

No. Testing works for all fitness levels-from sedentary executives starting exercise to competitive athletes. The test adapts to your ability. We establish your baseline wherever you are.

How often should executives retest?

Annually at minimum for health tracking. Quarterly if actively improving fitness. Many executive wellness programs include testing 2-4 times per year to maintain accountability.

Can results be shared with my physician?

Yes. We provide a detailed report you can share with your doctor. Many physicians appreciate objective cardiovascular fitness data to complement standard health markers.

Is testing covered by HSA/FSA?

Possibly, depending on your plan. VO₂ max testing for health assessment may qualify. Check with your HSA/FSA administrator. We provide detailed receipts for reimbursement submission.

What if I travel frequently?

Your zones travel with you. Use hotel gyms, run in new cities, maintain fitness on the road. Many executives find zones make travel workouts more effective and time-efficient.

Can I test with my executive team?

Yes. Group testing available for leadership teams. Creates shared accountability and healthy competition. Results remain confidential unless individuals choose to share.