We are coming to
Tod Combat 
Unit 5/1 Polbeth Industrial Estate, West Calder, Scotland, EH55 8TJ
Friday 25th July 2025

Remove the guesswork from  your training

Find out your VO2 MAX
Asses Heart & Lung Health
Find out Your Accurate Heart Rate Training Zones & more.

Smart Watches Estimate These Figures

We Measure

How to prepare for your VO2 Max test

  • Arrive Fasted, minimum of 5 hours
  • No caffeine on the day or smoking
  • Refrain from exercise 24 hours before testing
  • Appropriate workout clothes

What happens at a VO2 Max test?

You will be pushed to your maximum exercise limit until you feel like you can no longer breathe. This is so we can find out your VO2 Max and Accurate Heart Rate Training Zones and more! 

  • Walking warm up 3.4kmph 3 mins (Increase 0.8kmph every minute after this)
  • Speed 6.6 kmph start to slow jog
  • Run until complete failure 
  • Wear the mask for 2:30 mins after the test with a complete standing or walking recovery (3.4kmph)

This protocol can be adapted on the day of the test to suit your fitness levels. We have a variety of tests. Overall, you should't be running for more than 9-12 mins, and 3-6 mins of walking.

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Have questions?

What is VO2 Max and Why is it Important for Fitness and Performance?

VO2 Max is a key indicator of fitness and performance, measuring the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilise during intense exercise.

The higher your VO2Max, the more oxygen you can convert into energy, directly enhancing your power, speed, and overall athletic ability.

While not the only metric that matters, VO2Max is crucial for understanding your fitness potential.

Is a VO2 Max Test worth it?
VO2 Max is a crucial measure of both aerobic fitness and overall health. Whether you're aiming to enhance your performance or boost cardiovascular health, testing your VO2Max provides a baseline to evaluate your current aerobic condition and track future fitness improvements. It's important to note that these numbers are considered the gold standard compared to the estimates provided by your smartwatch, offering a more precise assessment of your aerobic health.
I'm a Hyrox Athlete how can this help me?

For HYROX athletes, testing your VO2Max and heart rate zones is essential. You can optimises your training by pinpointing your heart rate training zones, improving running economy for better performance, enhance your race strategy with precise pacing. We essentially highlight where you need to train more.

I'm a Runner how can this help me?

A VO2Max test provides precise and individualised data on the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilise during exercise, offering a comprehensive understanding of your aerobic fitness level. For runners, this information is invaluable as it directly correlates with performance potential and helps tailor training programmes to maximise efficiency and results.

In contrast, smartwatch estimates of VO2Max often rely on algorithms and generic data rather than individual physiological characteristics. While they can provide rough estimates, they may not accurately reflect your true VO2Max due to factors like age, fitness level, and genetic predispositions.

Consequently, relying solely on smartwatch estimates may lead to suboptimal training decisions and performance outcomes for runners. In summary, a VO2Max test offers precise, personalised data crucial for runners to optimise training and performance, whereas smartwatch estimates may provide only generalised insights that may not accurately reflect individual fitness levels.

I'm a Cyclist how can this help me? What about FTP Zones?

Knowing your VO2 Max is crucial for cyclists, as cycling mainly relies on aerobic exercise. A higher VO2 Max indicates a larger "aerobic engine," allowing you to sustain higher power outputs efficiently. Conversely, a lower VO2 Max means you'll switch to your anaerobic system sooner, making your power output unsustainable and causing fatigue more quickly due to the rapid production of by-products.

Measuring VO2 Max is more advantageous than using heart rate zones based on FTP (Functional Threshold Power) testing scores. While FTP testing provides insights into your threshold power, VO2 Max offers a comprehensive understanding of your aerobic capacity and endurance potential. This broader insight allows for more precise training adjustments, enhancing overall performance and sustainability in cycling.

I'm a Footballer how can this help me?

A VO2Max test is crucial for football players to optimise their aerobic fitness, which plays a significant role in maintaining high performance levels throughout the entire match. Football games are often decided in the last 10-15 minutes, where fatigue and lack of concentration can be game-changers.

By understanding their VO2Max, football players can tailor their training to improve endurance, ensuring they maintain speed, agility, and mental sharpness even in the final moments of the game. Enhanced aerobic capacity helps reduce fatigue, allowing players to perform at their best and make critical plays when it matters most. Thus, a VO2Max test is an invaluable tool for any football player aiming to elevate their game and secure victories during those crucial last minutes.

Can a VO2 Max Test help with a fuelling strategy?

VO2Max testing provides vital insights into calorie burn, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise, crucial for fuelling strategies in events like half marathons, marathons, ultra-marathons, and triathlons.

1) Calorie Burn: Precisely calculates calorie expenditure to tailor fuelling without over or under-eating.

2) Fat and Carb Utilisation: Determines the balance between fat and carbs burned at different intensities, guiding optimal fuelling.

3) Optimising Fuelling: Design a plan that sustains energy throughout the race, preventing fatigue and glycogen depletion.


In summary, VO2Max testing enables athletes to develop precise fuelling strategies, enhancing performance and endurance in endurance events.

How accurate is Apple Watch and Garmin Watch VO2 max?

VO2 Max estimates provided by Apple and Garmin watches offer valuable insights into your fitness level, but it's important to note that they're approximations and may not be 100% accurate. Unlike precise measurements obtained with a mask that directly measures oxygen intake, these estimates rely solely on data like heart rate, pace and algorithms.

Due to this limitation, the watches can't directly measure oxygen intake levels, which may impact the accuracy of the VO2Max estimate. While heart rate and pace data provide valuable information about your workout intensity, the actual level of oxygen intake remains unknown to the watch.

Therefore, while Apple and Garmin watches offer convenient fitness tracking features, for a more accurate assessment of VO2Max, Calories Burned and Heart Rate Training Zones, measuring oxygen levels is necessary.