Commercial Drive Location
VO2 Max Testing
Individual Athletes
Sports Teams
Lifestyle Builders
What is a VO2 Max Test?
It’s a gold-standard approach to measuring and improving your cardiorespiratory fitness levels.
Your VO2 Max is the maximum volume of oxygen your body is able to use while exercising as hard as you can. Since your body’s ability to use oxygen is a key variable for performance in endurance sports, testing it provides data to guide and enhance your training.
VO2 Max is a changeable metric that you can use to create personalized training zones and get the most out of your fitness program.
It’s the best measure of endurance out there.
THE BENEFITS OF A VO2 MAX TEST
VO2 Max is the best indicator of aerobic capacity. Improving it raises your ceiling of athletic performance (especially for endurance). It’s the perfect pressure test for your training program.
Our approach to VO2 testing at Tall Tree is rooted in science and backed by evidence. We get nerdy about the details so that you can focus on optimizing your athletic performance.
VO2 Max is one of the best predictors of all-cause mortality. The added bonus of working to improve your training numbers is that you’ll also be improving your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
What to Expect:
To measure your VO2 Max, you’ll partake in a graded treadmill test working up to maximal effort. The test uses an oxygen sensor mask and a heart rate monitor to measure your cardiorespiratory markers.
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Single Test - $210
Appointment Time - 60mins
IMPORTANT: To ensure the accuracy and reliability of your test, please adhere to our Pre-Test Guidelines 48 hours before your test.
VO2 Max is a trainable metric. You can use your results to create personalized training zones to get the most out of your fitness program.
For a limited time, individual athletes can get our Test/Re-Test package…
Test/Re-Test - $360 (10% off). Two tests within one year to help you establish your current VO2 and retest later.
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For any sport, especially those with an endurance aspect (soccer, track & field, cross country, etc..), VO2 Max offers an effective way to assess the success of your team training programs or check in after the off-season.
Interested in getting your team booked? We offer group rates. Reach out to nathan@talltreehealth.ca for more information on performance testing for teams.
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Single Test - $210
Appointment Time - 60mins
IMPORTANT: To ensure the accuracy and reliability of your test, please adhere to our Pre-Test Guidelines 48 hours before your test.
VO2 Max is one of the best predictors of all-cause mortality. Since it’s a trainable metric, improving it also increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life. How much? Going from a low to below average VO2 Max for your age is linked to a 50% reduction in death over the next decade.
The best place to start is to establish your baseline with an initial test. Then, you can make your plan to improve it and see your progress in future tests!
For a limited time, individuals can get our Test/Re-Test package…
Test/Re-Test - $360 (10% off). Two tests within one year to help you establish your current VO2 and retest later.
Get started with the gold-standard in performance testing.
Our VO2 Max Testing Team
Performance testing
Book Now
Book online or contact our Vancouver clinic with any questions.
For a limited time, individuals can get our Test/Re-Test package (two tests within one year to help you establish your current VO2 and reassess later). The package is $360 and saves you 10% overall.
We also offer group rates for teams. Reach out to nathan@talltreehealth.ca for more information.
* Our performance testing program and discounted rates are only available at Tall Tree Vancouver.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR VO2 MAX
FUN FACT: The highest ever recorded VO2 Max is 97.5 ml/kg/min - achieved by Norwegian cyclist, Oskar Svendsen.
While your goal may not be to break the world record, improving your VO2 Max over time can help you test the effectiveness of your training programs (and reduce your risk of all-cause mortality). Here’s how you can do it…
Zone 2 Training
Zone 2 is a training zone where your body is mainly using fats as a fuel source. When you are in Zone 2, only your slow-twitch, Type I muscle fibers are active. This approach to training can:
Improve your ability to use fat as an energy source and preserve your glycogen stores until the end of an activity (when you need it most).
Increase your body’s ability to clear lactate, allowing you to perform efficiently for longer durations.
Endurance athletes should train in Zone 2 for 70-80% of their training. Read more in our blog about incorporating Zone 2 training into your fitness routine.
HIIT Approach
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), is an approach where you train in intervals close to maximal effort (90-95% of your max heart rate) with active rest between (~70% of your max heart rate). For example:
15/15 - 15 seconds of running close to maximal effort followed by 15 seconds of active resting.
4x3 - 4 minutes of running close to maximal effort followed by 3 minutes of active resting (4 cycles).
HIIT should only make up 20-25% of your total training time. Evidence suggests that 2 HIIT sessions per week can be effective in building aerobic capacity (more than that may not provide any additional benefit).
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Triathletes
Soccer Teams
Track & Field
Football Teams
Distance Running
Group Training
Cross Country Skiing
Endurance Athletes
Pre & Post Season Testing