What Is VO2max and How Can I Improve It

Your VO2 max test is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. The more oxygen your body can use, the more energy it can produce. Depending on your fitness level, age, gender, and genetics, VO2 max levels will differ from person to person. Still, this testing gives us a fantastic baseline of your aerobic threshold. 

With this test, we can see a lot of information surrounding your body’s health. Depending on what your VO2 result is, we can gather information about your respiratory health and how well your body is carrying oxygen. The main goal of VO2 training is to increase your body’s threshold, ensuring you can produce even more energy than before. With annual re-testing, we can see a side-by-side comparison of your body’s improvement with training and nutrition alterations. 

How do you improve your VO2 max? It depends on your current state of fitness. For many, that will look like adding cardio such as swimming, biking, running, or rowing. It can also be added to weekly High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) consisting of a shorter, high-intensity movement followed by a slightly longer rest period repeated several times in a row.  These are just a few changes that can be implemented, but it is important to note that you should consult with a trained professional regarding VO2 training and testing.