Treadmill VO2Max question

[QueBert]

I Googled this, and I'm not going to totally believe what the treadmill manufacture quotes here (Lifefitness) but the people on runnersworld.com seem to be a bit over opinionated here without anything that sounds anything other than their opinion. Liftfitness claims the fit test on their pro line units will return V02 Max results that are withing 15-20% accurate. A couple people on the runnersworld forums said "it's a joke, won't even be 5% accurate" I read up on what V02 Max is, and I'm still a bit confused if a treadmill will be able to give me anything other than a for entertainment only readout here. I mean I know it won't be accurate enough to quote, but within reason would it be able to give me a baseline to work with just from my heart rate?

From what I understand V02 Max is mostly worthless like a FutureMark GPU benchmark, but I have re-done the test 3 times at my gym just so I can see what improvement I've had, even if it's just a number 🙂

if it makes any difference the test is 5 minutes at 4mph, 1 minute at 0 and the last 4 at a 5 incline.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

There are certain estimation equations that programs or people can use to guesstimate your VO2max based on the workload (also known as stages based on different protocols). If it has you put in your weight, height, gender, etc, then it's a bit more accurate. If not, then it's pretty general and not all that specific. Overall, unless you get a VO2max test with a mask attached to a machine that processes the gas content of your breath, the measure won't be that accurate.

 

[QueBert]

There are certain estimation equations that programs or people can use to guesstimate your VO2max based on the workload (also known as stages based on different protocols). If it has you put in your weight, height, gender, etc, then it's a bit more accurate. If not, then it's pretty general and not all that specific. Overall, unless you get a VO2max test with a mask attached to a machine that processes the gas content of your breath, the measure won't be that accurate.

It asked for my weight, age, sex & height. If it's within 20% I could at least use it to estimate, but I'm hearing 5% max on runnersworld and if it's closer to that it's worthless. Outside of that they all pretty much say don't even bother paying attention to V02 Max even if you do it somewhere with a mask. I would think this is a pretty good indicator for progress made, but maybe I'm just a n00b.

As always SC, thanks for the reply, you have all the knowledge it in the world it seems and always explain things, as opposed to a lot of the others who have seem to be 90% opinions 10% facts.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

It asked for my weight, age, sex & height. If it's within 20% I could at least use it to estimate, but I'm hearing 5% max on runnersworld and if it's closer to that it's worthless. Outside of that they all pretty much say don't even bother paying attention to V02 Max even if you do it somewhere with a mask. I would think this is a pretty good indicator for progress made, but maybe I'm just a n00b.

As always SC, thanks for the reply, you have all the knowledge it in the world it seems and always explain things, as opposed to a lot of the others who have seem to be 90% opinions 10% facts.

Considering increases in VO2max are typically pretty small anyhow (and take a long time), I don't know if I'd use it as a gauge for progress. I think you should use functional measures instead (like 5k times, mile time, 400m time, etc). Those are definitely more accurate if you do them in the same setting each time.

Always a pleasure. I just know a small part of the human body and a bunch about exercise. You guys just ask the right questions.

 

[gar655]

Considering increases in VO2max are typically pretty small anyhow (and take a long time), I don't know if I'd use it as a gauge for progress. I think you should use functional measures instead (like 5k times, mile time, 400m time, etc). Those are definitely more accurate if you do them in the same setting each time.

Always a pleasure. I just know a small part of the human body and a bunch about exercise. You guys just ask the right questions.

+1

VO2max is mostly genetic. Like SC said you can improve it gradually though limited through training.

Get on a track and test your progress by running 400s or 800s or mile intervals.