I’m Marcus, your host here at Garmin’s training video series.
Fitness is more than just a feeling. It’s a very measurable part of who you are.
And many of our Garmin running and cycling products provide numerous metrics so you can keep track and improve your overall fitness levels.
But today, I want to tell you specifically about a common metric that can give you important insights about your cardiorespiratory fitness,
that you may have heard when talking with athletes or health professionals – VO2Max.
VO2Max is the maximum volume of oxygen you can consume per minute, per kilogram of body weight, at your maximum performance.
Your VO2Max score is the key to seeing, understanding, and managing your fitness level.
Not only can VO2Max help you set appropriate goals, evaluate progress, and be used to determine the effectiveness of your training,
but it can also provide the motivation you need to keep going and reach those goals.
And understanding your score is easy to remember.
A low VO2Max score represents poor fitness levels, and a higher score indicates greater performance capacity.
As an indication of your aerobic fitness, it should increase as your level of fitness improves.
Traditionally, VO2Max measurements required an exercise test in a lab where respiratory gases were also analyzed.
But with the help of FirstBeat Analytics, combining sensor data from your compatible Garmin device for speed and heartrate allows for accurately estimating your VO2Max.
Your VO2Max Estimate is calculated throughout your running, walking, or cycling activity, then displayed on your compatible device once you stop and save that activity.
You can also view your VO2Max Estimate in Garmin Connect under the Reports tab, or the Garmin Connect mobile app under the Performance Stats tab.
So how do I improve my VO2Max score? I’m glad you asked.
One way to improve your VO2Max from where you are today is to increase your volume of low intensity exercise. Let me explain.
Let’s say you consistently run the same distance, at the same pace, 3 days per week.
To increase your VO2Max, you could do the same routine but for 5 days instead of 3.
Or you could still run 3 days but increase your distance by 50 percent. Either way, you want to push yourself to build your aerobic capacity.
And if you really want to push your limits, you can also increase your VO2Max with interval training.
Interval training consists of alternating short periods of high-intensity activity with periods of rest.
And many of our Garmin wearables and Edge products have interval training capabilities built in to help keep you focused on improving your performance.
But no matter where you are in your training, if you want to get results, just keep challenging yourself to beat yesterday.
From beginners to seasoned athletes, we want to help you meet your performance goals – especially if this is all new to you.
With Garmin Connect, we have a training plan to help you succeed.
Self-Guided plans let you choose a basic plan for an event based on your skill level.
And Garmin Coach plans feature tested workouts and expert advice from the world’s top coaches, allowing you to get personalised workouts that adapt to your ability as you train.
When you find a plan that fits, simply add it to your Garmin Connect calendar.
You can even send the workouts to your compatible Garmin device to use as your virtual coach.
So there you have it!
By monitoring key aspects of your running and fitness progress, you get a better look at your current performance level and what you need to do to keep up the good work or continue improving.
And with VO2Max, the ability to see your current fitness level and track changes over time is a game changer!
See, understand, and manage your fitness level – with VO2Max.
Hey, thanks for taking the time to learn more about VO2Max.
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For now, that’s all I‘ve got.
This is Marcus from Garmin, wishing you all the best.
And in all that you do, we want to help you beat yesterday.