How Long Does It Take to Improve Your VO2 Max? Here’s What Research and Experts Say

Until recently, VO2 max testing has been inaccessible to most everyday athletes. Unless you had an in with an exercise physiology lab, you had to rely on back-of-the-envelope calculations or wearable tech to generate a rough (sometimes, really rough) estimate. But as more recreational athletes and fitness-minded people express an interest in collecting accurate personal data and tracking health metrics, the market has responded. Some forecasters predict that the global sports science equipment market, which includes the tech needed to measure VO2 max, will grow from $3.2 billion to $5.5 billion in the next eight years. Already, in most major cities, you can walk into a sports performance clinic and get your VO2 max tested for fitness and longevity, for the price of a new (expensive) pair of running shoes. (The same goes for other assessments like lactate threshold testing and the DEXA body composition scan.)