VO2 max is one of the best measures of cardiovascular fitness. Estimate yours with a simple 12-minute run test or your resting heart rate, and see how you compare for your age.
How this works
VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise, in milliliters per kilogram per minute.
- Cooper test: (meters covered in 12 minutes − 504.9) ÷ 44.73
- Heart rate method (Uth): 15.3 × max heart rate ÷ resting heart rate
Ratings compare your result with published norms for your age and sex. A lab test with gas analysis is the only precise measure.
Stop exercising and rest if you feel pain, dizziness or unusual shortness of breath. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
