How Accurate Is My Garmin VO2 Max? Comparison With Lab VO2max
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
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I tested my VO2max in the lab and compared it with what garmin thought my vo2max was.
I wanted to know whether my garmin vo2max was reliable or not. So I did some lab testing with a friend of mine to see whether the vo2 max was the same or different. Vo2 max is just one performance indicator which triathletes might already be aware of.
I don't know about you, but Garmin likes to tell me my VO2max is pretty high and that I can run a quicker 5k than I really can! So how does my lab vo2 max compared with it? Do you need to know it for triathlon?
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00:00 The finale...
01:32 What is vo2max?
02:42 How is it calculated?
03:42 My VO2max
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Hi! I'm James. I'm a Sport and Exercise Nutritionist and I make videos on nutrition to give people simple, clear and easy to use information on a range of subjects. I focus on triathlon and how triathletes can use nutrition to help properly fuel their training and racing.
In my day job I work as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in General Practice, or Family Medicine for those of you not in the UK, and work in a busy NHS GP practice. I'm a Specialist Paramedic by background and have full independent medicine prescribing rights.
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I definitely couldn't manage another minute 😅
It's a good video. Keep it up. Be bold buddy!
Thanks for the video! I am 51 and have been an endurance athlete for most of my life. A few years ago my Garmin said my VO2max was 58. Now I can’t seem to get it higher than 57! 😁 I would love to keep my VO2max higher than my age for as long as possible!
That's a fantastic goal Gene! Keep up with the training and I'm sure you will be able to 😀
@@NutritionTriathlon and after some longer and more intense races and events my VO2max is now at 58! As long as it keeps going up as I age I think that is ok! 🙂
Thanks for the short version
Great video. Yes it would be good to learn more about garmin vo2 accuracy. I share the same situation, I am mostly on a low intensity phase of the year and VO2 max readings from Garmin dropped 7-10 points !!!
Thanks! Ok, I'll look to go into this in more detail in the future! It's a bit demotivating, isn't it? But I also kind of like it because I like to prove garmin wrong ;)
Great video. I love to talk about vo2 and sports science in general 😅 please do another one on the details like how to interpret the result sheets. I've heard that it also depends upon which protocol you are using for the test. Can you please go into more details. What are your thoughts about using a vo2 master mask than going to a lab?
Haha you and me both then! Sure, I can defo do something on those. I'm hoping to do some more lab testing over the next couple of months and I'll aim to go into it in more detail.
By the vo2 max master, I guess you mean the brand with the portable masks, similar to ones like PNOE?
I'm not sure on the accuracy of them to be honest (just because I haven't looked into them much, but will do in the future). But the big thing is how you interpret them and use the values you get in training or racing. If you can't realistically use them in a helpful way then it's just doing something for the sake of doing it. I think generally vo2max = less helpful, things like lactate profiling = more helpful.
Garmin estimates my VO2max at 61 and it is spot on. I did a lab test last week and the result was 61. Efficiency is also very important for endurance sports, isn’t it ?
Nice! And great result. Was that your first time testing it?
Yep, it is. Efficiency and your lactate threshold are both probably more important than your vo2 max. Vo2 max can depends on height, gender etc and change relatively little, but your ability to improve efficiency in a sport and/or your lactate threshold is usually considered far more beneficial to endurance performance.
@@NutritionTriathlon Yes, first time testing. I did it on the run
Awesome! I'm probably going to do a run one next time as I've only ever done bike vo2max tests
what Garmin do you use?
Fenix 5
Love this topic. Good one.
Me too, it's a fun one! Thanks!
I had almost the exact same experience. My garmin said my VO2 max was 41, and lab test said 37.5, just about 4 high like yours. Pretty close though!! I’m curious to retest in a year when I’m more fit to see if it remains about 4 high.
Me too, I'd like to know how close they are now. Unfortunately not much change in my Garmin stats though 😅 but I'm definitely fitter!
Another subject I’d love to hear your thoughts would be lactate test for amateur athletes. I figure that I can buy a decide for 300-500 pounds and do it myself. Quite experience but if you put in perspective it is an entry fee for a HIM nowadays. My thinking is, should I buy abs try to better establish the zones by myself ?
Yeah this is a great topic. I'm hopefully doing a lactate test in the next month or two so I'll add this as a video topic to do then and cover it all!
I know this is old but it does not surprise me that your (running) VO2max estimated from Garmin is different to your cycling VO2max (which can also be estimated using your Garmin).
The VO2max corresponds rather to a 4-5 min maximal effort, that's why maximal effort extrapolations (to 5k, 10k,..., etc) based on VO2max can be rubbish.
You will also find differences in the power output you are able to produce depending on the weather conditions or maybe you can produce even more power climbing hills or running/riding against a strong wind.
So good.
I do want to know about the accuracy because I am from a poor country and we don’t have any reliable institutions, or even if we have any institutions for that matter to measure VO2 max and lactate threshold!
This will help me determine to set my pace, speed, and strategies
Thank you for the video
Hey! You're welcome, and thanks for the comment! Sounds good, I'll bear this in mind then for some future videos on VO2 max!
I am 55, female and my Garmin estimates my V02max at 38. My issue is heart rate. It tells me I'm in zone 5 when I can talk, sing and at a comfortable pace. Ave heart rate for a long, comfortable run is 157 - 159 bpm. Average resting HR is 63.
How do you measure your heart rate for the runs? Based off the watch's wrist HR tracker or do you use a dedicated hr strap?
@@NutritionTriathlon wrist, but I've counted my pulse and compared. It seems accurate.
@@MNP208 if you can talk it seems very unlikely that you'd be in zone 5. I find that when I go running without a chest strap it's very inaccurate, I would suggest getting one.
Sorry I missed your reply. I would agree with David. I know you mentioned counting your pulse but I would be quite surprised if your pulse was 155 whilst running but you could talk fully etc.
Chest or arm hr strap would probably be useful if you would like an accurate reading!
@@NutritionTriathlon I'm going to have a V02max/hr range test completed.
Great content but where is the lab you used
Thank you! It's my old university labs
My Garmin says I have a 72 Vo2 max and I have a 1:16 hm and 2:47 marathon. My race prediction says 1:12 hm and 2:33 marathon. I don’t know how accurate this really is but my HR for my races is usually average of 160 bpm. I think I need to push harder in my races
HR is very individual. Can you actually get close to those times for hm and marathon? If you are then I suspect you know how to race and if you think you're giving it your all, I wouldn't worry about trying to get your HR higher! It will be where it is for a reason
1:54 half marathon, and a VO2 at 44 on a Garmin Fenix 6X sapphire 😢 average resting heart rate is 41-43 bpm. 38yrs.
Which Garmin watch were you wearing?
Fenix 5
Can you try with huawei band 4 pro after this please. yeah that entry level fit band
I'm afraid I don't have one of those so I won't be able to, sorry!
Maybe I missed it in the video, but I didn't hear it said what the garmin reported VO2 max was? Only the lab result of 56.
At 1:18, VO2 max estimation was 60
@@NutritionTriathlon that's a shame, I was hoping garmin would underestimate
You and me both 😆
soooo, what did his garmin say his vo2max is/was?? because i'm guessing 56 was the lab number.
Watch from 1:16 😉
It seems the harder I run the higher my watch will rate my vo2max. I am doing more 80/20 sorts of runs this year and my vo2max dropped 4 points. Admittedly I am not wearing my chest monitor as much doing lighter runs but still it seems like the watch wants me to kill it to reward me with that higher score.
Many watches require a solid 20 minute hard effort to estimate. So slow / easy runs throw it off. I dont think they actually share too many details on how they calibrate. Thats just my guess from using garmin which I switch between easy work and different types of speedwork. I think its ni e to look at the number but benchmarking is best done with a time trial that is repeatable (I do a 5K around a lake once a month)
@@kierenkd Yeah I could see that being an explanation. I am doing light 30-40 minute runs but super light. If I try and see how my slow running is going by pushing pace it tends to level me up on that run. I don't think I have ever seen it improve the score on a slow run.
Haha yep, I get the same. When I'm in a phase of doing more easy aerobic work my vo2max drops right down. Similar picture for cycling vo2max too!
My Vo2max just got higher by running a slow run in a very hot day, so my heart rate was very higher than usual. Strange conditions for a higher vo2max evaluation, maybe it s rather the sum of the weeks work than the single performance
My Garmin estimates my predicted race time quite good. About the VO2 it fluctuates a lot with what workout I have done. If I do a slow run Z2 HR. It usually drops my VO2 and if I take that run in hilly or bad coverede GPS areas its even worse.
Kinda strage that the algorithm does not just look at the GAP Gradient adjusted pace in stead.
In peak my bike VO2 is 60 and run is 55 according to Garmin. Now after an off period it's 53 and 49 ( picking up the the intensity again )
Did you get blood lactate tested as well.
In your opinion what test would be most telling / worth it.
Vo2max in lab
Blood lactate test lab
General blood work to see your levels and decide if you need to up Iron, vit D, or other nutrients.
Yeah I've found the same. Garmin seems very picky about which workouts it likes! I'm currently in a low intensity training block and Garmin doesn't like it 😆 Sounds like your experience is the same as mine!
We did test lactate, but it was just before and after. It certainly showed I tried ;) But otherwise it's not really useful in a VO2max test because it is too short and non specific.
However, for performance generally and usefulness to athletes I would say a lactate threshold test is far better. If you can find what zones you're at a certain lactate and plot your lactate curve then that can be incredibly helpful. You can actually tailor your training to your current capabilities.
In general I'm not a big fan of general blood work through companies. I think the potential is there for more harm than good. For the most part, better to chat with your family doctor if you have genuine concerns and let them manage it.
Was someone getting mugged in the background 0:14 ?
It was a university campus so I hope not 😅
You should use apple watch or huawei gt runner watch, both of them have accurate, the best heart rate sensor and sp02 sensor.
I'm not fussed about wrist based heart rate or spo2 monitoring. Garmin is far more suited for my needs as a triathlete!
I would love to know BEFORE and AFTER vo²max of a person who supplements Iron
Why do you want to know that?
@@NutritionTriathlon Well, I'm seeing that runners experience an Iron deficiency from constant foot strike called, Exercise induced hemolysis. I've got to believe that an increase in Iron, for some, would help their vo2max reading.
If someone had an iron deficiency anaemia then it might help, but we are talking about a small subgroup of patients. I don't think exercise induced haemolysis and through that anaemia is particularly common! If they have normal iron stores and haemoglobin then wouldn't be any benefit
Good to know more about vo2 max and how you can increase this and what training methods to use to build muscle and lose body fat.
Interesting ideas, thank you! 🙂
Garmin Edge calculated VO2 max 52 but from Lab comes result 61 🤔
I bet you could run that fast if a T-Rex was chasing you!
Haha yes, maybe! I'm thinking of trying to beat it soon, maybe I'll hire a T-Rex to help out
I've trained 1850 hrs in two years. RHR 40bpm. Max HR 174 bpm. Body weight 56.4 Kg. Yesterday: 20 minutes on bike 234 Watts, AV Hr 130 bpm, Max HR 135 bpm, New VO2 Max 81.0
Turned 62 a couple of days back. Had major surgery 4 months ago. Maybe losing my spleen and half a pancreas helps. VO2 Max before the operation was 77.0
Whatever the reason, great stuff Ric! Sounds like you're keeping active and your fitness is awesome. Kudos to you!
🤣🤣🤣 that wink.
😅
Garmin can differ my VO2max by 10+ points depends on year cycle. ) But it never reach real lab numbers
Interesting to hear, thank you! Sounds like we're in the same boat.
funny - I can always easily beat my race predictions by Garmin but it does overestimate my VO2 max...
It used to overestimate my race predictions but I'd say it's about right now
How did Garmin compare with your lab test?
Pretty close, I did put my Garmin value in the video 🙂
@@NutritionTriathlon Garmin is not accurate in my experience; it overestimates my VO2 by 15%!
It’s got me at fitness age 20 lol I’m 55 decently fit but sure ain’t fitness age 20 ,I’m getting a test done today
Hope you had fun!
My garmin was out ly vo2 was 48 not 45 ,,that makes me pretty decent for 55 yrs ,can hopefully get to mid 50 s
My garmin estimate is 71 which is way too high. I’m quite fit and ride my mtb a lot but im no professional athlete. It would be interesting to do a lab test and compare the values but it’s expensive and doesnt make sense since im not pro
Yeah, I would say that a true vo2 max test for most people just isn't that useful. Do you use heart rate monitoring? If so, what do you use? A common reason I've seen for an abnormally high vo2 max is falsely low wrist HR measurements (as I believe garmin compares HR values to the population at a specific pace or power to estimate vo2 max).
@@NutritionTriathlon i use a the garmin hrm-dual for heart rate data and a tacx flux s for power data. I don’t think those are the problem. Something to mention is that im very lightweight, maybe that has something to do with it. I enjoyed the video btw
Yeah doesn't sound like they are! Thank you! 😊
Mine is showing 44 which gives me average fitness age of 25 yrs ,,,I’m 55 so think it’s off a bit ,,I’m getting pnna test next week ,,,,
Good luck with your testing!
Date changed to next week ,,,,
It’s gone to 45 ,making my fitness age 20 ,,no way
Mine nailed it university got 46 watch got 46. 😅,,,it’s gone to 47 ,,,,again don’t know how accurate but it’s moving in right direction
Tbf 55 yrs so pretty happy 😅
That's great, nice one! Now you've got a nice metric to track too 😃
As an extra datapoint, I took a VO2 Max test and it came in 9 below the number reported by my Garmin watch.
Interesting to hear, thank you! Did you think it would be closer or did you expect a big difference?
@@NutritionTriathlon I was hoping Garmin was correct but I expected it was overstating it. As with all devices, as long as it's consistent you can still track progress. I'm thinking of just applying that factor if I ever want to know the approximate number.
Absolutely, that's what I do too. As long as it's consistent you can see the trend
5k in 60 minutes?
Hmm?
@@NutritionTriathlon th-cam.com/video/rMLYizEoVBI/w-d-xo.html - says I can run 5k in 60 minutes
70 on Garmin. I still think that is not the reality.
Would be nice though, hey?
Fake alert! Hoped for reliable information, but the annoying backing noise, revealed that this is nothing but a cheap commercial. No scientific data needs muzak.
What is fake about it? This was just a fun video which I made about my experience with it. Not sponsored or affiliated. Happy to take onboard your thoughts about music though. How could I improve the video? 🙂