Where does VO2 Come From?

The VO2 in VO2 Fitness comes from the fitness term VO2 Max. Your VO2 max is the highest volume of oxygen a person can consume during exercise. Those who are fit have higher VO2 max values and can exercise more intensely than those who are not as well conditioned. Numerous studies show that you can increase your VO2 max by working out at an intensity that raises your heart rate to between 65 and 85% of its maximum for at least 20 minutes three to five times a week.

The VO2 Max King

You can not talk about VO2 Max without mentioning Lance Armstrong. He is known for being a 7 time winner of the Tour de France but also for his remarkable high VO2 Max. In 1987, when he was sixteen-years-old, he was invited to the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. The Cooper Institute was a leader in fitness and aerobic conditioning research. Armstrong was given a VO2 Max test to measure the amount of oxygen his lungs consumed during exercise. His levels were the highest ever recorded at the clinic.