Meet Your Max

A LESS-TALKED-ABOUT FITNESS METRIC CALLED VO₂ MAX IS NOW TRENDING, AND FOR GOOD REASON. IT'S A VITAL MARKER OF WELL-BEING, WITH SIGNIFICANCE THAT GOES FAR BEYOND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

- Amy Marturana Winderl

The term VO₂ max might sound more like a Star Wars robot than a health marker, but it's actually a key measure of cardiovascular fitness that can tell you quite a bit about your workouts and general health. Thanks to next-gen trackers and more accessible lab testing, the buzz around VO₂ max has risen in recent years, says Trisha Scribbans, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba in Canada. "People want more information and data about their bodies and exercise," she says, noting the major uptick in friends and students who ask her about the measure. "These numbers can be the motivation you need to keep pushing and improving." Use VO₂ to understand how your systems are performing now and can be revved up for big gains.

WHAT THE MEASURE EVEN MEANS