Do You Have The Fit Gene?

The next big thing in sweat tech isn’t a wrist gadget. It’s in your body. Find out if and how the new trackers can optimise your every move.

- Carly Graf & Peh Yi Wen

You’re just a cheek swab or a needle prick away from finding out if your body is programmed for endurance, built for power, or hardwired to lift heavy. That’s because the sophisticated lab tests that were once reserved for Olympians have gone mainstream, thanks to a bumper crop of new companies that offer to read your inner tea leaves—found in your saliva or in your blood—for about the cost of a high-tech fitness tracker. These tests can give you instructions on how you can change your habits to see results and maximize your health,” says Gil Blander, a co-founder of InsideTracker, which analyses 30 biomarkers in your blood. For example, if you’ve ever wondered about your ability to build muscle, there’s a gene that can answer that. “There are indeed genes that are linked to your predisposition to develop certain types of muscle fiber,” says Avi Lasarow, the CEO of DNAFit, a company in London that uses saliva samples to test for genetic traits. “People with the R version of a gene called ACTN3 have a higher likelihood of developing fast-twitch muscle fibers [the stuff that sprinters have in large supply, as opposed to slow-twitch muscle fibers], but only if they do the right training.” The R version of this gene has also been linked to increased growth of muscle mass when strength training, so they may see faster results from their reps, Avi says. On the other hand, people without the R version need to approach workouts differently if they want to build muscle, he says. That may mean eating more protein and lifting moderately heavy weights for longer sets. The point is, according to the gene and blood marker trackers, when you tailor the exercise to your body’s specific needs, you can ensure faster, longer-lasting results. So should you open wide or roll up your sleeve? Our guide can help you decide.

BLOOD, SWEAT, AND SALIVA