VO₂ Max Testing

VO₂ max testing is the gold standard for objectively assessing your cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance capacity. The assessment measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body uses during gradually increasing exercise. Your VO₂ max is a precise snapshot of your aerobic fitness and can be a powerful predictor of your overall health and body performance.

Whether you’re looking to begin or return to a fitness routine, in training, or simply seeking objective health metrics, a VO₂ max assessment provides the data you need to personalize your plan and track progress against your fitness goals.

• VO₂ max assessment: $180
• Bundle & Save: $300 for VO₂ max + running performance assessment (total savings of $60)

VO₂ max assessments are available at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Adaptive Sports & Fitness Center, 541 N. Fairbanks Court, Mezzanine Level, Chicago, IL 60611.

To book an appointment, call 312.238.5001 or complete our interest form.

VO₂ max testing provides myriad benefits to participants, including:

• Motivation for Fitness & Training: With VO₂ max testing, you’ll establish a precise baseline of your aerobic fitness. From there, you can personalize your training goals, set interval intensities for exercise and work toward improving your endurance.
• Unlocking Aerobic Potential: VO₂ max evaluates your functional capacity for exercise. Objective insights from the assessment can inform exercise recommendations, and you can reliably track your improvement over time against your fitness goals.
• Objective Measure of Fitness: VO₂ max testing directly measures your overall cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas other indicators, such as body-mass index (BMI) and cholesterol, only reflect specific health dimensions. VO₂ max stands out because it directly gauges physical fitness and can be a more powerful predictor of your health outcomes than weight or cholesterol alone.

1. Pre‑Screening: Prior to your appointment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, you’ll complete the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+), an evidence-based pre-screening questionnaire to determine your readiness for maximal physical activity.
2. Setup: On the day of your VO₂ max assessment, we’ll fit you with a mask connected to a metabolic cart that analyzes your breath for oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output.
3. Graded Exercise: You’ll walk and/or run, with gradually increasing intensity until you reach your maximum effort. Specifically, you’ll start on the treadmill by walking on an incline, with the speed and incline increasing as you proceed through the assessment. The exercise phase of the test typically lasts between 12-20 minutes for most people. 
4. Recovery & Real-time Results: At the end of your test, you’ll cool down and we’ll review your results. Your assessment will include your VO₂ max, and we can compare your VO₂ max to age-predicted norms to show where you currently stand and to help you set future goals.

Please plan for 60 minutes for your appointment, which includes the pre‑test briefing and post‑test review. Wear appropriate footwear and exercise attire. Avoid heavy meals 2-3 hours before testing and arrive well-hydrated. Refrain from caffeine on the day of testing. Refrain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours before your test. 

VO₂ max testing is ideal for those looking to assess and improve their current fitness level, as well as for runners, cyclists and/or endurance athletes targeting specific race goals. A fitness enthusiast can benefit from an assessment to receive objective, trackable metrics about their body’s performance, while individuals starting or returning to fitness can set personal goals using safe, data-driven insights. Finally, clinicians and coaches can use VO₂ max results to measure functional capacity in their patients, athletes and/or clients.

If you have a cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic condition — or any concern about maximal exercise — please obtain clearance from your doctor before scheduling an appointment with us. VO₂ max testing is not advised if you are currently ill or injured; pregnant, unless cleared by your doctor; or if you have symptoms such as chest pain, uncontrolled blood pressure or dizziness.

General exercise and healthy habits all contribute to a strong VO₂ max. Beneficial exercises include progressive aerobic training (such as walking, running, cycling and swimming) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

We recommend consistent training, recovery time after exercise, and good overall nutrition and sleep habits, as well as VO₂ max reassessments every three to six months to check progress and optimize your fitness goals.