VO2max And Calories Burned

My advice is not to rely on a watch for VO2 max numbers. There are a number of sub-maximal tests one can take that will give you a good estimate of VO2 max, like the following:

http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/vo2max/cooper

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneAndHalf.html

An alternative would be to simply take the ~$100 plunge and actually get tested for your real VO2max.

Thank you for this. The second link with the calculator actually gave me pretty close to what the F5 is giving me.

Looks like I need to work harder...:)

Thank you for this. The second link with the calculator actually gave me pretty close to what the F5 is giving me.

Looks like I need to work harder...:)

You should take a few days off (in other words, taper) before doing the test. You want to improve your VOmax? No better way than doing intervals, HIIT.

You should take a few days off (in other words, taper) before doing the test. You want to improve your VOmax? No better way than doing intervals, HIIT.

I do a lot of power walk / run intervals, and on the run parts I try to keep my HR into the low end of zone 5.

On recovery days I just do power walks.

I know it's working because power walks used to be my intense workouts...:)

Edit: I just had a stress test done a couple weeks ago because the one I had about two and a half years ago did not come out good and they had to do a catheterization. There was no blockage but they told me a small part of the bottom of my heart was slightly enlarged and that I could have had a mini heart attack at some point. The stress test I just got the other week came out 100% fine, as did the echocardiogram & EKG.

I guess 2 years of cardio paid off for me.

My V02 max popped up today for the first time. I got poor as well! Waaah!

Here's the thing. I'm a Gymflower. I do great things in the gym, but kinda fall apart outside.

Today I walked outside at the KOA (local trail) and I hadn't done it in a while. The wind was blowing terribly and the way was fairly hilly for someone like me who walks on an indoor track. I do participate in vigorous hiit gym classes, however.

I was surprised the V02 Max would be poor, but I was wondering if you are overweight, you are doomed to get a poor score? I read something about "body mass" is factored in to the calculations. Or, since I wasn't really pushing hard (except occasionally going up a hill), perhaps the watch assumed I was, and the readings were inaccurate?

Here's my workout. I don't know if it helps enlighten this topic at all.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1660642444

Oh and I'm 52.

Oh and what the heck is FTP? My FTP was in the good range, even though my V02 Max was poor!

My V02 max popped up today for the first time. I got poor as well! Waaah!

Here's the thing. I'm a Gymflower. I do great things in the gym, but kinda fall apart outside.

Today I walked outside at the KOA (local trail) and I hadn't done it in a while. The wind was blowing terribly and the way was fairly hilly for someone like me who walks on an indoor track. I do participate in vigorous hiit gym classes, however.

I was surprised the V02 Max would be poor, but I was wondering if you are overweight, you are doomed to get a poor score? I read something about "body mass" is factored in to the calculations. Or, since I wasn't really pushing hard (except occasionally going up a hill), perhaps the watch assumed I was, and the readings were inaccurate?

Here's my workout. I don't know if it helps enlighten this topic at all.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1660642444

Oh and I'm 52.

The fastest way to increase VO2 max is to lose weight, as you are correct, it's measured as milliliters of O2 per minute per kg bodyweight. Assuming you're losing fat and not much muscle that consumes O2, lose weight and you increase your VO2 max. In order for the watch to estimate that figure, the watch does need to know your weight.

The fastest way to increase VO2 max is to lose weight, as you are correct, it's measured as millimeters of O2 per minute per kg bodyweight. Assuming you're losing fat and not much muscle that consumes O2, lose weight and you increase your VO2 max. In order for the watch to estimate that figure, it does need to know your weight.

Thank you. I figured as much.

The watch doesn't know you're walking into the wind. Try a windless day. You can try this method too:

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/Rockport.html

I am in poor shape (pushing nearly 100kg @ 182 cm tall), although getting fitter every day. I am 46 years old. To give you a rough idea of my numbers, my VO2Max is showing currently at 37. On a slow jog/walk up and down some very steep hills, I ran at a very sedate pace (approx. conversion is about 12.5 mins/mile. The hills hurt, so my average heart rate was 143, with a max of 160. My calorie burn from the Fenix 5 was 561 calories, which was reasonably consistent with other devices.

Your calorie burn is very heavily linked to your weight and physical condition. In my case, I will burn more because I am out of shape. My VO2Max is poor, but I don't really need the figures to tell me that. However, my VO2Max is steadily improving and my weight is going lower, so something is working. My resting heart rate is slowly improving.

I think any of these numbers in isolation can be misleading. It also relies on entering the correct metrics for your body into the app. When you combine the numbers and watch for trends, you get a better idea if things are working.