Low VO2 Max ALWAYS

Since you had the issues with other watches, assuming you are using a good quality power meter, my best guess is that your HRMax is off (assuming your have correctly input your age, weight, etc. in your profile). A wrong HRMax can have a huge effect on the error rate of the VO2Max algorithm

My tips to maximize the chances you have a good cycling VO2max estimate:

- check your HRMax, and triple-check it. Disable auto-detection. If you know your HRMax from a recent very hard VO2Max/anaerobic interval workout, use this value. If you don't, use 220-age, but there is a high risk the formula will not fit you. . If your doctor lets you, you can find some HRMax field tests online. They look like a VO2max workout on steroid, so they are very hard and strenuous.

- once your HRMax is solid, make sure you have a balanced training. Since we assume that your VO2Max is off here, complete a threshold biking test, ideally on an indoor bike. Use the watch to determine the kind of workout it recommends every day, and complete the workout by adjusting your targets, if necessary, based on your cycling FTP: base 65%, tempo 85% Threshold 100% FTP, VO2max 125%, Anaerobic 155%,

- as you complete the workouts, check that the VO2Max is updating on the watch (under training status > VO2Max). Check also on Garmin Connect to see how the cycling VO2Max is evolving, if at all.

If you had a poor initial estimate, it will take about 4 weeks to get to the better estimate.

I found this online, where you can do a home test to evaluated your VO2Max. If you have a good indoor trainer with accurate power, it might be worth trying it out to set expectations (Power estimates from the trainer speed may not be accurate enough for the purpose of VO2Max calculation, but good enough for training)

https://climbapedia.org/VO2

I pretty sure my MaxHR is set correctly. It WAS on auto until I corrected it a week or so ago. I set it at 185. I’ve been seeing that 185 max for years now. The age, height and weight are correct. 46, 6ft, 2 inches, 170 lbs

The FTP is pretty accurate I think. It’s per the Wahoo Kickr bike and Kickr V5 both. I started using a Concept 2 a few months back. I set the drag factor to 150 and row with my HR at 185 for a long time with no issues. Just never can go beyond that.

What seems odd to me is that I never have really gone above 185 MaxHR. It’s seems to be max, but staying in the zone for a long time is easy. I feel fine. Then at night, resting is around 53. 

BTW, just had my heart examined by two different cardiologists last month when a keto induced electrolyte deficiency sent my BP sky high. Ending keto fixed that. Now my BP is 110/60 again. Heart is healthy according to them.

I think VO2 max is just not working for me. I must be a mutant.

Droogles said:

I must be a mutant

Lol

Droogles said:

I can get my HR up to 185 for 30 minutes straight

Droogles said:

I’ve been seeing that 185 max for years now.

That doesn't look right for us, humans.

30s-1mn is about how long we, common mortals, can go at HRMax.

https://www.livestrong.com/article/557485-one-great-answer-how-long-can-i-safely-be-at-my-maximum-heart-rate/

So you clearly don't have the right HRMax.

If the longest you can last at maximum sustained power is 30mn and that gets you to 185bpm, this is rather your lactate threshold HR. If you are not a top athlete, your FTP HR might be around 85% of your MaxHR, although the range can be quite large. It is easier to field test your FTP HR than your HRMax...

One thing you can do is set your HRMax at 217, and then do an FTP test with the watch. If the HR is too high, it won't detect the threshold. You can then gradually shave off a few bpm from the HRMax and repeat the test.

I just noticed that my Concept 2 rows and Zwift rides that are uploaded from those platforms to Garmin are not being factored into my Training Readiness?!?! I was testing dual recording to my watch for both of these activities yesterday (Tuesday) and today the Training Readiness says POOR, whereas before it seemed to have ignored my Concept 2 and Zwift uploads and reported Training Readiness was HIGH. I'm not sure what use this watch is to me if it's just going to ignore my Concept 2 and Zwift syncs. Those two activities were the main reason I bought the watch. I don't want to dual record because I lose elevation, distance, etc.

This may have a lot to do with the VO2 max score being low if I'm overtraining. I've read that this can happen. Perhaps myMax HR is too low two, so looks like I have multiple issues to fix.

Swift rides should be uploaded to Connect, the data will be downloaded to the watch to be incorporated in the watch tracking metrics and then synced back up to Connect.

Maybe one of the syncs didn't happen (yet)?

www.dcrainmaker.com/.../garmin-training-status-now-includes-zwift-trainerroad-the-sufferfest-and-tacx-app-workouts.html

Do you use indoor Rowing app and connect wirelessly the concept2 to your watch?

Last Monday i did a rowing session and it worked.

Power, distance, stroke and every other data is saved in GCM. Training load and calories too.

Here’s the solution for Training Readiness: forums.zwift.com/.../592514

Newest beta may fix this.

Fixed an issue that could potentially prevent appropriate VO2 Max updates.

forums.garmin.com/.../beta-version-10-41

Approx 4 weeks later, VO2 Max is still in the 30s. Whatever the stat means, it seems to have no bearing on reality for me. I guess I will just ignore it.

Droogles said:

I guess I will just ignore it.

You definitely can.

Do an FTP test, base your power zones on FTP. You can still follow the daily suggestions for workouts, just replace the targets with your FTP-based targets mentally and you are good to go.

This is what I did a few months earlier when my VO2Max was low because of interrupted training, and was also slow to change. The base ride was proposed at 135W whereas 160W was more adequate based on FTP, for example.