Obtaining a cycling VO2 Max without Power meter

If I want obtaining a cycling VO2 Max, Garmin support they say Power meter is required. I'm wondering if it's possible to get a cycling VO2 Max without using a Power meter? I have seen that there are data fields for calculating power such as:

-vPower - Bike Virtual Power

-Simple Bike Power .....

If I use any of these Data Fields my is my Garmin Fenix 6 pro will be able to show me VO2 Max, because even if I ride a bike I haven't had a VO2 Max display on my watch for a while. What would be your recommendation if I could get a view of my cucling VO2 Max without buying a Power Meter, as they are quite expensive?

If possible which application or Data Field would you suggest I use?

THANKS

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

Gluki said:
I'm wondering if it's possible to get a cycling VO2 Max without using a Power meter?

Yes, the real VO2max can be obtained ONLY with a gas analyzer!

0 5135968 over 4 years ago

Datafields cannot write data into native Garmin data structures like power, so no.

So your watch cannot see or use this 'power' data written to developer fileds by datafields claiming to calculate it.

0 Gluki over 4 years ago

Can you explain to me what a gas analyzer is and how it is used to get a cycling VO2 Max ? Thanks