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VO2 max superior?

2986359
over 2 years ago

I've been wearing the Forerunner 255 for a couple of months now. Just last week it displayed a VO2 max for the first time, and I thought it was pretty high. It now shows as superior and 54. I do exercise regularely, intensive bike rides (not longer than about 50 kilometers), fast walks (1 to 2 hours), and occasionally running. But, I do not understand the VO2 max, because if its at the top high, I do not feel that I am at some kind of elite level. 

Like I said, I do not understand how I should read and comprehend the VO2 max, thank you for taking time to explain it for me.

ps.

I have never measured my maximum heart rate and hence Garmin has set a max hr I assume. Sometimes while biking my HR goes up to 171 for example.

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  • over 2 years ago +1 verified

    I would recommend reading this FAQ first as it has a detailed explanation of the VO2 Max estimate, as well as how it is calculated. As long as you are meeting the requirements for the estimate…

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  • +1 over 2 years ago

    I would recommend reading this FAQ first as it has a detailed explanation of the VO2 Max estimate, as well as how it is calculated. As long as you are meeting the requirements for the estimate such as elevated Heart Rate, then you are feeding good data into the estimate. This will also become more accurate over time as you have more data to pull from. 

    Also, this FAQ has additional information, and outlines the necessary equipment for a cycling VO2 Max to be calculated, mainly a power meter on your bike. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your reply! I have read the FAQ but I still do not understand why my VO2 Max would be superior if I am not some kind of elite runner or biker. Does anyone else experience a very high VO2 Max even though they are amateurs, casual trainers?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 2986359

    Yes, my cycling (I don't run nor walk) VO2 Max is 58 which is "superior" (and it keeps increasing), even though there is nothing "superior" about me lol, for instance my FTP is only around 3.4 W/kg

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 2709537

    Thank you :) I wonder how accurate it actually is, maybe not so accurate after all?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 2986359

    I don't know how accurate is the actual value, but to be honest I don't take anything the watch says too seriously.

    But I thought more about the "superior" category. It actually depends on the definition, and for Garmin it means we're in the top 5% among people of our sex and age. Are we? Yes, because that's among the general population, not among cyclists, and most people are in terrible physical condition. Doesn't mean we are superior athletes :)

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 2709537

    Yeah I was thinking the exact same thing. I’ve heard of actual elite athletes having VO2 Max’s in the 70+ range. That’s truly “Superior”.