VO2 Max

This is from the VA3 support website:

If you have already recorded a brisk walk or run outdoors, your VO2 max. estimate may appear. The device displays the date your VO2 max. estimate was last updated. The device updates your VO2 max. estimate each time you complete an outdoor walk or run of 15 minutes or longer. You can manually start a VO2 max. test to get an updated estimate.

It states outdoor walk or run, so I suspect it doesn't work on a treadmill.

That makes sense. I haven't walked outside for any great distance in awhile.

Thanks

@ Deano_53 Do you use a calibrated foot pod on the treadmill? Since the pod would give you distance and speed, I assume if you chose the run activity without GPS enable it would calculate VO2 Max readings. I use a Stryd foot pod that's set to pace and distance to "always" come from the pod instead of GPS. I don't use a treadmill, but I assume it would work the same on a treadmill if I selected the run activity. I'm not certain, so maybe someone will chime in with a definitive answer.

@ Deano_53 Sorry for the repeat post, but I tried editing my last post over 10 times without success. I wish this site could get it's sh*t together. Anyway, what I meant to say is do you use a calibrated foot pod on the treadmill? Since the pod would give you distance and speed, I assume if you chose the run activity without the GPS enable instead of the treadmill activity, it would calculate VO2 Max readings. I use a Stryd foot pod that's set to pace and distance to "always" come from the pod instead of GPS. I don't use a treadmill, but I assume it would work the same on a treadmill if I selected the run activity. I'm not certain, so maybe someone will chime in with a definitive answer.

TMK17,

I've never used a foot pod, but I have one and will give it a try.
Thanks,

Unfortunately VO2 max is NOT calculated in indoor runs even when using a footpod as Stryd.
I've tested it by myself (with Stryd) and it was also discussed here in another thread if I remember right.
Problem is that Garmin watches need GPS data for VO2 max calculation. No GPS data -> no VO2 max.

Have a look at this thread:

https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5-5s-plus/1410458-data-source-for-firstbeat-metrics/page2

I assume it works the same way on the VA3 as on the F5+.

It turns out that not only is enabled GPS required, it looks like GPS pace is the input used by the FirstBeat algorithms no matter if Stryd is set as pace source. I've tested this by running on treadmill using the Run app w/GPS enabled but Stryd set to 'Always' for both distance and pace, but I didn't get any updates to any of the FirstBeat metrics.

That's interesting because this is also posted on the support website.

• Running Activity with GPS will yield the most accurate overall VO2 max estimate.
  
• Cycling Activity with a power meter. When a measurement is achieved, this will always yield a Cycling VO2 max measurement, even if there is also an overall VO2 max measurement from #1 above.
  
• Walking Activity with GPS
  
• Walking Activity without GPS (using foot cadence as a speed estimate)
  
• Walking during daily routine without recording an Activity
  
• Running Activity without GPS (using foot cadence as a speed estimate)
  

Point 1/6:
I never tested if an outdoor run without GPS will yield a VO2 max value. I doubt though.
Point 2:
Running and cycling VO2 max are two different things. Indoor cycling with a power meter pedal seem to produce cycling VO2 max
Point 3/4:
My Forerunner 645 never calculated a VO2 max with an outdoor walking activity. Maybe it's just not an option on this watch.
I never did an indoor treadmill walk. Don't know if it will yield a VO2 max.

That's interesting because this is also posted on the support website.

Where exactly did you find this, is this Garmin's definition?
Nothing would be better than if this was true.