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VO2 Max - Pinpointing the Weakest Link in Your Training

Fit young woman running on a treadmill with a respirator on, completing a VO2 max test

Written by: Mehran Tabrizi, Personal Trainer, Cambridge Club

As life gets busier and more complex, time becomes our most precious commodity. That’s why optimizing your workouts based on your unique physiology and goals is key to getting results - especially for busy moms.

A VO2 max test and report can pinpoint the weakest link in your training, helping you work smarter, not harder. For moms juggling family, work, and personal time, squeezing in workouts can be tough. Add in the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause - which impact energy levels, sleep quality, and weight regulation - and it becomes even more challenging.

Many people work incredibly hard but still don’t see the results they’re after. One common reason? They lack a strong fat-burning base or aren’t hitting the right intensity zones during workouts. Without clear insight into your heart rate zones, it’s easy to push too hard in your easy cardio sessions - and not hard enough during high-intensity efforts in Zone 4.

Here’s where VO2 max testing makes all the difference.

Your mitochondria - the "engines" in your cells - produce 90% of your body’s energy. When we measure your Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER), we can identify exactly what heart rate range burns the most fat, and when you’re simply overtaxing your body without meaningful return. Think of it like revving your engine at full throttle while stuck in first gear - it’s exhausting and inefficient.

By discovering your optimal training zones, you gain a personalized roadmap for smarter, more effective workouts. Structured zone training helps you tap into supercompensation - improving performance while minimizing wear and tear on your joints and soft tissue.

Let’s unlock your personal user manual and make every minute count.

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