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VO2 Max Explained Simply

5 August 2026 3 min read

VO2 max has moved from a lab-only measurement to a number many members now see directly on their fitness wearables, often without a clear sense of what it actually represents.

It measures how efficiently the body uses oxygen

In simple terms, it reflects how much oxygen the body can use during intense exercise — a higher number generally reflects better cardiovascular fitness.

It improves with consistent cardio training, not overnight

Meaningful VO2 max improvement takes sustained training over months, which is worth setting as a realistic expectation for members newly paying attention to the number.

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