How Accurate Is VO2 Max On Smartwatches?

Do you use VO2 Max on your smartwatch? Are you going to use VO2 max in training more after watching this video? Let us know in the comments!!

My watch's VO2 max estimate helped me to diagnose anemia - the VO2 max was steadily dropping month after month whilst I was training and not ill. Now it wasn't the only indicator that I was anemic, but it definitely helped assess the situation. Once on iron supplements the VO2 max came up by 6 points in 10 weeks. Watch 1, anemia 0.

Nice video! - Garmin shows 52 and the lab result shows 49 for her (5.8% difference) and for him Garmin shows 62 and the lab result shows 60 (3.2% difference).

I hope this comment reaches you guys. Having started running in March, and never having run more than 14k in one go, I have just completed my first ever half marathon. Around the 14k mark I really began to struggle. Then I imagined Anna, Rick and Sarah cheering me on. I could hear your voices in my head (I’ve watched a LOT of your videos in the last few months) encouraging me, and I can’t tell you how much it helped. So thank you - for being brilliant and unknowingly offering support to this 46 year old husband and dad 😊😊😊

Apple VO2 started at 26 mL/kg/min. After 4 months of lifting, fasting, light treadmill jogs and lots of outdoor walks, the VO2 improved to 29 ! My results are lower due to permanently small and anemic red blood cells caused by thalassemia and my weight. But the trend is positive (especially as I lose more weight)! :)

It's so cool seeing Sarah's slow transformation over the course of these videos! I only discovered the channel a couple of years ago (during lockdown 🤣), but have watched quite a bit of the backlog. She looks so different compared to before! And her running is inspirational. Such a great presenter \0/

About a month ago I started weight training again after almost a full year of not working out at all. I've done a few runs here and there as warm ups for my weight training and based on those my garmin fenix 6 reports a VO2Max of 52. Knowing this number is probably fairly accurate is highly motivating to keep integrating a run every now and then.

That was awesome. I am interested in doing one of those tests. Sarah will have to give an update through your marathon training on whether your VO2Max changes through the various trading blocks. Great job and fantastic expressions when you reach your limits!!

Fun to find this channel. I am training for my first marathon and in the run up I had a lab test done last Friday. It’s harder then it looks and the mask is really uncomfortable, air gets dry. But the results for my age were actually really good. Also had a slight difference in VO2 max score. My Garmin instinct 2 solar says 49 but the lab-test came back at 51,5.

Really interesting comparison test guys. I found my VO2 Max score on Garmin got skewed for a while because I had the auto update for heart rate zones on. I had then done a couple of runs using the wrist based HRM which incorrectly ecorded in the 180/90s (I was 49 and these were steady runs). That meant when I raced Garmin was putting me in 59% zone 3 aerobic and 37% zone 4 and thought I was capable of going 3 or 4 mins quicker as I hadn't maxed out as per a false max HR. I manually reset the zones earlier this year and the same race was 87% zone 4 and my predicted race times in line with what I've done this year. The V02 Max score does move around a bit with different types of runs and some interval sessions seem to have a negative impact but using manual HR zones it's a much narrower range.

Peter Attia defines VO2Max as one of THE most defining features for longevity and “healthspan.” There is a direct correlation with higher VO2Max equals longer lifespan & healthspan! Including significantly reduced risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer! Love the video, I love that these watches help encourage us all to increase our relative VO2Max values 💪🏻

These watches now days are incredible. My Fenix 6 helped identify a panic attack by sending me HR alerts and monitoring my stress levels in that moment. I was in Ecuador as well about 9,000 ft and it helped me take it easy with altitude acclimatization and Spo2 readings

That was really interesting. I have taken my vo2 max on my garmin from the low 40’s up to 48 as of today. I am aiming to get into the 50’s. This was really interesting!

I'd love to see heart rate accuracy comparisons across a lot of different watches vs something more accurate, plus some tips on how tight you need your watch to be, to get an accurate reading. It would also be interesting to see how far out it can be if it's not fitted correctly, and in which direction!

Excellent video! I have wondered about how accurate my VO2 Max was on my Garmin. Good to know that it is reasonably accurate. Thanks for doing this test and video.

Realistically, non-athletes will never do the test even once, forget about doing it regularly. The value of smartwatch estimates is that you can observe them over time and see how what you are doing affects your estimated performance. This not only helps you learn about what works and what doesn't but also serves as a great motivator.

That was fun to watch, I was really hoping to find this comparison so many thanks!

Thank you for testing the accuracy of VO2 Max on Garmin! Any chance to repeat this for other brands also (Apple Watch, Fitbit, Polar, Whoop)?

Thank you for taking the time to do this test!

Oh I look forward to seeing if my VO2 max increases once I try running on roads. I have almost only been using my watch while running on trails and even orientering through really though terrain. Thanks for the explanation!