Metabolic Testing & VO2Max

Our primary testing location is our LAKESHORE LABS location, offered in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Loop at LAKESHORE SPORT & FITNESS – ILLINOIS CENTER. We also offer testing at several partner locations across the Chicago area!

Learn more by visiting us at www.MetabolicRunner.com

AT HOME TESTING NOW AVAILABLE
(+$200 added cost within 30-60min of downtown Chicago)

MetabolicAthlete.com now has a full MOBILE testing lab! For a small additional fee of +$200, our metabolic testing services including RMR, VO2, LACTATE, and more can be made available by appointment at your own HOME, at local PARTNER BUSINESSES, and GYM & HEALTH CLUB partners within 30-60min of downtown Chicago. Onsite group testing at training camps can also be made available across the country or the world (typically at a cost of +$1000/day) – simply contact coach@metabolicathlete.com to inquire!

NOTE: ADDITIONAL FEE AND ADVANCE SCHEDULING MAY BE REQUIRED FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS, SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS.

The Mobile Metabolic Athlete™ Lab

When it comes to metabolic testing, it’s not just about getting accurate data… it’s about getting actionable data. A good metabolic specialist can administer an accurate test, but a great metabolic specialist can help you combine accurate data with additional experience and the right technology to know how to turn that test data into an actionable tool that will help you perform your best.

So when we say “it’s not just about the test”… we truly mean it! It’s really all about the expert consultation and review of your personalized metabolic data. Combining the power of an expert consultation with the highest quality actionable data and reports is what delivers true value. Experience and expertise matters. That’s why we created the MetabolicAthlete™ testing services and training programs – metabolic testing provided by certified endurance coach specialists who have worked with both elite athletes and actually used the data in their day to day training and racing for several years. We help the average Joe, experience what it’s like to train like a Pro!

We develop and pioneer a wide variety of metabolic testing services, including our own custom-developed testing protocols and sport-specific reports tailored specifically for heart-rate based fitness training and endurance athletes – including our new MetabolicMarathoner™ test for runners and MetabolicAthlete™ tests for cyclists, triathletes, and Iron-distance. With our mobile testing equipment, we partner to provide testing at health clubs, training centers, fitness studios, running stores, and bike shops across the Chicagoland area.

For an added fee (typically +$200), full VO2 Max, Lactate, RMR, and Metabolic Efficiency lab testing can now be brought to you if you’d like to enjoy testing in your own home gym or partnered fitness studio! Simply ask us about schedule “at home” testing – now available by request thanks to our use of a new industry-leading mobile metabolic cart that has just been released in just the past 2 years!

Metabolic testing expert Coach Chris specializes in metabolic testing for cyclists, runners, and triathletes – all the way up to iron and ultra distance. As one of the only USAT Level 2 Certified Coaches who is also a Metabolic Efficiency Training Specialist (METS-I FCP) that has completed over 1,000 metabolic tests over 10+ years, Coach Chris combines his unique lab experience with an extensive real-world racing experience (110+ triathlons, 30+ marathons and 21+ Ironman races) to provide world-class training consultations with every test. Our goal is to not only provide you with good lab data, but also help you custom-tailor all of your fitness apps and devices including MyZone, Garmin, TrainingPeaks, and the free CardioCoach app that let’s you can see your real time fat & carb metabolism using your MetabolicAthlete™ test results!

Metabolic testing at our partner training facilities is now available for scheduling online. To book a private “At Home” metabolic test, or if you have any specific questions, please contact us anytime at coach@metabolicathlete.com to inquire – we’d love to help coordinate testing to your personalized needs and goals!

Metabolic Testing involves using lab equipment to precisely measure your unique metabolism for key pieces of data that can help you:

1. Customize your heart-rate TRAINING ZONES to your true metabolism

2. Benchmark your FITNESS for your true VO2Max score.

3. Assess your RESTING METABOLIC RATE (RMR) for diet and nutrition planning.

4. Discover your Fat vs. Carb ACTIVE METABOLIC RATE (AMR) to help determine FUELING PLANS for endurance races and events.

WHAT IS METABOLIC TESTING?

The term “Metabolic Testing” can mean many things, but most commonly refers to two of the most popular types of “indirect calorimetry” tests that are often performed using gas-exchange VO2Max equipment in human performance labs or university settings, to discover your 1. ACTIVE METABOLIC RATE (AMR), 2. RESTING METABOLIC RATE (RMR), and 3. METABOLIC EFFICIENCY POINT (MEP). We offer several types of testing, including our “Metabolic360” bundle for a complete picture of your active and resting metabolic profile, as well as our “FatMax” (Metabolic Efficiency Point) testing for endurance athletes.

Active Metabolic Rate (AMR), aka “VO2Max” test

• Active Metabolic Rate (AMR)
  AMR testing is sometimes referred to as VO2, VO2max or VO2submax testing where you perform a graded exercise test (GXT) on a piece of fitness equipment such as a treadmill or stationary bike for fitness benchmarking purposes. These tests normally include 6-15 minutes of walking, cycling, running, or rowing with increasing effort, incline, speed, or resistance until you “max out” due to fatigue as you approach your maximum heart rate (though you typically will end a test 5-10bpm below your actual Max heart rate).
• For those with any physical limitations or personal preferences, VO2 testing can also be performed where you aim to finish at a “submaximal” 80-90% effort level, or about 20-30 beats below your max heart rate. Either way, we consider AMR tests to be the “best all-around” option and starting point for those who have never performed a metabolic test before.
• VO2 reports performed with the most modern equipment (such as the new top-tier CardioCoach “PRO” unit we coincidentally use!) will provide insight into your fat & carb metabolism while also providing accurate Heart Rate (HR) training zones, Aerobic Threshold (AeT), and Anaerobic Threshold (AT) values… basically all the data you need to train smarter and learn what your metabolism is doing while you are working out.
• 
  Sample VO2/AMR Report (cover page):

RESTING METABOLIC RATE (RMR)

• Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
  RMR testing is similar to AMR testing, but performed at rest. Testing includes monitoring your oxygen consumption for 10-20 minutes and measure your metabolic rate at rest to aid in diet & nutrition planning. These tests provide insight into what your metabolism is doing “for the 23 hours of the day you’re not working out” and thus are typically performed alongside a diet & nutrition consultation, and combined with a VO2 test to give you a full metabolic profile for all 24 hours of the day.
• Sample RMR Report:

METABOLIC EFFICIENCY & FatMax Testing

Metabolic Efficiency Point (MEP) – Carb vs. Fat Metabolism “Crossover Point”
“MEP” testing is often referred to as “cycling economy” and “running economy” testing, and generally refers to “Long VO2” tests that utilize a type of Metabolic Efficiency Testing (MET) protocol to help determine your fat vs. carb “cross over” point – aka your Metabolic Efficiency Point (MEP). These tests are often referred to as “FatMax” as we aim to also determine your Maximal Fat Oxidation (MFO).

Generally, we recommend FatMax/MEP testing as a next step “Level 2” test after you have completed at least one initial Active Metabolic Rate (AMR) test as a VO2 submax or VO2max test. This is simply because a strong endurance fitness baseline and familiarization with testing procedures is a pre-requisite to ensure desired results can be achieved, as these tests require wearing a mask and pacing consistently at increasing efforts for 20-60minutes non-stop. These tests can be customized for various sports and any fitness levels, as we utilize several types of “long VO2” protocols including those administered by Metabolic Efficiency Training Specialists (METS) certified by MetabolicEfficiency.org

Sample Page from MEP/MFO “FatMax” Report:

Listen to Coach Chris talk about metabolic testing and more on the METABOLIC MASTERY podcast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEnApvAgY7U

Want to listen to more podcasts? Check out Coach Chris’ appearances on the TriDot Podcast and the TRI312 Podcast!

Blood Lactate & Rowing

• Blood Lactate
  Where VO2max is an “indirect” (oxygen) measurements of your metabolism through your breath, Blood Lactate involves a “direct” (blood) measurement measurement and is considered by many to be the “gold standard” for determining your Anaerobic or Lactate Threshold (AT or LT). Performed as a rowing, cycling, or running fitness test, lactate testing is administered by taking several finger or ear blood sample “pricks” every couple minutes to measure the concentration of lactate in your blood at various exercise intensity levels to help determine your Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) and Maximum Lactate Steady State (MLSS). For most clients, we often recommend completing a less invasive VO2 Max test first, simply because it’s less painful and modern VO2 Max testing equipment includes a higher frequency of data points and additional insight into your fat vs. carb metabolism that you may not get with Blood Lactate testing. We offer both Blood Lactate as a standalone test and as a Blood Lactate + VO2 “combo” whereby we perform VO2 testing while taking lactate samples simultaneously for a more comprehensive metabolic evaluation.
  
  Learn more here: MetabolicAthlete™ BLOOD LACTATE testing

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RESEARCH STUDIES, PARTNERS & PROJECTS

We frequently partner with organizations to provide metabolic testing services, research projects, corporate wellness programs, and product testing. We also host “Metabolic Roadshows” and “Metabolic Athlete Testing Week” festivals and events at partner training facilities and retail locations across the Chicagoland area to promote health, wellness, and team-building, as well as to drive membership, boost retention, and simply to have fun with sports science!

If you would like to partner with us on special events, to offer testing to large groups, or as part of special events or programs please contact us at coach@metabolicathlete.com

SPECIAL OFFER (Winter 2022 only – now expired, sorry!):
Apply for a chance to earn a free VO2 MAX TEST + TRAINING CONSULT as part of an ongoing research study with our partners at PhysIQ that is wrapping up this month! Limited spots remain for females aged 18-29 and 60-70+, so APPLY NOW at:
https://physiq.com/solutions/evo2-trial

EARN A FREE VO2 TEST:
APPLY FOR RESEARCH STUDY HERE

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Learn more about the GARMIN CardioCoach app and download the KORR MEDICAL “CardioCoach | FAT & CARB” data field at https://4starendurance.com/cardiocoach

PURCHASE A TEST TODAY (Payment Only Links)

Payments are required and automatically confirmed when you book a test, but you can also purchase a test before booking. Use the following links below to select your test type and click on the image/button of your credit card type to make a direct payment (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.).

Questions?
Contact us at coach@metabolicathlete.com, call, or send a text message to ‪(312) 880-7811‬ – you can also use the chat link on our facebook page to contact us via Messenger anytime!

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SINGLE TEST ($250)

Purchase a SINGLE test (can be redeemed for either RMR or VO2 MAX test).

$250.00

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SINGLE TEST ($250)

Purchase a SINGLE test (can be redeemed for either RMR or VO2 MAX test).

$250.00

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SINGLE TEST ($250)

Purchase a SINGLE test (can be redeemed for either RMR or VO2 MAX test).

$250.00

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SCHEDULE A TEST TODAY

Simple use any of the booking links on the top of this webpage at www.MetabolicAthlete.com

Please read the following info to prepare appropriately for your appointment: http://4starendurance.com/testprep

We primarily use the latest KORR MEDICAL CardioCoach PRO level metabolic cart, as well as other devices and software packages including INSCYD, RunEasi, LACTATE PLUS.

Fitness Equipment options utilized during testing include commercial-grade TREADMILLS, Schwinn IC5 Indoor Cycling bikes w/ 4iiii power meters, Concept2 Rower, and several “bring your own bike” options utilizing rollers and your own power meter and/or Smart Trainers (KICKR Core, etc.). We can also make arrangements for testing on Wattbike PRO and TRAINER indoor bikes.

New! Give a gift of HEALTH & WELLNESS to a friend or loved one by purchasing a metabolic test as a GIFT!

https://4starendurance.com/vo2gift

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