How Accurate is Garmin's V02 Max Calculator?

In this video, we explore the differences between using Garmin's V02 calculator and undergoing a lab V02 test.
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Garmin's V02 calculator is a popular feature among fitness enthusiasts, providing an estimate of your maximum oxygen uptake based on your heart rate and running performance. On the other hand, a lab V02 test is a scientific and precise measurement that requires specialized equipment and trained professionals. By the end of this comparison, you'll have a clear understanding of which method is best. on't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more fitness and tech content! #GarminV02Calculator #LabV02Test #FitnessTechnology #V02Max #FitnessComparison
▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Lab V02 Test
3:45 - What is V02 Max
4:50 - Lab V02 Protocol
7:40 - How Garmin Calculates V02 Max
8:43 - The Results

[@coachjohn]

One thing you forgot to mention is though your Garmin is off as long as you use the same watch at the same settings you will see changes that are consistent to your fitness...thus a +1 or -1 is what matters nit the actual estimate. Great video, well resented and great information. Keep up the good work and know that KZbin growth is an Ironman and not a sprint.

[@tonywilliams1532]

@coachjohn - Spot on, this is how I have always viewed my wearable data.

[@michaelvrbanac6923]

Garmin VO2 is about 8 points low for me. I just use Garmin VO2 as a relative number rather than an absolute number.

[@seanflynn4901]

I had a similar 7-8pt difference between garmin and tested. Looks like I used the same type of test center you did, got the same report output.

[@christiaanm3235]

Thanks for doing this comparison, something I have always wondered about. I was hoping that Garmin would be more accurate due to having more data over time

[@TheTrashlete]

Thanks. Ya, I think the garmin is just limited because there’s so much room for error in the data it collects, but it gives a rough ballpark.

[@Fozzee.1970]

You are also assuming the lab test is accurate too. There will also be variables in their testing. I have seen other you tube videos like this where the results were a lot closer.

[@TheTrashlete]

If we’re comparing accuracy the lab test is more accurate without a doubt. There’s always room for error, but the equipment is calibrated and validated on a regular basis.

[@DavidFritzIII]

I feel that for some people the watch named tests can be quite accurate while others not so much... I believe you can only say by testing yourself a few times and comparimg. From there you can either use it or not based on how well they correlate

[@Fozzee.1970]

@@TheTrashlete of course in theory the lab test is more accurate. But the lab test parameters can also affect the result.

[@pcsf888]

Usually running VO2max will be higher than cycling for the same person. So it seems like your Garmin’s cycling VO2max matches closer to your lab results from running.

[@TheTrashlete]

I might do another cycling test soon to see the difference and how close garmin is on that too.

[@markolim8938]

Beginners yes, but actually more advanced gets higher vo2max in cycling test vs running

[@skybiz4520]

I see people worried about VO2 ??? Lemme put it this way, if you ever take C19 shots, then this VO2 should be the last on your list to worry about.

[@TheTrashlete]

What does that have to do with anything I talk about?? Thanks for adding this super relevant insight…

[@MrKadillak]

It has everything to do w greatly elevated heart health issues esp in young men

[@whereistaras]

Thanks for your work! Awesome 🫡

[@TheTrashlete]

Thank you too!

[@andrewcockburn7484]

Im surprised its that far off. My Garmin VO2 agrees pretty well with polar and both agree within a couple of points with lab based ramp tests. Maybe the result was just a coincidence.

[@liamroche1473]

If it was consistently wrong by the same amount for everyone, it would be just as useful as the lab test! Wrongness is more about varying relationship between the stats.

[@carp3649]

They’re the same number because it’s the same analysis models. Look up firstbeat analytics. Originally they were an independent research org, then they were acquired by garmin. Although garmin owns them, other companies (polar, coros etc) use firstbeat models.

[@robertwright88]

I had a 12pt difference between Garmin and a lab test. 49 to 61.

[@TheTrashlete]

Interesting!

[@axelbinner7352]

Cool!

[@TheTrashlete]

Thanks!

[@F16Jap]

Nice that you compaired with an actual test. For those zone, shouldn't they collect blood, to find your lactate thresholds and from that the zones? 🤔

[@TheTrashlete]

The zones this test gives is based off ventilation thresholds which correlates very closely with lactate threshold. There are a lot of different ways time calculate training zones.

[@Trailcat2024]

What are your training paces like? I’m 54 years old and Garmin has me at 57 on vo2 max.

[@TheTrashlete]

My 10k/threshold-ish pace is around 7 min

[@kimlindblom6964]

Interesting! I might do that test as well for fun. I have similar predicted Vo2 max in Garmin. Just out of curiosity, whats your your predicted 5k time in Garmin?

[@TheTrashlete]

My 5k predicted time from garmin is 18:26. That seems about right to me. I’ve never ran a solo 5k, but in a sprint triathlon my 5k times are 20-21 minutes. So on fresh legs 18:26 seems doable.

[@kimlindblom6964]

@@TheTrashlete I have 55 Vo2 max in Garmin and a predicted 5k time of 19:17. Probably on the optimistic side but hey, I haven't made a real 5k effort in a while so who knows..

[@ashlynhillyard4372]

Since the Garmin is just looking at pace and heart rate, anything in your training that consistently changes your pace (from what it would be on a track in good conditions?) is going to throw the estimate off. Say your area is hilly, or often windy, or you run on grass, or your running form is just really inefficient, or whatever.

[@insertrandomnamehere764]

I've also found that if I go out on a long zone 2 run or start the watch on a warm up it will drop me a point, and doing a tempo run it will raise a point.

[@donbarnard82]

haha, the comment about pace zones fits right in with what was said about runners in a podcast I recently listened to. The idea is that runners base everything off pace, even though you might be running up or down hill or into a head wind or with a tail wind. In other words, if you define a workout based on pace, conditions can make that workout too easy or hard by sticking to the pace. Perhaps pace zones don't make much sense. As for vo2max estimates, it would make sense for the cycling estimate to be more accurate since running is more subject to things like running economy than is cycling where pedaling efficiency likely plateaus quite early. In other words, estimating vo2max based on performance can work better if the baseline assumptions about efficiency can be more accurate. Also, bikes have power meters which is a more objective measure than pace.

[@liamroche1473]

True - it is surprising how often you see very good runners doing a hard workout in conditions that hinder them and feeling they are doing badly because they can't hit the pace targets (which are certainly very popular with highly competitive runners)!

[@MarkJYule]

Mine hasn't shifted since I got it. "Poor" - even though I've been doing VO2 max specific KB snatch training for almost 2 years and dropped 60+ lbs. I think it only works at all with regular run and cycling workouts - any other workouts don't seem to register.

[@TheTrashlete]

It can’t calculate v02 without some kind of pace and/or power data from running or cycling. It’s a combination of heart rate and speed/power. So you’re correct.

[@liamroche1473]

I don't think your weight should cause inaccuracy in principle, because VO2 max is oxygen used per kg, and energy used when running is pretty close to proportional to your weight in kg. Indeed there are quite good running VO2 max estimators based solely on the pace you can run a short time trial (VO2 max energy consumption is similar to that for a max effort 5-8 minute time trial).

[@TheTrashlete]

I was incorrect when I said garmin uses body weight as part of its VO2 estimation, but a lab test does use your body weight as part of the calculation. Directly and indirectly body weight does have an affect on your VO2, but it has more to do with body composition the actually weight. IE fat vs lean mass. It all plays part in calculating efficiency at a set pace/power.

[@liamroche1473]

@@TheTrashlete Certainly when you are directly measuring oxygen consumption, there is no doubt that weight is relevant to a calculation of VO2 max! If two people have the same maximum oxygen consumption, the lighter one has a higher VO2 max (since it is oxygen consumption per kg) .

[@ironmantooltime]

Garmin doesn't just look at your pace and heart rate. It also looks at age and weight and compares you to a performance database.

[@KrazyKrzysztof]

I wouldn't write off the garmin results just yet since the garmin has a lot more data on you, unless off course you've been lab testing consistently for a while now.

[@BinaryNinjasPOV]

Garmin at least helps to compare against yourself if you improve or get worse in that number you can have some sort of idea

[@TheTrashlete]

True. If you're looking to track progress Garmin is probably the way to go useless you can lab test frequently.

[@gerrysecure5874]

You cannot derive VO2 from Age, Weight & Heartrate alone. You need speed and incline too (or power on a bike). So you can't get VO2 max from a watch indoors.

[@TheTrashlete]

Correct. The lab test was done indoor. Garmin pulls from pace and heart rate.

[@mertonhirsch4734]

What is your resting heart rate?

[@TheTrashlete]

Typically around 49.

[@mertonhirsch4734]

@@TheTrashlete Your resting heart rate is predicting 56-59 by itself. The app is probably able to get a high correlating estimate just from that.

[@TheTrashlete]

Where are you seeing that?

[@mertonhirsch4734]

@@TheTrashlete I will try to link, but KZbin blocks most links. I am an exercise physiologist and you can predict VO2 max with about a .9 correlation just from age and resting heart rate. Try monicalculator VO2 max

[@MarkJYule]

That's interesting ​@@mertonhirsch4734 - based on my KB results I estimated my vo2 max to be between 46-49 and Garmin says it's 34 : unchanged since I got the Fenix 6 Pro. Using that page - my RHR is 51 , age 55 it predicts 51 as my VO2max. I've only just started running again since starting back training - I have back issues and an ankle that's had 3 ops. I did a 2m run last week in 16.35 from cold - second mile just under 8 minutes. I'm moving to 3 runs per week to see if the watch actually registers it but tbh...I don't trust it. Oh, I use the HRM Pro chest strap too.

[@Tippel3]

Oh well, I never thought about telling Garmin my weight. Put it in my fitness age immediately dropped a few years 😂 I'm interested to see if the vo2 max will change within the next few runs. It says.my VO2max is 38, I was proud bc Garmin said it's upper average. Now I feel bad hearing how high yours is.

[@TheTrashlete]

I actually dove into a little more and I don’t think garmin uses your weight as part of its estimate. Lab test require one to calculate output, but I believe garmin is just us pace and heart rate

[@iridium7736]

VO2max is per kg, so yes - Garmin needs that too