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Understand your Cardio Fitness (VO2 max)

Your Cardio Fitness level, measured as VO2 max, is a key indicator of your cardiorespiratory health. It represents the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. This article explains how to navigate and interpret the Cardio Fitness section, located on the Progress tab, to track your aerobic capacity over time.

Analyzing Your Cardio Fitness Chart

When you tap on the Cardio Fitness card from the Progress tab, you'll see a detailed view of your current status and historical trends.

This main chart screen includes:

  • VO2 max Score: Your most recent VO2 max estimate, measured in mL/kg/min.
  • Personalized Insight: A brief summary explaining what your current score means for your aerobic capacity.
  • Historical Graph: A line chart that visualizes your VO2 max trends over the last 4 weeks or 6 months. The background is color-coded to show different fitness levels, from Poor to Excellent, making it easy to see where you stand.
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Understanding Your Overview and Level Distribution

Below the main chart, you will find a summary of your performance and how your time is distributed across different fitness levels.

  • 4-Week Overview: This section shows your Average, Max, and Min VO2 max scores over the last four weeks.
  • Cardio Fitness Levels: This bar chart shows the percentage of time you have spent in each fitness level (e.g., Fair, Good, Excellent) during the selected period, giving you a clear view of your consistency.
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Learn More About VO2 max

For a deeper understanding of the science behind your score, explore the Learn More section at the bottom of the screen.

  • Cardio Fitness: Tap this to learn what VO2 max is, how it's estimated by devices like the Apple Watch, and what factors can affect the accuracy of your reading.
  • Cardio Fitness Levels: This section provides a detailed breakdown of the VO2 max ranges for each fitness level, customized for your age group and sex.
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Tips for Improving Accuracy

The accuracy of your VO2 max estimate depends on several factors. To get the most reliable data, ensure that your personal details (age, sex, weight, and height) are up-to-date in your settings. Estimates are typically recorded during outdoor walk, run, or hiking workouts.

Summary

The Cardio Fitness screen provides a comprehensive tool for monitoring your aerobic health through the VO2 max metric. By analyzing your historical trends, understanding your current fitness level, and learning more about the underlying science, you can effectively track your long-term cardiorespiratory progress and make informed decisions about your training.

Related

  • Overview of the Progress tab
  • Analyze your weekly Training Summary
  • Understand your Endurance Fitness (Chronic Load)
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