LifeTime Fitness VO2 truth or scam?

[annec]

Hello,

I recently joined Lifetime and took advantage of the free body age test that comes with a new membership. I am 46 years old, but not like your average person my age. I've been working out for years on a daily basis. Doing 20 - 60 minutes of cardio every day (using an elliptical machine at a moderate pace). I realized I wanted to start doing weights again and thought it would be nice to join a gym close by. I am 5' 2" and weigh 98. My body fat is 11.4 percent. Most people think I am ten years younger than I am.

I am just giving you all this background information so you can understand my confusion and suspicions.

I had the test and it measured my cardio max VO2 at 28.7, in the poor range. Please keep in mind that this initial test did not use a facemask for oxygen input. It simply took my pulse. So I don't know how it could give an accurate reading.

My strength need improvement and I can understand that, as well as my flexibility. But the cardio???? I am wondering if the personal trainer made a mistake. The measurement of my cardio is as bad as someone who sits on a couch all day!

I am starting to think this test is simply a way to get Lifetime gym members freaked out so they purchase more tests and training sessions.

Please let me know if any of you experienced this, what you think and also, let me know how/where I can truly measure my cardio fitness level, without bias.

Thank you so much!!

Anne

[Jokerz]

Vo2 max is pretty much genetic (according to my kinesiology teachers). But since they didn't use the mask to measure it I wouldn't worry about it to much.

[LisaS]

there are equations that correlate MHR to VO2 max and Power (watts) to VO2 Max - so if they were measuring your HR at various levels of power production (which is what they usually do) and noting when your HR plateaued then they should be able to come to a close approximation when deriving VO2 Max even without measuring inhale/exhale of the gasses.

[goergen1]

Having been employed by LifeTime Fitness I can say this.

1. If the trainer was good and knew what they were doing. It was a good test. You have a 50/50 shot at getting a good trainer at LifeTime.

2. Accurate or not, the purpose for everything in the body age tests is to get you to buy more services. The trainers are sales people and only get paid if they sell you something.

3. Even if you have been working out on a regular basis your overall scores can be in the poor category. A lot of it has to do with how you may need to train in order to get a better cardiovascular response. I have seen this with a lot of people.

No trying to sound harsh. Just trying to give you the whole picture.

[StuWard]

There are some tests you can do on your own that will give you an approximation of your cardio fitness. You can find a few of them at exrx.net

Stu

[Depalma2002]

If you have been strictly doing the same cardiovascular exercise at the same moderate pace everyday for years and years, your body has also adapted to a large extent and become very efficient at doing the elliptical at this pace. You need to create some type of stress overload for the cardiovascular system in order to keep getting positive adaptations. Doing the same machine at the same pace for years is no different from someone doing the same lifts using the same weights for years on end.

The principle of progressive overload applies to all training.

[annec]

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts on this. I appreciate the information.
I agree that it seems like the trainers at LifeTime are required to focus on sales as much as training. However, I probably need to increase the intensity of my workouts. At least this whole experience has jump started me to take a look at this and start kicking into a higher level. StuWard, thanks for the Web site information and Depalma, you're right- I am sure my body adapted to what I've been doing.
Best,
Anne

[Aiken Steve]

annec,

I would have a lot more faith in those calculators mentioned in StuWard's post. One of them, the 1.5 mile run is vertually identical to the method used by the military and is pretty accurate. Given that you have been working out at a moderate pace for some time, I seriously, seriously doubt that your aerobic performance is "poor" especially given the current state of obesity in this country.

[annec]

Thanks Aiken,
I haven't had a chance to check out that site, but I will do that and appreciate your thoughts on this.
Anne

Originally Posted by Aiken Steve

annec,

I would have a lot more faith in those calculators mentioned in StuWard's post. One of them, the 1.5 mile run is vertually identical to the method used by the military and is pretty accurate. Given that you have been working out at a moderate pace for some time, I seriously, seriously doubt that your aerobic performance is "poor" especially given the current state of obesity in this country.