How Preamble Measures, Improves, and Personalizes Your Cardiovascular Health
If you’ve spent time exploring performance or health optimization, you’ve probably heard about VO2 max—a gold standard in cardiovascular fitness. At Preamble, we use VO2 max testing not just as a number, but as a critical data point within your personalized health blueprint.
In this article, we’ll explain what VO2 max is, why it matters, and how you can improve it. Most importantly, we’ll show how Preamble integrates VO2 max testing into a comprehensive, physician-led strategy to improve not just performance—but your lifespan and healthspan.
What Is VO2 Max?
VO2 max is your body’s maximum capacity to consume and use oxygen during intense exercise. Measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min), it essentially reflects the horsepower of your aerobic engine.
The higher your VO2 max, the more efficiently your cardiovascular and muscular systems can deliver and utilize oxygen to produce energy. That means better endurance, more energy, and improved recovery.
At Preamble, VO2 max is one of the core components in our Executive Physical, where it sits alongside DEXA scans, RMR testing, advanced biomarker analysis, and CGM data to create a complete view of your physiology.
Why Does VO2 Max Matter for Everyone—Not Just Athletes?
You don’t need to be training for a triathlon to care about your VO2 max. Here’s why it’s central to everything we do at Preamble:
Performance
Whether you’re chasing PRs or just want to keep up with your kids, a higher VO2 max lets you go longer, harder, and recover faster.
Longevity
VO2 max is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality. Studies consistently show that people with higher VO2 max live longer, healthier lives.
Metabolic Flexibility
A strong aerobic engine helps you burn fat more efficiently, manage blood sugar, and optimize metabolic health—key components of our clinical protocols.
How Preamble Measures VO2 Max—Accurately
While wearables and field tests offer estimates, Preamble uses hospital-grade equipment to measure your VO2 max in a clinical setting. This allows for:
- Precise tracking of improvements
- Personalized heart rate zones
- Optimized training and recovery planning
- Metabolic crossover analysis (fat vs. carb utilization)
We combine this with your RMR, DEXA results, CGM data, and lab panels to deliver a fully integrated Health Intelligence Report—our proprietary tool that turns data into action.
How to Improve Your VO2 Max—According to Science
Our doctors and exercise physiologists incorporate VO2-max-specific training into your Healthspan and Lifespan plans, with a focus on:
1. Zone 2 Training
Steady, moderate-intensity work that builds your aerobic foundation. We prescribe this for mitochondrial density, fat oxidation, and cardiovascular efficiency.
2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Structured protocols like 4×4-minute intervals to directly raise your VO2 max ceiling.
3. Volume & Consistency
You don’t need to be elite—you just need a plan. We help you find the right mix of intensity, volume, and recovery that fits your goals and life.
4. Recovery as Strategy
Adaptation happens between sessions. Our programs include sleep tracking, stress support, and strategic deloading to maximize results.
Your VO2 Max Journey Starts at Preamble
Whether you’re a high-performing athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who simply wants to age well, VO2 max is a metric worth tracking—and improving.
At Preamble, your VO2 max isn’t just a stat. It’s part of a broader picture that includes:
- 60+ biomarker lab panels
- DEXA body composition scans
- RMR & metabolic crossover testing
- Cognitive and emotional wellness tracking
- 14-day CGM for real-time metabolic insights
Everything is integrated, interpreted, and delivered through a personalized strategy by our longevity physicians.
Ready to Measure and Improve Your VO2 Max?
Join Preamble’s program, where your VO2 max becomes a lever for long-term performance, health, and vitality. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on a strong foundation, our team is here to help you unlock the next level.