VO2 max assesses heart and lung functionality. It tells how efficiently you can do exercise. The VO2 max elevates mood, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases endurance.

There are different ways to increase the VO2 level in the body. Some ways are strength training, running, muscle building, and workouts – the level increases with constant practice.

There are lab tests for the measurement but it’s tedious to visit the clinic every other day. Modern technology has modern solutions. The introduction of smartwatches comes with various fitness features – VO2 max is one of them.

Now, you can keep a record of the maximum amount of oxygen utilized by the body while running. The data displayed on the fitness tracker gives you insight into how well you are doing.

The smartwatches are good for regular monitoring. However, you should keep in mind that the values given by smartwatches are not always accurate. For clinical assessment, patients should refer to lab tests and don’t solely rely on these gadgets.

These trackers are your coaches and companions in your fitness journey. The unique health features motivate you and keep a record of a healthy lifestyle.

What is VO2 max?

V stands for volume, O for oxygen, and max for maximum. In simple terms, VO2 is the amount of oxygen utilized by the body per kg of body weight per minute.

Factors that determine VO2 max are

• Age
• Sex
• Genetic
• Fitness level
• Altitude

During intense exercise or running, our body needs more oxygen. Our body absorbs oxygen, heart, and lungs supply it to muscles. The oxygen in muscles produces energy in the form of ATP. More oxygen during exercise builds stamina and reduces fatigue.

VO2 max is an indicator of cardiovascular capacity and aerobic endurance. Typically, men have a higher VO2 level than women – the main reason is genetics. It tells about the health of the heart, lungs, and body’s capacity to metabolize.

The normal value of VO2 max is 31 ml oxygen/kg of body weight/min and 42 ml oxygen/kg of body weight/min for women and men respectively.

Benefits of a Good VO2 max Level

Some of the benefits of a good VO2 level are given below

• It helps to better cope with stress
• It slows down the aging process
• It is vital for the overall health of a person
• It improves the stamina of muscles
• It helps to better engage in physical exercises

How Smartwatches Measure VO2 max

Many smartwatches in the market come with a feature of VO2 max – which appeals to athletes and fitness enthusiasts. There are different names for these features. In Apple and Fitbit watches, the feature comes under the name of cardio fitness and cardio fitness score respectively.

Smartwatches measure VO2 max based on an algorithm and give an estimated value. The sensors help in tracking pace and heart rate – smartwatches measure VO2 levels based on these readings. It helps in the determination of aerobic fitness level.

The fitness trackers and smartwatches are ideal for regular health monitoring. But, these are not alternatives to medical healthcare or equipment. You should not solely rely on the values given by fitness trackers.

Best Smartwatches to Measure VO2 max

Here are 8 best smartwatches to measure V02 max

1.    Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Smartwatch

Galaxy Watch 5 pro smartwatch is a premium smartwatch. The fitness track is compatible with both Android and iPhone.

The fitness tracker is known for its durability. The smartwatch is made of titanium and sapphire glass protection which act as a resistance against bumps and scratches. These elements help in maintaining the watch in pristine condition.

The battery life is 20 hours on continuous usage and 80 hours in smartwatch mode. Now, you are free from the worry of continuously charging your smartwatch.

It is one of the best smartwatches due to exceptional workout tracking options. It encompasses several health activities including running, swimming, hiking, gym workout, etc.

It offers a multitude of fitness features including ECG monitoring, Afib detection, and body composition analysis. It can also track female health, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure.

2.     Withing Steel HR Smartwatch

Withing steel HR smartwatch comes in the list of sleek and stylish fitness trackers. It is your fitness partner who monitors health activities regularly.

It has a long-lasting battery life – 25 days in normal usage and 45 days in reserved mode. The long-lasting battery removes the need for frequent charging.

It can efficiently track 30 sports activities. The smartwatch connects to a fitness app on a mobile phone. The app keeps a record of data and gives a thorough analysis of health activities. It also keeps you updated by giving notifications.

It has a built-in VO2 max and GPS. VO2 max measures the amount of oxygen absorbed by the body during intense workouts.  Smartwatch syncs heart rate and estimates VO2 of the body – the higher value indicates more endurance.

Withing steel HR smartwatch is an excellent fitness companion in your fitness journey. The unique features of the watch make it one of the best choices.

3.    Apple Watch Ultra Smartwatch

Apple Watch Ultra is a premium smartwatch with top-notch quality. The titanium body with sapphire protection and cellular stainless steel case helps it against wear and tear – ensuring it stays in its original condition. It offers a remarkable battery life of 36 hours.

The Apple Watch has 2000 NITS brightness – you can use it during intensely bright days. It also comes with a fall detection feature. This smartwatch is thick with 45mm height, 38mm width, 10.7mm depth, and 41mm weight. It also has an always-on retina display.

It gives a VO2 rating based on precise heart rate and motion sensors. The rating gives valuable insight into cardiovascular fitness and endurance levels.

In the realm of health-specific features, it monitors ECG, heart rate, hearing health, and blood oxygen saturation level. The smartwatch detects body temperature and tracks steps continuously during physical activities.

4.    Garmin Vivomove Sport Smartwatch

Garmin Vivmove smartwatch is an affordable hybrid watch. It has a subtle design and a unique, impressive style. It is a small watch which is 40mm long. The watch comes in 4 different colors – gives you variety to match style.

The watch is lightweight and comfortable with interchangeable straps. The design of the watch ensures high durability. It gets charged quickly and has a battery life of 5 days.

The health sensors measure heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress levels. The watch is designed for females and also tracks the menstrual cycle. The built-in GPS monitors activity during running, walking, or exercise and estimates VO2 max value.

One of the distinctive features of Garmin watches is its ability to contact an emergency number as the gadget detects a fall. It will notify the contact number and ensure the safety and security of the user.

The smartwatch connects with the Garmin health app. The app provides comprehensive data and analytics of your health and fitness.

5.    Fitbit Charge 5 Smartwatch

Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the top fitness trackers in the market. The design of the watch is compact, lightweight, and comfortable to wear.

The company claims that the battery life of the smartwatch is 7 days. The prolonged battery life allows you to use a smartwatch without constantly charging it.

The advanced device has the capability of efficiently measuring VO2 max. The feature in the smartwatch is referred to as the cardio fitness score. It measures oxygen absorbance during exercise sessions.

The EDA feature aids in stress management. It also helps in recording sleep and gives a detailed sleep profile insight. The ECG functionality gives information about heart activity.

The Fitbit Charge 5 smartwatch is like a reliable couch that monitors, guides, and instructs you to improve your health.

6.    Apple Watch Series 8 Smartwatch

The body of the smartwatch is made of aluminum with ion X glass to give protection from rugged treatment and scratches. Solid build quality and health features make it stand out in the world of fitness.

It has always on display mode and large screen. The mini keyboard in the Apple Watch Series 8 gives you the facility to type on the smartwatch. You get reminders, notifications, and contextual information. You can control media with a few clicks on your wrist.

The fitness tracker is equipped with VO2 tracking. It calculates oxygen absorbance during running, cycling, swimming, and gym workouts. One of the distinctive features is hearing health – it can measure the decibel level of noise in your surroundings.

It has an impressive array of functionalities which include ECG monitoring, stress tracker, step counter, Afib, and automatic workout detection. The heart rate zone tells the intensity of the workout zone.

7.    Garmin Forerunner 55 Smartwatch

Garmin Forerunner 55 is one of the most budget-friendly watches. The watch is 42mm long and is made of strong plastic. The straps are flexible, interchangeable, and made of silicon. The design of the watch is durable.

Garmin Forerunner 55 is comfortable and light (weight 37g) – you can easily wear it throughout the day. The smartwatch is highly compatible and offers numerous smart features.

It is equipped with the ability to estimate VO2 max. The value gives an idea of cardiorespiratory health and muscle endurance. The sensors track heart and pulse rate – analytics within the watch measure VO2 max based on these factors.

Garmin Coach Run is a training program that gives workout suggestions – the smartwatch also estimates the recovery time. It gives data on the body battery to give an idea of energy level throughout the day.

You get notifications of calls, messages, and emails on your smartwatch. The incident detection feature on the phone notifies emergency contact.

8.    Amazfit Stratos 3 Sports Smartwatch

Amazfit Stratos 3 comes with a round display and elastic band. The watch has a 1.34-inch transflective display. The display mode is always on this smartwatch. It gets fully charged in 2 hours – the company claims its battery life to be 7 days.

It comes with a beginner guide, a user manual, and a charging dock. The quality of the watch is sturdy and reliable. The watch officially syncs to the app to provide data.

The smartwatch can track 80 different activities which increases its versatility. The watch has cellular connectivity, Bluetooth, and a built-in GPS. It tracks altitude and has a compass for directions.

The gadget efficiently measures VO2 max level and helps in building endurance. The higher VO2 max level is crucial for athletes – it determines how well a person can handle workouts and exercises.

It also tracks sleep patterns, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation levels. You can also monitor air pressure with the help of the fitness tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Do smartwatches give an accurate VO2 max value?

Smartwatches are used to track many health activities and VO2 max is not an exception. You should keep in mind that these are estimated values. The smartwatch has sensors that analyze and give results, but these values are not alternative to actual lab tests.

2.    How can I increase my VO2 level?

If you get tired after running 5 minutes on the treadmill – you have less endurance. There are some ways to increase VO2 max level in your body and reach your maximum potential.

• Some of the common and effective tips are described below
• Do high-intensity workouts
• Interval training is the best
• Treat yourself with breaks
• Eat healthy food i.e spinach, celery
• Invest time in your favorite activity
• Show consistency in exercises

3.    What are some of the best fitness trackers to estimate VO2 max?

The list of some of the best fitness trackers is below

• Apple watch ultra
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Galaxy Watch 5 pro
• Fitbit Charge 5
• Withing steel HR
• Garmin venue 3
• Garmin forerunner 55
• Amazfit Stratos 3

4.    What is the difference between SpO2 and VO2 levels?

SpO2 level is the fraction of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood – it tells about how much oxygen is in the blood. VO2 estimates how much oxygen the body utilizes during exercise.

Conclusion

Fitness trackers have become a trend – you will find them at the wrist of almost every sportsperson. But, the rise in popularity is not only because of stylish looks, fitness features play a huge role in their success.

You can track indoor and outdoor activities just by looking at the dial of the smartwatch. Some smartwatches even replace the need to carry a smartphone.

The smartwatches can track heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, VO2 max, menstrual cycle, step counts, and much more. The use of fitness trackers is ideal for regular monitoring of body health.

I hope this guide gives you an insight into different options – you can grab your favorite smartwatch and get to exercise.