Phoenix Health Co · Wollongong
VO2 max testing
Measure your aerobic fitness with COSMED VO₂ max testing, then unwind with a complimentary recovery session. For a fuller picture and a plan to train with, explore our Enthusiast performance testing package.
Standalone testing is $300. Enthusiast is $399 — just $99 more for DEXA, VO₂ max, a personalised running and cardiovascular training plan, and recovery.
Explore Enthusiast · $399
Performance testing · Enthusiast · $399
For $99 more, get the fuller picture.
Our Enthusiast package brings DEXA body composition and VO₂ max testing together, with an exercise physiologist results review, a personalised running and cardiovascular training plan, and a recovery session. At $399, it is just $99 more than standalone VO₂ max testing.
VO2 max: your aerobic capacity
Measures how much oxygen your body can use during intense exercise, reflecting how your heart, lungs and muscles work together. It assesses aerobic fitness, but does not measure your body fat or lean tissue.
DEXA: your body composition
Estimates how much of your body is fat and lean tissue, and how these are distributed. It adds detail beyond weight or BMI, but cannot tell you how fit you are. Lean tissue includes muscle and other non-fat soft tissues.
What is behind a higher VO2 score?
The commonly reported VO₂ max score is expressed per kilogram of body weight. It can rise as weight falls, even if the total amount of oxygen your body can use stays the same.
Comparing total oxygen uptake with your weight-adjusted score helps put that change in context. DEXA adds another piece: whether fat or lean tissue has changed. Together, these results help distinguish changes in aerobic capacity from changes in body composition.
Your results. A plan to put them to work.
With Enthusiast, your exercise physiologist explains your results and develops a personalised running and cardiovascular training plan around your fitness and goals. Finish with a Finnish sauna and cold plunge recovery session. Your results are retained so future testing can show how you are progressing.
Explore the Enthusiast package · $399About the test
Understand your fitness. Plan your next step.
What VO₂ max measures, why it matters for your health, and how we test it at Phoenix.
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What is VO2 max?
VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. It reflects how well your heart, lungs and muscles work together to support movement. During a supervised test, exercise intensity increases gradually while a breathing mask measures the oxygen you use and carbon dioxide you breathe out.
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Why it matters for your health
Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of long-term health outcomes. Higher fitness is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Measuring it gives you a useful starting point for building fitness, supporting everyday activity and tracking change over time. Your result is one part of your overall health and wellbeing.
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Research-grade COSMED technology
We’ve invested in a professional, research-grade COSMED metabolic cart to bring leading exercise testing technology to Phoenix. Direct respiratory gas measurement is the gold-standard approach to assessing aerobic capacity. It measures your body’s response during exercise, providing detailed data to support an informed discussion about your fitness and training.
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Blood lactate: another layer of insight
Lactate is produced naturally as your body uses energy and can itself be used as fuel. With the lactate testing option, small blood samples are taken at stages of increasing exercise intensity. The pattern of change helps identify your lactate thresholds, showing how your body responds as effort increases. We use this information to help guide personalised training intensities, pacing and endurance goals.
Standalone testing and fees
VO2 max testing
COSMED VO₂ max testing and a complimentary recovery session. DEXA and a personalised training plan are included in the Enthusiast package instead.
$300
VO2 max testing with lactate
VO₂ max testing with blood lactate measurement, plus a complimentary recovery session. A personalised training plan is not included in standalone testing.
$375
Check online availability for your test. If the appointment type or your preferred practitioner is not listed, call 02 4250 7373. Our team will confirm preparation and suitability. Private health benefits may apply; check your cover with your insurer.
Take the next step with Enthusiast.
For $399, combine VO₂ max and DEXA with an exercise physiologist results review, a personalised running and cardiovascular training plan, and recovery. Understand where you are starting and how to move towards your goals.
Explore Enthusiast · $399Check online availabilityYour appointment, step by step
Allow approximately one hour for your testing appointment, including preparation, set-up and the exercise test. The exercise portion is only part of that time. Your exercise physiologist will review your health and exercise history, explain the process and tailor the test to your ability.
Before and after your test
Our team will provide preparation instructions before your visit. During the test, you wear a fitted breathing mask connected to the COSMED metabolic cart while exercise intensity gradually increases, supervised by an exercise physiologist. Every VO₂ max appointment also includes a complimentary recovery session; our team can help arrange this. Choose Enthusiast if you would also like DEXA and a personalised running and cardiovascular training plan.
Your questions
Which testing option should I choose?
Standalone VO₂ max is $300 for the test and recovery. For just $99 more, Enthusiast ($399) adds DEXA body composition, an exercise physiologist results review and a personalised running and cardiovascular training plan. It is our better-value choice if you want a fuller picture and direction for your training. For more detailed sport-specific testing, explore Athlete on our Performance Testing page.
Is a result a complete picture of my health?
Aerobic fitness is an important marker of long-term health, but one test cannot predict your individual future health or measure every aspect of wellbeing. We interpret your result alongside your age, health history, current activity and goals.
Can I speak with someone before booking?
Yes. Call 02 4250 7373 or send a VO₂ testing enquiry. The team will confirm current availability, fees, suitability and preparation before your visit.