What is Lance Armstrong doing that you can do to improve your results?

Most people exercise to lose weight, focusing solely on that one goal. Aim

wait, it’s not just about looking aesthetically pleasing, putting on those skinny jeans,

or lose ten pounds. It really is about improving your health and that of human beings.

performance.

Every day, when you’re huffing and puffing on the treadmill, concentrating vigorously

about staying slim, have you ever thought about what it’s like physically

happens in your body besides burning a lot of calories?

For better results, more people need to stop focusing solely on burning calories,

and start thinking about improving fitness values ​​such as VO2 Max, or maximum

oxygen consumption.

What is your VO2 Max exactly? VO2 Max is defined as the highest rate at which

oxygen can be taken in and used during high intensity dynamic exercise. When

you’re doing aerobic exercise on your treadmill, every single muscle

contraction requires oxygen to break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins;

therefore, it provides the energy (ATP) needed to fuel the muscles for movement to take place.

occur.

The human being, at rest, needs 3.5 ml of oxygen, every minute, for each kilogram of body

weight alone to support the cellular activities in the tissues that keep us alive.

Now let’s get back to our treadmill. As speed or incline increases

(intensity), more oxygen is required to transfer oxygen through the blood and

in the muscles. Due to the higher intensity during your exercise session, more

Oxygen is required to start the energy release process.

Now let’s bring the treadmill up to a speed and incline where I can no longer

catch your breath comfortably. The intensity has increased significantly, but you

you have reached an upper limit on the amount of oxygen you can take in. This is

your VO2 max

VO2 Max values ​​differ from one individual to another. Factors such as age, health,

activity levels, training programs, and genetics affect VO2 Max. a sedentary

person has a VO2 Max of about 20 ml of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per

minute of exercise A highly trained endurance athlete may have a VO2 Max of

70 ml/kg/min.

Now why does Lance Armstrong win all those bike races? yes he has a big

training program, a great coach and a great team. However, its genetics for

an endurance athlete is nothing short of amazing. Do you know his VO2?

Max measures around 83-85 ml/kg/min, while that of an average person is around 40?

For Lance, his success is attributed to a combination of great training, will,

desire and incredible genetic makeup.

A super human spear:

1. Lungs – 2 times the capacity of an average person

2. Muscle – Accumulates less lactic acid and is more efficient in

removing it

3. Heart: It is about 1/3 larger with a resting heart rate of 32 beats per

minute, and peaks at around 200 beats per minute.

4. Body Fat: 4-5 percent before the Tour starts, while an average

person has 15-20 percent.

5. Food intake: You need 6,500 calories per day and more than

10,000 a day by biking in the mountains during his 120-mile race.

Truly amazing!

How do you improve VO2 Max? The improvement is seen progressively

challenge yourself aerobically with consistent workouts at 60% to 85% of your

maximum heart rate (220-age) for an extended period of time. hills

important variable is to continue trying to increase the intensity levels of your

workouts Progressive overload is the key; your body will adapt and improve

your VO2 Max and burn more calories to decrease body fat.

Now you wonder, how can I measure my VO2 Max?

For the most accurate measurement, you can go to a hospital or a university.

Human Performance Lab and get tested. Usually, you will use a treadmill or a

stationary bike and be given an oxygen mask to measure your oxygen exchange.

Electrodes will also be attached to your chest to measure your heart’s response.

The main objective is to walk, ride a bike or run since the intensity is progressive.

elevated until no further progress is possible. (You must be authorized or

monitored by your doctor before attempting a VO2 Max test.)

The easiest. but not as accurate, is to make an estimated submaximal aerobic

ability test

The following is one of the many tests that can be used.

Find a 400-meter track, bring a stopwatch, and walk or run as fast as you can.

12 minutes Keep track of the number of meters you have traveled in 12 minutes,

and use the following formula.

Distance traveled in meters – 504.9 / 44.730 = estimated VO2 max

Here is a rough guide:

4-5 laps covered, your VO2 Max will be around 30.

5-7 laps covered, your VO2 Max will be around 45.

7-8 laps covered (2800 meters), your VO2 Max will be around 62.

8-8.5 laps covered (3200 meters), your VO2 Max will be around 67

9 laps covered (3600 meters), your VO2 Max will be around 70.

Learn to keep a close eye on your fitness values ​​and try to continuously improve

them. The improvement will lead to great health benefits and may result in your

goal of decreasing body fat (depending on your nutritional habits).

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Greetings Healthier,

By: Jim O’Connor (The Fitness Promoter) – All Rights Reserved