Movement · October 22, 2026 · 0:53
VO2 Max Is Your Engine Size
Dr. Anna Schwartz explains what VO2 max tells you, how to estimate it without a lab, and what to do if your number is flat or dropping.
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TLDR
- Dr. Schwartz calls VO2 max the most important indicator of a great healthspan.
- It shows how much oxygen your heart, lungs and muscles can use.
- Most people never measure it.
- You can estimate it with a simple field test or a wearable, and track it over several months.
- If your number is flat or dropping, she says to add intensity, not just more steps.
I track my weight and my heart rate. So I asked Dr. Anna Schwartz, our Chief Longevity Officer, which number matters most for a great healthspan.
Her answer: VO2 max.
In this short talk you will hear:
- Why she calls VO2 max your engine size
- What it says about your heart, lungs and muscles
- How to estimate it with a simple field test or a wearable
- What to do if your number is flat or dropping over several months