A VO₂ max test at Perform 180 costs £90. A blood lactate test is £125, the two together are £175, and a resting metabolic rate (RMR) test is £60. All tests take place at our lab near Knutsford, Cheshire, within easy reach of Manchester.
If you've been searching for "VO₂ max testing near me", you've probably found a mix of university labs, sports science companies and smartwatch estimates. Most of them don't tell you clearly what you're paying for. This post does: the price of each test, what you walk away with, what happens on the day and which test suits your goal.
Prices at a Glance
| Test | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| VO₂ max test | £90 | Knowing your aerobic ceiling and your true heart rate training zones |
| Blood lactate test | £125 | Endurance athletes who want precise threshold paces, powers and zones |
| VO₂ max + blood lactate | £175 | The full picture: ceiling and thresholds in one visit (saves £40) |
| RMR test | £60 | Finding out how many calories your body actually burns at rest |
What You Get With Each Test
Every test is run and interpreted by an MSc-qualified exercise physiologist. You leave with a branded Perform 180 report, not just a printout of numbers, and with a clear idea of what to do next in training.
VO₂ max test (£90)
- Your measured VO₂ max, taken from the oxygen you actually use during a graded test with a VO₂ Master analyser
- Where you sit against people of your age and sex
- Ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2), turned into personal heart rate training zones
- Your peak heart rate, measured rather than guessed from a formula
Blood lactate test (£125)
- A step test on the treadmill, with a small blood sample taken from the earlobe at the end of each stage
- Your lactate curve, showing exactly where lactate starts to rise (LT1) and where it rises sharply (LT2)
- Training zones set as paces and heart rates, so you know what "easy" and "threshold" really mean for you
- A baseline to retest against, so you can see whether your training is working
VO₂ max + blood lactate (£175)
- Everything above, in one session and one combined report
- Your thresholds shown as a percentage of your ceiling, which tells you whether to work on your engine or on how much of it you can use
RMR test (£60)
- Your measured resting energy expenditure, in calories per day
- A comparison with what online calculators predict for you
- A starting point for setting your daily calorie and fuelling targets
What Happens on the Day
A test is hard work for a few minutes and relaxed the rest of the time. Here's how a visit runs:
- Before you arrive. Avoid hard training for 24 to 48 hours, eat a light meal 2 to 3 hours beforehand and bring your running kit. For an RMR test, come fasted and rested. We send full instructions when you book.
- Chat and set-up. We go through your training, goals and any injuries, then fit the heart rate strap (and the mask, for VO₂ max).
- Warm-up. An easy few minutes on the treadmill to get used to the set-up.
- The test. The pace or gradient increases in stages. For lactate, we take a quick earlobe sample at each stage. For VO₂ max, you keep going until you can't.
- Cool-down and first look. We go over your headline numbers with you there and then.
- Your report. A full Perform 180 report follows, with your zones and what to focus on in training.
Which Test Is Right for You?
| If you are… | Book |
|---|---|
| Training for a marathon, half or triathlon with a time goal | VO₂ max + blood lactate (£175) |
| A runner or cyclist who wants precise threshold paces | Blood lactate (£125) |
| Curious about your fitness and health, or tracking it for longevity | VO₂ max (£90) |
| A footballer, HYROX athlete or team-sport player wanting a fitness baseline | VO₂ max (£90) |
| Trying to lose weight, or struggling to fuel your training | RMR (£60) |
Still not sure? Message us before you book and we'll point you to the right one.
Why Test in a Lab When Your Watch Gives You a Number?
Your watch estimates VO₂ max from heart rate and pace. It never measures the oxygen you use, and it can't see lactate at all. Those estimates are useful for spotting trends. They can still be wrong by a wide margin for an individual, especially if you're very fit, new to training or have an unusual heart rate.
A lab test measures the real thing. That matters most when you're setting training zones. If your zones are off, every easy run and every interval session is built on the wrong numbers.
Where We Are
Perform 180 is based at The Injury & Performance Clinic, inside The Farm Club on the 300-acre Mere View estate in Pickmere, near Knutsford, Cheshire. There's free parking on site, and it's a short drive from the M6 and M56.
People regularly travel to us from Manchester, Altrincham, Wilmslow, Northwich, Warrington, Macclesfield and across Cheshire. If you're anywhere in the North West, you're within easy reach of lab-grade testing without having to book through a university.
FAQs
How much does a VO₂ max test cost in the UK?
Prices vary between providers. At Perform 180, a VO₂ max test is £90, or £175 combined with a blood lactate test.
Do I need to be fit to do a VO₂ max test?
No. The test starts easy and builds up gradually, and it ends when you've had enough. Beginners and elite athletes do the same test.
Does the blood lactate test hurt?
Hardly at all. We take a tiny drop of blood from your earlobe, which most people find easier than a finger prick.
How often should I retest?
Every 8 to 12 weeks during a training block works well. That's long enough to see real change.
Can I use my results with my coach or training app?
Yes. Your report gives zones as heart rates and paces, so you can put them
