Metabolic Rate Testing: Unlock Your Body’s Energy Blueprint

 

Metabolic testing measures how your body uses energy by analyzing the air you breathe and your heart rate. This gives you a clear picture of your metabolism — the key to weight loss, performance, and healthy aging.

Why test your metabolism?

  • Weight Loss: Discover how your body burns calories and fuel.

  • Performance: Optimize training and recovery.

  • Longevity: Support energy, balance, and healthy aging.

Metabolic testing is ideal if you’re generally healthy and ready to take your fitness and wellbeing to the next level.

Two Types of Tests

  • Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): Measures calories burned at rest, fat vs. carb use, and key health markers.

  • Active (VO2 Max): Measures energy use during exercise, helping you train smarter.

    Want the full picture? Combine both tests for the full picture of how your body performs at rest and in motion.


👉 Not sure where to start? Begin with the Resting Metabolic Rate Test. It’s quick, affordable, and gives you powerful insights to build on.


An RMR test in action!

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Test

Perfect for first-timers or anyone looking for a baseline. In just 15 minutes of relaxed breathing while wearing a mask and heart rate monitor, you’ll learn:

  • Daily calorie burn (at rest)

  • Fat vs. carbohydrate usage

  • Heart health & variability

  • Lung efficiency & breathing patterns

  • Indicators for metabolic dysfunction, posture, cognition, and diabetes risk

You’ll receive a personalized PDF report with actionable recommendations for diet, exercise, and lifestyle.


Enhance Your Results

  • One-to-One Consult ($75): Our metabolic expert, Chara, (MS in Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutritionist) will walk you through your results and create a tailored action plan. Ask all your questions - she is a wealth of info!

  • Consult + 3-Month Nutrition Plan ($125): Includes the consult above, plus an RD-approved meal plan based on your results and goals. Delivered through an easy-to-use app with recipes, tracking, and inspiration. (Nutrition plan is only when an RMR is conducted, you can pair this w/ a VO2max test as well, but must have a RMR on file)

How to Prepare for Your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Test

To get the most accurate results, please follow these simple guidelines before your appointment:

  • Fasting: Arrive in a fasted state — only plain water for at least 5 hours prior. Please avoid coffee or other beverages.

  • No Stimulants: Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and any stimulating substances for at least 5 hours before testing.

  • Exercise: Limit workouts within the 24 hours before your test to no more than 1 hour, and keep intensity at a light to moderate level.

These steps ensure your body is truly at rest, so we can capture the most precise snapshot of your metabolism.

 

VO₂ Max Testing - Push your limits. Discover your true fitness potential.

An Active Metabolic Test (VO₂ Max test) measures your body’s peak performance during exercise. In just 12–15 minutes on a bike, you’ll go until you reach your maximum sustainable effort while wearing a breathing mask. From there, we analyze your oxygen use, heart rate, and lung function to reveal how your body performs under stress.

Your personalized PDF report includes:

  • VO₂ Max Score – your body’s maximum capacity to use oxygen

  • Biological Age – how your fitness compares to your demographic norms

  • Ventilatory Thresholds (VT1 & VT2) – the heart rates where exercise becomes “a workout” and where you shift to anaerobic energy use

  • Fuel Use Transition – at what heart rate does your body switch from burning carbs to fat

  • Max Heart Rate – achieved at peak effort

  • Lung Function – capacity, efficiency, and coordination

What this tells you:

  • Aerobic capacity & cardiovascular fitness

  • How efficiently your body uses fuel across training zones (1–5)

  • Personalized target heart rate zones (based on your data, not formulas)

  • Training strategies for weight loss, endurance, or peak performance

  • Insights into how heart/lung performance impacts cognition and posture

👉 Add a consult with our Metabolic Expert, Chara, to break down your results and create a training plan tailored to you.

⚠️ Note: VO2 max testing is a maximal-effort test and requires medical clearance if you are not already a patient at Nolan Sport & Family Chiropractic. (No clearance needed for RMR testing.)

How to Prepare for Your VO₂ Max Test

To get the most accurate results, come ready to perform at your best:

  • Fuel up: Eat as you normally would before training (don’t skip breakfast or lunch).

  • Hydrate well: Aim for water throughout the day and an electrolyte drink about 1–2 hours before.

  • Dress for sweat: Wear comfortable workout clothes—you’ll be working hard!

  • Bring your best effort: This is a maximal test, so expect to push until you can’t go further.