The One Metric that Best Predicts Longevity
November 7, 2025
Why VO2 Max May Be More Important than Weight, Blood Pressure, or Cholesterol
If you had to pick just one number to predict your long-term health, which would you choose?
Most people would say cholesterol, blood pressure, or body weight. But the worldâs leading longevity scientists point to another: VO2 max.
VO2 max â short for âmaximal oxygen uptakeâ â measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during intense exercise. Think of it as your aerobic engine. The higher the number, the better your body can deliver oxygen to your muscles, sustain activity, and recover.
CBSâs 60 Minutes Spotlights VO2 max as One of the Most Powerful Indicators of Long-term Health and Longevity
Why VO2 Max Matters
The âNew York Times also highlighted VO2 max as one of the strongest predictors of both fitness and longevity. Research shows:
People with higher VO2 max scores live longer, healthier lives.
A low VO2 max can signal higher risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even dementia.
Improving your score â even modestly â can significantly lower health risks.
Unlike weight or cholesterol, VO2 max isnât just about disease prevention. Itâs also about capacity: your ability to live fully, to play with your kids, to stay active as you age.
Itâs not just a fitness number â itâs one of the strongest predictors of lifespan ever studied.
How to Measure it
VO2 max can be estimated by wearables, but the most accurate method is through a VO2 max test: You will be exercising (usually on a treadmill or bike) while your oxygen and carbon dioxide are measured with a mask.
At Fitnescity Health, VO2 max testing is one of the most requested health assessments we offer â because it provides actionable data you canât get elsewhere.
Most people are surprised to discover their number â and even more surprised by how much it can improve.
How to Improve it
The best part: VO2 max isnât fixed. You can improve it with training, especially through:
Interval training: Short bursts of high intensity, followed by recovery.
Steady-state endurance: Consistent aerobic activity like running, cycling, or swimming.
Strength and mobility work: Indirect, but supports cardiovascular capacity.
Even small, consistent changes can shift your score â and your long-term trajectory.
My Take
VO2 max may sound technical, but it reflects something simple: your ability to live life with energy and resilience.
Just as cholesterol once became a household word, I believe VO2 max deserves the same spotlight â Itâs one of the most powerful tools we have to measure and improve not just lifespan, but healthspan.
As more people learn about VO2 max, weâre proud that Fitnescity Health has grown into the worldâs largest platform for VO2 Max testing â helping people understand their number and improve it.
About Own Your Health
A founderâs letter about consumer-led diagnostics and how you can navigate this new era of personal health. Join tens of thousands of readers redefining what it means to stay well.
