Elite cyclists around the world take tests to improve their performance how can a Metabolic Profile help you? Metabolic Profiling (VO2) is now readily available to all. Assessing your metabolic rate at rest and also while cycling gives you the data that you need to improve your cycling and reduce your times. The assessment requires you to wear a comfortable face mask which in turn is connected to an analyser which measures the oxygen you breathe in and the Carbon dioxide you breathe out at rest and while cycling, in turn this is connected to a Laptop computer so the software can use the data gathered to pinpoint accurately the calories you are burning and more importantly the fuel source being used, either stored fats, or glycogen.

A Metabolic Assessment can give you information about your resting metabolism and how many calories you require each day. Whether that is to fuel up for your training or to lose a few unwanted pounds. It will tell you about your exercise metabolism, how efficient you are while cycling and at what heart rate zone you best perform in. It will tell you where your Anaerobic Threshold currently is so not to over train.

If too much of your training is spent at or above your threshold you may find your fitness level plateau's or may even decrease, the metabolic assessment will help you prevent the negative effects of over training.

With this valuable information and with the correct training regime your body will make adaptations which will improve your aerobic capacity and efficiency, help move your anaerobic threshold higher and train your body to burn fat as a preferred fuel. The metabolic assessment can help cyclists perform and train better in the following way.

The assessment will tell you where your anaerobic threshold is. AT is your highest sustainable exercise intensity expressed as a heart rate.

It will tell you how aerobically efficient you are across your aerobic base, having a wide and efficient aerobic base is critical for performance, particularly on longer distance rides.

It will tell you how many calories you burn on your rides so you will be able to fuel up effectively for your training rides and races.

As your aerobic capacity and efficiency improves you will notice how much easier the climbs become, you will be able to recover quicker after high intensity efforts. You will shed any unwanted excessive pounds.

As you improve your anaerobic threshold you will notice how your speed increases.

So if you want to be the next Lance, or just don't want to dropped on the climbs an assessment will help you improve.

Metabolic Profiling similar to the old VO2 Max tests but with some valuable additional information which can be gained without the necessity for you to work to exhaustion, something that can worry individuals just starting cycling and even those more experienced cyclists. It is becoming more readily available as the Health and Fitness Industry has realised it's huge potential not just for fitness levels but also for weight management.