PNOE™ VO2 Max & RMR Testing near Newburyport, MA
Want your training and nutrition built on your own numbers, not estimates?
What is VO2 max and RMR testing at TruWellness?
We test in-house with a PNOE™ portable metabolic analyzer, which measures your breathing gases breath by breath. VO2 max shows your cardiorespiratory fitness; resting metabolic rate (RMR) shows how many calories you burn at rest. Your provider uses both to build your plan.
- $330
- PNOE™ metabolic analyzer
- VO2 max & heart-rate zones
- Seca® body composition
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Su, MD, FAAFP, Medical Director · Updated October 2026
What is a VO2 max test, and why does it matter?
VO2 max is the most oxygen your body can use during hard exercise, a direct measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. In large studies, higher fitness was linked to lower risk of death from any cause and of heart disease.[1][2]
A 2009 meta-analysis of studies in healthy adults linked higher cardiorespiratory fitness to lower risk of death from any cause and of heart disease.[1] A 2018 study of adults found the same pattern, with no upper limit to the benefit.[2] The American Heart Association recommends measuring fitness as a clinical “vital sign.”[3]
What is the difference between VO2 max and RMR testing?
A VO2 max test measures your fitness during hard exercise. An RMR test measures how many calories your body burns at rest. Common formulas for estimating RMR can be inaccurate for individuals, and measuring it directly with breath analysis removes that estimation error.[4]
VO2 max test
- Measured during exercise
- Shows your cardiorespiratory fitness and how it compares for your age
- Sets your personal heart-rate training zones
RMR test
- Measured at rest by analyzing your breath
- Shows your real resting metabolism, not an estimate[4]
- Guides nutrition for training or weight goals
Seca® body composition
- Measures muscle and fat to track progress
- In a 2017 study, seca medical bioelectrical impedance analyzers measured skeletal muscle mass with high accuracy compared with MRI.[5]
How accurate is PNOE™ testing?
In validation studies, the PNOE™ portable analyzer gave results comparable to established laboratory metabolic carts in healthy adults during cycling and walking tests.[6][7]
In a 2019 study of healthy adults cycling, PNOE™ results closely matched an established laboratory metabolic cart, with high repeatability.[6] A 2025 study of healthy adults found PNOE™ comparable to another validated portable system during walking.[7]
What you get:
- Your VO2 max and how it compares for your age
- Personal heart-rate training zones
- Your measured resting metabolic rate
- A plan from your provider, and a retest to track progress
How do I prepare for a PNOE™ test?
For an accurate RMR test, best-practice research recommends no food, caffeine, alcohol or nicotine beforehand, no exercise before the test, and resting quietly for 10 to 20 minutes before the measurement begins.[8] Ask our team for your specific prep instructions when you book.
Your results feed straight into your plan, whether that is TruPerformance, TruTrim or AgeWell.
How much does VO2 max and RMR testing cost?
The PNOE® VO2 max and RMR test together is $330. A VO2 max test alone is $190, and an RMR test alone is $140.
VO2 max + RMR test
PNOE® Exercise & Rest Test. Both tests in one visit: your cardio fitness plus your resting metabolism.
VO2 max test
PNOE® Exercise Test. Measures your cardio fitness and aerobic capacity during exercise.
RMR test
PNOE® resting metabolic rate test. Measures how many calories your body burns at rest, so you know your metabolism.
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Read article →Meet your providers
Dr. Mark Su, MD, FAAFP
Medical Director
Board-certified in Family Medicine and in practice since 2003. His specialty of interest focuses on causes of chronic inflammation.
Mary Ramsey Stuckey, PA‑C
Physician Assistant (PA‑C)
Her focus has grown into functional medicine, with particular interest in nutrition, gut health and hormones.
VO2 max & RMR testing: common questions
What is RMR testing?
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) testing measures how many calories your body burns at rest by analyzing your breath. Formulas that estimate RMR can be off for individuals, and measuring it directly removes that estimation error.[4]
How should I prepare for an RMR test?
Best-practice research recommends no food, caffeine, alcohol or nicotine beforehand, no exercise before the test, and 10 to 20 minutes of quiet rest before the measurement.[8]
What results will I get?
Your VO2 max and how it compares for your age, personal heart-rate training zones, your measured resting metabolic rate, and a plan from your provider, with a retest to track progress.
Where can I get VO2 max testing near Newburyport, MA?
TruWellness offers in-house VO2 max and RMR testing at 255 Low Street, Suite 303, Newburyport, MA 01950, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Get your baseline
In-house PNOE™ VO2 max and RMR testing gives you a clear baseline, so your training and nutrition are built on your own numbers.
TruWellness · 255 Low Street, Suite 303, Newburyport, MA 01950 · Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
References
- Kodama S, Saito K, Tanaka S, Maki M, Yachi Y, Asumi M, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness as a quantitative predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in healthy men and women: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2009;301(19):2024-2035. PMID: 19454641. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.681 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19454641/
- Mandsager K, Harb S, Cremer P, Phelan D, Nissen SE, Jaber W. Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Long-term Mortality Among Adults Undergoing Exercise Treadmill Testing. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(6):e183605. PMID: 30646252. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3605 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646252/
- Ross R, Blair SN, Arena R, Church TS, Després JP, Franklin BA, et al. Importance of Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Clinical Practice: A Case for Fitness as a Clinical Vital Sign: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2016;134(24):e653-e699. PMID: 27881567. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000461 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27881567/
- Frankenfield D, Roth-Yousey L, Compher C. Comparison of predictive equations for resting metabolic rate in healthy nonobese and obese adults: a systematic review. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105(5):775-789. PMID: 15883556. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2005.02.005 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15883556/
- Bosy-Westphal A, Jensen B, Braun W, Pourhassan M, Gallagher D, Müller MJ. Quantification of whole-body and segmental skeletal muscle mass using phase-sensitive 8-electrode medical bioelectrical impedance devices. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2017;71(9):1061-1067. PMID: 28327564. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.27 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28327564/
- Tsekouras YE, Tambalis KD, Sarras SE, Antoniou AK, Kokkinos P, Sidossis LS. Validity and Reliability of the New Portable Metabolic Analyzer PNOE™. Front Sports Act Living. 2019;1:24. PMID: 33344948. doi:10.3389/fspor.2019.00024 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33344948/
- Kwok MMY, Ng SSM, Myers J, So BCL. Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the PNOE™ for Measuring Cardiometabolic Outcomes During Walking Exercise. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2025;10(2):159. PMID: 40407443. doi:10.3390/jfmk10020159 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40407443/
- Compher C, Frankenfield D, Keim N, Roth-Yousey L; Evidence Analysis Working Group. Best practice methods to apply to measurement of resting metabolic rate in adults: a systematic review. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106(6):881-903. PMID: 16720129. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2006.02.009 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16720129/
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. A TruWellness provider will review your health history before any treatment. Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Su, MD, FAAFP, Medical Director.
