Think you're too old? Think again.

[Pelado]

Maybe? The FEDEX guy just got out to help me push my trailer up my driveway. I can usually do that myself, but I was struggling. That said, you should know that my driveway is like 60% grade!

I prefer to tow my trailer. Otherwise, I'll pull it. Don't think I've every tried pushing it.

[Bo Diddley]

Think you're too old?

Maybe? The FEDEX guy just got out to help me push my trailer up my driveway. I can usually do that myself, but I was struggling. That said, you should know that my driveway is like 60% grade!

[SteelBlue]

That's the plan. So far, so good.

I did a quick google search and Garmin seems to be fairly accurate. One study said lab tests were within 4% of Garmin reading and I found several anecdotal (reddit posts) where lab tests were right there with their Garmin or better than their Garmin.

[Clark Addison]

Dude, you are going to live forever.

That's the plan. So far, so good.

[SteelBlue]

Good explanation here.

[Bo Diddley]

This VO2 max thing is intriguing. Since I've had back problems, I haven't used my bike very much. I need to see what my body will tolerate, but I'd love to work on the VO2 value. I remember something along the lines of that's how much O2/CO2 you can move through your muscles, and did it have a direct impact on the lactic acid? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. I'll have to get something that measures it though.

[SteelBlue]

My Garmin watch (Fenix 6 Sapphire) measures VO2 max and has me at 56. I hope this is true, but given the chart has that as "Elite" for a 20 year old, I kind of doubt its accuracy. Maybe I just have good genetics.

This post is partly to wonder about the accuracy of VO2 max on my Garmin and partly to brag about my 56 (maybe) VO2 max.

Dude, you are going to live forever.

[Jeff Lebowski]

According to my apple watch, my VO2 Max rate is in the "high" range for my age group. 80-85 percentile. Now I feel motivated to get it higher.

[Clark Addison]

My Garmin watch (Fenix 6 Sapphire) measures VO2 max and has me at 56. I hope this is true, but given the chart has that as "Elite" for a 20 year old, I kind of doubt its accuracy. Maybe I just have good genetics.

This post is partly to wonder about the accuracy of VO2 max on my Garmin and partly to brag about my 56 (maybe) VO2 max.

[SteelBlue]

I've been working hard on increasing VO2max after reading and listening to Attia say that it may be the best predictor of longevity. In one video he presents a fairly insane standard of being in the high category for the age group two decades below you if you wish to ensure being able to do everything you want to do in your 80s. He says improvements of 10+% are possible fairly quickly (I've seen 10% myself this year) but that long term effects can be even greater with sustained training. He follows the 80%/20% method of 80% of his training being done in zone 2 (conversational pace where if you were talking on the phone you could carry on a conversation but the person on the other end would know you were exercising) and 20% being done in zone 5 type workouts like a Norwegian 4x4 (4 minutes max effort chased by 4 min rest and repeat 3 more times). I'm trying to look at it like this is my daily medicine and so far I'm enjoying it. I much prefer the zone 5 stuff as I grew up in the "if you aren't suffering you aren't benefitting" school. But staying in zone 2 is a new kind of discipline and I find it enjoyable. It is at first insanely frustrating because the speed required is so slow. But it also shows progress really well when you start to hold faster speeds at those lower rates.

Apple watch now does VO2max and if you aren't using this function I'd highly recommend you set it up. It's obviously not going to be as accurate as having it tested in a lab, but it likely trends fairly correctly (and there are is a lot of anecdotal evidence online of apple watch users getting lab tested and saying it's the same). Read through the below linked thread for more info on Attia's views.

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[PaloAltoCougar]

Never mind. I found it. It is on by default.

There is also a more detailed AFIB history tracking that you can only turn on once you have been officially diagnosed with AFIB. I assume you have this on now, PAC.

By the way, I have a new Apple Watch Ultra 2 and I love this this. Easier to use with the larger size, looks nice, and super durable. I bang it on things all the time and not a scratch. Also, it has great battery life.

Saw this after I posted above, but perhaps the instructions will help others. I've been reading about the AFIb history tracking and will likely turn it on later this morning.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Yikes. That sounds scary. Best wishes.

How does one turn on this feature? Is it on by default?

It's not by default. Here are the instructions from Apple: On your iPhone, open the Health app. Tap the Browse tab, then go to Heart > Irregular Rhythm Notifications. Once enabled, you can turn irregular rhythm notifications on or off in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone: Open the Apple Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then go to Heart > Irregular Rhythm.

During my brief sojourn at the ER and hospital, at least three caregivers read my chart and expressed surprise when they read my watch had tipped me off. Each one said "Wow, I guess I have to get me one of those." Apple owes me some commissions.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Yikes. That sounds scary. Best wishes.

How does one turn on this feature? Is it on by default?

Never mind. I found it. It is on by default.

There is also a more detailed AFIB history tracking that you can only turn on once you have been officially diagnosed with AFIB. I assume you have this on now, PAC.

By the way, I have a new Apple Watch Ultra 2 and I love this this. Easier to use with the larger size, looks nice, and super durable. I bang it on things all the time and not a scratch. Also, it has great battery life.

[Bo Diddley]

Uh... maybe think this through a little more. I'm not a medical professional and it wouldn't be the first time I gave advice that resulted in an unexpected downgrade of financial position. Granted that was advice I gave myself.

But seriously strokes suck.

I think it's good advice. I just looked up the medical retention standards, and I doubt I'm in serious danger, but who knows? And an early retirement might be just what the doctor ordered!

[USUC]

Ok, I'll go get it checked out. But if I get booted from the Army, I'm blaming you.

Uh... maybe think this through a little more. I'm not a medical professional and it wouldn't be the first time I gave advice that resulted in an unexpected downgrade of financial position. Granted that was advice I gave myself.

But seriously strokes suck.