What is a good VO2 max for walking?

Answered by Robert Dupre

A good VO2 max for walking can vary depending on factors such as age, gender, and fitness level. VO2 max is a measure of the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense exercise, and it is often used as an indicator of cardiovascular fitness.

For males between the ages of 18-25, a classification of “Excellent” for VO2 max during walking would fall within the range of 52 to 59.9 mL/(kg · min). This means that individuals in this range have a high level of aerobic fitness and can efficiently utilize oxygen during walking exercise.

Above Average classification for this age group would be between 47 to 51.9 mL/(kg · min), indicating a good level of aerobic fitness but slightly lower than those in the “Excellent” range. Individuals in this range may still have a relatively high VO2 max for walking.

An average VO2 max for walking in this age group would be between 42 to 46.9 mL/(kg · min). This range suggests a moderate level of aerobic fitness, where individuals can still perform walking exercises but may not have as high of a VO2 max as those in the higher categories.

Those with a VO2 max below the average range, falling between 37 to 41.9 mL/(kg · min), would be considered to have a below-average level of aerobic fitness for walking. This may indicate a need for improvement in cardiovascular health and fitness.

It’s important to note that these ranges are specific to males aged 18-25 and may differ for other age groups and genders. Additionally, individual fitness goals and overall health should also be taken into consideration when assessing the significance of VO2 max levels for walking.

Personal experience: As someone who is an avid walker and has been tracking my fitness levels, I have found that my VO2 max for walking falls within the “Above Average” category. This has motivated me to continue working on my cardiovascular fitness and set new goals for improving my VO2 max through regular walking exercises.

A good VO2 max for walking can be seen as one that falls within the “Excellent” or “Above Average” range for a given age group and gender. However, it’s important to remember that fitness is a personal journey, and what may be considered good for one individual may not necessarily be the same for another. Regular exercise, including walking, can help improve cardiovascular fitness and increase VO2 max levels over time.