Latest / The Athlete's Compass
Why Your VO₂ Max Isn’t Rising
VO₂ max is one of endurance sport’s most closely watched metrics, but what does it mean when the number refuses to rise? Paul Warloski and Dr. Paul Laursen explain why a plateau—particularly for experienced and older athletes—can actually indicate successful training. They explore the roles of aging, genetics, aerobic volume, Zone 1 and Zone 2 work, high-intensity intervals, fat oxidation, recovery, nutrition, and life stress. The central message is that VO₂ max development isn’t about finding a shortcut or completing ever-harder workouts. A strong aerobic foundation, carefully controlled…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.