While measuring Oxygen tells us how much energy you are burning, measuring CO2 tells us what kind of fuel (fat v carbs) your body is using to produce that energy.
Without measuring CO2, testing cannot tell you if you are a “fat burner” or if you are overly reliant on sugars – vital information for weight loss and personalised endurance event nutrition plans.
Many alternative testing solutions will not measure CO2 and instead use an estimate, giving you half a picture at best. Without it you are back to assumptions, some guesswork and population averages.
If you are a carb burner at rest it can be a sign of insulin resistance or metabolic dysfunction.
Athletes who are fat adapted will generally perform better in endurance events. Those who struggle to access fats at low intensities are often training too hard on easy days and have poor metabolic flexibility. Following your personalised training zones from a test and adapting your nutrition plans will increase fat utilisation.
The COSMED Q-NRG Max is a revolutionary metabolic monitoring system designed by COSMED, a worldwide leader in research-grade and clinical devices for metabolic and body composition assessment. This cutting-edge device represents the new generation of metabolic monitors, combining laboratory-grade accuracy with unprecedented ease of use. It’s the ultimate solution for assessing both VO₂max and resting energy expenditure with unparalleled precision.
The Q-NRG Max uses indirect calorimetry – the gold standard method for metabolic assessment – measuring both oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂). This dual measurement is critical for:
Accurate determination of true aerobic capacity (VO₂max)
Precise resting energy expenditure (REE) calculations
Real substrate utilisation analysis (fat & carb %)
Reliable respiratory exchange ratio (RER) measurements
It helps with providing evidence based nutrition recommendation
Uses cutting edge technology for maximum accuracy
Supports weight management and eating disorder treatment
It offers elite-level testing to athletes of all levels
Creates personalised training programs based on real data
Tracks athlete performance objectively over time
Optimises training efficiency and prevents overtraining
Provides detailed insights you can give to your coach when setting training plans
Validated in peer reviewed studies, Comsed is the industry leader in metabolic testing.
See exactly where you burn fat vs Carbohydrate.
Repeatable results you can trust to see if you are on track over time or further refinement is needed.
Identify your true aerobic and anaerobic limits. Proven reliability across all intensities.