Why should you take the PNOE breath analysis test (also known as metabolic or VO2 max testing)? The answer is simple. It will help you perform your best in tackling obstacles in your next Spartan race and in your life.

For more than 100 years, breath analysis has been the most accurate and scientifically-validated method of getting the training, nutrition, and recovery program you need to achieve your fitness goals as fast as possible. PNOE made it simple and helped thousands — including champions such as two-time Spartan World Champion Robert Killian — achieve more with less effort, and in less time. 

Find Your Weakness

Everyone’s body is different, and so are our weaknesses. Your body’s weakest link may be making Olympus unbearable, whereas your friend’s weakness may be affecting his breathing, causing him to miss the spear throw. No matter the obstacle, overcoming it depends on how well you use oxygen.

There are three systems in your body that are responsible for that: Your heart, your lungs, and your cells. PNOE measures how well these systems work individually, but also in unison, and spots the weakest link. Here are a few examples:

A Problem in Your Cells Makes It Difficult to Lose Weight

Dieting for too long or doing too much cardio can cause your cells to burn fewer calories than usual — something typically referred to as a slowed metabolism. A slow metabolism is what keeps 90 percent of people from getting to their dream physique, and it may be what’s stopping you from flying through the Multi-Rig, gliding across the Tyrolean Traverse, or flipping a tire like a Sunday morning pancake. It may even be the real obstacle between you and your first Beast or Ultra!

A Problem in Your Lungs Causes You to Burn Less Fat

If your lung muscles aren’t trained enough, they can’t fully expand and contract, eventually absorbing less oxygen. This makes your muscles burn less fat and forces them to instead turn to carbs, which are, however, a fuel source that’s limited and causes fatigue to your muscles when used. That's also what creates that muscle-burn sensation.

A Problem With Your Breathing Reduces Your Mental Strength and Focus

Anxiety and stress in life will likely cause you to breathe abnormally without knowing it. This state is called chronic hyperventilation, and it will reduce your focus and core stability. Less focus makes missing the Spear Throw more likely, whereas less core stability makes every obstacle much harder.  

WARNING! A problem in your lungs, heart, or cells may be something to check with your doctor. Thousands have taken the PNOE test looking to train smarter, but ended up discovering a life-threatening health problem (pulmonary embolism, heart artery blockage, fitness-induced asthma). By providing the gold standard for understanding if lingering COVID-19 symptoms are due to a lung or heart problem, PNOE also helped many recover faster and better. Acting early distinguishes life from death, so at the very least, PNOE can help you be around longer and enjoy races with fellow Spartans. 

Fuel, Train, and Recover Smarter

Breath analysis doesn’t just find your weaknesses, it also determines the training and recovery you need to overcome them. Killian is the perfect example. Through the PNOE test, he was able to find his weaknesses and get a personalized training, nutrition, and recovery program to overcome them. 

First, Killian determined the optimal combination of resistance, interval, and cardio training based on his goals and weaknesses. Striking the right balance is key, because each training type helps with different weaknesses. For example, resistance training can help fix a slow metabolism, whereas interval training can cure a lung problem. Moreover, Killian also identified his sport-specific training zones for running, cycling, and more.

Knowing your personalized, sport-specific training zones has three benefits. First, you significantly increase the benefit you get out of your cardio and interval training sessions by training at exactly the right intensities that cause the desirable adaptations on your body. Second, you know how hard to push during the race without hitting the wall. And third, you can very accurately track how much strain your body takes during training, and thus know how much recovery it needs to avoid injuries. 

Killian precisely determined how many carbohydrates and fats his body uses during different exercise intensities. With this information at hand, he was able to find the optimal pre-workout, pre-race, and during-race nutrition based on his metabolism. He found exactly how hard he can go based on the type and amount of food he has consumed.  

It All Starts With a 10-Minute Test

Knowing your weakest links is the first step in overcoming the obstacles of race and life. A set of heart, lungs, and cells that work well make for good athletes, but also for healthy people in general. (These three systems give birth to 90 percent of all chronic disease.) Figuring out if they work well — and what you need to do to improve them — starts and ends with breath analysis. 

PNOE offers breath analysis testing at home and affiliated locations. The PNOE test is COVID-19-safe. (A disposable medical-grade, antibacterial, and antiviral filter is attached to the mask during the test.) Schedule your test and get a 30-minute complimentary consult with one of our metabolic experts by clicking here.