Lactate Threshold test
$199
What is it?
Lactate threshold tells you how much of your aerobic engine you can actually use, and for how long. It's one of the two most useful numbers in endurance training, alongside VO2max, but on its own it answers a question VO2max can't: exactly where your training zones sit, and exactly how hard you can go before you start accumulating fatigue faster than your body can clear it.
Most athletes train off estimated zones, a percentage of max heart rate, a guessed FTP, a formula from a watch. This test replaces the guesswork with your actual physiology.
How we test
You'll be tested using the Lactate Plus analyser, with a small blood sample, a single drop from a fingertip or earlobe, taken at the end of each stage to build your lactate curve.
We use a staged protocol, starting well below your expected threshold and increasing intensity every 3 to 4 minutes, long enough for your physiology to stabilise at each stage so the curve reflects your real thresholds rather than a rushed estimate. As you approach your threshold zone, the stages get more finely spaced, which is what lets us pinpoint LT1 and LT2 precisely rather than roughly. The test continues until you reach RPE 9 to 10, giving us enough data past your threshold to model the full curve accurately.
Testing is available on the Wattbike Proton, Impulse RT700 treadmill, or Concept2 RowErg. If you'd rather test on your own bike, we can also set you up on a Wahoo Kickr Core. Tell us your sport and setup when you book.
How Should I prepare?Arrive well-rested; avoid hard training in the 48 hours before this test.
No food or caffeine for 3 hours beforehand
Bring appropriate footwear or kit for your chosen sport
For cycling, bring your shoes and tell us your pedal system when booking
What the results tell you
Your LT1, the aerobic threshold below which fat is your primary fuel and recovery between sessions is maximised
your LT2, the highest intensity you can sustain before lactate accumulates faster than it clears
personalised training zones in heart rate, pace, and power, built from your own data rather than an estimate
and a results debrief where we explain exactly what your numbers mean and how to train off them.
Lactate clearance testing is available for certain sports on request. Contact us for details.
Who is this for?Endurance athletes who want their training zones built on real data rather than estimates. Anyone who's plateaued and wants to know exactly where their threshold sits before committing to a new training block. Athletes heading into a key race season who want a precise baseline.
Want your VO2peak measured in the same session? Step up to the VO2peak and Lactate test. Want the complete picture, including VLaMax and metabolic phenotype? The INSCYD 360º Metabolic Profile goes further still.
All prices NZD inclusive of GST.
How long does this take?Allow 60 to 75 minutes, including warm-up, staged testing, and results debrief. Exact duration depends on how many stages your test requires.