Mask free Performance Test
$249
For anyone who'd rather not wear a testing mask or have their fingertip or earlobe pricked.
Who is this for?Cyclists, runners, and triathletes who want the full INSCYD metabolic profile without the gas analysis mask or blood lactate sampling. Those who have previously found gas analysis masks uncomfortable or claustrophobic. Athletes who want metabolic profiling in a more controlled, purely power or pace-based format.
What is it?
The same INSCYD metabolic analysis as our INSCYD 360º Metabolic Profile, without the mask and without the finger prick.
Not everyone wants to wear a gas analysis mask during exercise. Not everyone is comfortable with a blood lactate fingertip sample. That's completely understandable, and it shouldn't mean missing out on the most sophisticated metabolic profiling available in Canterbury.
This test uses the INSCYD Power Performance Decoder protocol, performed on the Wattbike Proton, the Impulse RT700 treadmill, or your own bike fitted to a Wahoo Kickr Core. You complete a structured series of maximal efforts at different durations. We analyse your power or pace data using the INSCYD platform to model your complete metabolic profile, including VO2max, VLaMax, lactate threshold estimates, training zones, fuel use, and metabolic phenotype, without any gas analysis equipment or blood sampling.
Same INSCYD methodology. Same report. No mask. No needle.
How we test
You complete a series of all-out efforts on the Wattbike Proton, the Impulse RT700 treadmill, or your own bike on the Wahoo Kickr Core, whichever suits your sport and setup. Tell us your sport when you book and we'll get you on the right rig. The test requires maximal effort, this is not a comfortable protocol, but it is entirely non-invasive. No equipment is worn beyond a heart rate monitor, and no blood samples are taken at any point.
Your power or pace data is then fed into the INSCYD platform, which uses validated physiological modelling to derive your metabolic profile. The accuracy of the result depends on the quality of your maximal efforts; giving everything on each one is what makes the model reliable.
What the results tell you
VO2max - modelled from your power output data
VLaMax - your maximum lactate production rate
Lactate threshold estimates - LT1 and LT2, modelled from the INSCYD framework
Fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates across intensities
Carbohydrate consumption rate at target pace or power
Metabolic phenotype - your classification across the five Tristar phenotypes
Personalised training zones - heart rate, pace, and power
Full INSCYD report
Because these figures are modelled from your power or pace data rather than measured directly through gas analysis or blood lactate, they're not quite as precise as the INSCYD 360º Metabolic Profile. In practice the difference is small, and the numbers you get back are still genuinely reliable and useful for building your training zones and race strategy.
How does it compare to the INSCYD 360º Metabolic Profile?
The INSCYD 360º Metabolic Profile measures VO2max and lactate directly, using gas analysis and blood sampling; these are absolute measurements. This test models them from power or pace data using validated physiological relationships. Both use the INSCYD platform and produce the same report format.
The INSCYD 360º Metabolic Profile is more precise as direct measurement will always edge out modelling. But this test produces reliable, genuinely actionable data, and if you're not comfortable with the mask or the blood sampling, it's the right choice for you.
If you're unsure which test suits you, contact us and we'll help you decide.
How do I prepare for this??Arrive well-rested; avoid hard training in the 48 hours before this test.
No food or caffeine for 3 hours beforehand
For cycling, bring your cycling shoes and tell us your pedal system when booking; wear your usual cycling kit
For running, bring your usual running shoes and wear your usual running kit
All prices NZD inclusive of GST.
How long does this take??Allow 75 to 90 minutes, including warm-up, the test efforts, recovery between efforts, and results review.