The secret is doing exercises of varying intensity that fit your lifestyle and schedule. Vitality Fitness can help. Discover new workouts in the Discovery app today and get up to 8 free workouts a month to try something new.
What is VO2 max and why is it important?
VO2 max measures the maximum volume (V) of oxygen (O2) your body uses when you exercise. The higher your VO2 max reading, the better your ability to use oxygen for longer when training.
Why does it matter? Tracking your VO2 max gives you a better understanding of your cardio fitness level and how to improve it. By improving your cardio fitness, you can potentially lower your risk of developing chronic conditions like Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
If you want to increase your VO2 max in 2026, this is how you can do it.
Mix up your training. Maximise your cardio fitness.
An effective way to improve your cardio fitness level is to vary the intensity at which you train throughout the week. Your body quickly gets used to familiar routines and it's important to challenge yourself while doing your best with the time you have. For example, you can do a 15- to 30-minute HIIT workout on days when you have less time available, and a moderate intensity workout like a hike or a parkrun on weekends when you have more. This will help you stay consistent and stick with your exercise routine.
By doing different types of exercise at different intensities, you can increase your cardio fitness over time. A balanced exercise routine includes a mix of:
Endurance training
Activities that get your heart pumping, also known as continuous cardio, base or steady state training, that you can do at low to moderate intensity for a longer time.
Easy win: Book a dance or water aerobics class on Vitality Fitness
Interval training
Alternate more intense bursts of exercise (2 to 4 minutes at 75%+ of your max heart rate) with slower recovery periods (2 to 4 minutes).
Easy win: Book a strength or functional fitness class on Vitality Fitness
High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
Alternate short, vigorous bursts of exercise (30 seconds to 1 minute at 80%+ of your max heart rate) with slower recovery sets (1 to 3 minutes).
Easy win: Book a HIIT or HYROX class on Vitality Fitness
- Learn more about exercise intensity, heart-rate zones and examples of these kinds of workouts.
Mix it up with Vitality Fitness
Spicing up your fitness routine has never been easier. Discover a wide variety of fitness facilities with Vitality Fitness in the Discovery app. Plus, get up to 8 free workouts a month based on your Vitality Health status.
You can book a class or access pass at hundreds of fitness facilities and try out:
- Cardio boxing
- Combat sport
- CrossFit
- Dance
- Functional fitness
- HIIT
- HYROX
- Pilates
- Rebound
- Spinning
- Squash
- Strength training
- Swimming
- Yoga
And more. So what are you waiting for? Exercise anywhere with Vitality Fitness and take your cardio fitness to the max in 2026. Plus, earn up to 10,000 Vitality points every year depending on their Vitality Cardio Fitness Level.
Live life with Vitality.