I talk a lot about physiological profiling, and how getting tested in an exercise physiology laboratory can be really helpful for refining your training. However, I also know that many athletes do not have access to exercise physiology labs for this testing.

Accordingly, I’ve put together a couple of calculators on the Endure IQ website that you can use to get decent estimates of things like intensity thresholds using easy-to-access field test data.

In this section we are going to talk about the metabolic calculator. I’ll walk you through how to perform the field tests to get the necessary data. But we also include calculators for fat metabolism/lactate thresholds, critical swim speed and functional threshold power.

Field test estimate of critical run speed: 5-km time trial

Our running field test is a 5-km effort – how fast can you complete 12.5 laps of 400-metre athletics track, although you can also complete the on your favourite flat running route. If you’re lucky enough to have...