Welcome to
Scotland's mobile Athlete Performance testing
We provide lab-accurate lactate threshold testing to analyse your physiological response to exercise & find your true zone.
About VITA Performance Testing
Most training zones come from an age-based formula that has nothing to do with your actual physiology.
A lactate threshold test measures how your body responds during an incremental test. Procign us with results we use to identify your training zones - specific to you!
Not just that, we get a full picture of your fitness so we can give informed advice on where to focus your Training.
The same method performance labs use without the cost.
The Science...
The goal of this test is simple: to identify your Aerobic Threshold, diagnose any Aerobic Deficiency, and show you exactly what training is needed to enhance your performance.
How it works
As exercise intensity increases in stages, a blood sample and heart rate reading are taken at each step. This data analysis allows us to plot lactate against heart rate, producing a lactate curve. Lactate is produced by glycolysis, and as exercise intensity rises, glycolysis increases. Consequently, blood lactate concentration reflects the balance of energy derived from anaerobic versus aerobic metabolism at that moment.
Why your Aerobic Threshold matters
Knowing where your Aerobic Threshold sits is fundamental to structuring endurance training effectively. Without this knowledge, intensity zones are often a guess, leading many athletes to train incorrectly: working too hard on easy days and not hard enough on their designated harder days.
What happens at the threshold?
Lactate becomes an issue once you exceed your aerobic capacity. Above the Aerobic Threshold, lactate production starts to outpace clearance, causing lactate and hydrogen ions to accumulate in the blood. Ultimately, this leads the body to reduce pace, making the Aerobic Threshold significant as it marks the highest intensity at which production and clearance remain balanced. Below this threshold, efforts can be sustained for longer periods; above it, sustainability is limited.
Your threshold can move...
Unlike some physiological markers, which remain relatively fixed, the Aerobic Threshold can adapt through targeted training. High-volume, low-intensity work builds capillary density, mitochondrial mass, and enzymatic capacity in slow-twitch fibers, which enhances your ability to clear lactate. As a result, your Aerobic Threshold shifts to a higher heart rate and pace, alongside improvements in other markers, including the Lactate Threshold and the Anaerobic Threshold.
In simple terms, you get faster and can maintain that speed for longer, all while it feels no harder; an essential factor for athlete's performance. So we are bringing it to you across Edinburgh and Scotland.
Learn More
Book your lactate threshold test with us and take the first step towards smarter training. Our expert team is here to support your athletic journey.
See exactly where your training is going
We don't just find your zones, we show you exactly where your training has been going...
Not only can we identify your zones from this test, but it can give us a visual representation of your fitness. We can identify strengths and gaps in your training, such as a strong base or if you have been spending a lot of time in a particular "grey area" between easy and hard, or whether it's speed work you're actually missing. No more guessing what to prioritise next.
The methodology
- Introduction (10-15 minutes) - A walkthrough of the test, plus a discussion of your goals and any injuries or conditions worth knowing about.
- Equipment Setup - You'll be fitted with a heart rate monitor strap to wear throughout the test.
- Warm-up and baseline (10-15 minutes) - Easy effort, plus baseline heart rate and a resting blood lactate sample.
- The test - Typically 7-8 stages, around 45-60 minutes in total.
- Cool-down and debrief - A discussion of your results and next steps.