Walking Test

The walking test is a simple, safe and repeatable way to measure your VO_2max, and to keep track of how your aerobic fitness is developing. Understanding your aerobic fitness level is the cornerstone of efficient training. This makes the walking test a valuable tool for anyone from occasional to regular trainers. We recommended taking the test when starting a training program, and repeating the test every three months. However, there's no reason why you shouldn't take it more often if you wish.

The idea is to walk as far as you can in fifteen minutes - at a steady pace. This means faster than your usual, comfortable walking speed. Aim at raising your heart rate above 65% of your maximum during the warmup, and keep it there throughout the test by walking at a fast, brisk pace. Your VO_2max result is based on the distance you walk, your heart rate during the test, and personal characteristics (age, sex, height and weight). In principle, the higher your walking speed and the lower your heart rate, the better your aerobic fitness.

Performing the test

Before taking the test, read the Health and Training section in this user manual or in the Important information sheet that came in the product package. Do not take the test during illness, injury or if you have any doubts over your health. Also make sure your physical settings – including height, weight, age as well as which hand you wear your watch on – are up to date. We use them in calculating the result. GPS (GNSS) is used to track your speed, therefore the test needs to be taken outdoors.

Take the test in flat terrain, track or road in a location that has an unobstructed view of the sky for optimal GPS (GNSS) performance. Avoid routes with traffic lights or other possible hindrances that might force you to stop or slow down. Tall buildings, tunnels, partially covered stadiums and trees can also affect GPS (GNSS) accuracy.

The conditions before testing should be fairly similar each time. For instance, you can mess up the results if you have an intense training session the day before or a heavy meal right before testing. During the test, you should walk as fast as you can, at a steady pace. Running is not allowed. Try to keep your heart rate above 65% of your maximum heart rate. There’s no upper limit. The longer your walking distance, the better your result. If your heart rate is too low, the watch will alert you. It means you need to walk faster to raise your heart rate.

The walking test including warmup and cool down phases takes about 25 minutes to perform. It's comprised of warmup (5 minutes) , test (15 minutes) and cool down (5 minutes) phases. Have a look at the instructions on your watch in Tests > Walking test > How to once more before starting to see a detailed breakdown of the test, and instructions on performing it.

1. Go to Tests > Walking test > Start, and scroll down to see an overview of the test. When you’re ready to start the test, choose Next.
2. Check the questions concerning your health and accept to go to the pre-training mode.
3. The walking sport profile is used for the test. It’s shown in a purple color in the test view. Stay in the pre-training mode until the watch has found your heart rate and the GPS satellite signals (GPS icon turns green).
4. Get started with a proper warmup. Aim at raising your heart rate above 65% of your maximum heart rate by walking at a fast, brisk pace. Follow the guidance on the display to complete the warmup.
5. When you've reached at least 65% of your maximum heart rate or warmed up for at least three minutes the test can be started. Choose Start test to start the actual test.
6. Keep your heart rate above 65% of your maximum heart rate during the test.
7. The test phase ends after 15 minutes. Press the OK button to confirm and continue to the cool down phase.
8. Cool down by walking slowly to promote your recovery.
9. After finishing the cool down you'll see the distance you walked on the display.
10. Press the BACK button once to pause your session, once paused press and hold the BACK button to end the session.

During the test: Your current heart rate and the heart rate value above which you need to stay are shown at the top of the display. At the bottom of the display you'll see the time elapsed.

Test results

Note that to update your VO_2max value based on your test result you need to sync the results to the Flow app. When opening the Flow app after syncing you'll be asked if you want to update it.

Detailed analysis in the Flow web service and app

Remember to sync your test result to Polar Flow. To help long-term follow up, we’ve gathered all the test data in one place in the Polar Flow web service. In the Tests page you can see all the tests you’ve performed and compare their results. You can see your long-term progress and easily view changes in your performance.