The physiology lab at Elite Training Systems has the most elaborate and up to date testing equipment on the market today. Accurate metabolic testing can be an essential tool for athletes interested in getting the most out of their bodies and their training programs. Our lab caters to runners, triathletes, cyclists and rowers of all abilities who want to improve their performance. Your results will give you the training parameters needed to hone in on specific training zones for specific physiological energy systems. For each training zone (easy/long, marathon pace, tempos, intervals, repetition) you will receive specific paces (min/mile or mph), heart rates, and lap times for repetition and interval work. Use this information with your current training plan, or provide this information to your coach so he/she can develop your program based on your physiology.

A full physiological assessment includes the following:

• Lactate Threshold Determination: the velocity at which one's lactate levels indicate a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. This is determined while exercising and breathing through a flow sensor on the metabolic cart. Blood lactate levels can also be sampled through a simple finger prick at each workload, as an additional test, using the medical grade blood lactate analyzer.
• Peak VO2: the maximal rate of oxygen utilization and the velocity at this point.
• Peak Heart Rate: a laboratory determination of a maximal heart rate at VO2max.
• Respiratory Quotient (RQ): shows the fuel source utilized (carbohydrates, fats or both) at each increment of testing.

Finish with a detailed interpretation and discussion of the data, analysis of your strengths and how to improve weaknesses.

Body Composition Analysis

During your training program you will experience your body changing in several ways. You may gain a new awareness of specific muscles used for running, cycling, walking, hiking, lifting weights. You may notice your clothes fitting differently. You may notice an increase in appetite or a craving for certain foods (marathon runners especially). You may become more thirsty than usual. You may experience weight loss toward the mid to late stages of your program. Many long distance runners have a tendency to lose muscle or lean body mass with long duration weekend runs.

In order to gauge if many of these changes are healthy for you, set up an appointment for a Body Composition Analysis at Elite Training Systems in San Ramon.  You will learn baseline information about where you are today as far as height, weight, percentage of body fat, pounds of lean mass, hydration levels, body mass index, where you carry your weight and lean mass, and basal metabolic rate (daily caloric expenditure at rest). Caloric guidelines for each phase of training will be determined. An optimum weight will be recommended along with suggested increases or decreases in lean mass or body fat. It is important to gather this information in the early training phases, before your body starts to change.

A few weeks before your event or at the end of a training phase, schedule another  testing day to chart results.  This is where you will chart all the positive physiological changes your body has experienced. This is your reward for all of your hard training performed, and is also a great mental boost before race day or your next phase of training.

To schedule a time slot, fees are pre-paid either by check or PayPal. Be sure to view the pre-test guidelines prior to scheduling and testing.

Group specials are offered for four people or more, scheduled at 15 minute back to back times.

Elite Training Systems has high standards for accuracy in physiological testing and uses medical grade body composition testing.   For questions or to schedule your test time please contact Suzanne.

Suzanne Cordes M.A., CSCS
Exercise Physiologist
In-Training ~ Elite Training Systems
2276 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, 94583
(925) 838-1000 office
(925) 866-3800 lab phone on testing day

BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS
Individually Scheduled
$50

Groups or teams of five or more people can schedule a testing day in the lab at the special rate of $40. per person. Must be pre-paid and scheduled in advance with back to back time slots. There are no cancellations, rescheduling or refunds on group specials. Be sure to view the pre-test guidelines prior to scheduling. Please arrive a few minutes early. Tests are scheduled every 20 minutes. Arriving late may forfeit your session.

Next Group Special: Saturday, July 10
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

                Step 1: Read Pre-Test Guidelines prior to scheduling
Step 2: Pre-Pay with PayPal or by check
               Step 3: Phone or E-mail Suzanne for your time slot 

Directions to Elite Training Systems