If you could boil down your health into one number, it wouldn’t be your cholesterol. Or your blood sugar.
It’d be your VO₂ max — how much oxygen your body can use when you push it to the edge.
Dr. Peter Attia calls it the single best predictor of how long you’ll live. Better than any lab test. Because VO₂ max (and strength) can’t be gamed. It’s the sum of years of training, movement, and discipline, not a weekend juice cleanse.
Here’s the punch line:
The higher your VO₂ max, the lower your risk of dying early.
And the good news? You can build it. Consistent workouts, smart intensity, and a plan that keeps you in the top 25 percent for your age group will move the needle.
Don’t obsess over your current number. Watch your trajectory. If your VO₂ max is holding steady or rising as you age, you’re literally slowing the clock.
Quick takeaways:
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VO₂ max beats cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar as a predictor of lifespan.
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You can’t fake it — it’s earned over time.
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You can train for it at any age.
Watch Dr. Peter Attia explain why VO₂ max matters for longevity.
Better Dad, Today: Train for endurance like your life depends on it because it kinda does.
Inspired by Dr. Peter Attia’s discussion on VO₂ max and longevity. © Original content and research by Peter Attia, MD. Watch the full segment via peterattiamd.com.
