01
A ramp test built to be repeatable.
GOVO2 walks you through a structured cycling ramp test with clear power targets, a clean finish point, and a result you can retest under the same conditions every 6-8 weeks.
Early access now open
Your Apple Watch never gave you a real cycling VO2max. GOVO2 does. Your Apple Watch never gave you a real cycling VO2max. GOVO2 does.
Built for cyclists who train with a power meter and are done settling for a walk-derived number on Apple, or a passive estimate from a device that keeps telling you you're underperforming. GOVO2 runs a real ramp test on your iPhone, shows you the math, and gives you a cycling VO2max you can actually trust.
Download the app now
Requires iPhone (iOS 17+), a Bluetooth power meter or smart trainer, and an Apple Watch or supported Garmin watch.
02
Turn the number into zones that mean something.
Use your cycling VO2max to anchor the work: Zone 2 for the aerobic base, intervals to push the ceiling higher, and retests every 6-8 weeks to see if training is moving the number.
Run your first ramp test this weekend.
Twenty-five minutes. Your trainer, your iPhone, your Apple Watch. GOVO2 walks you through the ramp, shows you the math, and gives you a cycling VO2max that came from real power - not your morning walk. Retest every 6-8 weeks and you'll know whether the training is actually moving the number.
FAQ
Quick answers before you ride.
How accurate is GOVO2 compared with a lab test?
GOVO2 is not a gas-exchange lab test. It is a repeatable cycling-specific estimate from real power data, with the equation and assumptions visible so you can audit the number.
Which power meters are compatible?
GOVO2 is built for common cycling power sources such as BLE power meters, smart trainers, and bikes that report cycling power.
Supported devices & sensors
GOVO2 4.3 works with iPhone, Apple Watch or a supported Garmin watch, and standard Bluetooth cycling power sources. Requires iOS 17+.
Phone / OS
- iPhone: iPhone XS / XR or newer
- iOS: iOS 17.0 or newer
- Watch: Apple Watch or supported Garmin watch required
Supported Apple Watch models
Requires watchOS 26.4 or later.
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen)
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Apple Watch Ultra 3
Supported Garmin watches
Forerunner
- Forerunner 55
- Forerunner 165
- Forerunner 245 / 245 Music
- Forerunner 255 / 255S / 255 Music
- Forerunner 265 / 265S
- Forerunner 570
- Forerunner 745
- Forerunner 945 / 945 LTE
- Forerunner 955 / 955 Solar
- Forerunner 965
- Forerunner 970
fēnix
- fēnix 6 / 6S / 6X (all variants)
- fēnix 7 / 7S / 7X (all variants)
- fēnix 8 (all sizes)
- fēnix E
Instinct
- Instinct 2 / 2S / 2 Solar / 2S Solar
- Instinct Crossover
- Instinct 3 AMOLED / 3 Solar
Venu
- Venu Sq 2 / Sq 2 Music
- Venu 2 / 2S / 2 Plus
- Venu 3 / 3S
vívoactive
- vívoactive 5
- vívoactive 6
epix
- epix Gen 2 / epix Pro Gen 2 (all sizes)
MARQ
- MARQ Collection Gen 1 & Gen 2
tactix / quatix
- tactix Delta, tactix 7 / 7 Pro
- quatix 6, quatix 7
Descent
- Descent G1, Mk2, Mk3 series
D2 (Aviation)
- D2 Air, D2 Air X10
- D2 Mach 1 / Mach 1 Pro
- D2 Mach 2
Other
- Enduro / Enduro 2 / Enduro 3
- vivosmart 5
- Approach S70
Cycling power meters
GOVO2 supports Bluetooth cycling power meters that broadcast the standard Bluetooth Cycling Power profile:
- Bluetooth Cycling Power Service: 0x1818
- Cycling Power Measurement Characteristic: 0x2A63
Compatible categories include:
- Bluetooth crank-based power meters
- Bluetooth pedal-based power meters
- Bluetooth hub/spider power meters
- Smart trainers that expose standard Bluetooth cycling power
Is it really free?
Yes. GOVO2 is free for individual cyclists on TestFlight, with no subscription or ad-supported data model.
Do I need a chest strap?
No. Use an Apple Watch or a supported Garmin watch.
Is GOVO2 a medical device?
No. GOVO2 is a fitness and training tool, not a medical device, diagnostic product, or substitute for professional medical advice.
I already use a cycling computer for VO2max. Why would I use GOVO2?
GOVO2 runs on your iPhone, so it works alongside whatever cycling computer you already use - nothing changes in your existing setup. The difference is the method. Most cycling devices estimate VO2max passively from your regular rides using an algorithm you can't see or verify. GOVO2 runs a controlled ramp test with visible inputs and a transparent equation. It's a deliberate measurement, not a background estimate.
My Apple Watch gives me a VO2max reading. Isn't that enough?
Apple Watch only estimates cardio fitness from Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, and Hiking workouts - not cycling. For trained cyclists, bike-specific VO2max can come out higher than treadmill or running values; published studies have reported about 3.7% higher in one cyclist group and 11% higher in another. So if you primarily ride, Apple's number may reflect your pedestrian fitness more than your cycling fitness. GOVO2 fills that gap with a cycling-specific ramp test driven by real power data.
Who is GOVO2 not for?
GOVO2 is not designed for casual cyclists who ride without power data, for runners looking for running-specific VO2max testing, or for athletes looking for a full adaptive training platform. For structured training plans, tools like TrainerRoad or Wahoo SYSTM do that well. GOVO2 does one thing: gives you a trustworthy, transparent cycling VO2max number.
Ride focused testing. Straightforward numbers.
GOVO2 keeps the test focused: connect your power source, follow the ramp, then review the exact inputs behind your cycling VO2max.
