Metabolic Testing for Gyms: Launch Your VO2/RMR Service in 14 Days 

Owners & Managers: portable metabolic testing can become a repeatable revenue source helping you attract and maintain fitness and wellness clients. This blog shows exactly how to launch, price, market, and scale the service across locations: with a simple process, and a 14-day go-to-market plan : [Download the Gym VO2 & RMR Pricing Playbook]

10 Steps to Attract New Clients with Portable Metabolic Testing

Implementing portable metabolic testing in your facility is an effective way to build new revenue streams and grow your business by attracting new clients and expanding your offerings to your current ones. 
For fitness and wellness leaders, the business case is simple: new-client acquisition, upsell to training plans, and recurring retests—delivered with no additional floor space and one trained staff member. 

Awareness of portable metabolic testing is rapidly expanding globally through the media and leading organizations, including Dr. Peter Attia’s The Drive podcast. 

Here are 10 steps you can follow to start providing valuable physiologic insights to your clients and offering this premium fitness and wellness service at your facility.

1. Select the Most Accurate and Portable Metabolic Testing Tool Available 

Do your research into which metabolic analyzer is best for your needs. Ideally, you will want to find one that can be utilized in a wide array of settings to accommodate the dynamic needs of your clients. Checklist for Purchasing
Portable Metabolic Analyzers

The VO2 Master analyzer has no wires, tubes, or backpacks. It provides live data and instant reports to share with your client, plus you can customize reports with your logo. Portability creates opportunity: run “VO2 Days” at partner gyms/teams/events to capture non-member awareness for your Business.

For more advanced testing and training options, the VO2 Master is compatible with many leading sports science testing technologies as well. 

2. Determine How You Want to Integrate Testing into Existing Programs

Incorporate metabolic testing into your current fitness assessments or packages. Offer it as a part of initial assessments for new clients with quarterly or semi-annual testing depending on client needs for health and wellness, or athletic performance. 

If you want to learn how to calculate the ROI of portable metabolic analysis, use our free calculator. 

3. Create Packages and Pricing for Metabolic Analysis

Develop various client packages that include metabolic testing. Offer competitive pricing and bundle it with Personal Training (PT) and more, depending on what services you have available.

Introduce this three-tier ladder:

• Intro Offer — VO2 Max test + 20-min consult (Member / Non-member)

• Performance Pack — VO2 + RMR + 3-Month plan + retest

• PERSONAL TRAINING (PT) Add-On — VO2 Max Coaching Program

Revenue guidance: add couples/family + retest discount to drive recurrent business. →

[Download the Gym VO2 & RMR Pricing Playbook (Free PDF)]

4. Set Up Testing and Cleaning Spaces

Designate an area for testing in your facility with a treadmill, cycle ergometer, or both. Ensure the area has good ventilation and is free from distractions. 

Never blow a fan directly on your client’s face when testing. If you’re going to do resting tests as well, have a quiet area with a comfortable reclinable chair.

The analyzer mask and headgear require washing after each use, and the analyzer needs to be cleaned with cleansing wipes but not placed in water.

Target ~5-10 minutes for cleaning between tests = Operational flowthrough

5. Educate Your Staff

Determine who your in-house metabolic testing expert will be. This person can be responsible for providing team leadership and developing in-depth knowledge of your portable metabolic analyzer and testing processes. Appoint a “Metabolic Lead” to own Testing processes [SOPs], training, and Key Performance Indicators [KPI] reporting for optimal decision making.

This employee can practice their initial use of the product with staff members, which helps everyone learn the value of having the testing available for clients. Run at least three practice test (staff, friends, family) and time each step to standardize flow.

Once your metabolic testing expert is prepared, have them conduct basic training for everyone in the facility, including front office staff, so each team member is prepared to answer basic client inquiry questions. 

Front-desk script: “VO2 Max is a key metric representing health span, and the information provides our coaches insights which can help them train you more effectively”

All VO2 Master customers receive a video education series, quick-start guide, the product manual for education and a 30-minute Q&A call with a product expert.

6. Market Your New Service to Inform Your Clients

Promote your new metabolic testing services through a launch event with live testing, email newsletters, social media, and in-gym/outdoor signage to educate current and potential clients about the value of metabolic testing. 

Launch in 14 days: Create 2-3 emails, floor signage (VO2 Master provides Images), 3-4 social posts, and special “Launch Pricing” for first 10-20 tests. You can also add booking links on your website.

Highlight the benefits of utilizing these services, such as personalized fitness plans and enhanced training efficacy.

Use VO2 Master Manager App Summary report to consult with your client and create a personalized training plan: Download VO2 Sample Summary Report. and RMR Sample Metabolic Report

Use VO2 Master marketing assets, including photos and an editable brochure, to help you promote your new service. 

Join our facility finder web feature once you’ve ordered your analyzer so people in your area who want to be tested can easily find you. See who’s on our Facility Finder here

Be sure to tag VO2 Master in your social media posts so we can share what you are doing! You can track monthly bookings, referrals and increased revenue from testing services.

7. Use Data Effectively Short and Long-term

Use the data from metabolic tests to tailor fitness programs to your clients’ needs. Explain to clients how these personalized programs can enhance their performance and longevity. In the consult, discuss the VO2 Master Summary report and your training package options. This will allow you to create a valuable long term fitness profile for your client showing progress over time.

The VO2 Master Manager app allows you to collect and store all the tests for each person in one place for easy retrieval and review. Also, client’s receive a QR code for ease of use.

8. Monitor and Evaluate Your Process

Gather feedback from your clients and staff to reflect on and make the necessary improvements to your testing process so you establish and maintain a world-class experience and outcome. Hold a 15-minute weekly staff stand-up: workflow, client input, and one improvement for the next week.

9. Celebrate and Share Successes

With the permission of your clients, share their wins and successes through testimonials online, in your newsletter, and at educational workshops. 

Testimonial format: Result Headline + 3 Bullet points (Goal, Process, Result) 

10. Repeat the Learnings at all Your Facilities 

Once you have mastered the metabolic testing process at your first facility, expand to all your locations.

Repeat the 14-day launch process at each of your facilities. Optimize training with testing expert, determine local price, reuse creative and business metric tracking of results.

Your in-house expert can lead the expansion through a transfer of knowledge with demonstrations, VO2 Master educational resources, role-playing, and answering common questions.

See customer success stories and business case studies.

FAQs

Ready to bring VO2 Master to your facility?

Talk to our solutions team about demos, pricing, and partnership opportunities—and discover how portable metabolic testing can transform your business. Ready to bring VO2 Master to your facility?