WorkRate Testing
This is where we decode your physiology to unlock peak performance.
Each testing day focuses on one diagnostic: either the Running Efficiency Test or the Maximal Efficiency Test — never both. This ensures we capture clean, uncompromised data without the interference of fatigue.
Our Game Changing Tests
Running Efficiency Test — RET
Inspired by advanced lab-based cardiorespiratory testing, the Running Efficiency Test (RET) is a 21-stage, progressive run that pinpoints your Zone 2 pace, ideal cadence, and where your body shifts from aerobic to anaerobic effort. Using Garmin wearable data, it also breaks down your running mechanics—how you move, breathe, and respond as intensity builds—while helping gauge your readiness to train and flag early signs of injury risk. Designed for the track or road, the RET gives you clear, actionable insights to run more efficiently and stay healthy—without needing a lab.
Maximal Efficiency Test — MaxE
The MaxE Test is a 30-minute, steady-state run that shows how well your body can hold pace at its most efficient—no needles, no lab walls. Set at a controlled, sustainable intensity, it targets the sweet spot where your physiology works best, using real-time heart rate and breathing data from Garmin wearables to track how well you sustain that effort. It’s a true durability check—revealing fatigue, form breakdown, and whether you’re ready to progress or need more aerobic base to stay efficient and injury-resistant.
Can anyone sign up for Testing Day?
Testing is only available to current WorkRate Run Lab members.
Your data will be reviewed by our team and processed through our WorkRate analytics engine. Here’s whats included.
Results + Analysis
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No more guessing. The combination of RET (ramp-style) and MaxE (steady-state) allows us to pinpoint your true Zone 2 pace and the cadence your body naturally stabilizes at under fatigue. This is the foundation of intelligent, individualized endurance training.
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These tests work together to track how your heart rate, lungs, and running mechanics interact across intensities. You'll see where inefficiencies or breakdowns occur — and how to fix them — so every session trains your system, not just your muscles.
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The RET reveals when your form breaks under increasing intensity. The MaxE confirms whether you can hold that form under load. This dual approach helps you train not just to go hard, but to stay efficient over time — a key predictor of real-world performance.
Testing Day & Events Calendar
This isn’t just running — it’s performance with backup.
We’re your elite support crew: pacing locked, data flowing, and track ready. From Testing Days to deep-dive seminars, every event is built to push limits and level you up.
Check the calendar. Claim your spot. Let’s get to work
What equipment do I need for Testing Day?
You’ll need the following:
A compatible Garmin watch (e.g., Forerunner, Fenix, Epix series)
A Garmin HRM (HRM-Pro or HRM-Fit required for respiration and running dynamics)
A pair of headphones
If you don’t own the required gear, we have a limited number of loaner kits available