GVSU will move to REMOTE STATUS for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 due to current and forecasted travel/road conditions. Students, faculty and staff, please check your email for details.
Community Testing Program
The Community Testing Program within the Movement Science Department at Grand Valley State University offers research-grade VO₂max testing, lactate threshold testing, DEXA (DXA) body composition scans, resting metabolic rate analysis, and other performance and fitness assessments to members of the West Michigan community, including the greater Grand Rapids area. Our state-of-the-art laboratories deliver accurate and reliable measures of aerobic fitness, body composition, and physiological performance that help individuals, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts inform their training plans, monitor progress, and set personalized goals. While we do not diagnose medical conditions or provide medical treatment, we deliver high-quality fitness and body composition data that supports evidence-based decision-making for health and performance.
In addition to serving the community, the program provides experiential learning opportunities for GVSU Exercise Science students through internships, shadowing, and hands-on involvement in testing sessions. Students work directly with faculty and staff to gain practical skills in data collection, client interaction, and laboratory operations. Revenue from community testing supports these experiences and ensures access to current, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.
Testing Services
VO2 Max
The VO₂ max test measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise — the gold standard for assessing aerobic fitness. Performed on a treadmill or cycle ergometer while wearing a breathing mask, the test gradually increases in intensity until peak effort is reached.
Lactate Threshold
This test pinpoints the exercise intensity where lactate begins to accumulate in the blood faster than it can be cleared, which is a key marker of endurance performance. Using finger-prick blood samples during incremental cycling or treadmill stages, we identify your lactate threshold to help you understand your physiology and guide your training.
Running Economy
Running economy measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen at submaximal running speeds — essentially, how much energy it costs you to run at a given pace. During this test, you’ll run on a treadmill at several controlled speeds while wearing a breathing mask that analyzes oxygen consumption.
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DXA Scan
A Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan offers the most precise measurement of body composition available, providing detailed insights into fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone density. This information is valuable for tracking changes over time, tailoring training, and monitoring bone health.
Resting Metabolic Rate
Your resting metabolic rate reflects the number of calories your body burns at rest. During this test, you relax in a reclined position while the air you exhale is collected by a hood connected to a metabolic cart for about 30 minutes. The results provide an accurate measurement of daily energy needs, which can guide nutrition, weight management, and performance fueling strategies.
Bod Pod
The Bod Pod provides a quick, safe, and highly accurate measurement of body composition using air displacement technology. During the test, you sit inside a small, egg-shaped chamber for a few minutes while the device measures body volume and mass. From this, it calculates body fat percentage, lean body mass, and overall body composition.
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Wingate
The Wingate test is the gold standard for measuring short-term, high-intensity anaerobic performance. During this test, you'll cycle on a specialized ergometer for 30 seconds at maximum effort against a resistance tailored to your body weight. The test captures peak power output, average power, fatigue index, and total work performed.
Pricing
Public Rates
VO2max - $100
Lactate Threshold - $125
Running Economy - $50
Wingate - $25
Resting Metabolic Rate - $75
DXA Scan - $150
Bod Pod - $75
GVSU Community Rates
VO2max - $75
Lactate Threshold - $100
Running Economy - $50
Wingate - $25
Resting Metabolic Rate - $50
DXA Scan - $100
Bod Pod - $50
*Includes Alumni*
Packages and Discounts
Elite Performance Package
VO2max, Lactate Threshold, and DXA Scan
Public - $300
GVSU Community - $225
Know Your Numbers Package
Resting Metabolic Rate & DXA Scan or BOD POD
Public - $200/125
GVSU Community - $125/75
Repeat Test Discount
$25 discount on each additional test of the same type
(Example: 1st VO₂max = $100, 2nd VO₂max = $75)
*Excludes packages*
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