Visit to George Mason University Fitness and Aquatics Center

Our team recently visited the George Mason University (GMU) Fitness and Aquatics Center to undergo VO₂max testing and evaluate their procedures. The facility is generally accessible to university athletes and research participants, though members of the public can also book sessions by scheduling approximately two weeks in advance. GMU is recognized as one of the top institutions offering VO₂max testing on the U.S. East Coast and is conveniently located about 30–45 minutes from the Global Fast Fit (GFF) headquarters.

Upon arrival, we found the main office closed—even at our scheduled appointment time—which resulted in roughly a 30-minute wait before staff arrived. We were eventually greeted by two technicians, likely graduate assistants completing practicum hours, who facilitated the testing process. No doctor or supervising professor was present during the session, and the technicians were unable to answer several technical questions regarding the methodology and interpretation of the test.

The base cost for VO₂max testing at GMU is approximately $175, though our total was around $300 after adding complementary assessments such as BodPod body composition analysis and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing. The entire visit lasted about two hours. Following the session, the test results were analyzed by a supervising professor and delivered within roughly a week and a half. To discuss the findings in more detail, we were required to schedule a separate consultation call.

Procedures aside, we did learn that John (Founder of GFF) has an excellent VO₂max at 39.5 with a % VO2 max @ ventilatory threshold at 55%. 

A few noteworthy observations emerged from the final report:

• No comparative VO₂max grading was provided for individuals aged 70 and above, leaving a data gap in higher-age categories.
  
  

• Ethnicity was recorded simply as “general population,” suggesting that potentially valuable demographic variables are not being captured for future trend or population analysis.
  
  

Overall, while the GMU Fitness and Aquatics Center offers legitimate and scientifically valid VO₂max testing, the experience highlights opportunities for improved professionalism, accessibility, and data precision—particularly for those seeking deeper insights into fitness performance analytics.

One of my responsibilites working with Global Fast Fit is to review incoming video submissions from all participants around the world. I think I have watched more people doing push ups then I would have ever imagined. 

Over this time period I have seen some unique approaches to form.  Often times its a matter of arm placement, whether narrow and close to your body, or wide and away from your body, both seem to have advantages and disadvantages.

A surpising attribute has been how people decide to hold their hands, I have seen hands forward, hands inwards (so difficult), fists (more difficult), and most recently a participant has entered 3 submissions doing push ups on their fingertips. The strength to do something like that must be phenomenal. Im not quite sure I can hold myself in position on my fingertips for any amount of time, let alone through a full set of push ups

Anyways, short thought on a long developing assessment.  Happy Push Ups!

I am not ashamed to admit that currently I am not in the best shape of my life. It has been 10+ years since I was competitively active. You could say that I have almost ceased physical activity due to my current work and hobbies.  I like computers, and making art and music on computers, and thats fine, but it doesnt get my blood moving like a good exercise.   I do hike, somewhat often, or I try to, but my days of being a top athlete are far away from me.

I played D1 soccer throughout my youth and even had scholarships to play at a higher level in college. Between soccer, hockey, and outdoors, I was quite active, never slowing down.  Unfortunately, sometime around my 16th birthday I had taken a bad fall during a game and separated my clavical. It was bad enough to where I had to take a 6 month break from all activity, which even in that short time, I lost some of the drive I had.

My early adult life consumed me, more work, more school, less sports, less activity, but I was relatively always in decent shape from my years of sports. But as time went on, my drive and motivation for a fit lifestyle strayed away from me.  As I stated above, I probably went 10 years with without taking care of myself, then Global Fast Fit provided me an outlet.

Despite my current physical status, I did hold the top score on the Global Fast Fit Leaderboards for 6 months. I had to train a few rounds before recording myself, and now Im trying to stay active in the case that I decide to take the top spot again :)
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Some time has passed since I was on the Global Fast Fit leaderboard, but I am happy to see the thousands of submissions come in. Younger people, older people, of all body types and backgrounds, can come together to work towards a healthy lifestyle. My wife and myself partake in the Global Fast Fit exercises daily. She is participating in a beginners program and I perform alongside her to get back into shape, and stay in shape.  Its no trouble to take 10 mins of my day and put it towards a short, high intensity work out.  I can feel that it puts more energy and life back into me, in an otherwise dorment lifestyle.

I encourage everyone to take control , do something good for yourselves. It starts with your health. A healthy body and a healthy mind pave way for a much healthier future.