An Accelerant Toward Higher Health, And Nicer Abs?

I came out of the sauna, sweat dripping from every square inch of my body. “How do I get abs like that,” a man’s voice called out from over my shoulder. I was flattered, even if it wasn’t the first time I’d been asked this question.

He didn’t know how to take my response at first.

“Increase your VO₂max by 5 to 10 points and then your abs will have abs.”

“VO₂max?” he asked. “I’ve heard about it, but what is it?”

Put simply, VO₂max is the measure of how well your body utilizes oxygen. It represents the maximum volume of oxygen your muscles can use per minute of effort and is often read in volume (V) in milliliters of oxygen (O₂) per kilogram of bodyweight per minute (ml/kg/min).

There is a CO₂ component involved, as well, but that's for another conversation.

Put simply, the higher your VO₂max, the more efficiently your heart, lungs, and muscles work together to convert carbs and fats into energy (ATP) using oxygen — and the longer you can perform before fatigue sets in.

But VO₂max is more than a performance metric. It’s one of the most powerful indicators of longevity ever studied.

A high VO₂max doesn’t just mean you can run faster or work out longer — it means your body is younger and more resilient on the inside. Here’s why:

• Heart & Lung Health: A higher VO₂max means your cardiovascular system can pump oxygen-rich blood with greater efficiency, lowering your risk of disease and improving circulation from head to toe.

• Brain Function: Better oxygen delivery improves neural health, memory, and focus. Studies have linked higher VO₂max scores with reduced risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Metabolism: Efficient oxygen use allows your mitochondria — the “engines” of your cells — to burn fat and carbohydrates more effectively, helping maintain lean muscle and stable energy levels.

• Immunity: Regular endurance training that improves VO₂max stimulates immune defense by enhancing blood flow and nutrient transport to every organ.

When you train to raise your VO₂max, you’re not just working on endurance — you’re fortifying the systems that keep you alive, alert, and capable.

So if you want better abs, yes — train your core.

But if you want to keep those abs for life, train your oxygen system and increase your VO₂max. And if you want to increase your VO₂max then come see me at Suffer City, your home for aerobically-charged muscle endurance.