VO2 max is widely known as a gold standard of aerobic fitness. It shows up on watches, in training apps, and across social media as a benchmark for comparison. But the number you’re seeing might not present your fitness level as accurately as you think. Research questions whether the most common way we measure VO2 max —that is, based on bodyweight—actually provides the best way to compare aerobic efficiency across different body types. For runners, this raises an interesting follow-up: Is VO2 max skewed by your weight, and if so, what should you do about it? 2 Main Ways to Measure VO2 Max First, it helps to understand the difference between the two common ways physiologists report VO2 max. Absolute VO2 max measures your maximal oxygen uptake per minute, usually displayed in liters per minute. Relative VO2 max takes that number and divides it by your total bodyweight, commonly expressed in milliliters per kilogram per minute. Relative VO2 max is the measure you see most often.…